You need a bag that can hold a laptop and a tablet, has enough pockets to keep cables and accessories organized, fits under an airline seat, doesn't weigh a ton when empty, and ideally doesn't cost more than a flight. Here are the bags that hit all of those marks — five solid picks under $100, plus three "worth the splurge" options if you want to spend a bit more.
I pulled recommendations from The Guardian, NYT Wirecutter, GearJunkie, Travel + Leisure, and Pack Hacker — all of which actually tested the bags on flights, not just in showrooms. Standard underseat dimensions across most US airlines (Spirit, Frontier, American, Allegiant) are 18 × 14 × 8 inches, and most picks below fit comfortably within that footprint.
At a Glance
| Bag | Price | Capacity | Weight | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JanSport Journey Pack | $95 | 28L | 1 lb 14 oz | Best budget overall |
| Bagsmart Blast Travel Backpack | $59 | 28L (38L exp.) | 2 lbs | Most affordable |
| The North Face Borealis | $99 | 28L | ~2 lbs | Most refined under $100 |
| REI Co-op Trail 25 Pack | $100 | 25L | 1.8 lbs | Lightest option |
| Monos Metro Backpack | $175 | 18L | 2.2 lbs | Sleek tech hauler |
| Aer City Pack Pro 2 | $209 | 24L | 2.9 lbs | Best for professionals |
| Bellroy Lite Travel Pack 30L | $199 | 30L | 2.1 lbs | Best overall (any price) |
| Cotopaxi Allpa 28L | $140 | 28L | 2.6 lbs | Best laptop + tablet sleeves |
The Top Picks Under $100
Why it's the top pick: JanSport has been making backpacks since 1967, and the Journey is what happens when they take that experience and build a budget travel pack. It uses 1680D ballistic material on the high-wear areas and 600D polyester for the body — overkill for a sub-$100 bag. The EVA foam back panel and shoulder straps are thick enough to carry a full load without digging in.
- 15" laptop sleeve (tricot-lined, so the screen won't get scratched)
- Front organizer pocket for pens, phone, passport, cables
- 28L capacity — fits a change of clothes, a packing cube, and flight essentials
- Front stash pocket, slim side pockets (water bottle fits but a Nalgene is tight)
Cons: No hip belt for long walks, limited color/pattern options, no dedicated tablet sleeve (your tablet rides in the laptop sleeve or a separate padded case).
Why it's the best deal: At under $60, the Bagsmart Blast punches well above its weight. The Guardian tested it on Florida–Philadelphia flights and called it "affordable without feeling flimsy, on par with mainstream retailers like JanSport." It comes in beige, navy, pink, and turquoise, and it's almost always on sale.
- Dedicated laptop section + separate shoe compartment (rare at this price)
- Expandable design (28L → 38L) — useful for a side trip, but the expanded size exceeds most airline personal-item limits, so pack carefully
- Multiple internal organizer pockets for chargers, cables, toiletries
- Solid build quality for the price
Cons: Interior lining has a "plastic bag" feel; if you overstuff the expanded section, it won't fit in the personal-item bin at the gate. No dedicated tablet sleeve — your tablet shares the laptop section.
Why it's the most refined under $100: The Borealis is the bag that consistently wins "best laptop backpack" roundups, and at $99 it just barely makes the budget cut. The FlexVent suspension system (padded back panel and articulated shoulder straps) makes a 25-pound load feel like 15. The build quality is a clear step up from the JanSport and Bagsmart.
- Dedicated padded laptop sleeve + secondary tablet pocket (the only under-$100 pick with both)
- FlexVent suspension: padded back panel and articulated shoulder straps
- Two large main compartments (one for tech, one for clothes/gear)
- Front organizational panel with pen sleeves, key clip, mesh pouches
- Stretchy side water bottle pockets (fit a Nalgene)
- Reflective bike-light loop and 360-degree reflectivity
Cons: North Face's logo is loud if you don't want to advertise the brand. The 19.5" height is over the 18" limit for some airlines — it still fits under most seats but check the depth before Spirit/Frontier.
Why it's the lightest: At 1.8 lbs, the Trail 25 is the lightest bag on this list by a meaningful margin, and it sits within the 18×14×8 personal-item size for even the strictest airlines (Spirit, Frontier, Allegiant). REI built it as a stripped-down daypack with backpacking-grade materials.
