Ditch the backpack—laptop totes carry smarter, not harder
PLUS: The best gym bags to upgrade your workout routine. View in browser | Your newsletter preferences The tote bag has always been a workhorse. The first tote, the L.L. Bean Ice Carrier , was designed to transport literal blocks of ice. It was practical, abrasion-resistant, and durable. These days, the tote bag hauls laptops, cables, and the detritus of modern work life. And we expect it to handle our digital gear with the same reliability it once gave frozen water. As WIRED's resident tote tester, I've spent nearly two years hauling my laptop around . When I review laptop totes, I'm thinking about how evenly they distribute weight, whether the stitching can withstand snagging, and if the padded compartments actually protect tech gear. I measure the drop on straps—too short, and you'll regret it with a puffer coat. I spill water and coffee on them to see how the bag handles everyday accidents. I load them with a laptop, a charging brick, headphones, a water...