Your laptop is an expensive piece of kit, and it's a wise move to protect it in the best way possible. If you regularly travel with your laptop and your backpack isn’t waterproof, then stop right there.
Waterproof laptop backpacks will prevent any water from ever reaching your laptop, and most provide padding to help cushion it from any bumps or knocks. If you haven’t already made the smart choice of a waterproof laptop backpack, we’ve compiled a list of 10 backpacks in the budget, mid-range, and premium price tag categories.
We highly recommend waterproof laptop backpacks as there is no better way to protect your laptop while traveling and we hope you like the look of at least one of the ten on our list.
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Our best budget pick goes to the Matein Laptop Backpack because of its affordable price point, external USB port, and three separate compartments that keep your belongings safe, secure, and organized.
Check Latest PriceThe mid-range position goes to the GILI Waterproof Backpack as it can be used for a wide variety of activities. If you’re a watersports enthusiast, an avid traveler, or if you just want a cool-looking bag that protects your laptop from the elements, the GILI Roll-Top is an excellent option.
Check Latest PriceIf you’re after ultimate laptop protection, then look no further. The Pelican Progear Laptop Backpack has a crush proof and watertight case that’ll keep your laptop safe no matter the activity.
Check Latest PriceGILI’s Waterproof Roll-Top Backpack also has a simple design with a few added extras to make the bag as convenient as can be.
Firstly, a front pocket with a splash proof zipper gives you easy access to smaller important belongings. Along with the front pocket, GILI included two water bottle pockets on either side of the bag to hold water bottles or items of a similar size.
Inside the 28L backpack is a laptop sleeve and pocket organization system to help keep everything neat, tidy, and easy to reach.
The 500D PVC tarpaulin fabric they used to create the bag will keep the contents dry even when participating in watersport activities or if you get caught in a downpour.
To close the bag, GILI decided on a roll-top design as they’re the most effective closure method for waterproof bags. All you need to do is roll it down, clip together the two buckles, and fasten it into place. It really is that simple.
GILI not only thought about convenience and protection against the elements, but they also thought about comfort. The roll-top backpack comes with ergonomic padded shoulder straps and a sternum strap to aid in back support. The straps even have fitted D-rings so you can attach additional accessories and walk hands-free.
The GILI Waterproof Roll-Top Backpack comes in a 28L, 35L, and 55L version, and the company has released it in black, teal, blue, and yellow.
The Pelican Progear Laptop Backpack was GILI’s top premium pick mainly because of its built-in crushproof and watertight laptop compartment.
Pelican had versatility in mind and designed their bag to fit under plane seats and be sturdy enough to protect your valuable items in extreme conditions. Whether you’re a frequent flyer or a nomad mountain biker, your laptop and belongings will be extra secure in the Progear Laptop Backpack.
Another cool feature of the bag is a large rigid front plate pocket with enough room to fit an Ipad. All you tech lovers will appreciate the thought that Pelican put into this backpack. As well as the front plate pocket, the bag also has a side mesh pocket for water bottles or similar-sized items and a large top-loader 25L main compartment.
Normally when we pack up a backpack, it means we want to travel to another destination. Because ease of transport is so important in backpacks, Pelican wanted to make their Progear Laptop Backpack the most comfortable and convenient backpack to travel with.
First, they added a heavy-duty top handle, making placing your backpack in overhead compartments or under seats quick and simple. They also included padded straps that float in water and padded back panels, so the backpack is comfortable to wear all day long, even with heavy items inside.
As “Pelican” are no strangers to traveling, they knew how important it was to add a chest clip and a hip belt to go along with the shoulder straps. The hip belt is removable and helps to distribute the weight of the pack from your shoulders to your hips. If you plan to travel over long distances with your backpack on your back, this belt is a lifesaver.
Adjustable straps and buckles over the bag allow you to compact and compress the contents, which in turn makes it not only easier to carry but also allows you to fit more stuff in.
The third backpack on our list is the Friendly Swede Waterproof Laptop Backpack which comes in a roll-top dry bag style.
