The Best Waterproof Laptop Backpacks

There are many great backpacks out there suited to commuting, hiking, photography, or days at the office, but not all of them are made equal. Many lack proper laptop sleeves and aren’t safe for carrying valuable computing equipment back and forth. That’s why you need something both waterproof and well-designed if you’re likely to be taking your MacBook or laptop out and about every day.

To this end, this buying guide contains a wide range of excellent multi-purpose backpacks, and every one of them includes a laptop sleeve and a waterproof surface. Some are more tech-focused or built for everyday usage, while others are ideal for hiking or air travel, so check out the specs to find the one that suits your needs best.

OUR RECOMMENDATIONS

MOST WATERPROOF

If you’re looking for a waterproof laptop backpack that will resist even the craziest downpours while you’re trudging along in the great outdoors, and you have a 13″ laptop, we recommend you choose The Friendly Swede Waterproof Dry Bag Backpack. If, however, you have a 15″ laptop, we recommend you choose the Chrome Urban Ex 2.0 Rolltop 20L Pack.

BEST FOR 13″ LAPTOPS

If you’re looking for a smaller waterproof laptop backpack, perhaps for women, we recommend the Rains Backpack Mini, which is both compact but still large enough to fit a 13″ laptop in a weatherproof bag.

BEST FOR 15″ LAPTOPS

We recommend the Lo & Sons – The Hakuba Backpack, which is not only minimalist in design but also stylish and features tons of pockets.

BEST FOR 16″ LAPTOPS

When your 16″ Macbook Pro needs just a bit more breathing room while being nestled in a water-resistant shell, we recommend you pick the Nomatic Travel Pack. 

BEST FOR BIKING & COMMUTING

While there are plenty of worthwhile contenders on this list, we recommend the A-LAB | Model D | Waterproof Bicycle & Messenger Backpack. It’s the perfect shape for strapping to your back while taking your bike out for a ride. And weather conditions be damned, this backpack features high-frequency welding making it nearly entirely waterproof. 

BEST FOR DAY-TO-DAY

Our recommendation for the best day-to-day backpack that will withstand all but a complete under-water dunking and protect your electronics from heavy rains is the Aer – Day Pack 2. 

1. Timbuk2 Rogue Laptop Backpack

The Rogue waterproof laptop backpack from Timbuk 2 is at first glance a fairly typical daypack, but its functional exterior belies a range of clever features upon closer inspection. A sturdy laptop backpack with a 15″ sleeve for all your devices, the Timbuk2 also comes equipped with carabiner loops, elasticized side panels, and even an on-strap bottle opener; perfect for cracking open a cold one the minute you’ve finished work!

2. Aer Day Pack 2

A workday backpack for laptops and EDC designed for use by commuters and office workers; the Aer Day Pack 2 comes in a lovely smooth chrome colorway with a structured shell design. This means all your items are well-protected from bumps and bashes, even when squashed onto a subway or into the trunk of your car. This pack has a 16″ laptop sleeve, ideal for most laptops and MacBooks, making it great for everyday use.

3. Troubadour Goods Apex Backpack

The Troubadour Goods Apex backpack is a large men’s waterproof laptop backpack with a high 25 liter capacity and plenty of pockets for devices and gear, including a 16″ laptop pocket. The Apex is constructed from lightweight waterproof fabric to keep all your stuff dry, and its back panel and shoulder straps have been ergonomically designed for maximum comfort.

4. The Friendly Swede Roll Top Graneberg Backpack

Available in black, khaki green, or stark white, the Friendly Swede Granberg is a stylish waterproof roll-top laptop backpack from a reliable brand. The Friendly Swede is known for their great packs, and the Graneberg is one of their most well-respected products, clocking in at a very respectable $70 for a pack that’s worth more than the sum of its parts. A good option for those packing light, the Graneberg has room for a 13″ laptop along with 15 liters of gear, all of which is protected from the elements by a sturdy 500 denier PVC tarp.

5. KAKA Travel Backpack

If a high carrying capacity is what you’re after, then you’ll struggle to do much better than the KAKA Travel Backpack, a hiking pack that also doubles as a laptop backpack for all you digital nomads out there. This pack isn’t just huge; it also comes equipped with carabiners and a hanging hook for securing extra equipment, case carry straps for easy transport in airports, and a bumper 18″ laptop sleeve for even the biggest of devices. All of this makes it the ideal pack for long-distance travelers.

6. Topo Rover Pack Classic

The Topo Rover is a recognizable classic that has weathered the passage of time in style. Its wide range of optional colorways look just as good today as they did in the ’80s, and there’s a reason they’ve lasted this long. This cute waterproof laptop backpack is sturdier than it looks, with a 1000D nylon base and water-resistant cloth upper make it a reliable companion whatever the years may bring.

