My men's backpack ranking is based on online customer reviews and expert opinions. It's also based on personal preference, as there's no point in recommending a backpack to others that I wouldn't buy for myself.
10. Xiaomi 90 Points Vibrant College
- Volume: 18 l
- Weight: 0.6 kg
- Number of straps: two
Xiaomi, a company well known for its consumer electronics and smartphones, is also one of the best backpack manufacturers.
The 90 Points Vibrant College model boasts a design that's both classic and contemporary. It's compact, but has enough room for everything you need, including a standard 15.6-inch laptop. However, you won't be able to overload the backpack—the top is secured with magnetic closures that tend to come undone when overfilled.
The product is made of durable, dense, wear-resistant Cordura fabric, which is also impregnated with water-repellent agents for added reliability.
elegant appearance
durable, wear-resistant fabric
excellent quality of execution
there is no zippered pocket inside
9. ARCTIC HUNTER B00120C
- Volume: 25 l
- Weight: 0.9 kg
- Number of straps: two
And from the stylish Xiaomi, we move on to a classic top-of-the-line city backpack. This solid, practical-looking product comes in a standard black color, yet doesn't feel bulky despite its 25-liter capacity. Its sturdy, durable frame with shock-absorbing wall protection, anatomically shaped, solid, ventilated straps, and a clever use of vertical lines and a glossy finish keep it from looking boring.
The backpack's zippers are waterproof, and the fabric is treated with a water-repellent finish. Reflective elements are sewn into the fabric for those who enjoy cycling in the dark. The backpack also boasts several interesting features: a USB charging port, a headphone jack, and a trolley attachment. And, of course, there's a 15.6-inch laptop compartment, further protected by a shock-absorbing pad.
rubberized laptops
quality of material and workmanship
spacious
good ventilation of the back
weak tightening of the straps
8. Granta Shoulder Backpack
- Volume: 7 l
- Weight: 0.5 kg
- Number of straps: one
An interesting single-strap backpack that compensates for its modest capacity (only 7 liters) with MOLLE straps for attaching various items. While it won't hold a thermos or a change of clothes, cyclists and motorcyclists will find it useful.
The Granta has plenty of space for documents, a smartphone, a tablet, and school notebooks, and several convenient pockets for small items. It even has a portable charger! The backpack can be worn on your back or across your chest—the bag fits snugly against your body. Customers highly praise the card and cash pocket—it's conveniently located, well-protected, and easy to access.
compactness
convenient pockets
long straps, will have to be shortened manually
7. Xiaomi Casual Daypack 13.3
- Volume: 10 l
- Weight: 0.2 kg
- Number of straps: two
This is one of the lightest and most affordable options in our men's city backpack rankings. However, neither the weight nor the price compromised the number of pockets or the laptop compartment. It even has a headphone jack and a side compression strap.
The backpack itself looks good, with clean, straight lines that hold their shape well, and the company logo is a subtle, discreet size. Of course, for that kind of money, you won't get thick, padded walls, frame elements, contoured straps, or ventilated back pads. What you do get is a backpack-style bag made of high-quality, durable fabric, padded straps and back, plenty of pockets, and reliable zippers.
If you need an ultra-compact, small backpack for your bike or for a low-cost flight where every gram counts, where you can stash your phone, keys, and a bottle of water, but don't want to overspend, the Casual Daypack is a very good option.
excellent value for money
light weight
there is none for its price category
6. Airton RD4213
- Volume: 20 l
- Weight: 0.4 kg
- Number of straps: two
One of the most popular backpacks on the market, it's worth every penny. It features a classic shape, two padded shoulder straps, a discreet logo, and a front pocket with a flap to keep water out.
Even the backrest, with its hint of a frame, is made of ventilated fabric. For the price, it's a very good option. The impression is slightly marred by the single main compartment, lacking any frills like a laptop pocket, but not everyone needs a laptop for everyday use.
price
ventilated padded back and straps
only one compartment
5. Golden Wolf GB00433
- Volume: 22 l
- Weight: 0.6 kg
- Number of straps: two
This spacious, wide, and roomy backpack features adjustable compression straps. Its design is meticulously thought out – it features not only a laptop compartment with shock-absorbing padding, but also an elastic strap for attaching to a suitcase, a headphone cable opening, a carabiner-style toggle fastener, and even a sunglasses clip.