- 18 × 13 × 8 inches — fits Spirit/Frontier/Allegiant personal-item bins exactly
- 1.8 lbs empty (lightest on this list)
- Hip belt with seatbelt-style webbing — offloads weight from your shoulders
- Stretchy side pockets, hydration-compatible (sleeve + port)
- Internal laptop sleeve (no dedicated tablet sleeve)
Cons: Minimal internal organization — the body of the bag is mostly open space. No fancy organizer panel; you'll want pouches or packing cubes. Less polished than the Borealis or JanSport for business/professional use.
Worth the Splurge (Over $100)
These three are pricier but earn it — either through build quality, dedicated tablet sleeves, or simply being a better carry-on experience. Worth a look if you travel enough to justify the investment.
Why it's worth it: The Allpa is the bag most travel-content creators use, and for good reason. It has both a padded laptop sleeve AND a separate padded tablet sleeve, plus a clamshell opening that lets you pack it like a suitcase. The 28L is a sweet spot — big enough for a 3-4 day trip, small enough to fit under most airline seats. Cotopaxi also makes each Allpa from leftover fabric (the "Del Día" colorways are literally one-of-a-kind).
Why it's worth it: The Monos Metro is the bag for someone who wants their backpack to look like it belongs in a boardroom. Vegan leather or nylon exterior, magnetic closures, a top "quick-grab" pocket for phone/wallet/keys, and a padded 16" laptop sleeve. The 18L capacity is on the small side for travel, but the bag carries like a much smaller one because of the clean internal layout.
Why it's worth it: Aer takes the crown for craftsmanship. The City Pack Pro 2 was The Guardian's pick for "best for professionals," and you can feel the quality the moment you pick it up — flawless stitching, a sturdy exterior that holds its form even when packed tight, and a quiet design with no loud branding. The padded laptop pocket and easy-access top pocket for business cards/keys make it a commute-to-flight workhorse.
Why it's worth it: If money's no object, this is the bag to get. The Guardian tested 12 packs and named the Bellroy Lite the best overall — most comfortable for a small frame, surprisingly spacious, holds its shape even when packed tightly, and one of the lightest bags they tested. It "squishes into personal-size bins despite being taller than 19 inches." Discrete laptop pocket, multiple internal pockets, recycled polyester shell.
How to Choose
- Check your airline's personal-item dimensions before you buy. Spirit, Frontier, Allegiant, and American cap at 18×14×8; United is 17×10×9; JetBlue is 17×13×8. The Borealis and Bellroy are technically over 18" tall but still fit under most seats because they squish.
- Want both laptop AND tablet sleeves? The Borealis, Cotopaxi Allpa, and WaterField Air Porter have dedicated pockets for both. Most other bags expect you to share the laptop sleeve or use a separate tablet case.
- Prioritize weight if you'll be walking a lot. The REI Trail 25 (1.8 lbs) and JanSport Journey (1 lb 14 oz) are the lightest. A heavier bag with more features can be worth it if you won't be carrying it far.
- Water bottle pocket matters more than you think. A dedicated external pocket beats digging into the main compartment on a long flight. Bagsmart, REI, and North Face all have good ones; the Bellroy Lite has none.
- Skip the "expandable" gimmick unless you genuinely need it. When expanded, most personal-item bags exceed airline limits and get gate-checked.
The Short Version
If you want one bag and don't want to overthink it: The North Face Borealis at $99 is the right answer for most people. It has the dedicated tablet sleeve, the best build quality under $100, and the FlexVent suspension makes it comfortable to carry all day.
If budget is the top priority: Bagsmart Blast at $59 gets you a functional travel bag with a laptop section and shoe compartment for less than the cost of a checked bag fee.
If you want to splurge once and never buy another: Cotopaxi Allpa 28L at $140 — best balance of laptop/tablet organization, capacity, and durability, with a clamshell opening that makes packing and security screening painless.
Sources
- The Guardian — "The four best personal-item backpacks that fit under US airline seats" (Feb 6, 2026)
- NYT Wirecutter — "The 4 Best Underseat Luggage and Personal Item Bags of 2026" (Apr 17, 2026)
- GearJunkie — "The Best Travel Backpacks of 2026" (May 7, 2026)
- Travel + Leisure — "The 10 Best Laptop Backpacks of 2026, Tested and Reviewed"
- Pack Hacker — "10 Best Personal Item Bags for Under an Airplane Seat"
- CNN Underscored — "Best personal item bags of 2026" (Feb 18, 2026)
- Backpackies — "Best 18x14x8 Personal Item Bags"
- Outdoor Gear Lab — "10 Best Travel Bags of 2026"