Women's Backpack for Work and Everyday: How to Choose Size, Weight and Shape

Choose a women's work backpack by the laptop that goes in it: for a 13.3 to 14 inch laptop, a small 10 to 13 liter bag is enough, and for a 15.6 or 16 inch laptop, look at 15 to 22 liters. Then check how much the bag weighs empty, that there is a zipped pocket on the back for your wallet and phone, and that the color works at the office and on the weekend.

Backpacks for work are now one bag for the whole day: the same bag gets on the bus in the morning, goes into a meeting, and heads out shopping after work. Here is what really matters day to day, with examples of backpacks that are in stock right now.

Laptop first: 13.3 to 14 inches or 15.6 to 16 inches

The most common mistake is buying a "laptop backpack" without checking the laptop's size. A 14 inch laptop slides around in a 16 inch sleeve, and a 15.6 inch laptop simply won't fit a 14 inch one. Not sure what size yours is? We have a short guide to checking your laptop's screen size that takes a minute.

• 13.3 to 14 inches: thin, light laptops. Here you can pick a compact, slim bag that looks like an everyday backpack rather than a laptop bag. See the backpacks for 13.3 to 14 inch laptops.
• 15.6 to 16 inches: laptops with a bigger screen, such as a 15.6 inch model. The bag will be a little taller and wider, usually with more room for a charger, a notebook and a lunch box. See the backpacks for 15.6 to 16 inch laptops.

Some bags come in two sizes with the same design, like the Venture ProX: one version for 13 to 14 inch laptops and one for 15 to 16 inch laptops. You choose the look once and the size by your laptop.

How many liters do you need for a workday

A backpack's capacity is measured in liters, and it decides whether a light jacket, a water bottle and a lunch box fit, or only the laptop and wallet. The table is based on the measurements of the women's backpacks we have in stock now:

A bag that is too big tends to fill up with things you don't need, and then it gets heavy too. If most days you carry only the laptop and wallet, a smaller bag with an expansion zipper for the days you need more room is the better pick.

How much the empty bag weighs, and why you feel it by evening

A laptop and charger already weigh quite a bit, so every gram of the bag itself adds to what you carry each morning. Among the women's backpacks in stock, the range is roughly double:

• The Adelaide Pro weighs 480 grams, and The Lopez for 14 inch laptops weighs 400 grams.
• The Venture ProX weighs 650 grams in the small version and 750 grams in the large one, and the Aurora weighs 780 grams.
• The Kiara DLX, with three main compartments, weighs 850 grams.

Lighter is not always better: thicker padding in the laptop sleeve and padded straps add weight, but they also protect the laptop and spread the load. What to avoid is a heavy, oversized bag that is half empty most of the time. One more small thing that makes a difference: wear both straps on both shoulders, adjusted so the bag sits high on your back instead of hanging low.

Shape and details that help every day

• A zipped pocket on the back: a zip pocket that sits against your body while the bag is on, for your phone, wallet and passport. The Adelaide Pro, the Aurora and the Venture ProX all have one. On the bus, the train and at the airport, it is the pocket you use most. For a wider choice, see the anti-theft backpacks.
• A separate laptop compartment: so the laptop doesn't rub against your keys and bottle. Ideally the compartment is padded at the bottom too, where the bag meets the floor.
• A luggage strap: a strap on the back of the bag that slides over a suitcase handle. On a work trip or a vacation the bag rides on the suitcase instead of your shoulders. The Adelaide Pro has one.
• Water-repellent fabric: it protects against light rain on the way to work. The difference between water-repellent and waterproof is explained in our winter backpack guide.
• A slim profile: a bag 10 to 13 cm deep looks neater on your back and slips easily under an office chair.

An office look: color, fabric and shape

A work bag should look good with tailored trousers and with jeans. Neutral colors like black, gray, beige and navy go with almost any outfit and hide dirt. If you want a little color, choose a soft shade, such as the antique pink of the Venture ProX. Oxford cloth or nylon that wipes clean with a damp cloth stays cleaner over time than smooth, light fabric.

Torn between a backpack, a shoulder bag or a classic work bag? Our guide to laptop bags for women compares the types, and there is also a comparison of shoulder bags and backpacks for work.

A short checklist before you order

1. I checked my laptop's size, and the sleeve fits it without being much bigger.
2. The capacity matches what I carry most days, not the busiest day of the year.
3. The empty weight is listed on the product page, and I know how much it adds.
4. There is a zipped back pocket or a hidden pocket for valuables.
5. The color works at the office and on the weekend.

All our backpacks come with a 12-month warranty on every component, including zipper pulls, handles and seams, unless the product page says otherwise. You can see all our women's backpacks in one place, or browse all the backpacks on the site and filter by laptop size.