15 Work Bags Big Enough For Your Laptop (And Where to Buy Them)

By Rebecca Jennings Sep 16, 2015, 2:59pm EDT

View as Map

By Rebecca Jennings Sep 16, 2015, 2:59pm EDT

Racked is no longer publishing. Thank you to everyone who read our work over the years. The archives will remain available here; for new stories, head over to Vox.com, where our staff is covering consumer culture for The Goods by Vox. You can also see what we’re up to by signing up here.

Here's the thing about work bags: you really only need one at a time. The evidence? Packing, unpacking, and repacking a different bag for the office every morning is a major pain; but secondly, among the vast, vast universe of cute handbags, only a select few are actually large and/or sturdy enough to hold your laptop.

That's why we've founded up 15 that can, handily organized in map form, so you'll know right where to go to test them out IRL. Bonus: the list starts at just $39 (!).

Read More

Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process.

Zara

Unlike this backpack, most of the fast-fashion chain's bag options aren't made of real leather, but the bulk of them are big enough — and more importantly, strong enough — to hold all your work essentials. Many of Zara's tote bags and fold-over crossbodies are under the $100 mark, too.

Open in Google Maps

666 5th Ave, New York, NY 10022

Charming Charlie

Haven't yet ventured to Manhattan's first Charming Charlie? The massive, two-story outpost of the megachain has color-coordinated aisles of every kind of bag imaginable, including large laptop-proof satchels like this one.

39th & 5th, New York, NY

Kate Spade

Kate Spade bags have the special power of making anyone feel like a preppier, girlier version of themselves, and the Cameron Street is no exception. Bonus: There's a shoulder strap, so you don't always have to carry it Taylor Swift-style (though that's an option, too).

135 5th Ave, New York, NY 10010

Visit Website

Madewell

Already own a Madewell work bag? Judging by their prevalence in just about every cafe, classroom, and office (including ours!), we wouldn't be surprised. This zippered iteration of the brand's popular Transport tote offers a slightly fresher take on the well-loved original.

115 5th Ave, New York, NY 10003

Visit Website

Filson

If you're going to trust all your most precious possessions in a bag, Filson's a solid choice. The hundred-plus year-old brand opened its first NYC store in 2014, bringing its high-quality (though often highly expensive) travel bags, suitcases, and briefcases to Noho. This particular computer bag, however, is on the more affordable end.

Open in Google Maps

40 Great Jones St, New York, NY 10012

Visit Website

3.1 Phillip Lim

Sure, 3.1 Phillip Lim bags are expensive, but there's a reason why they go crazy-fast at every single sample sale: they're equally as excellent. We like this 31 Hour iteration in the nude/black combo, which solves the answer to the age-old question when shopping for bags, "Black or brown?"

Open in Google Maps

48 Great Jones St, New York, NY 10012

No. 6 Store

This Nolita boutique specializes in clean, minimalist designs, whether it's in their signature clogs or its selection of work-sized bags. While the store does carry Mansur Gavriel, they're often only available via waiting list, so we chose a cowhide leather tote by Brooklyn-based Titania Inglis.

6 Centre Market Pl, New York, NY 10013

Visit Website

Creatures Of Comfort

Beloved indie designers like Kara and Building Block make up Creatures of Comfort's handbag selection, and while styles like the Italian leather tote bag pictured here certainly don't come cheap, they'll last you through the years (and potentially multiple jobs).

205 Mulberry St, New York, NY 10012

Visit Website

COS

Our lives have only changed for the better ever since H&M's sister brand landed in NYC last winter, and this includes our work bag sitation. The Swedish-designed handbags range from leather backpacks to less-expensive fabric shoppers, but this canvas and mesh tote adds a sporty accent to your office look.

129 Spring St, New York, NY 10012

Visit Website

Assembly New York

Best for those who aren't afraid of a little monochrome, Assembly has plenty of handbags for summer goths and their cold-weather counterparts, winter whites. This canvas and leather foldover tote is roomy enough for a laptop and a few extras.

170 Ludlow St, New York, NY 10002

Visit Website

Wolves Within

This couple-owned Greenpoint boutique caters to the Brooklynite with a penchant for the outdoors with backpacks from brands like Fjall Raven and Krochet Kids. Our favorite, however, is this tote, which happens to be by another couple-owned, Brooklyn-based business, Cold Picnic.

174 Franklin St, Brooklyn, NY 11222

Visit Website

Baggu

Enter the Baggu store in Williamsburg and you'll be immediately inundated with a rainbow of bag options, from the flagship nylon Baggu (a mere $9), weatherproof totes, bucket bags, backpacks, and a leather iteration of the brand's signature shape, pictured here.

242 Wythe Ave Apt 4, Brooklyn, NY 11249

Visit Website

Steven Alan

Here's a Mansur Gavriel bag that doesn't come with a side of super-long waitlist: the large canvas tote, now available at Steven Alan. The store's own collection has some gorgeous leather options, too, as well as brands like MM6 Maison Margiela, Clare V, A.P.C., Building Block, and Baggu.

Open in Google Maps

347-349 Atlantic Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217

Visit Website

Bird

Much like Steven Alan, upscale minichain Bird specializes in brands like Clare V, Marni, Proenza Schouler, and Building Block, some of which tend to venture north of $1,000. This lilac Loeffler Randall tote, however, is on the more affordable end, and offers a pretty, pastel variety to everyone else's brown and black.

Open in Google Maps

316 5th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11215

Clare V

LA-based Clare Vivier's much lusted-over leather goods can be found at many of the city's upscale boutiques, but the best place to shop for them is at the designer's own Nolita store. Her fall 2015 collection includes the Claude, a versatile (and super soft) suede crossbody.

