Totes, handbags, and messenger bags are all great in their way, but nothing beats the comfort of a backpack. Swiss Gear backpacks are renowned for their quality in terms of their products’ durability and comfort. Swiss Gear backpacks typically have thick padded straps, breathable backs, and an even weight distribution that makes them great for hiking and daily use alike.
That said even a consistently good brand has hits and misses. That’s why we’ve put together a quick list of the best Swiss Gear backpacks for hiking and daily use. Admittedly, they’re mostly daily-use bags meant for traveling and work, but the few hiking bags included are some of the best hiking daypacks for their price point. Just don’t expect them to do more than hold enough supplies for a day hike.
TOP CHOICES
Best Overall
SwissGear 2769 ScanSmart Laptop Backpack
- Contoured back and shoulder straps.
- Multiple pockets for frequently used items.
- Multi-compartment interior that separates devices from documents.
- TSA friendly laptop bag allows for laptop-in-case scanning.
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Best Daypack
SwissGear 3598 Backpack
- Organizers for pens, devices, cords, and small clothing items.
- Separate tablet pocket that can fit a 1 0 x 7 inch device.
- Comfortable straps that don’t dig into skin.
- Breathable back that maximizes air flow.
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Best for Daily Use
Swiss Gear SA1923 Black TSA Friendly ScanSmart Laptop Backpack
- Contoured shoulder straps with built-in suspension.
- Airflow conductive back panels.
- Dedicated protective eyeglass holder.
- Padded laptop compartment.
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1SwissGear 2769 ScanSmart Laptop Backpack
Best Overall
Let’s kick off with a laptop that you can use every day for work and for business trips. While the SwissGear 2769 ScanSmart Laptop Backpack won’t let you pack more than a couple of days worth of clothes, it will get you through TSA quickly thanks to its laptop-in-case scanning feature that lets you breeze through security without having to dig all your stuff out of your backpack.
This bag’s main selling point is the sheer amount of pockets it has. Pretty much all Swiss Gear backpacks have this feature, but this one adds a TabletSafe pocket on top of the zippered laptop case.
The bag also features an accordion file organizer where you can store your important personal and work documents in, including your passport, so you always know where they are when you need to present them.
PROS
- Contoured back and shoulder straps fit the natural shape of the body.
- Multiple pockets for frequently used items.
- Multi-compartment interior that separates your devices from documents.
- TSA friendly laptop bag that allows for laptop-in-case scanning.
CONS
- Chunky design not suited for accessorizing.
- Small water bottle pockets.
- Will not fit laptops over 16 inches long.
2SwissGear 3598 Backpack
Best Daypack
Few hiking bags get sleeker than the SwissGear 3598 Backpack. This ultra-slim narrow daypack fits everything you need for a day of work, school, and adventure. The bag is 18 inches long but only 9 inches wide, giving it a slender and lightweight design that’s perfect for minimal packers.
The bag’s shoulder straps are padded yet breathable thanks to the integrated mesh padding. It also uses an Airflow back panel that keeps air circulating between your back and your bag, keeping you nice and cool even if you take it hiking with you.
Speaking of hiking, while the bag makes for a good day hiking backpack, it only has one mesh pocket for your water bottle. You could probably fit a second one in the opposite accessory pocket, but it won’t be ideal.
Overall, it’s a solid all-around backpack that you can use for just about anything.
PROS
- Organizers for pens, devices, cords, and small clothing items.
- Separate tablet pocket that can fit a 1 0 x 7 inch device.
- Comfortable straps that don't dig into skin.
- Breathable back that maximizes air flow.
CONS
- Only one mesh pocket.
- Limited interior space as the bag only has 15.9L volume.
- No protective compartments for devices.
3Swiss Gear SA1923 Black TSA Friendly ScanSmart Laptop Backpack
Best for Daily Use
The Swiss Gear SA1923 Black TSA Friendly ScanSmart Laptop Backpack is a bit of a mouthful, but it’s a relatively compact Swiss Gear backpack designed for everyday use. The backpack comes with a 15-inch padded compartment for your laptop. The compartment has a mesh section in the middle so you can easily identify where you stored small devices and cords.
The backpack features a quick access front pocket that’s meant for storing your most used items such as a phone, wallet, or car keys.
On both sides of the bag are mesh water bottle pockets so you can take this on a hike with you if you really have no other option.
The front organizer zip compartment of this bag is a favorite of its users because it has dividers for pens, notebooks, snacks, and other small items you might need for jotting down ideas on the go.
PROS
- Contoured shoulder straps with built-in suspension.
- Airflow conductive back panels.
- Dedicated protective eyeglass holder.
- Padded laptop compartment.
CONS
- No back strap for attaching the bag to a suitcase handle.
- No dedicated clothing compartments.
4SwissGear Cecil 5505 Laptop Backpack
Men’s Swiss Gear backpacks are almost always black which, frankly, gets a little boring. If you like the idea of a backpack that doesn’t easily end up looking dirty but isn’t another all-black bag, you can get the SwissGear Cecil 5505 Laptop Backpack instead.
This backpack is almost as slim as the Swiss Gear daypack but has more compartments for storing gadgets, books, and notebooks. While it doesn’t have a padded laptop compartment, there is a laptop pocket with a velcro strap at the back.
The bag is made of tough 600D Ripstop Polyester that doesn’t fray easily. Its padded straps and airflow-conducive back panel make it comfortable to use even in warm weather. The bag also has a top handle for carrying by hand in case your shoulders are feeling a little too tired.
PROS
- Made of durable 600D Ripstop Polyester fabric.
- Three separate compartments for gadgets and small items.
- Ventilated back system for maximizing airflow.
- Double mesh pockets for water bottles.
CONS
- Non-padded laptop compartment.
- Not a waterproof nor water resistant bag.
5Swiss Gear Hybrid
While the other Swiss Gear backpacks on this list are exactly what it says on the tin, the Swiss Gear Hybrid has a surprise up its sleeve: It can be converted into a traditional suitcase/messenger bag so you can shift the weight from a weaker shoulder to one side of your body.
The backpack has padded shoulder straps with Swiss Gear’s signature mesh integration. These can be tucked away behind the bag so that you can unfold the padded long strap hidden at the back of the bag.
While it doesn’t have a dedicated laptop compartment, the bag makes up for it with a fleece-lined glasses pocket, a removable laundry/shoe bag, an electronics carrier, a packing cube for small clothing items, and a USB outlet so you don’t have to take your phone out of your bag for charging.
PROS
- Built-in USB power outlet port.
- Carabiner clip and RFID pocket.
- Padded and contoured shoulder straps.
- Padded top and side handles.
CONS
- Does not have a dedicated laptop compartment.
- Non-padded electronics carrier.
