A lightweight laptop bag is a great way to help carry your laptop as well as organize your teaching materials? We’ve taken a look at quite a few bags that are stylish and practical, making them perfect for teachers. Plus, they’re made from durable materials that will last long into the school year.
We know that teachers have a lot to carry, so while a backpack is an ideal choice we know that sometimes you just need to carry your laptop and just need a well optimized laptop shoulder bag with good storage. The laptop bags we look at have compartments for laptops, tablets, textbooks, and more. Plus, they’re comfortable to carry, thanks to the adjustable straps and padded design.
What to look for in a laptop bag
From size, weight distribution, style, build quality and brand. There are a few key essentials we teachers need in a quality laptop bag that will last:
Professional design
An unprofessional design for casual use is obviously not ideal for a working professional. As a teacher, you need something that matches business casual attire on a day to day basis. So everything we looked at is for the working professional.
Size and Weight
The most helpful aspect that makes a messenger bag so helpful is that it won’t make your back sweat as you’re walking around like a backpack does. The weight will also be less making for an overall comfortable experience. The right messenger bag should also allow you to put a pair of headphones in, a laptop, and some work related material.
Durability
A good laptop bag should hold up over extended use, maintaining both it’s color, strap quality and functionality. While nothing lasts forever, we do expect a laptop bag to be reliable for at least 5 years before needing to be replaced.
17 Useful Shoulder Bags For Male Teachers
So here are Teach and GO‘s 7 favorite laptop bags. Each of these bags fit our requirements for what a teacher would want in a bag. Big enough for a laptop and a few items, professional design to match with business attire but still cool enough to mix in with a casual outfit and something that is built to last:
- Ytonet Travel Briefcase
- Samsonite premium messenger bag
- Komal Leather Messenger Bag
- Emissary Laptop Bag
- DHK Vintage Leather Messenger
- Kroser Briefcase Laptop Messenger Bag
Ytonet Travel Briefcase – Best for work, travel and business
Have a larger laptop but don’t want some overly expensive or complicated messenger bag? Perhaps you just want a larger, budget friendly messenger bag?The Ytonet travel briefcase is perfect for you then.
This laptop bag is big and is designed for large 17 inch laptops. Even though the popularity of this size has waned over the years, this messenger bag is a professional briefcase for the busy teacher or any working professional who is wanting a backpack alternative.
Pros:
- Large, lot’s of storage.
- Water resistant and expandable in size
Cons:
- More of a briefcase than a traditional messenger bag.
- The design of this is perfect for work but it’s not ideal for casual use.
Samsonite Messenger Bag – Business Casual
This bag is perfect for your 40 something working professional. It has classic, masculine design that will match any work out fit or casual outfit with ease. While it’s not the right fit for everyone, if you’re a collared shirt kind of guy this is your bag.
This messenger bag is large and can easily fit a 15.6 inch laptop (but not bigger), books, cables and headphones with ease. This is a premium leather bag so don’t expect any bells or whistles with this. It’s a premium designed messenger bag for working professionals.
Pros:
- Classic design that gets the job done if you’re looking for a premium messenger bag.
- Good storage and internal layout for your work related items for teaching.
Cons:
- Made of leather. If you’re against products made of leather don’t buy this bag.
Nubily laptop bag – Designed for professional women
This laptop Bag for Women is made of premium water-repellent leather with polyester lining. The metal feet base protects your bag from damage. This laptop bag is both elegant and beautiful, the perfect choice for anywhere you go with a classical design in simple lines and solid colors.
In addition, this laptop bag is lightweight at only 1.9 lb, and it’s designed to that any15.6 inch laptop or smaller can fit with ease. You can carry the bag by the top adjustable handle or on your shoulder with the comfortable, fully detachable wide cross-body strap.
Pros:
- Elegant, professional design for business attire.
- Can fit both your technology and additional folders.
- Carry this laptop bag with both a cross strap or tote handle.
Cons:
- Tends to to stay upright when it’s set down.
Komal Leather Messenger Bag – They will fight over it when you’re dead
This messenger bag is a premium leather messenger bag. It comes in different colors, is on the larger side and is a perfect style for both work and play. If you’re looking for a masculine messenger bag designed to carry lot’s of items this bag is a solid choice.
It fit’s up to a 15.6 inch laptop, has a lot of pockets and internal storage as well as a phone pocket so you can organize your teaching gear quickly and easily. With a shoulder strap and a top handle, this rugged leather bag is perfect for someone who want’s a high quality messenger bag for years to come.
Pros:
- Durable material.
- Excellent storage layout.
- Flexible design for work and play.
Cons:
- It’s 100% leather. If you’re against leather products don’t buy this.
Voova laptop bag – The 17 inch minimalist choice
This laptop sleeve bag is designed to be both slim and fashionable, while also being simple and versatile. It can be used for casual or professional occasions, and easily goes over the shoulder strap. Whether you’re a man or woman, this bag is perfect for carrying your computer to class, meetings, or when traveling.
