Digital Nomad Backpacks That Will Keep You Productive and Rolling

If you’re a digital nomad or aspiring to be one, then you should know the importance of having the right gear to keep you productive while on the move.

One of the most crucial pieces of equipment for anyone leading a nomadic lifestyle is their backpack. It must be comfortable, durable, and have enough space to fit your work and personal essentials. But with so many options available, how do you choose the best one for your needs?

That’s where we come in.

We’ve done the research and rounded up the best backpacks suitable for digital nomads. They will not only keep you organized and productive but also look great while doing it. Whether you’re a seasoned traveler, just starting out, or lead an entire family of nomads, read on to find the perfect backpack for your lifestyle.

The Matein Travel Laptop Backpack is popular among digital nomads and travelers due to its practical features and affordable price. It’s suitable for travel and also for everyday use, such as going to work, school, or the gym. I don’t know about you, but this is a requirement when I’m choosing a new backpack. I would rather not have to switch all my equipment, cords, etc back and forth. I have a small messenger bag (seen below) that I use in more urban areas that’s more mobile that my full-on DN pack.

Here’s a breakdown of the best features I’ve seen:

• Large Capacity

This Matein backpack has a 35-liter capacity and can fit a laptop up to 15.6 inches in size. Per the norm, it also has multiple compartments for organizing your essentials, such as clothes, books, and electronics. The front compartment has numerous pockets, pen slots, and a key fob hook that makes it easy to organize and access your items.

• Water-Resistant Material

The backpack is made of water-resistant polyester fabric, which keeps your belongings dry in light rain or accidental spills. However, please note that it is not entirely waterproof, so it’s best to avoid heavy rain or water exposure. That said, it does feature a comfortable airflow back design and thick, padded shoulder straps to distribute weight evenly and reduce strain on your back. I would put this in the category of a summer/dry weather pack in this regard.

• USB Charging Port

With its built-in USB port, you can easily charge your phone or tablet on the go. Simply connect your device to the charging port using a USB cable, and you’re good to go. This isn’t quite the standard nowadays, but almost. It’s certainly a nice-to-have that not all other backpacks have.

• Anti-Theft Features

This Matein backpack has a hidden pocket on the back panel to store valuable items such as your passport or wallet. It also has a combination lock to keep your belongings safe and secure.

This travel backpack from SHRRADOO is another popular choice for those who need a lot of space and want a comfortable, secure, and functional bag. Here’s a breakdown of its features:

• Large Capacity

This SHRRADOO backpack boasts a 52-liter capacity and can fit a laptop up to 17 inches in size. It also has more than enough compartments for organizing your stuff, from keys to notebooks, extra clothes, and your water bottle.

It has 20 independent pockets for storing and organizing small items, as well as three main compartments with hidden pockets that can hold school supplies, travel accessories, clothes, stationery, books, notebooks, and cords. It also features a deep zipper pocket and elastic net pockets for easy access to essentials.

• Water-Resistant Material

This heavy-duty backpack is made of high-quality materials with a nylon lining for better water resistance, making it a heavy-duty bag for the city. That said, it is not entirely waterproof. In fact, it has a breathable and adjustable mesh back panel and shoulder straps to ensure added comfort.

• USB Charging Port

The backpack has an external USB port, a charging cable for convenient cellphone charging, and a hole for headphone usage. These features make it an ideal gift for men and women as a back-to-school or graduation present.

• Anti-Theft Features

To store valuable items safely, the backpack comes with its own combination lock. Just set it to your preferred passcode by following the instruction manual, and you’re all set. This hasn’t even been on my personal list when it comes to a backpack, but I know it’s important to many of you out there. I think this is more functional on a subway vs in a sketchy neighborhood that I’m unsure of. I mean, if someone wants your bag in a place like that a combination lock isn’t going to do much.

• Luggage Strap

Looking for a bag you can use as a carry-on when you travel overseas? This SHRRADOO backpack has a built-in luggage strap that allows you to attach it to your suitcase or luggage for easy transport. It also has a sturdy handle with a steel cable and side compression straps, making it fashionable, comfortable, and convenient to use.

