The end of the holiday season means a return to work for most of us, and if you werent lucky enough to receive a new EDC work bag as a gift this time around, perhaps its time to treat yourself. A new year also brings around a time to think about upgrading your kit, too. But what to pick? A good everyday carry work bag should have enough space to carry your essentials, and it should especially accommodate a work laptop or tablet as well. It should also probably be a bit stylish while looking appropriate for business use. To help you out in your search for your next EDC work bag, weve rounded up some of our favorites for you in this guide.
InCase is renowned for making quality bags made to keep laptops safe during the rough and tumble of an everyday commute. Their AllRoute Daypack features a dedicated laptop compartment that can fit up to a 15" device. That special tech compartment and the main compartment feature water-resistant zippers, and the ripstop nylon shell is also designed to keep water out. Theres lots of internal organization space to keep smaller items and stationery secure while moving around.
Peak Design revamped their Everyday line of EDC bags for the new year, and their new Zip Backpack packs quite a punch. It has a versatile wrap-around zipper that allows for easy loading and unloading of your gear. Its design also allows for quick side access when youre on the move. The internal structure of the bag is easily configurable to your needs thanks to Peaks signature FlexFold dividers. Its padded enough to keep valuable electronics like cameras and small drones safe. And its dedicated laptop sleeve is perfect for 13" ultra-portable laptops or tablets as well. Grab handles on the top and sides of the bag make reaching for it in awkward places like under seat or overhead storage bins in buses and trains an easy task to accomplish, and its minimalist look makes it well suited for any situation.
Bellroys known for their fine leather works, but they also make quality nylon gear as well. Take their System Work Bag for example, a clean looking messenger bag with room for a 15" laptop and featuring a roll-top closure that keeps the rain out too. When youre not going to and from the office, you can use the System Work Bag as a personal carry-on bag, and it has a pull through sleeve that lets you slot it into the handle of a roller bag for ease of use.
The Chrome Industries Citizen Messenger bag is made for a fast-paced lifestyle, and its unique carrying modes make it well suited in that regard. Aside from the standard over-the-shoulder carrying mode, the Messenger Satchel can be used as a sling, and for added security you can buckle the bag in a three-point style that secures it while you move about or bike around the city. The high-visibility reflective material on the strap also help for making sure drivers can see you in the dark, and you can fit up to at 17" laptop in its spacious and padded main compartment along with your work essentials.
With most leather briefcases, you have to worry about getting them wet when it rains, especially when theyre heirloom quality in terms of quality. But to Filson, that type of quality also comes with immensely practical durability: their Weatherproof Original Briefcase does as listed. Their vegetable-tanned boot-grade leather bag was made by Wickett & Craig to offer you a permanent waterproof protection that gets even better with age, making this a quality bag that you wont have to worry about actually using on a day-to-day basis.
This slim and stylish polyester cloth bag fits up to a 15" laptop, and its main draw is its ability to transform from shoulder bag to daypack backpack with little fuss. The two external zippered compartments allow for quick access to important documents and small electronics like your cell phone or a small camera on the fly.
Getting your gear stolen is one of the worst things that can happen to your everyday carry, and even worse if it happens to the gear you need for work every day. This special edition of PacSafes unique anti-theft convertible pack makes for a low profile work bag thatll let you carry your essentials without advertising their contents for all to see. And if someone is unlucky enough to try for your bag, the hallmark anti-theft features of this bag, like the cut resistant straps, help make sure its hard to make you part with your stuff unwillingly.
Weighing just a pound fully unloaded, Manhattan Portages Deluxe Computer Bag gives you enough space to fit a full size 17" desktop replacement laptop into its protective sleeve. But from the outside, it doesnt look like a laptop bag, letting you move incognito when you dont want to draw attention to the gear you placed inside. The rear pocket allows for quick access to documents as well, but if you unzip the bottom you can use it as a luggage pass through sleeve for travel.
Topo Designss take on the convertible briefcase firmly straddles the line between fashionable luxury and durable travel-ready construction. The exterior of the Bag features super-sturdy 1000D Cordura nylon with gorgeous Horween leather trimming. The bags internals are lined with 420D nylon pack cloth, which is far less abrasive than the exterior shell, so packing more delicate gear is safe to do with this bag, especially if youre using it on vacation when youve ditched the office digs for a while.
The Khyte is designed to be the ultimate shoulder bag for work or play, with a generous 24L of space for gear protected by a 2-layer weatherproof HT500 technical fabric shell. Fidlock V-buckles make for a secure closure thats actually more convenient to open than the standard buckle you find on other bags. And The Khyte is also compatible with Mission Workshops unique Arkiv accessory packs, letting you further expand and configure the bag to your liking.
Hows your transition back to work been so far this year? Did a fresh take on your work EDC help you out? What bags did we miss? Sound off in the comments below!