The Friendly Swede designed the backpack to not only be suitable for hikes, waterfall hunting, and watersports but also to be used for days out in the city.
To make their laptop backpack waterproof, the Friendly Swede constructed the main compartment out of PVC tarp and welded the seams together to create a watertight seal.
Dry bags with roll-tops have been used for years for a variety of different water sports as they’re some of the most watertight bags on the market. The Friendly Swede’s backpack is no exception to this making it a great bag for all weather conditions.
Backpacks of this type are extremely lightweight, so they don't add any extra pounds to the weight of your belongings. As well as being lightweight, the roll-top closure allows you to dictate how big or small you want your bag to be.
The Friendly Swede designed their waterproof laptop backpack to be minimalistic with subtle front and side pockets fitted with splash-resistant zippers. Although these zippers will keep the majority of water out, it’s best not to store your valuables in the external pockets.
Inside the bag's main compartment, you’ll find a laptop sleeve suitable for laptops up to 13 inches and a zippered pocket for your phone, keys, and other important belongings.
To further aid in the minimalist design, the company included simple padded shoulder straps and made the bag available in one of three colors: black, green, or white.
A-Lab also went down the minimalistic design route and kept their waterproof laptop backpack simple, seamless, and sophisticated.
To ensure the bag is waterproof, A-Lab constructed it with 500D tarpaulin and coated it with PVC. They sealed the seams with high-frequency welding and added a roll-top closure to keep any and all water out.
Their laptop backpack has a removable padded laptop sleeve made from high-quality neoprene that is suitable to hold laptops up to 15.4”. You can choose to secure the sleeve into the backpack with velcro or just place it in for easier removal.
Both padded adjustable shoulder straps have elastic chest straps that fasten together to help keep the shoulder straps in place, distribute the weight of the pack, and increase stability.
A-Lab made their waterproof backpack available in black or olive to go along with their minimalist design.
Johnny Urban created their own roll-top waterproof backpack out of 500D tarpaulin. To increase the backpack's durability and water-resistant qualities, Johnny Urban then coated the tarpaulin in PVC.
The overall design of the bag is quite possibly the most minimal on our list. Johnny Urban decided against any exterior pockets or pouches and instead added a very small logo to the plain gray laptop bag.
However, although Johnny Urban wanted to keep things simple, they didn’t skimp on comfort. Both shoulder straps are padded, and they even added ergonomic back padding for optimum comfort.
The interior of the bag is also very simple. It features a removable padded laptop compartment that fits laptops up to 15.6 inches, and there is also a pouch to separate smaller items so they’re easier to access.
Kroser’s Laptop Backpack is a completely different design from the bags we have mentioned previously. If you like compartments, organizing, and comfort, then this might just be the laptop backpack for you.
Before we fully get into it, though, this backpack is only water-resistant and not fully waterproof, so that’s something to keep in mind. But, what it lacks in waterproofness, it sure makes up for in other areas.
Firstly, the bag has four large compartments starting from the back with a zippered laptop sleeve suitable for laptops up to 17.3”. The other compartments include a large main compartment, a tablet compartment, and a compartment with pockets for pens, phones, and keys.
On the top of the bag is an additional hard shell compartment for storing fragile items such as sunglasses, and both sides of the bag have not only a zippered pouch but also a mesh water bottle holder. When we said this bag has compartments, we really meant it.
If you think the features end there, then think again. The functional backpack also has a hidden pocket on its back to store important items like your phone, wallet, or passport. Additionally, it has a luggage belt strap, side compression straps, an extra zipper lock, and a built-in USB port so you can conveniently charge your phone or gadgets.
In a bid to make the best laptop backpack imaginable, Kroser also added an air-flow system to the back panel padding and padded shoulder straps of the bag.
Most of the backpacks listed today are unisex, but their designs and color options are more geared towards men. We thought it was important to throw a really girly option into the mix, just in case black or robust shaped bags aren’t your thing.
The Lovebook Laptop Backpack comes in 17 different colors, all the way from floral patterns to a solid plain black. The bag features a large main 20L pocket and a smaller front pocket that is perfect for sunglasses, make-up, or keys.
