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The Best Backpacks for Men: 10 Bags for Work, Travel, and Tech

These bags are smart, durable, and stylish.

by Hudson Lindenberger
Updated: 
Originally Published: 
Green backpack for men with two side pockets on the bottom and a clip for closing down the middle.

The best backpacks for men are comfortable, well-pocketed, and protect what you need to carry, sure. But a bag also has to suit your lifestyle, whether that means a bag that’s tech-forward, a travel backpack that helps you sail through TSA, or a slim pack that lets you transition from work to workout without stuffing it to the gills. For some, the best backpack is one that has myriad compartments — including a laptop sleeve — while for others, the best backpack is stylish enough for the office but rugged enough to take on the trail. It’s also helpful if the bag’s design is intuitive to fill and access on the fly, so you’re not digging around the bottom for a pen or phone. A simple external water bottle sleeve helps with that too.

What we’re saying is the best backpack for you is a matter of personal preference. And that’s a good thing because there are more categories of men’s backpacks out there than ever before. So we’ve broken it down for you, highlighting the best backpacks for work, the best backpacks for travel, and the best everyday backpacks that do a little bit of everything (including store the many parenting items you need). So, whether you’re looking for a cool men’s backpack that wears well to the office, a ruggedized commuting backpack, or a backpack that excels at organizing all the stuff you need to carry on a weekend trip, there’s one here for you.

The Best Everyday Backpacks for Men

Packable Backpack by Solo

While not the backpack of choice if you're hauling a ton of gear, we love this option from Solo because it packs down to nearly nil when not in use. After a trip to the market, unpack it from its own pouch and stuff its main compartment or exterior pocket and hit the road. It weights just over a third of a pound.

$25
Apex Backpack by Bellroy

A sleek look, magnetic closures, two-way zippers, and numerous pockets on its exterior, this is the Dark Knight of everyday carry backpacks. With 26 liters of capacity and a durable nylon exterior, this might not be the backpack you deserve, but it's definitely the bag you'll need.

$449
Kanken Classic Backpack for Everyday by Fjallraven
$79.95
Everyday Backpack V2 20-Liter by Peak Design
$440

The Best Men’s Backpacks for Work and Commuting

Little America Mid-Volume Backpack-Black by Herschel
$86.99
Work Backpack by Briggs & Riley
$359

The Best Travel Backpacks for Men

Backpack by ORRA

Designed by a career airline pilot, ORRA is the ultimate in insider knowledge. Everything, from the position of its zippers to its compartment layout, is tailored to the needs of those who travel for a living. But the other half of its story is the environmental impact, as its fabric is made from recycled water bottles, its foam from an algae biomass, and even its hardware, from a durable (and easily recyclable) metal.

$250
Travel Pack 2 Backpack by Aer

Don't let its sleek, minimalist exterior fool you; the Travel Pack 2 is down to get dirty. Its ballistic nylon exterior is incredibly durable, and its interior is full of pockets to keep everything organized while you're on the road. While it's not as comfortable as your favorite hiking pack, a frame sheet offers a surprising amount of support.

$230
Farpoint 55 Travel Backpack by Osprey
$179.95

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