Swiss backpacks are known for their durability, versatility, and having a lot of pockets because let’s face it, nothing’s more annoying than a bag that doesn’t have enough pockets for organizing all your personal items into different categories.
There are three brands known for making quality Swiss backpacks. You have Victorinox, Swiss Gear, and Wenger, all of which share a Swiss flag-inspired logo.
That said, it’s Wenger and Victorinox that are practically the same because Victorinox owns Wenger. The companies joined together in 2005 after Victorinox purchased Wenger, which was once their competitor for making Swiss Army knives.
But at the same time, if you’re buying a Swiss backpack from either Wenger or Swiss Gear, you’re likely getting the same bag because the North American licenses for these brands are held by the same company, Group III International, which manufactures Wenger and Swiss Gear products for North American markets.
Does that make your head hurt yet?
Because of this, there’s really no reason account for brand name as a buying criterion for your Swiss backpack. It should all come down to your budget, what you expect your Swiss backpack to do, and how well-made it is.
Here are some of the best Swiss backpacks you can get right now.
TOP CHOICES
Best Overall
Victorinox Altmont Professional Compact Laptop Backpack
- Slim profile.
- Padded back and straps.
- Dedicated laptop compartment.
- Organizer pockets for phones, wallets, and cards.
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Best Budget Bag
Swissgear Comfort Fit Laptop Backpack
- Padded laptop sleeve.
- Dedicated pocket for your tablet.
- Organizers for small items.
- Multiple divided compartments.
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Best Organization
Wenger Synergy Backpack
- 16-inch padded laptop compartment.
- Dedicated tablet pocket.
- Stays upright even when not worn.
- Accessible organizers at the front pocket.
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1Victorinox Altmont Professional Compact Laptop Backpack
Best Overall
The Victorinox Altmont Professional Compact Laptop Backpack is a great all-around bag for day-to-day use. It’s incredibly thin and keeps a compact profile even when packed to the brim.
There are three separate compartments for your personal belongings, one of which is a dedicated spot for gadgets that is divided into a laptop and tablet pocket. The laptop sleeve is padded while the tablet pocket is made with water-resistant polyester.
Its front pocket comes with multiple smaller organizers for holding your phone, IDs, credit cards, pens, and loose change.
PROS
- Slim profile.
- Padded back and straps.
- Dedicated laptop compartment.
- Organizer pockets for phones, wallets, and cards.
CONS
- Side pockets are too small for water bottles.
2Swiss Gear Comfort Fit Laptop Backpack
Best Budget Bag
The Swissgear Comfort Fit Laptop Backpack is a lightweight bag with spacious side pockets for your water bottle, making it a great budget bag for school, work, and hikes alike.
Despite its thin fabric, this is a durable bag made of water-resistant polyester and has a padded sleeve for your laptop as well as a separate tablet pocket.
That said, this is not a bag for the aesthetically conscious since it has a massive Swiss Gear logo on the front.
PROS
- Padded laptop sleeve.
- Dedicated pocket for your tablet.
- Organizers for small items.
- Multiple divided compartments.
CONS
- Oversized logo on the front.
3Wenger Synergy Backpack
Best Organization
The Wenger Synergy Backpack has pockets on pockets on pockets and more pockets in each of them. There’s no misplacing your things with this bag because you’d be hard-pressed not to find a spot for it.
It has five separate compartments, not counting the smallest pocket on the front that’s suited for change, your phone, earphones, and other often reached-for items.
Like the other bags on this list, it has a dedicated laptop sleeve padded with three layers of high density foam so you won’t have to worry about your laptop breaking in transit.
PROS
- 16-inch padded laptop compartment.
- Dedicated tablet pocket.
- Stays upright even when not worn.
- Accessible organizers at the front pocket.
CONS
- Bulky-looking design.
4Victorinox Altmont Original Flapover Laptop Backpack
If style is your priority, it doesn’t get better than the Victorinox Altmont Original Flapover Laptop Backpack. This ultra-stylish backpack is the bag of Swiss backpack of choice for going to the office or, really, anywhere else you’d like to look good at.
The bag has a minimalist design and clean lines accentuated by the placement of its heavy-duty zippers. Admittedly, it makes fishing stuff out of your bag a bit slower, But hey, it looks great and thieves are going to have a harder time robbing you too.
PROS
- Accessible knife pocket in the backstrap.
- Breathable mesh back padding.
- Multiple interior organizers.
- Clean, stylish design.
CONS
- Slow access to front pocket.
5Victorinox Altmont Active Lightweight Laptop Backpack
The Victorinox Altmont Active Lightweight Laptop Backpack is a Swiss backpack built for day hikes and backpackers.
This lightweight bag features a compression-molded back panel that helps the bag keep its shape and support its weight while you’re wearing it on your bag. Add the padded adjustable shoulder straps and you have a comfy backpack that’s made for long trips.
It also has a slot for threading the tube of your drinking bladder through so you won’t have to stop mid-hike to fish out your water bottle.
PROS
- Breathable fabric.
- Multiple interior pockets.
- Comfortable, self-supporting back.
- Padded shoulder straps.
CONS
- Deep front pocket makes it a bit hard to take out items.
6SwissGear Link 16" Notebook Backpack
The SwissGear Link 16″ Notebook Backpack is another bag suited for daily use. Unlike your regular backpack, though, this onehas a CaseBase stabilizing platform that helps the bag stay upright and takes some of the weight off your back when you’re wearing it.
If you like the look of the Victorinox Altmont Original Flapover Laptop Backpack but want more accessible front pockets, this is the bag for you. It also has a compact design, but leaves the front pocket uncovered by a lapel so you can reach into the subdivided pocket with ease.
You’ll find a mesh pocket for your water bottle on the side. The back padding is also made of mesh to keep you cool.
PROS
- Breathable padded back.
- Pass-thru trolley sleeve for attaching it to a suitcase.
- Easily accessible pockets.
- Dedicated laptop compartment.
CONS
- Some users report that the strap frays quickly.
7SwissGear 1900 Scansmart
The SwissGear 1900 Scansmart is a Swiss backpack designed to make your trips to the airport less of a hassle. The bag is designed to allow for laptop-in-case scanning so you don’t have to unpack half your bag for the TSA.
It has a spacious laptop and tablet compartment that has padded sides but a see-through mesh center. The bag also has a RFID-protected organizer, an accordion file organizer, and a removable key fob, all of which make this the best bag for frequent flyers.
The bag also has some of the most comfortable straps available at this price point since the contoured padded shoulder straps have built-in suspension and breathable padding.
PROS
- Contoured and padded shoulder straps.
- No need to take out your laptop and tablet at the airport.
- Large, 17-inch laptop sleeve.
- Breathable mesh back.
CONS
- Laptop sleeve only has padding on the back and sides, leaving the front exposed.
