Group Test: Laptop messenger bags
FOR LESS THAN $190
Have laptop, will travel? These bags have your back
THE LAST TIME we looked at laptop bags (ML #153) we focused on backpacks — widely favored by the young and adventurous, they’re not necessarily ideal for use in a work context. You may need something sleeker, smaller, and smarter looking. That’s where these laptop messenger bags come in.
What is a messenger bag? It’s effectively a modern take on the briefcase, usually equipped with a top–mounted handle or handles, often with a shoulder strap, and packed with enough storage to safely stash a MacBook (all of the ones we’ve selected can accommodate a 15–inch MacBook Pro), add–ons like chargers and cables, and maybe even enough space for a drinks bottle or snacks. Some are roomy enough to accommodate an iPad too, and most have pockets inside and out.
Our selections in this group test range from the affordable ($79.99) to the luxurious ($189), with a variety of options in between. All deliver protection against the elements and the knocks and bumps of modern life — some even suspend your laptop inside a soft–lined cocoon to help it avoid hard landings should you accidentally plonk the bag down hard on the floor.
Of course, there’s more to a laptop messenger bag that just being able to stow your MacBook and your lunch: It also has to be comfortable to carry around, so we tested them by stuffing each one to the gills then marching around with it slung over our shoulders to see whether it led to shoulder or backache. We also assessed the bags for their build quality and looks.