Open in Google Maps

239 Elizabeth St, New York, NY 10012

Visit Website

© 2024 Vox Media, Inc. All rights reserved.

Link copied to the clipboard.

Zara

666 5th Ave, New York, NY 10022

Unlike this backpack, most of the fast-fashion chain's bag options aren't made of real leather, but the bulk of them are big enough — and more importantly, strong enough — to hold all your work essentials. Many of Zara's tote bags and fold-over crossbodies are under the $100 mark, too.

Open in Google Maps

666 5th Ave, New York, NY 10022

Charming Charlie

39th & 5th, New York, NY

Haven't yet ventured to Manhattan's first Charming Charlie? The massive, two-story outpost of the megachain has color-coordinated aisles of every kind of bag imaginable, including large laptop-proof satchels like this one.

39th & 5th, New York, NY

Kate Spade

135 5th Ave, New York, NY 10010

Kate Spade bags have the special power of making anyone feel like a preppier, girlier version of themselves, and the Cameron Street is no exception. Bonus: There's a shoulder strap, so you don't always have to carry it Taylor Swift-style (though that's an option, too).

135 5th Ave, New York, NY 10010

Visit Website

Madewell

115 5th Ave, New York, NY 10003

Already own a Madewell work bag? Judging by their prevalence in just about every cafe, classroom, and office (including ours!), we wouldn't be surprised. This zippered iteration of the brand's popular Transport tote offers a slightly fresher take on the well-loved original.

115 5th Ave, New York, NY 10003

Visit Website

Filson

40 Great Jones St, New York, NY 10012

If you're going to trust all your most precious possessions in a bag, Filson's a solid choice. The hundred-plus year-old brand opened its first NYC store in 2014, bringing its high-quality (though often highly expensive) travel bags, suitcases, and briefcases to Noho. This particular computer bag, however, is on the more affordable end.

Open in Google Maps

40 Great Jones St, New York, NY 10012

Visit Website

3.1 Phillip Lim

48 Great Jones St, New York, NY 10012

Sure, 3.1 Phillip Lim bags are expensive, but there's a reason why they go crazy-fast at every single sample sale: they're equally as excellent. We like this 31 Hour iteration in the nude/black combo, which solves the answer to the age-old question when shopping for bags, "Black or brown?"

Open in Google Maps

48 Great Jones St, New York, NY 10012

No. 6 Store

6 Centre Market Pl, New York, NY 10013

This Nolita boutique specializes in clean, minimalist designs, whether it's in their signature clogs or its selection of work-sized bags. While the store does carry Mansur Gavriel, they're often only available via waiting list, so we chose a cowhide leather tote by Brooklyn-based Titania Inglis.

6 Centre Market Pl, New York, NY 10013

Visit Website

Creatures Of Comfort

205 Mulberry St, New York, NY 10012

Beloved indie designers like Kara and Building Block make up Creatures of Comfort's handbag selection, and while styles like the Italian leather tote bag pictured here certainly don't come cheap, they'll last you through the years (and potentially multiple jobs).

205 Mulberry St, New York, NY 10012

Visit Website

COS

129 Spring St, New York, NY 10012

Our lives have only changed for the better ever since H&M's sister brand landed in NYC last winter, and this includes our work bag sitation. The Swedish-designed handbags range from leather backpacks to less-expensive fabric shoppers, but this canvas and mesh tote adds a sporty accent to your office look.

129 Spring St, New York, NY 10012

Visit Website

Assembly New York

170 Ludlow St, New York, NY 10002

Best for those who aren't afraid of a little monochrome, Assembly has plenty of handbags for summer goths and their cold-weather counterparts, winter whites. This canvas and leather foldover tote is roomy enough for a laptop and a few extras.

170 Ludlow St, New York, NY 10002

Visit Website

Wolves Within

174 Franklin St, Brooklyn, NY 11222

This couple-owned Greenpoint boutique caters to the Brooklynite with a penchant for the outdoors with backpacks from brands like Fjall Raven and Krochet Kids. Our favorite, however, is this tote, which happens to be by another couple-owned, Brooklyn-based business, Cold Picnic.

174 Franklin St, Brooklyn, NY 11222

Visit Website

Baggu

242 Wythe Ave Apt 4, Brooklyn, NY 11249

Enter the Baggu store in Williamsburg and you'll be immediately inundated with a rainbow of bag options, from the flagship nylon Baggu (a mere $9), weatherproof totes, bucket bags, backpacks, and a leather iteration of the brand's signature shape, pictured here.

242 Wythe Ave Apt 4, Brooklyn, NY 11249

Visit Website

Steven Alan

347-349 Atlantic Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217

Here's a Mansur Gavriel bag that doesn't come with a side of super-long waitlist: the large canvas tote, now available at Steven Alan. The store's own collection has some gorgeous leather options, too, as well as brands like MM6 Maison Margiela, Clare V, A.P.C., Building Block, and Baggu.

Open in Google Maps

347-349 Atlantic Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217

Visit Website

Bird

316 5th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11215

Much like Steven Alan, upscale minichain Bird specializes in brands like Clare V, Marni, Proenza Schouler, and Building Block, some of which tend to venture north of $1,000. This lilac Loeffler Randall tote, however, is on the more affordable end, and offers a pretty, pastel variety to everyone else's brown and black.

Open in Google Maps

316 5th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11215

Clare V

239 Elizabeth St, New York, NY 10012

LA-based Clare Vivier's much lusted-over leather goods can be found at many of the city's upscale boutiques, but the best place to shop for them is at the designer's own Nolita store. Her fall 2015 collection includes the Claude, a versatile (and super soft) suede crossbody.

Open in Google Maps

239 Elizabeth St, New York, NY 10012

Visit Website