Just like you shouldn’t trust a pair of cheap boots to protect your body on a through-hike, you shouldn’t trust any old piece of gear to protect your valuable equipment. Everything you bring with you is a conscious decision when you live out of a bag, so the bag itself is arguably the most important choice of all.

Everlane definitely has a more couture appeal while also keeping things more reasonably priced, though their bags don't slouch when it comes to functionality. Losing your valuables while on the road can spell disaster, and the easiest way to make sure everything arrives at your final destination in one piece is to choose one of the tech bags on our list to get the job done. The North St. Belmont features high quality materials with some solid water-resistant construction, making it a fantastic option if you're worried about the weather damaging your work materials and laptop inside. The kings of leather Kodiak are out to prove that this old-school luxury has plenty of high-tech capability. If anyone can get the most out of top-grain cowhide, it’s the folks at Kodiak who have a wide-ranging selection of the best leather bags in the business. Padded shoulder straps and waist belts also earned extra marks from our road-weary shoulders. FunctionalityAll of these unassuming benefits are protected and highlighted by the bags 100% full-grain leather exterior handsewn in Spain by Harber London. Once I exit the terminal, my tech bag fits snugly yet loosely on my shoulders, giving me the freedom to dodge opportunist bag carriers and omnipresent taxi hustlers and get to my final destination with as little frustration as possible. One of my favourite things about this fledgling industry is that new bags are popping up all the time that make big promises, so let us know in the comments below if you’ve found the next real deal. North St. has a lot of style options while also being handmade with quality water-resistant materials, making them great commuter bags that you won't be embarrassed to bring to class or the office.

I don’t care where you’re headed, the right bag will make the road less daunting and give you valuable inches of freedom in all the right places.

Bags

Environmentally friendly and tough on crime, this bag is one great healthcare policy away from being elected to high office. Pacsafe cranked out a theft-proof pouch from recycled fishing nets and other nylon materials to make a cut-proof tech bag built for peace of mind.

The Lo & Sons Hakuba has amble capacity for your work material and laptop, while also featuring a waterproof compartment on the bottom for gym shoes and other gear to help you get a workout in before or after work. We also looked at whether each bag worked well for commuting as well as carry-on travel, both important for digital nomads and professionals using public transport. Aesthetics

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There are however some methods that you can use to determine a product’s quality without needing to physically have it. There are over 20 organisational quirks and features that make the most out of this slim messenger bag. You could throw this bag over your shoulder for the next ten years and still find new ways to store the important things in life.