The best work backpacks for women: We pick practical and stylish commuting bags

These are the best work backpacks for women: The 10 brands you need to know about

best work backpacks for women
(Image credit: Katie Loxton / Sweaty Betty)

The best work backpacks for women are a must for carrying essentials with ease and as our research showed, there is no age limit to a backpack. We found a range of backpacks in practical and luxurious fabrications that will take you from work to weekend in style.

While we love the best tote bags for unrivaled sartorial style, when it comes to practicality on the day-to-day commute, sometimes we have to admit defeat and opt for one of the best backpacks to lug our essentials around. The best work backpacks for women have a space for everything; from laptops to gym kits and even your lunch, you can team one with any of the best crossbody bags to keep your wallet, phone, and keys close by too. Backpacks also offer added health benefits as they spread the weight of what you're carrying across your back, leaving you largely hand-free. The padded straps can help prevent digs and pain too. 

If you have always associated a backpack with school, have no fear. Some of the best designer bag brands also produce work backpacks for women to keep you looking chic on the go. When shopping for the best backpack consider what you'll need to fit in and when you'll use it to ensure you get the right fit and style for you. According to the British brand Aspinal of London, the average woman carries 17 items in her handbag at any one time, weighing roughly the same as three bags of sugar. So getting a good fit is a must. If you're worried about trying to fit too much in, you could also look at some of the best laptop bags to help spread the load. These are our best work backpacks for women, from super stylish to waterproofed fabrics and practical fastenings.

Best work backpacks for women, as chosen by our fashion team 

The best work backpacks for women should combine style and practicality. Versatile designs can also double up as the best weekend bags, with waterproof detailing making them also ideal companions for camping and adventure. The best backpacks should be roomy enough for your essentials, with plenty of practical storage solutions to help you organize your life, but without compromising on design. These are our favorites...

hunter backpack for working women

(Image credit: Hunter)

1. Hunter Backpacks

Best water-resistant backpacks

Specifications

RRP: $$

Reasons to buy

+
Water-resistant
+
Well-known brand
+
Highly practical 

Reasons to avoid

-
Some designs not as smart

Hunter has a strong and well-respected heritage, loved by everyone from the Royals to the best fashion bloggers, you'll recognize Hunter's infamous wellington boots from magazines and festivals, as they are the comfortable flats to be seen in for tackling wet weather. Making some of the best waterproof jackets, the brand also does some practical and stylish water-repellent backpacks that will keep your belongings dry on your commute. In plenty of color choices, from black backpacks to bold pops or red and yellow, they even have laptop sleeves, making them ideal for work or back to school.

Browse all Hunter backpacks from $85 / £65 (opens in new tab)

Hunter backpacks: fashion editor's picks


sweaty betty convertible best backpack for women

(Image credit: Sweaty Betty)

2. Sweaty Betty

Best sporty backpacks

Specifications

RRP: $$

Reasons to buy

+
Can be used for running
+
Versatile
+
Chic designs 

Reasons to avoid

-
Limited colors

Sweaty Betty is responsible for some of our best leggings outfits, with clothing that takes you from workout to sidewalk with ease, but the brand's bag collection is also worth checking out for multi-use totes and water-resistant running backpacks that offer a sporty and sleek aesthetic. Lightweight and durable, this is the ideal backpack for those that go from office to gym (or vice-versa).

Browse all Sweaty Betty Backpacks from $108 / £85 (opens in new tab)

Sweaty Betty backpacks: fashion editor's picks


fjallraven kanken backpack for working women

(Image credit: Fjallraven )

3. Fjallraven

Best durable backpacks

Specifications

RRP: $$

Reasons to buy

+
Very practical
+
Popular
+
Lots of color options

Reasons to avoid

-
More casual

Scandinavian clothing brand Fjallraven makes some of the best work backpacks for women. Lightweight and spacious, its designs span many iterations, with over 18 colors in the brand's best-seller Kanken design, there is a Fjallraven for every taste. Channel the fashion color trends 2023 by selecting a muted neutral, or go bright and bold to turn heads. With a focus on practicality, designs are spacious and secure with lots of zipped pockets to help you organize your backpack. 

Browse all Fjallraven backpacks from $55 / £60 (opens in new tab)

Fjallraven backpacks: fashion editor's picks


Cambridge Satchel Company backpack for working women

(Image credit: Cambridge Satchel Company)

4. Cambridge Satchel Company

Best classic backpacks

Specifications

RRP: $$$

Reasons to buy

+
Long-lasting
+
Vintage style
+
Classic, timeless design

Reasons to avoid

-
More expensive

Cambridge Satchel Company, as the name suggests, specializes in satchels with a vintage aesthetic. Playing into the latest handbag trends, there are lots of silhouettes available, the smaller of which are more practical for weekend use. When it comes to the best backpacks, however, the kitsch nostalgic designs are sweet and playful, with lots of colors available from bold hues to classic neutrals and spring-ready pastels

Browse all Cambridge Satchel Company Backpacks from $215 / £150 (opens in new tab)

Cambridge Satchel Company backpacks: fashion editor's picks


longchamp best backpacks for working women

(Image credit: Longchamp)

5. Longchamp

Best designer backpacks

Specifications

RRP: $$$

Reasons to buy

+
Investment piece
+
Lots of colors
+
Desirable brand

Reasons to avoid

-
High-end price tags

French clothing brand Longchamp has some of the biggest cult bag buys around. The Le Pliage is a lightweight, foldable bag that draws inspiration from origami and is possibly the brand's biggest hit. Its high-end accessories are loved the world over and every bag can easily be filed under investment piece. Thanks to good design and classic craftmanship its brands will be ones you hold onto for years to come. While Longchamp's canvas designs are probably the most well-known, its leather interpretations are absolutely beautiful. Though they come with a higher price point, they are worth every penny. And if you buy one of these best designer backpacks, check out some of the brand's best designer cardholders for a complete look.

