We’ve Got Your Back(Pack): The 13 Best Backpacks For Women

First of all, let’s clear something up: What was once forcibly double-strapped over our kindergarten shoulders by an annoyingly practical parent, is now deemed cool. In the era of functional fashion, it’s perfectly acceptable (encouraged, even) for a professional adult to arrive at work, backpack in tow. And we are here for it.

But whilst some brands focus too much on redeeming their childhood foe with a trendy street-style version, others seem more than happy to relive a nerdy past with uber-utilitarian iterations, making it almost impossible to find that elusive sweet spot between aesthetic and aptitude. 

Saving you the effort (and the distress of making a wrong purchase), we’ve curated a list of the best backpacks for women. From elevated everyday leather iterations to ultra-cushioned commuter companions to impossibly light activewear bags, these unrivaled backpacks are all about making our fast-paced lifestyle hands-free and high-class. 

Now, that’s cool!

	Best Overall: Cuyana	Best Luxury: Senreve	Best Value: Bellroy
Our rating	4.8/5	4.8/5	4.7/5
Price	$498	$799	$175
Our verdict	A fashionably functional leather backpack.	A quadruplet of classy cool that can be worn just how you like it.	Incredibly well-designed and durable for the price.
Craftsmanship	100%	100%	90%
Design	100%	100%	80%
Function	100%	100%	100%
Impact	90%	90%	100%
Value	90%	80%	100%
	Get best deal	Get best deal	Get best deal

Why you can trust Luxe Digital? As on-the-move professionals and devoted mothers ourselves, we’re obsessed here at Luxe Digital with finding luxury accessories that have our back. And arguably, there’s no accessory that does that better than a high-quality backpack. Over the past year, we’ve rigorously tested the top-recommended backpacks over long commutes, frequent international travels, school runs, and spontaneous adventures to unearth the best women’s backpacks for any occasion. Our list of the best backpacks for women is our takeaway. 

See how we test products and learn more about our HAPPY philosophy (read: Honorable Craftsmanship, Aesthetic Design, Positive Impact—on People and the Planet, Purpose and Function, and Yielding Value) for buying luxuries. You can also read our backpack buying guide to learn more about our methodology to pick the best ones.

13 best backpacks for women

1. Cuyana: Overall best backpack for women
2. Senreve Maestra: Best luxury backpack for women
3. Bellroy Classic: Best value women’s backpack
4. Horizn Studios Sofo: Best rolltop backpack for women
5. Vincero Collective The Commuter: Best everyday backpack for women
6. Calpak Kaya: Best laptop backpack for women
7. Dagne Dover Indi: Best diaper backpack for women
8. Alo Yoga Stow: Best women’s backpack for the gym
9. Hyperlite Mountain Gear: Best hiking backpack for women
10. Beis: Best expandable travel backpack for women
11. Ridge: Best packable travel backpack for women
12. Rimowa Never Still: Best women’s backpack for business trip
13. Lululemon Wunderlust: Best overnight backpack for women

Cuyana: Overall best backpack for women

Renowned for its fewer, better mantra, Cuyana means ‘to love’ in Quechuan—and you don’t have to tell us twice because there’s so much to love about this chic and considered women-led brand. 

Designed to make a life in motion effortlessly elegant, Cuyana’s leather backpack has your back in style and functionality. Hand-stitched in a small factory in Italy, the decadent leather silhouette is durable, sustainable, and sartorially timeless. 

This is the kind of backpack we feel proud to wear to brunch with the girls and other fashion-forward occasions. But it also packs a punch when it comes to organization. With a laptop sleeve and plenty of pockets, every essential has its place. While adjustable buckled straps tailor the fit for a comfortable carry. The cherry on top? A top handle for grab-and-go flexibility. It’s a tiny detail, but a significant one when you need to hop off the train in a hurry.

Needless to say, Cuyana has fully redeemed our kindergarten foe with this gorgeous women’s leather backpack. 

