Outfit ideas
What Bag to Carry When Traveling with a Laptop (Ideas)
Short answer: A tote with a padded laptop compartment, a zipper closure and a detachable shoulder strap is the easiest bag for traveling with a laptop. It carries your computer safely and still looks neat on a plane, in a taxi or at a meeting.
Travel days ask a lot of one bag. It has to hold a laptop, a charger, a notebook and your phone, and it should still look put together when you land. Here are six totes from our shop, each with an outfit built around it.
Quilted tote for the long-haul flight
This black quilted tote has two rolled, puffy shoulder straps and an open top. Inside, the photos show a beige lining with organizer pockets and a laptop sleeve, so the laptop has its own place. Wear it with black joggers or soft knit pants, a fine-knit sweater and white leather sneakers. Add a light long coat you can fold over the bag. The nylon-type fabric is lightweight, which helps when you carry it through a whole terminal.
Quilted Tote Bag with Zipper for Travel Carry on · Beige · $99
See the dressPadded black tote for the business trip
This black structured tote has two top handles and a detachable adjustable shoulder strap. It closes with a zipper and has a zip pocket on the front. The water-resistant, nylon-type fabric and padded shape look professional. Pair it with tailored charcoal trousers, a crisp white shirt and a navy blazer. Finish with black leather loafers and a slim watch. Use the front pocket for your boarding pass and phone so you are not digging in the main compartment.
Tote Bag for Work with Laptop Sleeve and Zipper · Blue · $79
See the dressWaterproof laptop tote for rainy connections
The title of this dark gray tote claims waterproof and shockproof, and the listing shows a padded "airbag protection" laptop compartment. It also has two top handles, a detachable shoulder strap and a zip front pocket. Wear it with dark straight-leg jeans, a gray merino-style crewneck and a water-friendly trench. Waterproof ankle boots suit a wet day of airport transfers. A compact umbrella tucked in the front pocket area keeps the outfit practical.
Waterproof Tote Bag for Work with Laptop Compartment · Model 3 Deep Grey · $109
See the dressSlim gray tote for carry-on minimalists
If you travel light, this compact light gray tote is a good fit. The photos show a laptop slotted into the back compartment and a front zip pocket holding a notebook, pen and phone. It has two top handles and a detachable shoulder strap. Style it with a navy knit polo or a simple tee, cream chinos and clean white sneakers. A thin scarf and a pair of sunglasses work as small extras. Check the size chart against your laptop before ordering.
Small Tote Bag for Work with Laptop Sleeve · Deep Grey 2 · $109
See the dressCowhide leather tote for work trips
This structured tote is made of genuine cowhide in a glossy, oil-wax brown. It has a rectangular shape, double top handles with metal hardware, contrast stitching and a detachable crossbody strap. The listing says the roomy body fits a laptop. Wear it with wide-leg black trousers, a cream silk-look blouse and a camel coat. Brown leather ankle boots match the bag, and small gold earrings keep things simple. It reads as office-ready from the airport to the boardroom.
Leather Tote Bag for Women Over 50 with Laptop Compartment · Black · $119
See the dressSoft brown tote with a separate sleeve
This dark brown soft PU leather tote has a zippered top, front zipper pockets, side pockets and a detachable crossbody strap. It does not have a dedicated laptop compartment, so slip your laptop into a separate sleeve first. Wear it with black leggings, a long cream cardigan and slip-on leather sneakers. A silk scarf adds color. The crossbody strap keeps your hands free for passports, coffee and gate changes.
Tote Bag with Zipper for Travel Carry on and Laptop Compartment · Coffee · $99
See the dressPink nylon tote for a fresh, easy look
This soft pink quilted-look nylon tote is water-resistant, with two slim shoulder straps, side pockets and a roomy open top. The listing states a fit for a 13-inch laptop, so check that against your own. Wear it with light-wash jeans, a white tee and an oatmeal zip hoodie. Add white sneakers and a baseball cap for a comfortable travel day. The optional bow accent is easy to leave off if you prefer a plainer look.
Tote Bag for Nurses with Pockets and Laptop Compartment · Dark Red · $109
See the dressHow to check that your laptop will fit
Measure your laptop's width, depth and thickness, then compare them with the size chart on each product page. Leave a little room for a charger or a thin case. Some of our totes show a laptop sleeve or compartment in the photos, and others do not, so read each description closely. If a bag has no sleeve, a separate padded sleeve is a sensible add-on. All sales are final, so measure first.
Pack the tote so security goes smoothly
Keep the laptop on the side closest to your body or in its own compartment, and put the charger and phone in a front zip pocket. That way you can pull the laptop out quickly at the checkpoint and slide it back in. Wear layers you can take off easily, and choose slip-on shoes. A tote with a detachable strap lets you carry it by the handles in the terminal and on your shoulder when you need your hands free.
Want more options? Browse all work tote bags.
Questions, answered
Is a tote safe for carrying a laptop on a trip?
It can be, if the bag has a padded compartment or you add a separate padded sleeve. The product pages say which of our totes show a laptop compartment in the photos.
How long does shipping take?
Shipping is free to the US and takes 7-14 business days, so order a few weeks before a trip.
Can I return a bag if the laptop doesn't fit?
All sales are final, with no returns or exchanges for fit or change of mind. Damaged, defective or wrong items are replaced or refunded within 14 days of delivery, so check the size chart before you order.