For those who love to blend remote work and travel, the best minimalist backpacks aren’t just a luggage piece, but an extension of their mobile office. Whether hopping on a plane or working from a café, you’ll need a trusty, functional, lightweight backpack.
However, the challenge of packing minimally while keeping all your essentials at hand is no small feat. Here are some of the best backpack options for combining work and travel, while keeping it minimal and lightweight.
🔔 Prices are correct at the time of writing but can change or fluctuate over time.
Top picks for lightweight minimalist backpacks
1. Gossamer Gear Vagabond Daypack
This bag is an all-around favorite, especially if you’re looking for something ultra-lightweight. With a weight of just 526g, it offers a perfect balance of function and convenience. Available in multiple versions—Jet, Daypack, and Packable—it provides you with options depending on your specific needs.
💰 Cost: ~$124
2. ULA Ultra Dragonfly
Although not a beauty pageant winner, this pack proves that function can trump form. It’s another lightweight favorite for those who prioritize utility over aesthetics.
💰 Cost: ~$199
3. Matador Freerain22
This bag stands out for its unique tapered shape, providing you both comfort and lightweight features. However, some may find its design a tad limiting when it comes to accessing stored items easily.
💰 Cost: ~$100
✨ Looking to pack for your next trip? Check out this guide for packing minimally for 2 weeks
4. Osprey Tropos 32L Daypack
Despite being tagged at 32L, this everyday bag offers more space due to its expandable mesh pocket. The harness system is great, and while it doesn’t have a substantial hip belt, it’s a trade-off that enhances its everyday carry capability.
💰 Cost: ~$180
5. Osprey Talon 33L
If you’re willing to trade a few extra grams – and a little extra cash – for added comfort, this bag should be on your radar. It weighs around 800g but offers unparalleled comfort, making it a preferred choice for many.
💰 Cost: ~$190
6. Gossamer Gear Kumo 36 Superlight
This bag gained popularity due to its practical design elements and is marketed to “die-hard minimalists”. It offers a good balance of lightweight and function, perfect for minimalistic packers. The chest strap also provides handy access to your essentials.
💰 Cost: ~$170
7. Mystery Ranch Blitz 30
This bag emerges as a standout option for its dual-purpose utility and innovative design. With thoughtfully designed side and bottom compression straps that offer added flexibility for extra carrying capacity, it can comfortably accommodate even the largest laptops. If you’re looking for a bag that seamlessly marries function and form, the Blitz 30 deserves serious consideration. However, it may be a little bulky for serious minimalists.
💰 Cost: ~$279
✨ Want more tips on how to work remotely and travel? Check out this guide.
Top picks for hyper minimalist backpacks
A truly minimalist backpack offers a sleek, uncluttered design that prioritizes both form and function. Perfect for tech professionals who juggle between remote work and travel, a minimalist bag provides essential features like a dedicated laptop sleeve and internal pockets.
They also lack the fuss of over-the-top branding or excessive external compartments. Here’s a rundown of some of the best minimalist backpacks.
1. Evergoods Civic Half Zip 22
Evergoods offers a standout minimalist choice: the Civic Half Zip 22. This bag is all-black, devoid of obvious branding, and features a suspended 15-inch laptop sleeve, striking a great balance between sleek design and functionality.
💰 Cost: ~$199
2. Arc’teryx Nomin Pack
This option is without question the priceiest of the lot, but it epitomizes minimalist luxury. It’s even warranted a comparison to an “alien egg”! While it stretches the budget, this bag offers an almost art-like minimalist design coupled with functional elements like laptop pockets.
💰 Cost: ~$800
3. Lo & Sons The Hanover 2
Lo & Sons’ Hanover 2 bag is another minimalist contender. It is an understated yet practical choice, though it leans towards the higher end of the price spectrum. It offers organized, zippered pockets on the inside that can safely hold your tech essentials.
💰 Cost: ~$238
4. côte&ciel Saru Obsidian
Côte&Ciel offers minimalist, luxe designs that could double as fashion accessories. While the Saru Obsidian looks fantastic, they might not fully meet your requirements for inner zippered pockets or laptop sleeve specifications.
💰 Cost: ~$315
5. Moment MTW Backpack
The Moment backpack from the MTW line is sleek and minimal, with a few internal pockets that feature zips. It focuses on thoughtful design elements that blend form and function seamlessly.
💰 Cost: ~$150
6. The North Face Base Camp Voyager Daypack
The North Face brings its reputation for durability into the minimalist realm with the Base Camp Voyager Daypack. It’s a rugged bag with multiple color options – even an all-black version that hides the brand’s distinctive logo – that fits into any setting. It also offers multiple functional compartments inside.
💰 Cost: ~$139
7. Able Carry Daily Plus
Able Carry’s Daily Plus offers a low-profile look without sacrificing utility, making it an all-rounder of the minimalist world. It includes a variety of internal compartments to keep you organized and a laptop sleeve that suits the mobile tech worker’s needs. It also features a stealth bottle pocket for those who crave the cleanest lines.
💰 Cost: ~$198
The top-loading vs. clamshell backpack debate
Choosing between a top-loading and clamshell bag can be a tough call. The primary difference between both lies in how you access their contents.
Top-loading bags are accessed from the top and are often preferred for hiking or extended travel, offering better water resistance but making it harder to quickly reach items at the bottom.
Clamshell bags open fully like a suitcase, making it easier to organize and access items; they are commonly used for urban or business travel where quick, organized access to contents is essential. The downside is that they are generally less water-resistant and may not be as comfortable to carry for extended periods.
Top tips for packing a top-loading bag
When packing a top-loading bag, focus on weight distribution and accessibility. Place heavy items like water bottles and cooking gear closest to your back and near the middle of the bag to maintain your center of gravity. Items you’ll need less frequently, like your sleeping bag or extra clothing layers, can go toward the bottom.
Consider using packing cubes to maximize efficiency. Well-organized internal compartments can make top-loading designs just as easy to use.On the top and in the side pockets, stash items you’ll need to access regularly, such as snacks, maps, or a first-aid kit.
Top tips for packing a clamshell bag
For a clamshell bag, organization is your best friend. Use packing cubes or zippered pouches to categorize your items by type or activity—this makes it easier to find what you need quickly. Keep your frequently accessed items in easily reachable compartments or pockets, often found on the front or top of the bag.
Since clamshell bags are fully open, you can spread out your belongings, making it easier to see everything at a glance, so make use of this feature by packing in a way that everything is visible when you unzip the bag.
The best minimalist backpacks for remote work and travel – conclusion
There’s no universal backpack that suits everyone’s needs, but depending on what you’re looking for – whether it’s ultra-lightweight design, optimal comfort, or a sleek aesthetic – you have several great options to choose from. Whatever you pick, here’s to making remote work and travel an enjoyable, hassle-free experience!
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