Senreve Maestra: Best luxury backpack for women

Is it a backpack? Is it a crossbody or a tote? Wait, it looks like a satchel, too. Answer: All of the above. If, like us, you’re tired of switching bags, and migrating your daily essentials from one day to the next, you need this all-in-one staple—A quadruplet of classy cool that can be worn just how you like it. 

Marrying function with fashion, the convertible backpack is equally supernatural on the inside. Featuring a laptop sleeve and plenty of pockets, the powerhouse backpack makes everyday organization look and feel effortless. 

Usually, when we spend $945 on a bag, we feel like we have to be incredibly careful every time we use it. However, this isn’t the case with Senreve’s Maestra. Made in Italy from the best quality leather, the durable design is scratch, stain, and water resistant, with metal feet to protect the base. 

Yep, we know that the price tag may be steeper than what you intended, but we think it’s more than justified considering the quality and versatility of this luxury backpack. 

Bellroy Classic: Best value women’s backpack

Certainly more at home on your daily commutes than window-shopping on the Champs Elysees, this water-resistant Bellroy backpack takes the gold for functionality. 

But besides keeping our contents dry during unexpected drizzles (of which there have been many—if you have been to European countries, you know), the compartmentalized interior is also effortlessly organized. From a large laptop sleeve (big enough for a 16” laptop) to smaller pop pockets, everything has its place. And while the lightweight materials and padded back and straps take the weight off our shoulders, the roomy interior is spacious enough for an umbrella or a spare pair of shoes.

The best part? The under $200 price tag. Considering the quality of the backpack and how much use it receives, we think that this Bellroy backpack is a no-brainer.

Horizn Studios Sofo: Best rolltop backpack for women

We were undecided about whether we even wanted to include a rolltop backpack because the ones that we had tried in the past were all so disappointing. They took ages to roll up and often looked slightly tacky. As a result, we tested this Horizn Studios backpack with—an even more than usual—skeptical mindset. 

After taking it on a couple of outdoor weekends away, we knew that it had to be included in our list of best women’s backpacks. As always, we appreciate a luggage sleeve that hooks neatly onto our hand luggage. The interior was surprisingly organized for an outdoor backpack—it even includes a padded laptop sleeve big enough for a 15” laptop. 

The roll top closure takes a little longer than a buckle or zip closure, but if you require maximum protection, this water-sealed, cotton canvas backpack is totally impenetrable (yes, even in torrential downpours—we would know.)

Vincero Collective The Commuter: Best everyday backpack

Vincero Collective may be known more for luxury watches that don’t cost the earth (literally and figuratively.), but the brand’s Commuter backpack is one of the best everyday backpacks for a life-in-motion.

The hyper-functional silhouette is made from recycled, waterproof materials, designed to keep your contents dry in the most extreme conditions. The protective microfiber laptop sleeve is made to fit a 16” laptop. And stash pockets keep smaller accessories accessible and larger valuables out of the crash zone. Our best part? The breathable back panels—trust us, they’re a game changer in summer. 

Personally, we like the sleek, minimalist aesthetic, although it may not be for everybody—especially if “more is more” is your mantra. But besides that, this women’s commuter backpack is a guaranteed favorite. 

Calpak Kaya: Best laptop backpack for women

No matter what your job title, if you work on a laptop, the Kaya Backpack is about to become your favorite colleague. This organized double-strapper is a powerhouse in the boardroom and on the move. 

First up: we adore the cute design—exposed stitching, tasseled zips, and all. However, while it was the faux leather bag’s aesthetic that first caught our attention, it was the multiple compartments that really cemented the love affair. Big enough for a 15” laptop, the laptop sleeve is properly padded, providing ample protection from heavy water bottles and other essentials. 

Digital nomad? Kaya has you covered. This designer work bag comes with a luggage trolley sleeve, ideal for unencumbered treks through the airport. Our only complaint is that it’s almost impossible to choose a favorite amongst the diverse range of hues. We solved this dilemma by opting for a neutral version in black and a statement version in orange. And at $138 each, we didn’t even feel guilty about it.