Browse all Longchamp backpacks from $140 / £95 (opens in new tab)

Longchamp backpacks: fashion editor's picks


Best backpacks for working women include Herschel like this soft pink zip fastened backpack

(Image credit: Herschel)

7. Herschel

Best work to weekend backpacks

Specifications

RRP: $

Reasons to buy

+
Affordable
+
Lots of colors
+
Sporty feel

Reasons to avoid

-
Not as smart

Founded in 2009, Canadian brand Herschel is an expert at creating functional backpacks with a cool edge. With a sporty, skater aesthetic, if you want to lean fully into the look at the weekend, it's the ideal bag when it comes to how to wear Vans, making it just right for weekend excursions as well as daily use. With Herschel's instantly recognizable Little America buckle design bag to the more luxe-looking Orion, there is a style for everyone and we love the backpacks preppy feel. And it isn't just winning on sartorial style points, it's practical too. With plenty of room for your laptop too, most designs feature an internal 13" sleeve and extra padding to keep it safe.

Browse all Herschel Backpacks from $40 / £45 (opens in new tab)

Herschel backpacks: fashion editor's picks

katie loxton

(Image credit: Katie Loxton)

7. Katie Loxton

Best smart backpacks

Specifications

RRP: $

Reasons to buy

+
Chic colors
+
Smart designs
+
Can be personalized

Reasons to avoid

-
May not fit all laptops

All Katie Loxton designs are created in-house by Katie and the team so expect cute details, chic colorways and high-quality craftsmanship. The backpack collection looks way more pricey than the tag suggests and many bags can be personalized, making them a fantastic gift too. Although they may not all fit your laptop in, they are big enough for the essentials and make chic day to night bags.

Browse all Katie Loxton Backpacks from $89 / £49.99 (opens in new tab)

Katie Loxton backpacks: fashion editor's picks

Knomo backpack for working women with leather trim

(Image credit: Knomo)

8. Knomo

Best for premium fabrics

Specifications

RRP: $$

Reasons to buy

+
Multi-pockets and sections for easy organization
+
Luxe fabrications
+
Classic designs, won't date

Reasons to avoid

-
Expensive

Knomo is all about quality. From full-grain leathers, premium fabrics, and custom-made hardware, each bag is packed with functional pockets to help you get organized and sectioned spaces for laptops, to keep your tech safe. Sleek and discreet, this is the backpack for those women who can't believe that backpacks can be given a grown-up polish.

Browse all Knomo Backpacks from $122 / £89 (opens in new tab)

Knomo backpacks: fashion editor's picks


michael kors backpack

(Image credit: Michael Kors)

9. Michael Kors

Best for designer style

Specifications

RRP: $$$

Reasons to buy

+
Designer style
+
Classic aesthetic
+
Versatile 

Reasons to avoid

-
Can be expensive

American clothing brand, Michael Kors is a staple amongst the fashion crowd and his handbag line can be spotted on arms across all the major fashion cities and beyond. Creator of some of the best designer sunglasses, Kors has bags to suit all tastes and needs, with the brand's backpacks both functional and aesthetically pleasing. Definitely among the best designer bags for work, you can be sure of quality and style. Focused largely on the monogram trend, these bags aren't discreet but they are certainly stylish. 

Browse all Michael Kors Backpacks from $258 / £270 (opens in new tab)

Michael Kors backpacks: fashion editor's picks


bellroy backpacks for working women

(Image credit: Bellroy)

10. Bellroy

Best for practicality

Specifications

RRP: $

Reasons to buy

+
Practical
+
Inner organizer pockets
+
Technical fabrics

Reasons to avoid

-
Quite androgynous designs

We're big fans of Australian clothing brands and the best Australian swimwear brands, so it's no surprise we've fallen for Aussie-based brand Bellroy too. making some of the best backpacks, alongside a host of other well-thought-out bag silhouettes, the brand marries sleek design and practicality with ease. A certified B Corp – Bellroy makes products that last and have a positive impact on the planet, using fabrics from recycled plastic bottles and plant-based technologies for accessories that are sustainable too. In fact Bellroy is so sure of its quality, bags have 3 year warranties too (check specifics before purchasing).  

Browse all Bellroy backpacks from $95 / £89 (opens in new tab)

Bellroy Backpacks: fashion editor's picks

Charlie Bell

Charlie is the Deputy Fashion Editor at Future plc across multiple women’s magazines including Woman & Home, Woman and Woman's Own.


She bagged her first magazine job in 2009 and has previously written for titles including Stylist, Closer and Dare. Over the years Charlie has embraced anything that was thrown at her from styling celebrities to testing out the best jeans on the high street to writing about must-have beauty buys.


With a weakness for a printed midi dress, Charlie is on a mission to shop more sustainably and loves finding new ethical brands and second-hand buys.

With contributions from