The backpack is made of thick, durable, moisture-wicking polyester, and the back is made of breathable fabric. The only thing missing is a pocket on the back, but how often do you use that?
capacity
thoughtful design down to the last detail
good price/quality ratio
there is no pocket on the back
4. CLASSIC BUSINESS BACKPACK 2
- Volume: 18 l
- Weight: 0.55 kg
- Number of straps: two
I gave fourth place in my top city backpacks to this business model. Its elegant style will look good even with an office suit. The dense lining and frame elements hold their shape well, and the zippers are hidden within the fabric. Subtle contrast trim on the flaps emphasizes the elegance and solidity of the model.
The backpack's interior is just as beautiful as the exterior. There's a pocket for documents, glasses, a tablet, a phone, an organizer, and, of course, a laptop compartment (accommodates devices up to 17 inches diagonally). There's even a separate compartment for a change of shoes! It's a shame the pockets don't have zippers, but it seems Xiaomi doesn't include them on their products.
looks good with a suit
does not lose shape
an abundance of pockets and compartments
there is no internal zippered pocket
3. BRAUBERG Melange
- Volume: 23 l
- Weight: 0.52 kg
- Number of straps: two
While the fourth model in the ranking was the epitome of elegance, the model from Brauberg has a sporty touch to its appearance thanks to its contrasting underbody (made of a denser rubberized material).
The classic design, with a semi-circular top, is made of dense, water-repellent fabric that's easy to clean. Inside, there's a spacious main compartment (23 liters, no joke), an additional elasticated compartment, and a zippered pocket (learn that, Xiaomi!).
It's nice that the manufacturer thought of students too – a special stationery organizer is located inside the large main compartment. The only complaint I've heard from customers is about the zipper pulls: they're made of regular polyester tape with loose threads that need to be melted with a lighter.
volume
thoughtful design
elasticated compartment and zipped pocket
low-quality loops on zipper carabiners
2. Mark Ryden MR9008
- Volume: 15 l
- Weight: 0.9 kg
- Number of straps: two
The most expensive model in the rating. This backpack weighs almost a kilogram—more than its all-fabric counterparts—but it makes up for it with a rigid construction that will always hold its shape. The design is fashionable, elegant, almost futuristic, and will look great even with a business suit. The outer material is vinyl, with a subtle glossy sheen.
Beyond appearance, the designers also focused on comfort. The back and straps are lined with breathable membrane inserts, there's an external USB port for a power bank, two main compartments with multiple pockets, and a laptop compartment with a Velcro fastening.
There's even a completely waterproof zippered pocket, and, of course, a hidden pocket on the back. Unfortunately, despite the backpack's stated capacity (15 liters), it's not very roomy: it's not ideal for flat items like a laptop, stacks of documents, a tablet, or a smartphone. If something bulkier, it might not fit.
excellent appearance
many branches
waterproof zippered pocket
small thickness reduces volume
1. Germanium S-01, 226947
- Volume: 25 l
- Weight: 1 kg
- Number of straps: two
Topping the list of the best men's backpacks is this rugged, roomy piece from Germanium—a solid sports model suitable for urban environments, outdoor activities, hiking, and business trips.
The backpack boasts a huge number of pockets and small compartments, which can hold everything from a change of shoes, thermoses, lunch, tools, a jacket, and, apparently, even a small elephant. The laptop compartment (with a Velcro closure, by the way) even has its own mesh pocket for cables! Not to mention the stationery organizer and key holder with a carabiner. The backpack's only drawback is a creative design flaw: the front pocket, for aesthetic purposes, has a slanted zipper, which makes it difficult for the average user to use.
What's surprising is that such a massive product is also ergonomic. It features an AirFlow back system and anatomically shaped, padded shoulder straps. This is especially important, as the backpack is completely waterproof, with an additional rubberized layer between the top and the lining.
large volume
many branches
thoughtful design
the front pocket is inconvenient to use
How to choose the best backpack for the city?
To choose the best urban backpack, knowing where and from whom to buy it isn't enough—you need to carefully consider what exactly you're buying. This depends on your lifestyle: how often you go outside and for what purpose.
The size, shape, material, and number of compartments of a backpack depend on whether you commute to work, the office, or college, whether you enjoy attending cultural events, whether you enjoy short trips out of town, and whether you're an athlete. The best sports backpacks, for example, those designed for cyclists, also perform well on city streets.
Anatomical shape
Even in the comfortable conditions of a big city, every kilogram carried daily can affect posture and, consequently, the user's health. Therefore, it's advisable to choose an ergonomic backpack—one with a firm but not rigid back, wide straps that don't put pressure on the shoulders, and a length that can be adjusted to suit the user.
The most comfortable backpacks have a back panel and some straps that fit snugly against the body, made of ventilated fabric (in the form of soft pads, grooves, and linings) to enhance contouring, improve airflow, and prevent sweating. It's also a good idea to have frame pads to help maintain shape and distribute weight evenly across the body.