Dagne Dover Indi: Best diaper backpack for women

As we all know, motherhood isn’t easy. But do you know what is? This bag by Dagne Dover. And while it can’t guarantee extra hours of sleep, it can give you back that powerhouse attitude—where you know exactly what to find what you need. 

Made from neoprene (yes, the fabric famously used for wetsuits!), this high-performance backpack is water-resistant and easy to clean—making it easy to brush off spilled milk (no tears here). But the real hero of the Dagne Dover Indi is its plethora of pockets, many compartments, and assortment of removable sleeves. Expect to hear “I don’t know how she does it” whispered behind your back. 

Alo Yoga Stow: Best women’s backpack for the gym

Those acquainted with Alo (and if you’re not yet, get to know Alo Yoga) will be familiar with the brand’s ethos: making practical, chic. The Stow Backpack is true to form—making the perfect companion for days when you just don’t stop. Heading straight from Teams to tai chi? The Stow is at-the-ready, with a padded 15” laptop sleeve, space for your activewear, and a bungee strap for your yoga mat. 

Protected by the water-resistant neoprene silhouette, your daily essentials and devices are guaranteed to remain dry throughout drizzles. And we really appreciate that the exterior pockets make those small essentials (keys, cards and phone) easy to reach. Simply put, the Stow Backpack is the ultimate gym backpack for women, keeping up with your pace and making it look effortless.

Hyperlite Mountain Gear: Best hiking backpack for women

We may not spend every weekend in the mountains, but we do know a thing or two about high-performance gear. And after testing multiple hiking backpacks, this one by Hyperlite stood out as a clear winner. The first thing we noticed was just how comfortable the cell-closed straps are. Even after wearing the bag for a couple of hours, we were happy to keep it on for a couple more. 

Another differentiating factor is the lightness of the bag. As one of the best lightweight backpacks for women, the Hyperlite Unbound only weighs 2 lbs (0.9 kg), yet has the uncanny ability to hold up to 40L—without any signs of tension. To top it off, the rolltop silhouette is totally water-resistant and weather-proof, with multiple external pockets for on-the-go accessibility. 

Beis: Best expandable travel backpack for women

Choosing the right size backpack usually comes down to choosing between compact or spacious. On one hand, you don’t want a bulky backpack, but on the other hand, you have to fit in everything. However, with this Beis design, you don’t have to choose one or the other, you get the best of both worlds. As one of our best travel backpacks, this Beis backpack is miraculously expandable—perfect for fitting in last-minute airport shopping and extra snacks. 

Besides its Mary Poppins-like ability to fit in more, this Beis backpack is also perfectly organized. With a laptop sleeve, water bottle holder and key leash, the compartmentalized interior is scrabble-free. And the external pockets make it easy to retrieve our passports and other travel essentials. Plus, we always appreciate a travel sleeve for carry-on convenience. 

Ridge: Best packable travel backpack for women

Having a packable bag while traveling is an absolute game-changer. From grocery runs to beach excursions to handling laundry, there is no limit to the benefits it provides. In the past, we’ve opted for a packable duffel or tote, but after traveling with this packable backpack, we don’t think that we could ever go back. 

Folding into a tight carrying pouch, the lightweight silhouette barely takes up any room in your suitcase, yet once it opens, it has the uncanny ability to hold up to 15 liters. We were also surprised by how organized the interior is, as we had not expected this from a packable bag. Additionally, this Ridge backpack is remarkably comfortable to carry, featuring padded, adjustable straps and even a luggage sleeve.

Rimowa Never Still: Best women’s backpack for business trip

Shrug on the RIMOWA Never Still Backpack and instantly feel empowered. Crafted in the epicenter of haute fashion—Italy—this professional backpack has the remarkable ability to make a runway look of even your most tired office outfit. 

