With the rise in part-time home working and hot-desking since the Covid pandemic, more of us than ever are taking laptops to and from work. For cyclists, computer-shop laptop bags aren’t up to the job. You need a bag that’s waterproof and that is stable on your back or secure on your bike.

Cycling-specific luggage works best. But it doesn’t have to be laptop specific. You can carry a laptop in any large enough bike bag, as long as it’s protected by a neoprene sleeve or shockproof case. It’s vital that the bag is waterproof because laptops aren’t.

If you’re carrying a laptop on your back, the bag needs one or more auxiliary straps to stop it swinging about and unbalancing you as you pedal. Rucksacks need a chest and/or waist strap. Messenger-style shoulder bags need a cross-body strap as well as the main strap. If the laptop is going on your bike, the pannier must have secure hooks with safety catches so it won’t leap off the rack when you hit a pothole. The pannier’s lower fixing must keep the bag snug against the rack so it can’t flap up and down.

Vibration isn’t as big a deal as it was in the past. Good-quality laptops come with solid state drives (SSD) nowadays. These don’t have moving parts like hard disk drives (HDD), which store data on a spinning disk. But it’s still a good idea to limit vibration and accidental knocks to avoid damaging the chassis, screen or internal connections. If your laptop does have an HDD, make sure your computer is switched off and not merely ‘asleep’ when you’re cycling with it, and consider carrying it on your back to reduce vibration.

Large laptops with 16-18in screens can weigh 2.5-4kg. The extra kilo or two over a smaller, lighter laptop might not sound much but it’s something you will feel when it’s on your back. For commutes longer than a few miles, aim to carry a large laptop on your bike if you can. A smaller laptop (13in and below) is OK on your back for longer distances – although on the bike is always more comfortable.

Looking after your laptop isn’t just about the bag you carry it in. Make sure it’s insured, by you or your employer. And back it up regularly. If the worst happens, a broken laptop can be replaced. Lost data might be gone forever.

If you’re looking for a new laptop, incidentally, you can save money by getting one through Cyclescheme’s sister company, BHN Extras.

Laptop bags for your back

OverBoard Classic Waterproof Messenger Bag  £54.99

With its roll-top closure and welded seams, OverBoard’s PVC tarpaulin messenger bag will survive even brief immersion in water. Rain won’t trouble it. For an inexpensive bag it’s fully featured. It has a stabilising strap, D-rings for attaching things to the outside, a reflective strip and a large (38x28cm) pocket in the front flap. Inside there’s one compartment, so you’ll want a laptop sleeve or an OverBoard Messenger Tidy Large 15in (£22.99), which is designed for laptops up to 15in. Bag dimensions (cm): 33H x 41W x 10D.

Pinnacle Waterproof Urban Backpack 20L £59.99

Sixty quid isn’t a bad price for a waterproof PVC rucksack with welded seams and a roll-top closure. At time of writing, however, it was £24: a bargain! As well as padded shoulder straps, this Evans Cycles own-brand bag has chest and waist straps. There’s a couple of side pockets, a zipped front pocket and some reflective detailing. The main compartment isn’t sub-divided so a separate laptop sleeve is essential. Dimensions (cm): 50H x 26W x 16D.

Oxford Aqua Evo 22L Backpack £89.99

The Aqua Evo is another roll-top, waterproof backpack made from VC tarpaulin with welded seams. There are waist and chest straps for stability, and plenty of padding on the back for comfort. Features include an external pocket, reflective details and loops for lights. It’s supplied with a padded sleeve for a 15in laptop, which is a bonus. A smaller 12-litre version (£69.99) lacks this sleeeve but might suit a less bulky computer like a MacBook Air or a Microsoft Surface Pro. Dimensions (cm): 46H x 39W x 14D.

