I would just tape the laptop to my back if it would stay on
October 13, 2015 12:28 PM   Subscribe

What's the thinnest laptop "backpack" I can get?

On the few days I do not take my laptop to work, I find that dealing with the stroller and toddler to be remarkably unencumbered. I'd like to experience this even on days when I do take the laptop.

Goals:

- Carry a 13" MacBook Pro.
- Have both hands free, so I can have both hands on a stroller without bags hanging off of them.
- Be able to lean over without the laptop shifting around.
- Minimal extra bulk.

If it were possible, I'd just tape a laptop sleeve to my back. Since that won't work in the long term, what's the thinnest laptop backpack I can get? This one's the thinnest I've seen so far.

I don't want a messenger bag with a shoulder strap. Laptops on shoulder straps swing forward when I lean over, getting in my way.
posted by ignignokt to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (14 answers total) 5 users marked this as a favorite
 
It seems like the simplest, lowest profile thing would be a drawstring backpack. It wouldn't offer much in the way of protection, but if you already have a laptop sleeve, just plunking the whole thing down in a cinch sack like this would keep it on your back and out of the way without adding any extra bulk.
posted by phunniemee at 12:36 PM on October 13, 2015


When I was looking for carrying cases for my Cintiq Companion, I made a Pinterest pinboard with possibilities. Most of them are slightly larger than you're looking for, as the Cintiq is the size of a 15" laptop, but they may have smaller versions, or the sites they are on may have others.
posted by telophase at 12:37 PM on October 13, 2015




No idea about this brand, but it looks like the straps-on-a-sleeve thing.
posted by mama casserole at 12:44 PM on October 13, 2015


Until the betabrand backpack goes into production, I'd consider a stability strap for a messenger bag. It's a common solution for folks who need to keep the bag flat against their back.
posted by politikitty at 2:28 PM on October 13, 2015


Best answer: I have the HEX Convertible Sleeve and get tons of compliments on it, mostly from guys who want to know where I got it. Super-super-thin.

They often pop up on eBay for cheaper than the price on the site.

It comes in a bunch of fabrics. Mine is a (discontinued) gray wool herringbone fabric they named "Drake"; I got it on eBay.
posted by homodachi at 2:45 PM on October 13, 2015 [2 favorites]


I used to carry this bag for work. It is super thin and very minimal.

I really had no complaints about it but it got ruined in a car accident and after that I decided to move to carrying a Celine shopper tote as my work bag instead.
posted by raw sugar at 4:44 PM on October 13, 2015


Are you or is someone you know crafty at all? Could you just sew backpack straps to your laptop sleeve?
posted by Beti at 4:52 PM on October 13, 2015


Response by poster: Thanks for the suggestions, everyone!

That Betabrand thing is exactly what I want! If anyone knows of any clones, that'd be great. Otherwise, I'll weight the stopgaps suggested.

I can't sew, but I asked someone about that, and I've heard it may be tricky to sew backpack straps to a sleeve.
posted by ignignokt at 5:12 PM on October 13, 2015


Those Betabrand-type backpacks already exist. I got one at a ham fest half a decade ago but I'm not sure where it is anymore. I couldn't find it through googling....until you mentioned laptop sleeves so I ended up googling "wearable laptop sleeve" and, sure enough, things like it popped up!

Here's one called a "laptop vest" (though it's out of stock)

Oh, here's one in stock (but it' not direct from Amazon but from third party sellers)
posted by I-baLL at 9:21 PM on October 13, 2015


I have a vest with a back pocket that zips up and can fit a laptop. It works pretty well, but is more suited to cold weather compared to a backpack.
posted by Phssthpok at 10:50 PM on October 13, 2015


The Crumpler Light Delight is 34 x 46 x 14 cm, and the Private Surprise is slightly smaller at 32 x 46 x 13 cm.
posted by neushoorn at 1:41 AM on October 14, 2015


A friend asked a local tailor to sew a laptop pocket into his favorite jacket. The tailor understood the idea and found it a fun little project, and the friend was very satisfied.
posted by mbrock at 3:11 AM on October 14, 2015 [4 favorites]


Response by poster: So, I ended up getting a HEX Convertible Sleeve, and it's perfect so far! It's the minimum amount of backpack needed to carry the computer, but it also feels very solid.
posted by ignignokt at 5:43 AM on December 11, 2015 [1 favorite]


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