7. A-LAB Model D Messenger Backpack

Without a doubt, one of the best waterproof laptop backpacks in terms of weatherproofing, the A-Lab Model D is a messenger backpack with a difference. Rather than being stitched or glued together, its 500D tarpaulin surfaces have been constructed with high-frequency welding, making it extremely waterproof and unlikely ever to tear, even under intense strain. The backpack exterior is doubly protected thanks to a PVC coating, making it the perfect pack for keeping a laptop dry in rainy climates.

8. RAINS Buckle Backpack Mini

While high-capacity beasts are all well and good for those with lots to carry, sometimes a small waterproof laptop backpack is all you need to get you through. The RAINS Buckle Backpack mini is one such pack, an 8.5-liter daypack with all the features of its bigger cousins packed in, including a 13″ laptop sleeve. It’s just as sturdy as its bigger brother, thanks to a polyurethane and polyester construction, and it’s still got enough room inside for all of your devices and gear.

9. Lo & Sons – The Hakuba Backpack

The Lo & Sons Hakuba backpack is a great multi-purpose backpack for laptops, food storage, and sports alike, with a 15″ laptop sleeve, a bevy of side pockets, and double-layered top pockets. The pack also comes with an inner shoe pouch perfect for carrying dirty sneakers or messy lunches that you want to keep separate from the rest of your stuff. With a 35.5 liter capacity, this is on the bigger side but still looks great thanks to its stylish black onyx colorway.

10. Thule Pack n’ Pedal Commuter Backpack

Another great commuter backpack, the Thule Pack n’ Pedal is specially designed to keep cyclists safe, with a reflective screen print on its exterior for extra visibility, along with a convenient hideaway helmet attachment perfect for stringing up your gear when not in use. The 15″ laptop compartment has extra padding in case of any bumps, and a roll-top closure means you don’t have to worry about your stuff getting wet in the rain.

11. Topo Daypack Original

A modernized version of Topo’s classic daypack, the 2020 Original is a good mid-size backpack for laptops and school gear, with a 15″ device sleeve and 12.6 liters of carrying capacity. The materials here are extremely sturdy, with 1000 denier Cordura and 420 denier Nylon elements, plus horween leather patches on select colorways. The addition of a few strong lash tabs makes it a great pack for carrying climbing gear too.

12. Timbuk2 Spire Backpack

The Spire is a more traditional backpack than Timbuk2’s Rogue, with a large main compartment plus a 15″ laptop sleeve, along with elasticized side pockets for water bottles or umbrellas. Nautical, Black, or Gray Surplus colorways are available, so there’s a simple but stylish choice for everyone here, and the 26-liter carrying capacity is more than enough for most people’s everyday gear.

13. Chrome Urban Ex 2.0 Pack

A technical men’s waterproof laptop backpack with a sturdy, straightforward style, the Chrome Urban Ex 2.0 is a waterproof roll-top with a bandolier of storage loops for gear and bike locks, finished with a jaded charcoal colorway. This pack has a 20-liter capacity that can be expanded by 4 liters with the top unrolled, and a welded waterproof construction, making it a super-sturdy pick.

14. Pelican ProGear S100 Backpack

This waterproof laptop backpack is an excellent choice for those who enjoy sports, thanks to its expandable side pockets and rigid construction. The back of the pack is constructed from crushproof plastic in the same style as a clamshell suitcase, and so it’s perfect for carrying equipment and a change of clothes along with your laptop and other gear. This makes It ideal for after-work trips to the gym or the tennis court, and the high 25-liter capacity means you won’t have any trouble fitting your shorts and sneakers in too.

15. Rains Backpack Mini

Another mini pack from Rains, this small waterproof laptop backpack, is minimalist as they come, with a 13″ laptop sleeve and a single large compartment, all shielded from the elements by a fold-over buckle a waterproof coil zipper. With just 8.5 liters of carrying capacity, this is one of the smallest backpacks on this list, but if you don’t need to shoulder much weight, this is a perfect space-saving choice.

16. Timbuk2 Authority Laptop Backpack

Timbuk2’s Authority laptop is another great pick for cyclists thanks to its reflective tape and large 17″ laptop sleeve. A key keeper and luggage loop is also built-in, allowing you to free up your pockets before your ride, and a water-resistant bottom boot means you’ll have no trouble with a few puddle splashes if your mudguards should fail to protect you.

17. Pelican Mobile Protect Backpack

This sturdy weatherproof pack from Pelican is built to make carrying large amounts of weight easy. The 35-liter capacity necessitates a comfortable build at full-load, and to this end, Pelican has designed their straps to aid with load compression for the sake of prolonged comfort. The last thing you want is an aching back while you lug your gear here and there, and so a sternum strap is also included to help balance your load.