The YOREPEK Travel Backpack is a versatile and durable backpack with several useful features for travelers and digital nomads. It’s a good backpack to bring to stay organized and comfortable during long trips.

• Large Capacity With Several Compartments

The YOREPEK backpack has several spacious compartments, which include a separate compartment that can fit laptops up to 17 inches (yay!). The main compartment has more than enough room for your daily necessities, such as extra sets of clothes, notebooks, and a portable charger.

The front compartment is designed with many tiny pockets, pen slots, and a keychain design to keep your items organized and easy to find. All in all, there are over 10 pockets you can use to your advantage, including two mesh pockets on the sides for your water bottle and umbrella.

• USB Charging Port

For easy phone and electronic device charging, the backpack has a USB port and a charging cable built in. However, you will need to provide your own portable charger to use this feature. It also features a hole for your earphones, so you can keep your device inside while you listen to music.

• Water-Resistant Material

The backpack is made of durable, water-resistant polyester fabric with nylon lining, as well as metal zippers for long-lasting use. It can serve you well as a digital nomad backpack, large USB charging bookbag, and school backpack. 

• Comfortable Design

Thanks to its padded back and thick ventilated pads, this backpack is very comfortable to wear. You can also adjust its breathable shoulder straps to relieve pressure on your shoulder and reduce discomfort during your travels.

You will also like the sturdy handle with a steel cable on the top for portability and the side compression straps that keep the backpack in any size you need.

• TSA-Approved

Frequent travelers will appreciate the backpack’s TSA-approved design, which allows it to be easily unfolded 90 to 180 degrees for quick and easy security checks. It also features a luggage strap so you can attach it to your suitcase, making it ideal for international travel.

The Tomtoc Travel Backpack 40L is a reliable and convenient backpack designed for travelers who need ample storage space for their essentials. Here are its most notable features:

• Large Capacity

This backpack has a capacity of 40L and dimensions of 20.5 by 13 by 8.66 inches. It features three spacious compartments, including a main compartment, gadget storage, and a front pocket.

• Convenient Storage

The Tomtoc Travel Backpack’s front pocket allows for easy access to your travel must-haves. You can also unzip the main compartment like a suitcase for hassle-free packing and unpacking.

Moreover, the tech compartment can accommodate up to a 17-inch laptop (I’m thankful!) and a 12.9-inch iPad with accessories. There are front, top, and side pockets for quick access to glasses, documents, travel liquids, and more.

• High-Quality Materials

The backpack features premium YKK zippers and durable recycled fabric, which is 100% post-consumer material made from PET plastic bottles. This environment-friendly material helps reduce energy consumption and pollution, making it an eco-conscious choice for travelers.

• Comfortable Design

The Tomtoc backpack boasts a 3D padded back and contoured shoulder straps for unmatched ergonomic comfort. An adjustable chest strap helps move the weight off your shoulders to keep you comfortable. If you haven’t had a chest strap on your previous backpacks, don’t underestimate how important they are. I don’t often wear mine unless I’m on multiday journeys, but can be super helpful even on short trips. It improves posture and overall comfort during long walks and hikes. REI has a great article on backpack ergonomics here: REI Expert Advice: Backpacks – Fitting & Loading.

Also, it has one handle on top and another on the side to provide a versatile carrying experience. A strap on the back allows for luggage pass-through, so it’s convenient to carry during travel.

• TSA-Friendly

The backpack is TSA-friendly and flight-approved, with the laptop compartment designed to be opened 90 to 180 degrees for security scanning. This design helps you get through airport security checks quickly.

Additionally, the backpack’s dimensions meet size requirements set by IATA flights, making it ideal for airplane traveling.

The Hynes Eagle Travel Backpack is a versatile and comfortable backpack designed for travelers who need a roomy and well-organized space to carry their travel essentials. Here are its most note-worthy features:

• 40L Capacity (Flight-Approved)

The Hynes Eagle backpack has a 40L capacity and is suitable for business trips, outdoor camping, overnight stays, and college.

