Three things: a padded laptop sleeve so your machine survives a packed train, an interior split into pockets so you aren't searching for a keycard at the turnstile, and a weather-resistant outer for the walk between transit and desk. A hiking or gym backpack usually has none of those, which is why it feels wrong for a commute.

If you walk and take the train, a medium backpack is the default: weight across both shoulders, laptop protected. If you bike or run in, look at our cycling backpacks for something compact and close to your back, or a sling bag for a light run commute. If you go between the office and client meetings, a messenger looks more at home in a formal setting.

They're weather-resistant, which covers the realistic scenario: rain on the walk to the train, a wet bike rack, a bag set down on damp ground. They're made from recycled nylon and recycled canvas, both of which shed light rain instead of soaking it up. They aren't sealed dry bags, so in sustained heavy rain, treat a laptop as you would in any backpack.

Most of the commuter styles include a padded laptop sleeve, and the size it takes depends on the style and size. As a guide, the Canfield Medium and Large take laptops up to 15 inches, the Bantry Medium takes up to 13 inches, and the small sizes are built for a tablet up to 11 inches. Check the individual product page against your machine before you order.

That is the whole design brief. The commuter styles use clean shapes and a matte finish instead of a sporty look, so the same bag looks right in a meeting and on a bike. If your workplace is more formal, the messenger and work bag styles are the safer pick, and both are a click away in our messenger bags and work bags collections.