18. Chrome BLCKCHRM 22X Pack

Another waterproof roll-top laptop backpack from Chrome, the BLCKCHRM 22X is constructed from Nylon and Cordura TPX laminate to create a hard-wearing, weatherproof pack. An exterior front pocket gives you easy access to commonly used items so that you’re not wasting time digging around in the main compartment, and a quick-access phone pocket further streamlines things to make this one very user-friendly backpack.

19. KORIN FlexPack Pro

In a restrained slate grey colorway, the KORIN FlexPack Pro hides its many functions beneath an unassuming, minimalist exterior. This pack comes with some great features, like a magnetic chest strap to help with loadbearing and a thermal insulation pouch perfect for storing flasks and hot drinks. This pack also includes USB support via an interior power bank, which comes as part of your purchase. It’s ideal for keeping your phone charged on the go, so if you’re away from plug sockets for much of your day, this is a great option to consider.

20. Incase ICON Laptop Backpack

A spacious pack designed specifically for carrying laptops and smart devices, the Incase ICON laptop backpack is a reliable choice of pack constructed from high-tensile fabrics. The overall exterior is stitched from ballistic Nylon capable of withstanding sharp punctures head-on. The faux fur padding on the 16″ device sleeve doubles the protection surrounding your valuable tech.

21. NOMATIC Travel Pack

The NOMATIC travel pack aims to keep your valuables safe with a variety of security-conscious features. This high-capacity 30-liter backpack comes with an RFID safe-storage pocket for contactless cards, hidden pockets for stowing away cash and jewelry, and a hard shell pouch to keep glasses and other delicate items safe. The pack can also hold a 15″ laptop in its padded sleeve, and it has already been carry-on approved, so there’s no need to spend time worrying over whether it’s too big to take on commercial board flights.

22. Herschel Little America Backpack

Available in 17-liter or 25-liter editions, the Herschel Little America is an iconic backpack for laptops and everyday carry alike, with years of expertise poured into its time-tested design. The traditional leather straps now use magnet-fastening to secure the pack a breeze, and a 15″ laptop sleeve has been implemented into the main compartment. Overall, this is a practical evolution of a classic product.

23. Thule Subterra Backpack

Last but not least, the Thule Subterra is a nifty little waterproof laptop backpack with a few nice features that make it something of a good all-rounder. The pack includes a sunglasses pocket and luggage loop, along with a soft interior laptop sleeve and a cable management line perfect for charging your phone with an additional power bank. Its EVA shoulder straps are posture-friendly and nicely padded, making this a comfortable and convenient pack at a reasonable price.

COMPARE THE BEST WATERPROOF LAPTOP BACKPACKS

Use this handy table to sort and compare the waterproof laptop backpacks featured here.

BACKPACK	LAPTOP SIZE	WATER BOTTLE POCKET	VOLUME (L)	WEIGHT	LUGGAGE LOOP
Timbuk2 Rogue Laptop Backpack	15″	Yes	27	1.8 lbs	No
AER Day Pack 2	16″	Yes	14.8	2.9 lbs	Yes
Troubadour Apex Backpack Explorer	16″	Yes	25	2.2 lbs	Yes
The Friendly Swede Roll Top Graneberg Backpack	13″	No	15	1.54 lbs	No
KAKA Travel Backpack	15.6″	Yes	35	3.68 lbs	No
Topo Rover Pack Classic	15″	Yes	20	1.418 lbs	No
A-LAB Model D Messenger Backpack	15.4″	No	20	2.1 lbs	No
RAINS Buckle Backpack Mini	13″	No	8.5	–	No
Lo & Sons Hakuba Backpack	15″	Yes	35.5	2.4 lbs	Yes
Thule Pack n’ Pedal Commuter Backpack	15″	Yes	35.5	2.56 lbs	No
Topo Daypack Original	15″	Yes	21.6	1.85 lbs	No
Timbuk2 Spire Backpack	17″	Yes	26	2.0 lbs	No
Chrome Urban Ex 2.0 Pack	15″	No	21	1.83 lbs	No
Pelican ProGear S100 Backpack	17″	Yes	25	7.14 lbs	No
Rains Backpack Mini	13″	Yes	8.5	1.62 lbs	No
Timbuk2 Authority Laptop Backpack	17″	Yes	28	2.4 lbs	No
Pelican Mobile Protect Backpack	17″	Yes	35	2.43 lbs	No
Chrome BLCKCHRM 22X Pack	15″	No	33	2.0 lbs	No
KORIN FlexPack Pro	15.6″	No	17.3	3.64 lbs	No
Incase ICON Laptop Backpack	16″	Yes	20	2.0 lbs	No
NOMATIC Travel Pack	16″	Yes	30	4.16 lbs	Yes
Herschel Little America Backpack	15″	No	25	2.01 lbs	No
Thule Subterra Backpack	15″	No	30	2.56 lbs	Yes

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