Choosing a laptop bag comes down to three things: how you carry it, how much you carry, and what material fits your day. Here's a plain guide to picking the right one, using the bags we make at Snøluv as examples.
Start with how you commute
If you cycle, walk far, or carry a lot, a backpack spreads the weight across both shoulders and keeps your hands free. If your commute is short or you move between meetings, a tote or shoulder bag is quicker to open and set down. If you mostly carry a laptop and a charger, a slim sleeve slides into a bag you already own.
Felt, leather, or technical fabric?
Felt
Wool and recycled-PET felt is light, warm to the touch, and cushions a laptop well. Our felt sleeves fit 13–16 inch laptops, and the felt Cliff backpack and Triple 3-in-1 bag hold up to a 17-inch laptop. The felt Cliff and Triple are waterproof, so light rain isn't a problem.
Leather
Leather is structured, ages well, and softens with use. Our leather bags are handmade in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, and several lines use leather left over from furniture production, so no two are exactly alike. Leather suits people who want one bag that gains character over years. Keep it dry and treat it with a leather spray or wax now and then.
Technical fabric
Cordura and canvas are the lightest and most weatherproof option. Our Cordura backpacks are waterproof; the polyester totes and crossbody bags are water-repellent. If you want a vegan bag, the Nordhale felt and canvas laptop bags and totes are made from vegan materials.
Match the bag to your laptop size
Check the sleeve size, not just the outer bag. As a quick reference from our range: felt sleeves fit 13–16 inch laptops; totes and backpacks include padded sleeves for 13–17 inch laptops; the Cliff backpack and the Triple 3-in-1 bag fit up to a 17-inch laptop. A 14-inch laptop sits comfortably in almost any of these; a 16–17 inch machine needs the larger backpacks.
A short checklist before you buy
- Padded laptop compartment sized for your exact machine.
- Weather protection — waterproof if you cycle or walk in rain, water-repellent for lighter use.
- Carry style — backpack for load and distance, tote or shoulder bag for quick access.
- Material care — leather wants occasional treatment; felt and Cordura are low-maintenance.
- Vegan — look for the Nordhale line if you want no animal materials.
Quick answers
What's the best laptop bag for cycling to work? A waterproof backpack that spreads weight over both shoulders — our Cordura and felt Cliff backpacks are built for this and fit up to a 17-inch laptop.
Are felt laptop bags protective? Yes. Felt cushions the laptop against knocks, and our felt Cliff and Triple bags are also waterproof.
Is there a vegan laptop bag? Yes — the Nordhale felt and canvas laptop bags and totes use vegan materials.
Questions about a specific size or model? Write to hei@snoluv.com or read our FAQ.