Apidura City Messenger 13in £91

Apidura mostly makes waterproof, lightweight bikepacking luggage for adventure cyclists. This compact messenger bag shares those traits. Externally there’s a stabilising strap, reflective graphics, light loops, and a zip pocket containing a stretchy keychain. Inside there’s a padded sleeve for a laptop (13 or 14in ideally) and a zipped pocket. If you’ll be travelling even lighter, perhaps with an ultraportable laptop or a tablet, consider the smaller City Messenger 11in (£80). Dimensions for the 13in bag (cm): 27.5H x 32W x 10D.

Restrap Rolltop Backpack 22L £204.99

Restrap’s roll-top backpack is quite expensive but it’s made in the UK and comes with a lifetime repair or replacement guarantee. It’s made from waterproof TPU rather than PVC. There’s a compartment for a 14in laptop and a small pocket, both of which are accessible from the inside or outside as there are external zips. As well as chest and waist straps, the pack has compression straps to cinch down smaller loads and stop them moving around. It has reflective details and D-rings for accessory mounting. Dimensions (cm): 45H x 26W x 15D.

Laptop bags for your bike

Altura Thunderstorm City Waterproof Cycling Pannier £75

This 20-litre waterproof city pannier comes with some commuter-friendly features. There’s copious reflectivity, like on Altura’s Nightvision clothing range, as well as loops for extra LED lights. Inside there’s a sleeve for laptops up to 15in, a smaller zipped pocket and a key loop. As the pannier is symmetrically tapered it can be used on the left or right side. The bag’s KLICKfix hooks fit securely to any rack but can be released in seconds. Dimensions (cm): 40H x 34W x 15D.

Carradice Bike Bureau Pannier 25L £119.95

Made not from plastic fabrics but durable, waterproof cotton duck, the Bike Bureau is a satchel-style pannier with leather and metal straps. It’s a big bag with plenty of pockets and dividers, including a sleeve for a large (16-17in) laptop. The bag’s hooks are simple and robust but will only fit to one side of the rack; you must choose a left-side or right-side Bureau when you buy it. A detachable shoulder strap makes it easy to carry off the bike. An eco-friendly, leather-free version is also available. Dimensions (cm): 37H x 44W x 15D.

Thule Shield £119.99

Thule’s waterproof office pannier is unusual in that there are no hooks on the back. It slides over a Thule InLock universal panel, which you’ll need to buy separately (£24.99) and fit to your bike’s pannier rack. The lack of hardware on the bag makes it sleeker and more comfortable to carry when using its detachable shoulder strap. There are dividers and pockets inside to keep your stuff organised, including a padded one for laptops up to 16in. Reflective trim aids nighttime visibility. Dimensions (cm): 30.5H x 44.5W x 14.5D.

Ortlieb Office-Bag Hi-Vis QL2.1 £178

Ortlieb pioneered waterproof cycling luggage with welded seams. While any of its panniers or backpacks might transport your laptop, this Office-Bag is better suited. The entire bag is made of reflective material. There are slim internal organisers each side of the bag’s main compartment, into which you might fit A4 files or a 15in laptop. You’ll probably want to add your own padded sleeve. If you do, a laptop as large as 17in will go in the main compartment. The bag is designed to fit on the left or right of a rack and not both, although you can reorient the fittings to change that. There’s a detachable shoulder strap for use off the bike. If you want lower-profile rack fittings, the QL3.1 version (£187.50) has them. Dimensions (cm): 30H x 40W x 17D.

Brompton Metro Waterproof Bag Large £190

This 20-litre bag fits to a Brompton’s carrier block above the front wheel. It’s a neat design, and the Metro Waterproof Bag Large is capacious and well made.  There are two large pockets on the back of the bag, each big enough for a water bottle, tools and other things you want to keep away from your office stuff. The bag’s top flap fastens with a robust hook-and-eye system, and it has a slim outer pocket. A zipped mesh pocket in the main compartment will accommodate a 14in laptop, although a 17in laptop will fit outside that if you have a padded sleeve. The shoulder strap can’t be removed but can be cinched down to keep it snug against the bag. At time of writing, it was reduced to £133. Dimensions (cm): 30H x 43W x 13D.