Best Work Backpack Champion | Carry Awards IX

Work-friendly style, intuitive access and organization, and comfy commute-ready carry? Our Best Work Backpack 2021 puts in the hard graft to make it happen…

1st Place

Bellroy Transit Workpack

Creating a great work backpack requires careful consideration. It needs to look clean and formal enough for work environments, while carrying everything you need for day-to-day work tasks and keeping those items accessible throughout the day. Enter the Transit Workpack.

A welcome addition to their extremely popular Transit Line, and a pack specifically designed to nail work life down to the finest details.

Bellroy excels here with a balance between minimalist aesthetics and everyday utility. And while the exterior is clean and work-friendly, Bellroy still keeps it innovative with their recycled Baida nylon which offers an attractively textured and water-resistant finish.

When it comes to organizing your work gear, you’re well covered. A choice of top, front and side quick-access pockets keep small essentials secure but close at hand if needed. Inside the main compartment you’ll find a zippered pocket and large stretch pocket, while a separate padded laptop compartment stores your tech.

A contoured back panel and padded shoulder straps keep loads comfy during commutes or strolling to after-work pursuits. And the versatile nature of this bag lends itself to a variety of uses outside of work, such as trips to the gym, a quick grocery shop, or even an overnight trip.

The Transit Workpack delivers all of the essential elements of a work bag at the highest level, and delivers them in an understated and multifunctional design, effortlessly transitioning from work to play and back again. Congratulations, Bellroy!

Highly Commended

These are the pieces that just missed out, and in most cases, by the smallest of margins. To them, we award a High Commendation. The below were of outstanding quality, displaying fine craftsmanship and design flair. With honor, we bow our heads in the utmost respect and kudos. If this were a dais, they’d be biting their teeth into silver medals, while their flags were hoisted into the horizon – a feat not to be overlooked. And we’re sure they’ll be back, to take it one notch higher, next year.

Heimplanet Commuter Pack

Heimplanet may have initially made a name for themselves in the tent industry. But their carry line shows their dedication to excelling in every area of design they turn their attention to. The Commuter Pack is a great example of durable, functional, and sleek design done at a world-class level; not to mention with a nod to sustainability too.

The pack is made with Heimplanet’s tough and eco-friendly DYECOSHELL material and offers a range of thoughtful features to help you conquer the workday. The magnetic rolltop closure accommodates a range of changing loads, while additional side access to the main compartment keeps your gear conveniently close at hand. Heimplanet have also carefully considered how to organize your gear. A suspended, padded sleeve stores your tech, while quick-access pockets store items such as a phone, wallet, sunglasses, and more. Durable enough to tackle daily commutes year after year, understated enough to suit a range of work settings and beyond, and flexible enough to accommodate changing loads, this is a solid work companion for many years of trusty service. Fantastic job, Heimplanet!

Aer City Pack X-Pac

Aer are experts at balancing urban-friendly style with functional, durable design. And the City Pack X-Pac showcases this expertise in a compact 14L that’s ideal for carrying everyday work essentials without unnecessary bulk. Your gear is well protected during rainy commutes thanks to the VX42 X-Pac and YKK AquaGuard zippers. The well-padded shoulder straps, contoured back panel, and sternum strap help keep loads comfy and stable as you go about your day. You also get handy top and side grab handles. And there’s even a luggage passthrough for travel use too.

Aer always deliver thoughtful organization in their bags and this pack is no exception. A front admin compartment offers neat storage for smaller work and EDC items. A separate main compartment holds your tech (in a padded, suspended pocket), an outer layer, lunch, and anything else you might need during the workday. And with a bright orange lining, the contents remain easily visible (not to mention bringing a splash of fun to your work carry setup). Built to withstand long-term use, understated and stylish, and offering great organization for your daily essentials, the City Pack X-Pac is a work partner you can trust to get the job done. Bravo, Aer!

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