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I’m struggling to find a backpack, perhaps I’m being to picky but thought I’d see if anyone has anything like this or something they can recommend. I do some traveling for work so am looking for a backpack that has a laptop compartment that is TSA scan smart so I don’t always have to remove it at the airport. I’m also looking for it to be a gym bag and have a separate shoe compartment for hitting the gym or a trail after work. Has anyone found anything like this or what does everyone else use?

9 Spice ups
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For a laptop bag I used a MOLLE-based bag, thus: Amazon.com - 20 liters, fits under a seat or overhead easily, and I’ve done three-day trips with multiple clothing changes from it.

1 Spice up
3

I bought a Nintendo Switch backpack for…well…my switch but the main pocket is padded and it’s really good for my laptop.

4

I have a backpack they issued to me at work. It’s a High Sierra. It’s got a ton of compartments, though I don’t have any idea if it’s scan smart.

5

Tough call as it is a very individual thing.

My “daily driver” is a Briggs and Riley semi-compact backpack Got it at a ridiculous discount from a friend’s brother who was in the luggage business retiring/closing up shop. They are very well designed, outrageously expensive and come with a lifetime guarantee. Tumi was a contender but their warranty is not as good and I just didn’t find what I was looking for.

I have a Waterfield designs briefcase/bag (that I sniped off eBay) for compact carrying to local meetings, etc. when I don’t want to carry a backpack.

Alpkit makes a variety of cool backpacks- one of which I use when I am mountain bike commuting to work.

I have an old Marmot backpack that I grab when hauling my Nikon DSLR camera or other bulky stuff on business travel.

6

I use an old Timbuktu Swig that has a direct access zipper for the laptop. This is aimed more at bike commuting so it sits close and is a little on the small side. The problem is you have two different needs so you may be better off with a dedicated gym bag. I like the smaller Triathlon transition bags like the Gyst or the old Louis Garneau pack that have dedicated shoe compartments, helmet holders and dirty clothing separators. If you are bike commuting it might be worth getting two backpack panniers, one for each job.