If you're a regular traveler and don't want to forego taking your laptop with you, these carrying cases should offer the protection you need.

Whether you commute to an office regularly or travel all over the world, it's practically essential that you have a laptop on hand. Reports need to be written and graphs need to be made, right? But carrying laptops out in the open, to experience the elements, opens up the possibility of permanent damage.

And that's why you need a laptop carrying case. Not only does having a laptop carrying case offer a greater degree of protection, but there are also a variety of options that expand beyond storing just your electronics, too.

Here are the best laptop carrying cases for traveling available today.

When you find yourself traveling often, the more relevant a large travel bag becomes. It should be large enough for items such as your laptop, passports, wallet, maybe a tablet or books. What would be even better is that the laptop bag doesn't sacrifice style. In that case, you want the Fossil Men’s Haskell Leather Laptop Bag.

To accomplish this, the Fossil Men’s Haskell Leather Laptop Bag is separated into two sections. It’s cushioned all around to keep everything well-protected. You can store a myriad of items between the two pockets, even something as bulky as an umbrella. What’s surprising is that the Fossil Men’s Haskell Laptop Bag only weighs 1.1 pounds.

With all that utility, surely something had to be sacrificed? Luckily, fashion hasn’t been left on the cutting room floor. Not only does the bag hold your important business essentials, but you can also stroll in to meet a potential client with the Fossil Men’s Haskell Leather Laptop Bag across your shoulders.

The Estarer Laptop Messenger Bag is a great example of a laptop bag that merges practicality with a modern look and useful traits. More importantly, this particular laptop bag should be your go-to if you tend to use larger laptops, though it comes in various sizes.

For starters, the Estarer Laptop Messenger Bag is wonderfully crafted with water-resistant canvas. Though it only comes in gray and dark gray, you won’t have to worry that it doesn’t match your equally stylish two-piece suit. The PU leather accents are a nice touch, too.

Despite its relatively slim design, the Estarer Laptop Messenger Bag is surprisingly roomy. There’s enough room for a 17.3-inch laptop and a large binder, yet still have enough room for a notebook, phone, wallet, and charger. And that’s not even considering the hidden anti-theft pocket hidden in the flap. To put a bow on the Estarer Laptop Messenger Bag, it even has water-resistant properties to protect everything inside from light rain.

Maybe you have a travel bag already, what good does a laptop bag do for you then? It would make more sense to cover your laptop with a protective casing, such as the MOSISO Laptop Sleeve.

The MOSISO Laptop Sleeve provides the perfect amount of protection, while at the same time keeping its form factor slim and portable. The laptop sleeve does this by focusing on two key areas: the exterior and interior.

When you’re out and about, laptop in hand, and you accidentally drop your laptop, the shockproof sponge interior will provide a nice cushion to absorb much of the impact. Overlapping the shockproof sponge is a plush material that also prevents scratching. And if you need to run through light rain, the neoprene exterior is highly resistant to absorbing water.

When you plan on traveling, especially on planes, chances are you’ll take your laptop with you. Either you’ll keep it on hand to pass the time or store it in special luggage for safekeeping. However, the turbulence of traveling can quickly end the laptop’s life. To avoid that, you should consider the Thule Gauntlet.

The Thule Gauntlet is akin to a rugged, outdoor phone case. Its exterior isn’t so much a sleeve as it is a protective shield against drops and weather. To make this possible, the shell is made of heavy-duty polyurethane, which creates a very rigid and durable casing. It even extends to the edges to prevent further damage if the case falls on one of the corners.

One of the best aspects of the Thule Gauntlet is its reluctance to dents. It won’t be easy to do, but everything has a breaking point. In the unlikely chance that something does, there’s a soft, cushy interior to absorb the blow and protect your laptop.

Let’s say you travel frequently, and you’re always on the move. Maybe you even use more than just a laptop. Of course, you should also stay hydrated and have a few snacks on hand. And let’s not forget paperwork, too. If there’s any laptop bag that can handle all that, it’s the Ytonet Travel Briefcase.

