What we bought: Engadgets favorite backpacks

Most of us at Engadget havent been in school for some time, but we still appreciate a good backpack when we find one. We may have ditched textbooks a while back, but we still have a lot of gear to carry around. At minimum, most of us have to lug our laptops to and from meetings, while some of us have additional camera and video gear to schlep around town. So while our current backpacks dont carry the same school gear that you might have, were confident that they can handle everything you need to bring with you to ace your classes.

Timbuk2 Lane Commuter bag

Andrew Tarantola / Engadget

Whats green and portable and, oh hey wow, has a secret pouch in the bottom that holds a waterproof sleeve which I just right now discovered while writing this? Yeah, its this here Timbuk2 Lane Commuter bag that Ive owned, but apparently never truly known, for the past 4 years. I bought it because its lightweight, comfortable to wear, could be expanded to accommodate oversized items, had a pair of exterior water bottle holders one for soup, the other for more soup and offered a generous number of pockets.

The Timbuk company has a well-earned reputation for quality construction. I still regularly carry their messenger bag a decade-plus after I bought it and this laptop bag is of parallel durability. Even after the rigors of a few CESes, the Timbuk has shown remarkably little evidence of wear and tear. The color hasnt noticeably faded and the straps are still unfrayed. Nor is my laptop any worse for wear despite the bags rough-and-tumble travel. And while my bag was pretty well water resistant before, the discovery of this sheath is a handy additional layer of protection not to mention a teaching moment about the importance of paying attention when unboxing new gear. Andrew Tarantola, Senior Reporter

Baggallini Soho Backpack

Valentina Palladino / Engadget

I had gone through a number of backpacks before receiving this Baggallini bag as a gift, and I can say that most of my previous daily carries cant hold a candle to this one. Its hard to find backpacks that are both durable and have some style thats not strictly utilitarian. The Soho Backpacks fits the bill nicely with its water-resistant nylon fabric and taller doctor-bag profile. I can hold up to a 13-inch laptop in the interior padded sleeve and I like the healthy number of pockets the bag has. I most often use the front two pockets for quick-access things like my phone and keys, and pretty much every time I go out, both side pockets are filled with a water bottle and an umbrella. I also appreciate its luggage handle sleeve, which lets me rest my back a little bit while traveling.

While Im glad I have this bag now to support me through all kinds of trips, I often think back on my college years and how useful it would have been to have then. I carried a lot of inadequate bags back then, and Im pretty sure some of my back problems are a direct result of that. At least now I can prevent further injury by carrying this practical yet somewhat stylish backpack whenever necessary. Valentina Palladino, Senior Commerce Editor

Peak Design 45L Travel Backpack

Sam Rutherford, Engadget

Im kind of a sucker when it comes to bags. Ive enjoyed using Peak Designs original Everyday Messenger for the past six years, but its size often felt a bit restrictive during longer trips. So last year I bought Peak Designs 45L Travel Backpack, and its probably the best backpack Ive ever owned. Just like the companys other gear, you can tell a lot of thought went into making it. Theres a seemingly endless number of zippers, pockets, handles and loops smartly strewn across the bag, which makes it really easy to organize your gear or tie down bulkier equipment like a tripod. You can even transform it into a duffel by hiding its shoulder straps and hip belts behind cleverly placed flaps, while built-in compression snaps help slim it down for carry-on duty. And of course there are separate padded sleeves for tablets and up to a 16-inch laptop.

The only real downside is that its a bit large and sometimes wearing it makes me feel like a turtle. Its a great backpack for hauling a bunch of gear and clothes around during a long weekend. Unfortunately, not long after I bought this thing, Peak came out with a less bulky 30L version, and if I had to do it all over again, Id probably go for the smaller one. Sam Rutherford, Senior Reporter

Dagne Dover Dakota Backpack

Nicole Lee, Engadget

There are many reasons I love my Dagne Dover Dakota backpack, but the main one is that it has pockets. A lot of pockets. One big pocket on the front, three more on the other side of the front flap, two internal side pockets, two external side pockets, and two more pockets on the back. Oh, and theres also a large padded laptop compartment thats big enough to fit my 13-inch MacBook Pro (According to the company, it should fit most 13-inch laptops).

All of these pockets give me enough room to store a multitude of cables, external batteries, accessories, a water bottle and so much more. I especially love the two back ones as I can reach them easily while Im wearing the backpack, making them ideal for essentials like my wallet, phone and travel documents.

The internal cavity is roomy as well. Ive managed to fit in a large DSLR camera along with a giant telephoto lens. Its great as a gym bag, too, as I can fit in an extra change of clothes and a pair of shoes. I love it for travel too. It holds so much stuff but its still compact enough to fit underneath the seat in front of me. In fact, the latest version of the Dakota even has a sleeve that fits perfectly over your luggage handle.

Plus, this thing is durable. Its made of neoprene, a soft lightweight material that dries quickly if it gets wet. Its also insulating and shock absorbent. I bought it back in 2017 and five years later, its still holding up. It doesnt look quite as pristine as it did back then, but its just as functional. Sure, its rather pricey at $185, but for a bag that has lasted this long, its worth it. Nicole Lee, Commerce Writer

Waterfield Staad Attach bag

Nathan Ingraham / Engadget

Ive been buying gear from Waterfield in San Francisco for almost 20 years, a rather startling amount of time. But their bags, laptop sleeves, gaming cases and everything else Ive tried has been exceptionally well-made and smartly designed. Ive picked up a number of their bags over the years, but the one that I keep coming back to is the Staad Attach, a waxed canvas (or ballistic nylon) messenger bag with a full-grain leather flap.

The thing that I like the most about it is that it can carry a lot of gear but its still fairly compact. It has two built-in sleeves for carrying a laptop and tablet, two deep hand pockets, a key fob, and a main compartment thats big enough to carry headphones, books, a camera, or whatever else you deem most essential. There are also two external zippered pockets for anything you might need to get your hands on quickly. This bag is big enough for me to carry everything I need for a day or two, but small enough that I dont overpack.

The Staad Attach looks classy and understated on the outside, but the interior is a bright yellow. That might seem an unusual choice, but it makes it easier to see whats inside than a dark liner. Its a good example of the smart design decisions Waterfield makes. And, perhaps most importantly, this bag can take a beating. Waterfield products are expensive; the Staad Attach starts at $289. But theyre the kind of product you buy once and can use for a lifetime. Ive taken this bag on tons of work and personal trips and is still in perfect shape. The waxed canvas and leather have aged well over the years, and I expect Ill be lugging this bag around for another decade, easy unless I get tempted by another Waterfield option before then. Nathan Ingraham, Deputy Editor