17-Inch Laptop Backpack: Secure, Travel-Ready

For the price, the Dell Gaming Backpack 17 is a great value, earning a solid 8/10 in our review thanks to its excellent water resistance and an integrated rain cover that kept our gear dry during testing. It offers comfortable carrying with S-shaped straps and an airflow back panel, plus a useful luggage passthrough. While it lacks a waist strap and isn't ideal for carrying excessive luggage beyond tech essentials, its heavy-duty construction and reflective panel for visibility make it a smart pick for gamers on the go.

The Targus Drifter II Laptop Backpack impresses with its generous 32-liter capacity and excellent padding for both your laptop and your back, making it comfortable for long hauls. However, our experience shows some potential issues with zipper durability and interior fabric tearing after extended use, which explains its 7/10 score. Despite concerns about the zippers and its weight when fully packed, the numerous pockets and durable materials make it a capable option for those needing substantial storage.

With its stylish vintage design and quick-access side zipper, the tomtoc VintPack-TA1 is a good-looking option, but we noted some limitations in our review, reflected in its 7/10 score. It features a dedicated padded laptop sleeve, which is great for protection, but the main compartment's limited internal organization and shallower external pockets for water bottles were definite drawbacks. Plus, the back panel padding can flatten under heavy loads, potentially affecting comfort during extended travel.

Boasting impressive anti-theft features like eXomesh® and RFID-blocking pockets, the Pacsafe Go 25L Backpack is a secure option that scored 8/10 in our testing. It offers a spacious 25L capacity and fits laptops up to 16 inches comfortably, making it practical for daily use and travel. Our experience did highlight that the secure zippers on the front pocket can be a bit cumbersome for quick access, and the non-stretch side pockets aren't ideal for larger water bottles, but its overall security is a major plus.

The Nomatic Navigator Backpack offers good security with its tamper-resistant zippers and wear- and water-resistant nylon, a solid choice if packability is key since it collapses easily. However, in our testing, we found the laptop sleeve lacked sufficient padding, and the thin shoulder straps can become uncomfortable with a heavier load, impacting its overall travel comfort score. While it's great as a secondary travel bag, its access limitations due to zippers that don't fully open might be a drawback for frequent access.

The Swissgear 1900 ScanSmart Backpack truly earns its high 9/10 rating, especially for travelers, with its standout ScanSmart technology that streamlines airport security. We appreciated the dedicated, well-padded compartment for laptops up to 17 inches and the comfortable airflow back panel and shoulder straps. While it does tend to fall forward when empty and the internal dividers can eat into space for larger items, its durable ballistic polyester construction makes it a reliable choice for frequent flyers.

The Solo Grand Travel TSA Backpack is an exceptional choice, achieving a near-perfect 9.5/10 score in our guide due to its outstanding travel-specific features. Its TSA checkpoint-friendly design significantly speeds up security, and the fully padded compartment securely holds laptops up to 17.3 inches. During our review, we found the 30-liter capacity and multiple pockets offered ample storage, though it might not fit under an airplane seat when packed to its maximum capacity. Overall, it’s a robust and thoughtfully designed travel companion.

The Timbuk2 Spire Backpack is a solid contender with its water-resistant exterior and comfortable padded straps, making it a great companion for daily commutes. We found it accommodates most 15-inch to 17-inch laptops, and the top-loading flap offers convenient access. However, in our testing, the deep main compartment made it a bit tricky to grab smaller items quickly, and the slim side pocket might limit the size of your water bottle.

The Wenger Pegasus Laptop Backpack stands out for its incredible durability, with many users reporting years of reliable use, contributing to its strong 8.5/10 rating. We found the ample storage and well-organized compartments make it easy to keep tech essentials tidy, and the airflow back padding plus shock-absorbing straps ensure comfort even on long days. While its CaseBase stabilizing platform helps, it does tend to fall forward when not fully packed, and the side pockets are a bit snug for larger water bottles.

For a comfortable and reliable option, the VASCHY ElitePack Laptop Backpack is a solid choice, earning an 8/10 in our review. We found its lightweight design and excellent padding, including a dedicated 17-inch laptop sleeve and sternum strap, make it very comfortable for daily commutes. While the zippers can be a bit stiff initially and the straps might feel strained under very heavy loads, its water-resistant polyester material and built-in USB charging port add great practical value for tech-savvy travelers.