10 sleek backpacks to stunt on your coworkers
Shop Esquire's picks of the best office-appropriate backpacks that won't make you feel like it's the first day of school
By 
THERE’S A REVOLUTION happening in the offices of our fair city. Yes, there are the train-halting strikes, offices are downsizing as we shift to hybrid work arrangements that include a few days from home. But the revolution we’re talking about is the rise of backpacks in the office.
The general misgiving is that backpacks feel adolescent. The return of school-kids on our morning commutes – strapped to their tortoise-shell bulky backpacks and knocking into everyone – comes to mind. Plus, men used to be gifted a briefcase upon graduating university. Bags are landmarks in life, and for a long time, backpacks were a symbol of youth.
But the tides are turning. Achieving better posture by strapping a back straightening contraption to your desk chair isn’t enough – a holistic approach is needed. Think about how many hours a year you spend standing up on your crowded commute to and from work with a tote bag or shoulder bag messing up only one of your shoulders? Now times that by a lifetime. Like sleeping, or sitting at your desk, it’s a sizeable chunk of your life. On TikTok, day-in-the-life influencers are preaching the gospel of the backpack with the tune of “POV: your back will thank you later”.
So in the spirit of better posture, here, we round up some of the best backpacks on the market right now that won’t make you feel like it’s the first day of school.
What are the best men’s backpacks?
Carl Friedrik City-hopper Backpack
The best backpack for men overall
Most backpacks for the office are made of nylon, and this achieves two things. One, you’ll be able to clean it with some warm water and soap because of its durable synthetic fibres. And two, nylon is a minimalist and simple material – made to not be precious about putting it on the train floor.
The City-hopper from Carl Friedrik has a volume of 23 litres, and carries a 16-inch laptop. With the folded design, which adapts in width to however much you’re carrying, the touch of metal makes it feel modern. This will also look great on a Lime bike to work.
Gymshark Sleek Backpack
The best men’s gym backpack
It makes for a rough commute to work when you need to carry a separate gym bag. This one from Gymshark is designed with as many compartments and pockets you need to separate business casual with your workout gear. Why it’s the best gym bag? The base zipped compartment are for your dirty exercise shoes.
July Carry All Backpack
The best office-to-airport backpack
The 6 am call-time to commute interstate via plane is rough. Aussie luggage brand July has mastered the durable travel companion, so their Carry All is the perfect match to your July suitcase. It’s an otherwise classic shape but done up with reinforced structure for the boxy main compartment.
Bellroy Tokyo Totepack
The best tote bag-backpack hybrid
It’s an unspoken social rule that when the bus or train starts brimming, you take off your backpack and hold it in your hands. But often the imbalance in weight will keep it knocking into your legs with the tiny straps. This tote bag-backpack hybrid will do none of that with its two straps. And if you’re just dipping your toe into the backpack game, the Tokyo Totepack will give you both options.
Monos Metro Backpack
The long-weekender
Sleek is the name of the game to keep your backpack looking age appropriate for the office. Constructed from water-resistant nylon, the Monos Metro is that classic box shape backpack that can be chucked in the Lime bike basket. The slip-in laptop compartment (fitting 15-inches) is kept separate from the main compartment so that you can fit weekend essentials in too.
Lululemon Cruiser Backpack
The best easy-access backpack
This is like the utility vests of backpacks; all your compartments are on full display to organise and store. Made of a 100 percent nylon exterior, the main compartment carries your laptop and other large items. The five smaller compartments on the front of varying sizes stores your shades, chargers, gum, hand sanitiser, whatever, all for easy access.
Mont Blanc Extreme 3.0 Backpack
Our luxe pick
Leather backpacks can be tricky; your first thought is that they’re too precious to leave on the ground. On the contrary, calf-skin leather is a durable, water-resistant material, it’s only the maintenance that ensures it lasts forever. The Extreme 3.0 from Mont Blanc makes it just as durable with the lined patterns throughout, so this isn’t just another shiny leather bag. If anything, the varied texture also adds a bit of needed grip, lending it to an industrial look with that buckle securing the front pocket.
Rimowa Never Still Backpack
Complete the Rimowa look
Another one for the business class commuters. Compliment your Rimowa aluminium case with Never Still backpack. It bears the same grits and metal features that the German brand’s famed suitcases are known for. A silver metallic lock secures the main compartment. Having the full look ensures you look put together despite the early morning gate opening time.
Antler Essential Backpack
The best work-trip bag
Accessing the main compartment is like how one would a briefcase: the front flap opens completely. This makes it ideal for those work trips where you don’t want to bring too much; the bag is big enough to carry shoes and some clothes.
Herschel Retreat Backpack
The best classic backpack
The classic Herschel strap backpack is done in all-black to keep things sleek and tidy. It’s your usual fare of top-fold feature to the main compartment that’s secured with a drawstring. The Retreat has that old-timey backpacker feel, but the monochrome colourway makes it ideal for the office.
Which backpacks are in style?
If you want to keep things looking professional, a sleek, minimalist backpack is the ideal workplace companion. Too many bells and whistles in zippers or flashy colourways will draw attention. So keep your options to classic navy, black, taupe, or brown colourways.
When considering materials, make things easier for yourself by picking something structured and durable. A sagging backpack will throw everything you hold dear inside around. A nylon backpack, for instance, can be cleaned with some hot water and soap.
Can you wear backpacks to the office?
Considering the adolescent associations we discussed above, this is exactly why backpacks were off-limits for the office. Some traditional workplaces like law firms have that culture of upholding certain styles. But the backpack is a practical hands-free option. So look to your superiors; the employer sets the tone.
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