If you have to carry a lot of things in a roomy backpack, consider adding a sternum strap. This will reduce strain on your shoulders, as some of the load will be transferred to your chest. And, of course, the backpack should have a top handle—many buyers say that lugging the bag around by the straps alone is awkward.
External water bottle pockets are incredibly useful. Not only do they save space inside your backpack, but they also make it easier to access your drink.
Capacity
It depends on how often you travel and whether you need special equipment for these trips (e.g., a laptop, thermos, lunchbox, change of uniform, etc.). A typical city backpack has a capacity of 20 to 35 liters.
20 liters – the bare minimum. These backpacks can be worn on public transport without taking them off – they're flat and generally fit snugly against the body. They'll fit a maximum of a 15-inch laptop, a smartphone, maybe a tablet, a notebook, a wallet, and documents. That's all. There might not be enough room for a thermos or a lunch. Slings are particularly effective here. Some backpacks, thanks to their clever design, can even hold 15 liters and still be roomy, but you'll need to test this yourself.
23-28 liters – the perfect size for a city dweller. It fits a laptop, electronics like chargers and cables, a water bottle, an umbrella, a change of clothes, a lunchbox, and a windbreaker.
30-35 liters. By comparison, the best travel backpacks that can also be used as daypacks start at around 30 liters. These bags are used on business trips and as extra luggage on airplanes, but for urban conditions, they're borderline unreasonable. There are also adjustable backpacks on the market—these models can magically deflate and inflate using additional zippers, foldable compartments, or compression straps. However, they'll still be a bit too wide for city use.
Number of straps
Backpacks come in traditional two-strap types, as well as single-strap types – the so-called slings.
Double-strap slings can hold more (they're typically bulkier than their single-strap counterparts), and smaller slings are more convenient in crowded areas, like the subway. Another advantage of slings is that to retrieve something from the backpack's interior, you simply slide it up onto your chest. You don't have to remove your bag, which is inevitable with double-strap slings.
Laptop compartment
It should be separated from the main compartment by a partition, preferably with a reinforced lining. The laptop shouldn't dangle there, but rather fit snugly. Ideally, the pocket walls should have either special straps or Velcro to securely fasten the laptop inside. Even a simple zipper will do.
Quality of tailoring
The best backpack manufacturers don't skimp on the quality of the material: it should be dense, low in static electricity, not soak through after a half-hour walk in the rain, and not attract dust, dirt, or pet hair.
Backpacks are typically made from nylon and polyester, but recently all sorts of interesting fabrics have appeared. For example:
- Cordura - dense, waterproof,
- «"military" nylon from DuPont,
- ripstop, which is commonly used for sewing folding backpacks and parts that are subject to prolonged stress,
- and also nylon with a thermoplastic polyurethane coating, from which any dirt rolls off like water off a duck's back.
- And, of course, leather – if you want to look classy.
- There are also various eco-friendly options available, such as matting, but to ensure comfortable use they must have a water-repellent finish.
If your backpack is made of fabric, it should have a frame, padded walls, and a lining made of high-quality, comfortable material. Check for roomy padding in the pockets (especially for laptops and smartphones).
The seams are double-stitched, even, and free of loose threads and overlapping stitching. The inside seams may be finished with a facing, sometimes in a contrasting color—a feature typically found on mid- and high-priced backpacks from well-known brands.
A zipper should have a special flap above it to prevent leaks. Waterproof zippers are an exception, but they're usually rubberized and have the raised portion facing inward. Fabric or leather "tails" are highly desirable for both types—they make it easier to grab the pull.
Water resistance
This feature is highly desirable – you don't want your laptop to be damaged by rainwater, do you? However, waterproofing is unnecessary; it's enough to keep moisture out while running between your car and the subway. For the same reason, it's advisable to have the bottom of the backpack protected by a rubber plate (you never know where you'll end up putting it), or at least feet.
Protection from prying hands
Typically, city backpacks are protected from theft by padded walls and numerous tightly closed pockets with Velcro and zippers. However, these models can be less convenient for everyday use, as you'll be the one constantly opening and closing these pockets.
Useful little things
The coolest backpacks have a lot of interesting features, such as:
- charger for gadgets,
- transformable parts,
- organizers for things,
- reflective signs,
- headphone hole,
- water bottle mounts.
There are specialized backpack models for photographers, skateboarders, and even repairmen. Online stores also sell exotic designs like modular backpacks—they certainly have a unique look, as they were originally designed for the military, but they're thoughtfully designed down to the smallest centimeter of space.