Like the Tomtoc Travel Backpack, it is designed to fit the maximum size allowed on most IATA flights. As such, you will find it easy to store it in the overhead compartment or under the seat storage.

• Convenient Compartments

The spacious main compartment has tie-down straps and zippered mesh storage inside to keep your travel essentials organized. You will find slots for storing smaller travel belongings, such as a passport.

The middle compartment is designed with two padded sleeves, one for a laptop and one for a tablet. Then, there’s the zippered front pocket perfect for boarding passes and other travel documents.

The Hynes Eagle Backpack also has a quicker-access zip-side pocket that can store beverages or a water bottle, with an adjustable loop to keep the bottle in place.

• Long-lasting and Comfortable Design

Made of water-repellent polyester and featuring refined metal zippers, you can guarantee that the Hynes Eagle Backpack will last a long time.

It has four exterior compression straps that are carefully placed to provide maximum compression and reduced stress on the zippers, preventing contents from sloshing around during transport.

In addition, there are contoured straps that are well padded with air mesh and you can hide away when not in use. This design provides you with a comfortable carrying experience as a backpack or a duffel bag.

• Multiple Carrying Options

The backpack features three carrying options. It has one sternum strap you can adjust lengthwise and can slide up and down the shoulder straps, as well as one waist strap for carrying comfort and stabilization.

There are a few important factors to consider when shopping for the perfect pack. These things will help you find a backpack that’s both functional and stylish.

1. Size and Capacity

This is probably the most important factor when it comes to digital nomad backpacks. You need something large enough to accommodate all your gear but not too big that it’s uncomfortable or difficult to move around. Consider how much gear you plan to carry, and look for a bag you can easily expand if needed.

2. Durability

When constantly on the go, having a durable bag is crucial. Look for a bag made of waterproof nylon or heavy-duty canvas, which won’t wear down after regular use. It should also have reinforced construction that provides extra protection against bumps, drops, and other mishaps.

3. Storage Space and Compartments

Having lots of storage space is always handy for digital nomads who may have a lot of gear and supplies with them on their travels. With ample compartments, you can have all your items organized in one bag rather than scattered across several smaller ones. Additionally, make sure there’s room for your laptop as well as any other tech gadgets like tablets or smartphones.

4. Weight and Comfort

Weight can be an issue if your backpack isn’t comfortable due to its size or design. Choose one with adjustable straps, breathable padding, and an adjustable sternum belt. These features help distribute weight evenly across shoulders and reduce strain on back muscles. I can’t emphasize this enough, go for comfort! Especially if you have back/shoulder issues like me. My backpack is really comfortable, so much so that I could use it in place of an actual hiking backpack on a recent trip to Big Bend!

5. Organization Options and Security Features

Look out for additional features, such as secret pockets or key straps, if you want greater organization while traveling. Security features like hidden zippers also provide added peace of mind when carrying expensive gear such as laptops and cameras.

How much does a good nomadic backpack cost?

Generally speaking, a good-quality digital nomad backpack can range from $50 to $500, depending on features, materials, and brand. While you want to make sure to factor in cost, also look for features such as durability, organization options, and weight capacity when making your decision.

Is it possible to find a lightweight digital nomad backpack?

Yes! Look for backpacks made from lightweight materials like nylon or polyester and designed with internal frames for optimal comfort and load distribution. Note that the size of the backpack also greatly affects the total weight of the bag, so pay attention to those as well.

What size of backpack will I need, given that I’ll be so mobile?

The size of the digital nomad backpack you need depends on the number of items and equipment you plan to carry. A good rule of thumb is to select a pack with at least 30 liters of capacity for short trips or up to 70 liters for longer journeys.

Among the five backpacks I’ve reviewed, we chose the Matein Travel Laptop Backpack to be the best option for digital nomads. Not only does it have ample storage space but also has a comfortable design that you can enjoy for an affordable price.

That said, there is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to backpacks, so consider what features are important to you before making a purchase. With lightweight materials, comfortable internal frames, and adjustable sizing options, there is a perfect digital nomad backpack out there waiting to be discovered.