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 bottle, and my usual clutter. If the straps dig in, the base sags, or it can't hold itself upright when I set it down, it wouldn't last an hour in the asylum that raised me. A work bag has to earn its place over the humble backpack, but a good tote will. A worthy tote slides neatly under a conference table, sits comfortably on your lap in a crowded subway, and lets you pull out your laptop without taking the bag off your shoulder. It reads as more polished in certain office settings, too. —Boutayna Chokrane Boutayna Chokrane Product Writer & Reviewer All products featured on WIRED are independently selected by our editors. However, we may receive compensation from retailers and/or from purchases of products through these links. Learn more. I Tested Dozens of Laptop Totes to Find the Perfect Commuter Bag BY BOUTAYNA CHOKRANE I've rounded up the best laptop totes for every haul and hauler, from expandable carriers to minimalist designs and sustainable pieces. Quick Buys Best Laptop Tote $159 - Troubadour Most Organized $150 - Amazon ADVERTISEMENT The Best Laptop Backpacks for Work (and Life) BY ADRIENNE SO Whether you're biking to the office or schlepping a camera to a shoot, a laptop bag is your constant companion. These WIRED-reviewed packs do the job. We Lugged the Best Travel Tote on Work Trips, Weekends, and More BY BOUTAYNA CHOKRANE These hard-working travel totes handle everything from a work trip to a weekend getaway. The Best Camera Bags, Straps, and Backpacks We've Tested BY JULIAN CHOKKATTU Tote your photo and video gear around in style. We tested more than 80 packs and rounded up our favorites. The Best Messenger Bags for All You Backpack Haters BY BOUTAYNA CHOKRANE From everyday canvas sacks to rainstorm-ready sling packs, these one-strap wonders shoulder the burden. I Tested 20-Plus Gym Bags for a Year—Here's What I Recommend BY BOUTAYNA CHOKRANE New year, new gym bag. I put over 20 models to the test in 2025 so you can start 2026 with the best. ADVERTISEMENT Was this newsletter forwarded to you? Sign up to receive it for free here. Plus, find all of our newsletters here. You're receiving this email because you signed up for the Gear newsletter from WIRED.   Manage your preferences  |  View our privacy policy  |  Unsubscribe   Have questions or comments? Send us a message. Need help? Contact us.   Copyright © Condé Nast 2026. One World Trade Center, New York, NY 10007. All rights reserved.