The padded interior protects your computer from scratches and bumps, while the front zippered pocket gives you quick access to your phone, wallet, or other small items. The bag also features a top handle for easy carrying. With its stylish design and practical features, our laptop sleeve bag is the perfect way to carry your computer to your school office or classroom.
Pros:
- Designed as a laptop sleeve more than a traditional shoulder bag.
- Lightweight, well designed and waterproof.
- Can fit a larger 17 inch laptop if needed.
Cons:
- It’s spacious but not as much as other bags.
Emissary Laptop Bag – The budget friendly leather bag
The Emissary laptop bag is a simple leather messenger bag designed for work. It has the right look for an office setting, it’s comfortable to carry and it has enough storage to carry all your work related material with ease.
If you need a simple messenger bag for a laptop and some folders but don’t want to get a basic black messenger bag then this option is a great choice.
Pros:
- Comfortable design
- A nice alternative to black laptop bags
Cons:
- The internal pockets don’t have zippers.
Solo Urban – Modern brief case laptop bag
Whether you’re going to school, work, or exploring the city this convertible briefcase easily transforms into a backpack with hideaway straps and can adapt to any situation. It’s made from high-quality materials that are both durable and lightweight and includes two quick access pockets and a fully padded laptop compartment for enhanced comfort.
This laptop bag is comfortable and made to last, with features like padded carry handles with magnetic snaps, a removable and adjustable shoulder strap, and hideaway padded backpack straps. You can fit your computer or other device, charging cables, books, and other business or school essentials.
DHK Vintage Leather Messenger – The cool laptop bag
The DHK is simply a premium messenger bag that your friends will be jealous of you having. This bag makes the list because it’s an impressive looking messenger bag. Straight out of a western movie, this bag is ideal for anyone looking for a laptop bag that has a unique appeal.
If you need a large laptop/messenger bag for this thing is a great choice. It’s quite large and can easily fit a 15.6 inch laptop, a tablet, books and folders with ease. It also has a lot of pockets and zippers.
Pros:
- It’s a large, premium looking messenger bag.
- Ample storage and designed for the self employed working professional.
Cons:
- The design is great for casual use more than office related work.
Kroser Briefcase Laptop Messenger Bag – Work and travel
This bag is amazing given all the features and design it comes with. With a comfy shoulder strap to making long treks to the office or classroom easy, this messenger bag part laptop bag is perfect for the traveler, teacher or working professional in all of us.
It’s water resistant but most helpful of all for travel is that is has RFID pockets. This means when you’re out and about your credit cards are protected from scan theft. Ideally you should be using an RFID wallet but if you can feel secure putting sensitive items like a credit card or passport in this bag.
Pros:
- RFID pockets, perfect for traveling
- Comes with a luggage belt to go along with your carry on.
- Perfect size for a 15.6 inch laptop, books and documents.
Cons:
- Designed to pack up nicely. If you’re needing to get things out and put thing in the bag easily this bag can be annoying.
Light flight bag – Stylish laptop shoulder bag for women
The water resistant nylon fabric and metal zippers make this bag durable and reliable. It’s perfect for work, travel, or school. The quilted look can be used as a shoulder bag, office bag, laptop carrying bag, laptop crossbody bag, or business tote for women.
The Laptop Briefcase has three compartments to store everything you need while traveling, and it even fits 15.6-inch laptops perfectly. Plus, its sleek design means you can easily stow it away under your seat on an airplane.
The adjustable and “C” curve padded ergonomic shoulder strap prevents stress on the shoulders; light-weight, vegan leather handles make carrying easy; the luggage strap allows the briefcase to slide over the luggage tube; and plenty of organized pockets aim to ensure an easy business trip or daily commute.
Pros:
- Very beautiful, chic design.
- The front pockets with zippers are large and perfect for storing your phone, chargers and a notepad.
- Spacious, can easily fit a standard laptop and paperwork with no issue.
Cons:
- The shoulder strap could be more comfortable for those occasions when you really load up this bag with weight.
Business casual bag – A stylish, purse like laptop bag
This laptop purse bag is made of high-quality, water resistant leather, meaning the build quality is good and it’s built to last. The design is also timeless and trendy, which can liven up any outfit – perfect for working women needing a design to match business casual attire. It’s well designed from a practical standpoint as well as it completely protects your laptop against accidental bumps, scratches and impacts.
Inside are three layers with specified functions. First a laptop and tablet compartment, then a zipper section for files, and two open spaces for folders, cosmetics, or wallets. All of which allow you to organize your daily business essentials without any trouble.
Pros:
- A nice mix of aesthetics and practicality.
- Hold it as a purse, or use the laptop bag strap.
- Excellent internal organization.
Cons:
- This is a larger bag so it is a bit heavy.
