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It’s always a struggle to find a laptop backpack that is durable enough to sustain the force of travel.
When you’re traveling, you need a laptop bag that’s a bit more than your average backpack, messenger bag, or briefcase – it needs to be durable so it can withstand being thrown around in turbulence and have a fabric that won’t tear on the roof of the chicken buses.
It also needs to be organised and have enough storage space for small items and have security features so those pesky pickpockets walk away scratching their heads.
If you’re on the hunt for the best laptop bag for travel, and you’re planning for long-term travel, then the Tortuga Laptop Bag (formerly called the Tortuga Setout Laptop backpack) is the one. Don’t believe me? Here’s our complete and honest review.
Disclaimer: I was gifted a Tortuga Setout Laptop Backpack, but I was in no obligation to write a review. I write a review because I genuinely believe it’s a great product and am happy to share it. All thoughts, ideas, and opinions are my own.
About Tortuga
I LOVE the Tortuga brand and their products, I have a few of them now. Their backpacks are stylish, durable, spacious, and comfortable. What’s more is that they are designed for travelers, by travelers.
Tortuga Backpacks was created by Fred Perrotta and Jeremy Michael Cohen in 2011. They went backpacking and had an incredible trip, but found their backpacks were far from incredible – so they set out to help other travelers live on their own terms by creating modern, innovative backpacks that support traveler’s needs. As travelers themselves they get it!
The Tortuga Setout Backpack was released in November 2019, but now goes under the name “laptop backpack” which is much simpler to remember!
What makes it the best laptop backpack for travel?
Finding the a laptop bag for travel with enough space, comfort, and a size that can fit under the seat in front of you AND be well made is more difficult than you would think.
I’ve tried many different types of laptop bags and was yet to find one that didn’t break after a few months.
I carry a lot of stuff inside of it, not just a laptop, and the weight distribution was always so off it would send me to the chiropractor for readjustments or force me to use the overhead bins on the plane – I hate putting my daypack in the overhead bins. I like to access all my stuff right when I want to access it.
I also get a lot of work done on a plane, by the way.
After Tortuga sent me a Laptop Backpack to test and review (if I wanted), I feel like I have finally found the one.
Here’s what I liked about it…
Perfect for Air Travel
The Laptop Backpack is a versatile secondary bag that has been designed with air travelers in mind.
You can slide it under the seat of most airplanes and carry all your electronics, chargers, a change of clothes, and your in-flight essentials.
You won’t have to fight for luggage space and everything you want for the flight is in front of you.
Technically then, you shouldn’t have to pay for overhead luggage, which airlines are doing more of. I say technically because I don’t trust airlines.
The Tortuga laptop bag is also easy to manage when you have multiple suitcases (which is typically how I travel)
It can sit it on top of my checked baggage as I roll it along, or it sits comfortably on my back for hands free movement.
The laptop compartment in the back makes it quick and easy to get your laptop in and out of your laptop pocket for airport security.
Spacious and Organized
Having all your possessions in one place minimizes hassle and potential loss when traveling.
I no longer have to take several bags on the plane with me to cater to my travel possessions. I can now fit everything I need for plane travel into this one travel laptop bag.
I don’t even have to carry an extra purse anymore.
This versatility is one of the key features of this laptop bag and one of the reasons I love it. The different pockets and compartments helps me keep organized and ensures I can get to all my items easily. I’m not longer having to reach down to the bottom of the bag to find my passport, there’s a neat little pocket for it!
The Laptop Backpack has three compartments:
The Protective Dedicated Laptop Compartment
There is a padded laptop compartment at the back of the bag, which holds a 15-inch laptops, 9.7” tablet.
There is a laptop sleeve, and a separate tablet sleeve, both with padding.
There is a Velcro strap which closes over the kaotio pocket and tablet pockets, keeping them safe from slipping out.
You can store charges in the mesh zippered smaller pockets, which makes them easy to grab, especially in a hurry!! Got to charge up those devices.
I love how the laptop compartment is sealed nicely away at the padded back. It’s very indiscreet, which is handy when roaming around.
The Clothing Compartment
The clothing section is the main compartment, and is spacious enough for you to use as an overnight bag or carry-on backpack only for a quick summer getaway.
For minimalist packers, you could pack enough for 1-2 days of travel. The mesh pockets reduce the need for packing cells as you can use them to separate your personal items and toiletries.
The Front Compartment
The thinner front pocket compartment is great for storing your small stuff.
There is nothing I hate more than rummaging around in backpacks and daypacks to find pens, keys or small notebooks.
This laptop backpack from Tortuga gives you a space for your accessories such as phones, battery chargers, cables, hard drives, pens, notebooks, business cards/credit cards, a reading book and even a place to hang your keys! There’s also an external usb loop too.
The zippered section where I put my important documents like passports and tickets is super handy.
I’d love for the zippers to go a bit further down to make it easier to access your things inside the organized sections. Although it does protect your phone from accidentally slipping out!
There is a small zipper section on the front of the backpack as well for anything you want to quickly access like last minute boarding passes and phones.
