Once the mark of the business professional, the briefcase now has competition in the form of smartly styled executive backpacks. The old flip-top briefcase symbolizes professionalism and remains an excellent choice for transporting necessary paperwork. The advent of laptop computers and tablets and a substantial increase in business travel, commuters, and remote work created a need for more carrying space than most briefcases can handle, a need Travelpro® fills with our best work backpacks.
When to Wear a Professional Backpack
The best professional backpack has a style that matches your workspace aesthetic and includes space for laptops, documents, and other professional items. Work backpacks have become essential personal items for business travel, as they allow the wearer to keep their hands free while protecting contents and offering space for water bottles and other travel essentials.
Is it professional to wear a backpack to work?
Most offices and worksites see professional backpacks as modern essentials, but only some backpacks suit work environments. The best work backpacks are slim-lined, with designs subtly hinting at professionalism. Many include genuine leather touches combined with high-quality canvas and cloth for a formal appearance.
When to Choose a Briefcase
Certain workplaces still favor the traditional briefcase. Lawyers, for instance, tend to prefer briefcases to backpacks, as the style and nature of a well-made briefcase are considered more professional in courtroom settings. Business professionals may also favor briefcases for formal business meetings, conferences, and presentations.
Do people still carry a briefcase?
Absolutely! While the best work backpacks offer versatility and convenience, a briefcase has the weight of tradition behind it. A leather briefcase coupled with formal business wear makes you look serious and professional: they’re just not as convenient for travel or semi-casual work environments as work backpacks.
Best Work Backpacks from Travelpro®
The Platinum® Elite Business Backpack
With padded sleeves to protect electronics, a Travelpro® ID TheftBlock® pocket to shield your credit cards and passports from illegal card scanners, and full-grain leather details, the Platinum® Elite Business Backpack is our latest and best executive backpack. Multiple organizational compartments make storing and retrieving power cords, power banks, and other essentials easy, and a high-density fabric with DuraGuard® coating provides the ultimate resistance against stains and abrasions.
The Platinum® Elite Slim Backpack
The slender depth of the Platinum® Elite Slim Backpack makes it an ideal personal item for traveling. The bag comes in three colors, Black, Vintage Gray, and Navy, all of which complement durable YKK® zippers and eye-catching leather touches.
The Crew™ Executive Choice™ 3 Slim Laptop Backpack
Crafted with high-quality, stain-resistant nylon fabric and leather accents, the Crew™ Executive Choice™ 3 Slim Laptop Backpack boasts a pared-down profile with separate padded tablet and laptop sleeves. For hands-free mobility, an unobtrusive rear stacking strap fits around the extension handle of any Rollaboard® or spinner suitcase.
The Maxlite® Laptop Backpack
The Maxlite® Laptop Backpack ranks as one of the best laptop backpacks for travel. Lightweight yet ultra durable, this Maxlite® bag is designed for total convenience on the move, with built-in pockets for power cords, power banks, and other necessities; a Travelpro® QuickSlip™ front pocket with magnetic closure for storing a cell phone or keys; and side pockets for a water bottle, umbrella, and other essentials.
The Travelpro® x Travel + Leisure® Slim Backpack
Made with the digital nomad in mind, the Travelpro® x Travel + Leisure® Slim Backpack combines a padded interior laptop with multiple compartments for easy organization. The soft, ultra-resilient fabric exterior resists stains and abrasions.
Best Briefcases for Work from Travelpro®
The Platinum® Elite Slim Business Brief
Genuine leather carry handles give the Platinum® Elite Slim Business Brief a classic feel but don’t be fooled. This beautifully designed briefcase has all the modern conveniences needed to keep you organized on the go, with built-in pockets for accessories and separate laptop and tablet sleeves. An unobtrusive rear strap fits around the extension handle of any Rollaboard® or spinner suitcase for secure stacking and hands-free mobility.
The Platinum® Elite Expandable Business Brief
The Platinum® Elite Expandable Business Brief combines genuine leather handles and high-density, stain- and abrasion-resistant fabric with a convenient expansion option for extra packing capacity when storing files, electronics or even a light jacket.
No matter where you stand on the debate over backpacks vs. briefcases for work, Travelpro® has the professional bags you need to help you get the job done—and to look good doing it!