Inside the large compartment, there are numerous different pockets and pouches to help separate your laptop of up to 15.6”, books, pens, and any other accessories you like to take out daily. The side of the bag also has an external USB port that you can connect your phone up to, a safe and quick access phone pocket, and even a napkin pocket.
Lovevook designed their backpack with high-quality polyester, which, similarly to the Kroser bag, is only a water-resistant material and not a waterproof material. However, as long as you’re not submerging the bag in water, you should be fine.
Xray Store’s Expandable Waterproof Backpack is a fantastic budget option if you enjoy the look of roll-top dry bags.
Inside the bag, you’ll find a cushioned laptop sleeve that is suitable for laptops up to 15.4 inches and an inner accessories pocket. Along with the inner accessories pocket, the Expandable Waterproof Backpack also features an exterior pocket for even more storage space.
To make the backpack waterproof, Xray Store created it out of a waterproof smooth matte polyurethane fabric and gave it that clever roll-top closure to keep the water out.
Although this is a budget-friendly bag, that doesn’t mean it lacks comfort. Xray Store equipped their waterproof laptop backpack with adjustable padded shoulder straps and an entire padded back panel.
The bag’s simple design makes it a great everyday backpack, an adventure backpack, or even a going to work backpack.
The Volher Laptop Backpack comes in four different colors and two different sizes. The size you choose would depend on how big your laptop is, as the laptop sleeve can fit laptops up to 15.6 inches or 17 inches.
Aside from the large main compartment, which contains the laptop sleeve, the bag has a smaller second compartment and a small front pocket. Down the sides of the bag, you’ll find mesh water bottle holders, and on the back panel, you’ll notice hidden pockets and a luggage strap.
Like a few other bags on the list, Volher designed their laptop backpack with water-resistant materials instead of waterproof materials. They chose a durable polyester fabric with metal zipper closures to create a long-lasting and versatile pack.
Some other mentionable features of their laptop backpack are the built-in USD charger, a headphone jack so you can listen to music hands-free, and airflow padded shoulder and back panels for ultimate comfort when traveling.
The final backpack on our list that also made it into the GILI’s top budget pick category is the Matein Travel Laptop Backpack.
The overall look of the Matein Travel Laptop Backpack looks relatively similar to the bag mentioned previously; however, Matein included a few more features which, to us, is what makes it stand out from the crowd.
Not only is the price of the bag extremely affordable, but the three main compartments are also accompanied by a front and side zippered pocket, a back hidden pocket, and mesh bottle holders.
The back laptop compartment can hold laptops up to 15.6 inches and has a velcro fastening to keep your laptop in place.
Our budget pick has a padded back panel, ventilated shoulder straps, and a top handle with foam padding for easier transport. If you’re an avid traveler, you can even slip your backpack onto your suitcase with the built-in luggage strap.
Speaking of built-in, Matein added in their own exterior USB charger to make charging your gadgets convenient and efficient.
Although you can’t fault the price of the bag, something did have to be sacrificed, and that just so happened to be the materials Matein constructed it with. Like a few other bags, their backpack is made with water-resistant materials, so the backpack isn’t fully waterproof, and precautions should be taken in extremely wet conditions.
Although it is hard to determine which waterproof backpack is the best because everyone has different needs and opinions, we compiled a list of 10 stand-out backpacks that’ll keep your laptop safe from damage and water.
When looking for a waterproof backpack that can hold your laptop, there are a few things you need to consider. The first is if the bag is big enough for your specific laptop. Laptops come in a range of sizes, and yours may be too big to fit in certain packs.
Secondly, you need to think about the materials used to create the bag. As you want it to be waterproof, you ideally want to purchase a bag made from 500D tarpaulin as water will just run off its surface.
Thirdly, as you’ll more than likely be wearing your backpack for long periods of time, you want it to be comfortable with padded straps and even padded back paneling.
Finally, think about how many extras you’ll need to carry at any given time. Bags with numerous compartments allow you to organize your belongings and also allow you to fit more stuff in, so that’s something to keep in mind.
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