The Ytonet Travel Briefcase is essentially a desk-on-the-go. It doesn’t just carry 17-inch laptops, but also books, documents, tablets, water bottles, and more. You can toss a small lunchbox in there, too. What makes this possible is the use of a divider and expansion zipper, which you can unzip to allow the Ytonet Travel Briefcase to expand.

It isn’t just about storage with the Ytonet Travel Briefcase—there are multiple quality-of-life features as well. It’s water-resistant, so a bit of light rain won’t cause an issue. And lastly, the trolley strap is a nice touch; it’ll prevent the Ytonet Travel Briefcase from falling off your cart during transit.

There’s no reason to forego fashion for the sake of functionality, even if that is a concern. Both can be accomplished together, without sacrificing one for the other. A perfect example of this union is the Kenneth Cole REACTION Chelsea Chevron Tote, which doubles as both a laptop travel case and a personal bag.

The designers used high-density polyester twill to perfection. Ridges spread across the surface, accompanied by beautiful stitching. It’s certainly a nice change from boring, flat, featureless surfaces. The golden zipper accenting the storage pouches is also a welcome addition.

Outside of being a fashion statement, the Kenneth Cole REACTION Chelsea Chevron Tote provides adequate space for your 15-inch laptop and additional materials. The storage compartments are separated into two sections: the main compartment (for laptops and tablets) and the secondary pouch (for phones, passports, etc.) If you were hoping to ditch that old purse of yours for something better, the Kenneth Cole REACTION Chelsea Chevron Tote is it.

If your 15-inch MacBook Pro is special to you, having some kind of protection is better than no protection at all. But what if you don't want to carry a bulky, laptop bag? You can always opt for the Incase CL57419 Neoprene Sleeve Plus.

The Incase CL57419 Neoprene Sleeve Plus is an excellent choice for protecting your laptop if you tend to stuff it in a backpack or carrying bag. The laptop sleeve is like one thick cushion that fits snug to the form of your laptop. Don't worry about scratches on the inside either—the interior has a nice faux-fur lining. And if by some chance you have to carry the case in the rain, the Incase CL57419 Neoprene Sleeve Plus has natural water-resistance properties against light rain.

What's arguably the Incase CL57419 Neoprene Sleeve Plus' best feature is the perforated spine. It would be annoying to turn off your laptop every time you store it; with a perforated spine, it has key points for air to escape and prevent overheating.

It ultimately comes down to how frequently you travel, your job, and what kind of elements you'll be exposed to.

For example, if you're a designer of some kind, having additional tools such as a stylus and an extra hard drive would come in handy. In that example, a simple case for protection and maybe a pocket or two for storage is all you need.

But if your work takes you all over the world, you'll be carrying more than just your laptop. Having a laptop traveling case that stores electronics, passports, wallets, and beyond will be invaluable.

Waterproof, water-resistant, and water-repellant all refer to a certain level of protection against water (or liquids in general). For example, if you were to spill water on a mousepad, and the water beads instead of sinking it, that mousepad has some level of water protection. Laptop carrying cases can have this property as well and becomes incredibly valuable over time.

Water resistance is the lowest form of water protection. A laptop carrying case with water resistance can withstand some light rain, but nothing more. Walk in heavy rain and the bag is sure to absorb enough water to damage devices inside. An item that's water-repellant actively repels water. The mousepad used in the example above would be labeled water-repellant.

And lastly, waterproof is the highest form of protection. A laptop carrying case that's waterproof, when used properly, will never take in water—up to a certain point. Waterproof also has a grading system; smartphones may be waterproof up to a certain depth before the pressure is too much.

Absolutely. Even if you work from home, having that laptop traveling case there, just in case, means you won't have to resort to creating a makeshift case out of your favorite coat. Or worse, trying to juggle an umbrella in one hand and your uncovered laptop in another.

At the end of the day, it's better to have one and not need it than to need one and not have it.

We hope you like the items we recommend and discuss! MUO has affiliate and sponsored partnerships, so we receive a share of the revenue from some of your purchases. This won’t affect the price you pay and helps us offer the best product recommendations.

Brady is a consumer technology writer based somewhere quiet in Pennsylvania. He's been writing about gadgets for the past few years, creating guides, lists, and reviews. When not on the job, you'll find him writing short stories.

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