Dachee bag – A small stylish sleeve design
This made our list because it’s simply a stylish laptop sleeve with a strap. It’s not particularly big, but if you’re looking for something with a bigger focus on design, you’ll love all the pattern combinations you can purchase.
From a practical standpoint this shockproof laptop shoulder bag is perfect for the female teacher on the go. Its light weight and easy to carry design make it the ideal solution for busy lifestyles. Made of high quality canvas and metal, this bag is both strong and durable to use. With a large pocket on each side, it can easily hold your mouse, power cord, mobile device, or other essentials.
Pros:
- A wide range of design pattern options.
- A good option if all you want to do is carry a laptop and related accessories.
Cons:
- More of a laptop sleeve, don’t buy if you need serious storage capabilities.
Renesance briefcase – Premium, stylish leather
The leather bag is handmade in Italy, utilizing techniques passed down through generations. Durable hardware, tear-resistant lining and YKK zippers – the dedication to detail ensures an incredible looking quality leather accessory.
The 2-compartment briefcase bag comes with multiple pockets on the inside and outside, a padded laptop compartment, key lock closure, shoulder strap, adjustable in length, and trolley strap at its back. It also comes with it’s own dust bag for when you want to store it away in your home.
This briefcase is made from full-grain cowhide leather that has been hand-dyed using the vegetable tanning method. This artisan technique creates a natural look for the leather, with each piece having a slightly different pattern. Expensive, but really makes a statement.
Pros:
- Beautiful, leather laptop bag.
- Excellent design and internal storage for your laptop and documents.
Cons:
- The padding for your electronics could be better.
Yogci business bag – the large, leather briefcase option
This bag comes with an adjustable and detachable shoulder strap and handle, so you can use it as a laptop bag, messenger bag, shoulder bag, or briefcase. It also has a belt backside that lets you attach it to your luggage while traveling which very convenient if you want to free up your hands.
The three front zipper pockets make it easy to carry small items, while the main compartment can fit up to a 17.3″ laptop. The padded compartment with sleeve is designed for a 15.6′ laptop, and the large size allows you to organizing your belongings effectively.
Pros:
- Beautiful, large leather bag.
- A lot of storage and organizational options.
- Thick, well made bag built to last.
Cons:
- Like a lot of premium leather bags, padding for your laptop could be better.
Renesance “Illusions” bag – A medium sized leather laptop bag
This is another great leather laptop bag made from Renesance. The main difference with this option is that it’s smaller in size and does not have a keylock built in. It’s made of 100% leather, makes for a great first impression and is ideal for a male teacher looking for a premium option to carry a laptop, accessories and some paperwork.
The only drawback is like with every leather bag the padding for your electronics is minimal. So you always need to be careful when setting this bag down in class or when you’re on a work trip.
Pros:
- Design, if you want to make a statement this bag is great for that.
- Medium sized, if you only need to carry a laptop and some documents this is a good fit.
Cons:
- Padding is minimal.
Bagsmart 17.3 inch bag – A huge laptop bag for work
“Fits everything” pretty much sums up this bag. It’s not the most stylish but if you’re looking for a laptop bag with great storage and internal organization then this is a good option. You can use this laptop bag for business travel, school or a casual weekend getaway. Its simple appearance also works as a carrying bag, crossbody bag or shoulder purse for women.
One great design feature is the expansion zipper that makes this laptop bag/briefcase more flexible as it can be transformed into a large duffel bag. The 4 compartments can meet all of your needs well. The large tech compartment in the back can fit up to a 17.3 inch laptop, while the two front pockets allow you to put daily necessities in an organized manner. The expandable document compartment is able to storage A4 folders, magazines, clothes or an umbrella as well.
Pros:
- Big bag where you can store pretty much everything you would need. From a large laptop to multiple documents.
Cons:
- It’s a heavy bag weighing in at almost 2 1/2 pounds when empty. You can easily get this bag up to 8 LBS or more when packed.
Targus laptop bag – The budget, practical choice
Targus is a classic laptop bag brand we’re sure you’ve seen at your local Staples or Walmart store. Their computer bag is both slim and lightweight, perfect for on-the-go professionals. With multiple practical compartments, a shoulder strap, and high-grade construction, this computer bag is designed to protect your device while you’re on the move.
This design comes with a foam padded laptop compartment to provide optimal protection from shocks, bumps, drops, scratches, dust and more. The density creates the perfect amount of cushioning for your slim computing devices. Overall Targus bags are not particularly fancy or stylish, but they are well designed and practical.
Pros:
- A classic, reliable, no frills choice.
- Excellent padding for your laptop and tablet devices.
Cons:
- The design is very basic and corporate.
Best laptop bags for teachers – conclusion
Laptop bags for teachers come in all shapes and sizes, but the most important thing is that they protect your device and are comfortable to carry. We’ve highlighted some of our favorite laptop bags for teachers, each with its own set of features that make it perfect for educators.
Whether you need a backpack style bag or something more formal, we’ve got you covered. What type of laptop bag do you use?
