Things to consider…

Everything you need to know before getting started above the bottom of the bag, while also offering plenty of padding to the front and back, as well as the sides.

1 Zips or clasps?

Some laptop messenger bags ape the briefcase look more than others with a top-mounted full-length zip; others opt for a flap held in place by clasps. Flaps and clasps can be fiddlier to use than zips, although those bags tend to offer slightly more room.

2 Soft and easy

Your laptop messenger bag needs to be comfortable to carry. Ideally, its hand and shoulder straps need to be wide and padded so that they don’t dig in. Wider straps help to take the strain of the weight of the contents.

3 Protect and survive

Your MacBook deserves protection. The best messenger bags stow your MacBook in a soft-lined protective sling that keeps it elevated

4 Style and substance

Some laptop messenger bags are smart and formal, others are more casual. Do you feel comfortable toting the bag to town or the office? It needs to be well-made too – there’s no point buying a flashy looking bag if it falls apart after six months.

5 Room to roam

Messenger bags are often smaller in terms of capacity than backpacks – the biggest in our group test here is 18 litres; that’s average for a backpack. You need to decide how much stuff you need to lug around on a daily basis, and whether the bag will accommodate that.