A Guide to the Features That Matter and the Business Backpacks We Carry!

Not all backpacks are created equal. A hiking pack and a business backpack might look similar from across the room, but open them up and the difference is immediately clear. A great business backpack is a carefully engineered daily tool, built to protect your tech, organize your essentials, and get you through a commute or a travel day without a second thought. Here’s a breakdown of the features that define a true business backpack, and a look at the brands and styles we carry at Urban Traveller!

The Features That Define a Business Backpack

Laptop & Tablet Protection: The cornerstone of any business backpack is a dedicated, padded laptop compartment. The best ones are built to fit laptops up to 15.6" or 16", the most common sizes for work machines and include a separate padded sleeve for a tablet. Some models even feature a lay-flat laptop compartment, which allows the bag to open fully so you can slide it through airport security without removing your device.

Organization Compartments: A business backpack earns its keep through how well it keeps you organized. Look for multiple interior sections with dedicated pockets for power cords, power banks, pens, and accessories, as well as file organization panels for letter or A4-sized folders. The difference between a well-organized and a poorly-organized bag becomes very obvious the moment you’re hunting for a charger at the airport.

Tech & Charging Features: Modern business backpacks increasingly come with built-in tech features. USB ports with integrated sockets let you charge your devices directly from an external power bank stored inside the bag. Wireless charging pockets take it a step further, letting you top up your phone without fumbling for cables. Cord management systems, like detachable cord pouches, keep your cables tangle-free and easy to find.

RFID Protection: Identity theft is a real concern for frequent travellers and city commuters alike. Many business backpacks now include RFID-blocking pockets that shield your credit cards, passport, and other contactless cards from unauthorized wireless scanning. It’s a small feature with meaningful peace of mind.

Security Features: Beyond RFID protection, the best business backpacks include a range of security-focused details: hidden back security pockets that are only accessible when the bag is off your back, concealed ID tags that keep your personal info out of view, and magnetic or lockable closures on front pockets. Some bags also include a dedicated pocket for a GPS tracker, so you can locate your bag if it goes missing.

Carry & Comfort: A backpack you carry all day needs to be comfortable. Look for padded, ergonomic shoulder straps, ideally S-curve shaped to follow the natural contour of the back, along with a fully padded back panel for support. Aerated mesh panels keep air circulating between the bag and your back, which makes a real difference on warm days. A luggage pass-through sleeve (sometimes called a SmartSleeve™ or a slip-through back panel) lets the bag slide over a rolling suitcase handle, which is invaluable for airport travel.

Build Quality & Materials: Business backpacks are everyday bags, and they need to hold up to it. High-quality options use ballistic nylon, high-density fabrics with stain and abrasion-resistant coatings, and durable hardware like YKK® zippers. Leather or full-grain leather accents on handles and touchpoints add both durability and a more professional look. Some brands, like Travelpro, also incorporate recycled materials into their linings for a more sustainable construction.

Expandability: For days when you’re carrying more, an expandable gusset can make the difference between fitting everything in one bag or having to carry two. Look for bags with 1.5" or wider expansion gussets that zip open when you need the extra room and close flat when you don’t.

Business Backpacks at Urban Traveller

We currently carry business backpacks from three of the most trusted names in travel gear: Samsonite, Travelpro, and Briggs & Riley. Here’s a look at what each brand brings to the table!

Samsonite:

Samsonite’s business backpack lineup balances smart organization with everyday practicality. Their flagship Pro Standard 15.6" Expandable Backpack is a well-rounded option loaded with features: a padded lay-flat laptop compartment for security screening, a wireless charging pocket, a detachable cord pouch for cable management, a dedicated tablet sleeve, an RFID-blocking pocket, and a USB port for on-the-go charging. The 1.5" expandable gusset adds extra room when you need it, and the S-curve comfort straps with reverse tricot lining keep the bag comfortable while protecting your clothing. A SmartSleeve™ on the back fits over rolling luggage handles for hands-free travel.

Other Samsonite business backpack styles we carry include:

• Pro Slim
• Modern Utility Travel 17" Expandable Backpack
• Tectonic II Sweetwater 17" Backpack
• Classic NXT Standard Backpack

Travelpro:

Travelpro’s Platinum Elite Business Backpack and Slim Backpack sits at the premium end of the business backpack market, combining sophisticated materials with serious functionality. The high-density fabric features DuraGuard® coating for resistance against stains and abrasions, and YKK® zippers ensure smooth, reliable operation over thousands of open-and-close cycles. The bag fits laptops up to 16" and tablets up to 12.9", with a QuickSlip® magnetic front pocket for fast phone access and an ID TheftBlock® RFID pocket for card and passport protection.

Full-grain leather details on the top handle give the bag a refined, professional look, while the ECOFAB™ interior lining, made from approximately 14.5 post-consumer recycled plastic bottles, adds a sustainability credential. A rear strap fits over a rolling suitcase handle for easy stacking.

Briggs & Riley:

Briggs & Riley’s @WORK Large Cargo Backpack is one of the most feature-rich business backpacks we carry, and one of the most thoughtfully designed. The three-section layout divides the bag into two organizer pockets on the front panel, a cavernous main compartment for bulkier items, and a tech compartment with a padded laptop sleeve for most 17" laptops and a tablet slip pocket. A full-length slip pocket in the main compartment fits letter or A4 folders flat, and a contrasting interior lining makes finding items easy.

Standout extras include a discrete top pocket designed to conceal a digital tracker, a front RFID-blocking pocket, a built-in sunglass pouch, a hidden back security pocket, a key fob, and a dedicated pocket for Briggs & Riley’s @WORK Tech Kit. The SpeedThru™ pocket provides fast access to frequently needed items, and the slip-through back panel slides over any Briggs & Riley Outsider® handle for hands-free travel with a second bag. Aerated mesh back padding keeps you cool, and genuine top-grain leather on the carry handle adds durability and polish. Elegant personalization is available to make each piece your own.

Other Briggs & Riley business backpack styles we carry include:

• @WORK Large and Medium Cargo Backpack
• @WORK Medium Widemouth Backpack
• @WORK Medium Backpack
• @WORK Slim Backpack
• Baseline Medium Convertible Backpack
• ZDX 2.0 U-Zip Travel Backpack
• HTA Recycled Large and Medium Cargo Backpack
• HTA Recycled Slim Expandable Backpack
• HTA Recycled Medium Widemouth Backpack

Finding the Right Business Backpack for You

The best business backpack is the one that fits the way you work and travel. Here are a few questions to guide your decision:

• Daily commuter or frequent flyer?: Frequent travellers will want a luggage pass-through sleeve, a lay-flat laptop compartment for security, and an RFID pocket as non-negotiables.
• How much do you carry?: If you regularly pack extra clothes or bulky items alongside your tech, look for an expandable model or a larger cargo backpack style.
• How important is organization to you?: The Briggs & Riley @WORK and Samsonite Pro Standard offer the most structured organizational layouts. If you prefer a simpler setup, a slim or standard model may suit you better.
• Does sustainability matter?: Travelpro’s recycled interior lining and Briggs & Riley’s HTA Recycled Backpacks are worth a closer look.
• What’s your laptop size?: Most of our bags fit up to 15.6" or 16". If you carry a 17" machine, the Briggs & Riley @WORK Large Cargo or a Samsonite 17" model is your best bet.

Stop by the store and we’ll help you find the right fit, as our team knows these bags inside and out!