I love to separate my gear as it makes it easier to find things.
I’m a lady who really needs help with organization. The Tortuga backpacks is perfect for keeping me tidy and sane.
I can sometimes get confused as to which zipper is the front compartment zipper and which one is the luggage compartment as they are close together.
Just a minor detail which can be solved with me paying closer attention.
Specs:
- 25 liters
- 2.8 lbs.
- 900D polyester with water resistant DWR coating
Sturdy and Stylish
I love the color and design of Tortuga backpacks. The exterior has a kind of shine to it, and knowing it’s waterproof and made of nylon fabric so it won’t rip or tear, is a bonus.
The laptop backpack keeps with the traditional black or grey and sleek design.
No flashy logos or color schemes suits any kind of traveler AND outfit and helps you blend in. You don’t look like a traveler more like an urban dweller.
This is really important when you’re visiting slightly dodgy places in terms of security. You can blend in with the local commuters and no one will know you’re a tourist.
No matter how often I use Tortuga Backpacks they still look brand new.
The color and fabric does not show up any scratches or dirt and the fabric is soft and gentle. I didn’t even realize how important this was for a backpack until I got a Tortuga. It does make a difference!
I can’t stand those scratchy backpack materials. The material is soft but it is also really tough and so well made.
It’s also weather resistant.
The zippers are solid and lockable making it an anti theft backpack. I never lock my luggage. Do you?
Side Water Bottle Pocket
Photo: Tortuga Backpack
I love the zippered side water bottle. I love carrying my water bottles in side pockets so they can be easily accessed.
It’s also fantastic for parents, as your kids can run up and slip the water bottle out and take care of their own thirst rather than demanding you do it every 5 seconds.
FREEDOM!!!
I’ve never seen one with a zipper before which is a cool way to keep the bag compact when you don’t need to use it, which for me is generally never.
Weight Dispersed and Comfortable
Photo: Tortuga Backpack
Before this pack I had a one shoulder strap laptop bag. I could fit a lot in it, but it was killer for my posture and back.
I love that I can’t fit everything I need for a conference in this laptop backpack – sweater, make up, laptop, planner, notebook, water, snacks, and it doesn’t send me to the chiropractor for a month of rehabilitating.
The air mesh padded back panel adds adds an extra layer of comfort and snugness. And I love how it helps my body breathe better when carrying the pack for long periods of time.
Foam padded shoulder straps makes for comfortable carrying, and the compression straps allow you to sinch the bag down so it looks like it’s less bulky than it is. Perfect when you’re flying with an airline that’s strict about dimensions.
Easy to access from the backseat of my car.
The top and side padded handle can help with lifting and carrying and lets you easily take it out from underneath the seat and throw it on your back.
The top handle definitely helps me grab the bag from the backseat in the car to the front when I need it or am getting out of the car.
You can tuck the shoulder straps in for protection when carrying your bag down the aisle of the plane or when stowing it in an overhead bin.
The sternum strap brings extra stability and comfort and is easy to adjust.
Affordable Price for Quality
Photo: Tortuga Backpack
I’ve had my Tortuga Backpack now for 3 years now and it looks and feels brand new.
The Tortuga Laptop Backpack is made of the same high quality. I’ve been using a couple times a week now for four months and it’s still looking brand new.
Its price tag is well worth it for the comfort, quality, and diversity of this travel laptop backpack.
You can get some laptop daypacks for a cheaper price, but will definitely lose on quality and a daypack that could last you years.
Most daypacks I’ve used have a short lifespan, especially when loading it with laptops, clothes, and books.
What I didn’t like about the Tortuga Laptop Bag
I have one issue with the travel backpack that I can’t seem to solve. I don’t know if it’s just my posture, but the left shoulder strap keeps slipping off.
I’ve adjusted the strap in multiple different ways but can’t get it to sit straight. I’ve researched to see if this is a common issue.
If I use the chest straps then it stays on and all is good and comfortable.
There is no hip belt on this bag, which given the size of it and purpose is reasonable. It’s one feature I would love, especially the extra pocket in the hip strap to stash my phone for access on the go.
The Verdict: Would I recommend the Tortuga Laptop Backpack?
The Laptop Backpack by Tortuga is now my favorite piece of luggage.
I use it All. The. Time.
When I’m flying, when I’m headed to a local café to work, to conferences, when we’re driving from one location to another as I can carry all I need to work in the car in one bag with no overwhelm and mess.
I’ve been using the laptop bag for several years now, and even though I wrote this review several months after using it to get a great feel for it before recommending it, I decided to update this guide as it’s still functioning as it should.
Six years on, it’s still like new, I’ve traveled endlessly with it, and use it all the time to move from my home and coworking office in Raleigh – that is why the Tortuga laptop bag is one of the best laptop backpacks. It’s worth the investment when you know it’s built to last.
If you are looking for a daypack that balances your tech savvy requirements with frequent travel, especially air, then this is the backpack for you.
This is not a backpack for long term world travelers who need to pack a lot of stuff, but will certainly complement suitcase travelers as a secondary bag. It’s also not a hiking backpack.
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