Featuring a luggage sleeve, adjustable straps, and a padded back panel, the intricately designed backpack is extremely comfortable to carry. And we adore the brand’s bespoke magnetic closure and signature paneled canvas—instantly recognizable by all in the know.  

The RIMOWA Never Still is just as impressive on the inside. The durable canvas and full-grain leather silhouette features plenty of pockets and a cushioned laptop sleeve big enough for a 13” device. 

Got a bigger laptop? Rimowa has your back with a larger size, big enough for a 15” laptop. 

Lululemon Wunderlust: Best overnight backpack for women

To play it safe, we’re categorizing this highly-functional backpack as the best overnight backpack, but if you’re a light(ish) packer, it’ll probably be big enough to be a weekender bag too. 

With an ability to carry 25 liters worth of stuff, we were able to fit in a couple of tees, jeans, a sweater, a pair of PJs, and our toiletries. We also appreciated the external pockets, making our water bottle and smaller items (phone, card and keys) easily accessible on the go. 

The only thing missing: a chest strap (and perhaps more padding on the straps if you have sensitive shoulders.) However, most of the time, we were happy without one. And besides that, the waterproof Lululemon Wunderlust is an absolute wonder.

Buying guide to women’s backpacks

Different lifestyles demand different backpacks. Some are predominantly eye candy, while others deliver space, organized pockets, and comfort in droves. Here is how to pick the best backpack for you.

Type

Looking for a classic or something a little more fancy? If you plan to use your backpack as your everyday bag, consider a convertible option. Transforming from backpack to tote to shoulder bag to crossbody, a convertible backpack is fantastic for fitting into multiple occasions.

If you’re buying a backpack with travel in mind, think about how you intend to use it. An expandable backpack is popular for travel as it allows you to fit in those last-minute purchases. And a packable backpack is fantastic if you’d rather not double strap at the airport but require a backpack at your destination. 

Dress code

With the rise of functional fashion, backpacks are being adopted now more than ever. Used daily for work, gym or brunch with the girls, it’s important that your backpack fits the specified dress code. If you intend to take it to the office, make sure it’s professional enough. And if you intend to replace your everyday tote with a backpack, we suggest you opt for a more elevated, leather rendition. 

Function

We need to remember that backpacks are functional by nature, and there’s no point purchasing one that isn’t (no matter how cute the color is.) Again, think of how you intend to use it and what features are preferable. If you’re using it for work, it has to have a padded laptop sleeve large enough to fit your laptop. If you’re using it to run everyday errands, it should be lightweight and ultra-organized. If you’re using it for travel, a luggage sleeve is a big bonus. And if you’re planning an outdoor adventure or beach trip, make sure it’s weather-proof. 

Size

When choosing a backpack size, it’s all about compromise. Would you rather have a featherlight, compact backpack that just fits the essentials but is easy to carry around? Or would you rather prioritize extra space, even if it means that the backpack is a little more bulky? Of course, there are many options in between too.

Material

Materials and fabrics have a huge impact on the performance, quality and style of your backpack. While materials such as nylon, polyester and neoprene are usually lightweight, durable and water-resistant, they aren’t always as stylish. On the other hand, leather is timelessly elegant, but is usually not suitable for outdoor activities such as hikes, beach days and gym. 

Things we specifically looked for:

While we appreciate the many different types of backpacks and how they are best suited for different occasions, there are some aspects that are non-negotiable when it comes to distinguishing high-quality backpacks from cheap knock-offs. Here is what we looked for when choosing the best backpacks for women. 

1. Organization: The best women’s backpacks are compartmentalized with plenty of pockets and sleeves for all the essentials. 
2. Comfort: The best backpacks for women are comfortable to carry. We looked for straps that are padded and adjustable, back panels that are cushioned and breathable and materials that are light.
3. Durability: The best women’s backpacks are able to carry a heavy load daily and to do this they need to be well designed and expertly crafted from the highest quality materials. 

Frequently asked questions about the best backpacks for women