Large backpack for remote/hybrid work

July 18, 2022 10:01 AM

I work from home two days a week. When I work in the office, I need to bring a lot of stuff. I am tired of bringing 3 or 4 separate bags. I would like a backpack that does it all.

Here's what I need to fit:

- 17" laptop
- Accordion file
- purse (or at least the stuff that usually goes into it)
- significant lunch
- coffee thermos

Other requirements
- under $75 US
- reasonably professional/neutral look (not sporty or trendy)
- room for a pair of shoes
- outer pockets with easy access
- available in Canada/online

I've searched the others Asks but the prices are too high and/or items no longer available.

Thank you!

posted by Frenchy67 to Grab Bag (8 answers total)

Maybe some version of a “carryon backpack”? About 40L size should work.

Also can you buy duplicates of some items (makeup, laptop charger, highlighters, water bottle, thermos, teabags, indoor shoes, etc) that can live at the office so you don’t have to carry them all the time?
posted by nouvelle-personne at 10:17 AM on July 18, 2022 [3 favorites]

This MEC backpack might work, or this slightly smaller one.
posted by mekily at 10:27 AM on July 18, 2022

An LL Bean Deluxe Book Pack would probably work. I use mine from college as my general carrying-stuff bag, and based on my usage, I think most of your stuff would fit. I guess it really depends on the accordion file and purse - if your file is stuff to full extension and your purse is one of those that's like 20 pounds, maybe not, but if you're just carrying some essentials in your purse and the accordion file is half-full most of the time, it should. I use the main compartment for my personal stuff - books, notepad, some games, so it's almost never full - and the second large compartment for my laptop (plus power cord, headset, work notepad, etc.). The front compartment is for purse-y stuff: my checkbook, headphones, some small toiletries like chap stick and hand lotion, and whatever I don't want to keep in my pockets (keys, phone, wallet). There's another smaller compartment, but the zipper is broken on mine, so I don't use it, but that gives you even more purse room. The new ones have two water bottle pockets for your thermos. I generally bring a separate lunchbox if I'm eating lunch, but I have put the lunchbox in the main compartment and it fits. I don't think you should have any trouble fitting a lunchbox, shoes, and the accordion file in the main compartment; the laptop in the second compartment; and your purse stuff in the two outer compartments. It's only $55, and LL Bean has a lifetime guarantee. I've had mine for 22 years of near-daily use, and the only reason it's not more is because its predecessor was stolen from my car while I was in college. The only real concern would be whether it's too "sporty" for your taste. (For reference, LL Bean lists the capacity as 32 liters.)
posted by kevinbelt at 10:40 AM on July 18, 2022

Oh, and if you buy an LL Bean bag and it doesn't work out, you can return it no questions asked, even if it's been used. I once returned a pair of shoes I'd been wearing for a month or so to LL Bean because they never broke in. They don't care; they'll take anything back. So there's no real downside to trying it.
posted by kevinbelt at 10:45 AM on July 18, 2022 [2 favorites]

Side note - if you don't have an assigned desk at the office where you can keep some of your things, I would lobby hard for them to install some kind of locker system for personal items so you don't need to pack so many things to and fro.
posted by gudrun at 10:48 AM on July 18, 2022

Best answer: How about the Swissgear 1900? In stock and on sale today, 83 CAD shipped, professional all black, 17 inch laptop and accordion file no problem, 10 year warranty. You might be able to email signup or something to get a 10% off coupon code to knock it down under 75$.

Does all your stuff fit snugly in a standard ~23L brown paper grocery bag?
posted by enfa at 10:49 AM on July 18, 2022 [2 favorites]

re the purses and backpacks - this may or may not be relevant for your circumstances but I have found that my purse needs have changed significantly over the last 4-5 years. Global plague has accelerated this because (at least where I am) we are basically cashless now - I have not used an ATM in months. As a result, I have stopped using my old wallet and largely retired my old purses. 90% of the time I get by with one of two options.

I have acquired a small cross body bag that comfortably holds my phones, key, card holders and a mask, hand sanitiser and lip balm. This is in use when I don't have to bring the whole portable office.

For times when I have to bring the whole office setup I make liberal use of the pockets in my backpack for stuff that lives in my small purse otherwise. That means I really only need a wristlet/envelope clutch type thing big enough to hold my phone and card holders for when I want to grab a coffee or lunch. It is much easier to fit a wristlet or small envelope clutch into the backpack than a more traditional purse.
posted by koahiatamadl at 11:47 AM on July 18, 2022

Best answer: Most of the laptop backpacks that can fit 17 inch laptop have a large interior compartment that will fit lunch among other things. But if you also want to pack shoes AND an accordion file, things get a bit iffy. You may be looking at something 30-35L, more of an "overnighter" category.

Maybe something like this: Amazon link or Amazon link

Check your laptop size, as this bag may be a bit tight for a 17 incher. It's very generous for a 15.6 incher. And it's expandable in the middle if you want to bring extra stuff.
posted by kschang at 3:43 PM on July 18, 2022