When you need to carry a lot of tech on a daily basis, there’s no better choice than a laptop backpack. These bags distribute the weight evenly across both shoulders to prevent back pain, and offer plenty of compartments to store your laptop, tablets, accessories and more. But not all backpacks are created equal, and it’s important to consider what your specific needs are when choosing a new one.

We’ve put together this list of our top picks to help you find the best laptop backpack for your commute or travels. In our tests, we looked at a variety of factors including how the bag held up to weather and water (the more water resistant the better), interior organization, comfort when carrying it and, of course, style and design. We also interviewed a number of experts, from celebrity fashion stylist and consultant Chelsea Volpe to PEOPLE senior commerce writer Madison Yauger. We combined their insights with the results of our lab tests to determine which bags are the best for work, school and travel.

If you rely on public transportation for your commute, it’s vital that the bag you choose is compact enough to not crowd your legs, annoy your seatmate, or knock things off of your bag and into other passengers. You also want to make sure your backpack is durable enough for the rigours of your commute and the occasional impromptu trip to your favourite coworking space or coffee shop.

The best laptop backpacks for commuting should include pockets that can be accessed quickly, as well as a laptop sleeve that’s tight to the main compartment but easy to slide in and out of. If you do a lot of virtual meetings, it may be helpful to look for backpacks with dedicated noise-canceling compartments, which filter out surrounding sound to ensure you can clearly hear your colleagues and customers.

A false bottom is another useful feature for keeping your laptop safe. This is a panel that extends down from the sleeve or compartment, so if you drop your backpack with your laptop in it, your device won’t smack the ground as hard, which can damage it.

The Timbuk2 Parker Commuter is the best laptop backpack for a quick commute, thanks to its waterproof materials. The bag’s main exterior is made from a polyethylene vinyl acetate, which rain will bead and run off of rather than soak into. Plus, the pack features welted fabric over the zipper of its main compartment for even more water resistance. And if you’re heading out on a long trip, the bag comes with a built-in rainfly that easily tucks into a compartment in its bottom. This means you can get to your destination and still be prepared for any weather that might come your way. You can read our full review of this bag here.