14 Best Backpacks with Chest Straps - School, Laptop, Travel | JUNYUAN Bags - Golf Bag,Sports Bag,Outdoor Bag Manufacturer

A backpack chest strap (or sternum strap) is an adjustable belt that spans from one shoulder strap to another across the chest.

Chest straps help reduce shoulder strain by promoting proper weight distribution and stability when lugging around heavier loads. For this reason, we recommend going with a backpack with a chest strap if you often carry large laptops and other heavy items.

Backpack with chest strap example

Oddly enough, many backpacks simply don’t have chest straps and finding one can be hit or miss depending on the brand.

That’s why we have listed a few of our favorite backpacks with chest straps. From laptop backpacks to travel bags – you’re sure to find the best bag for you!

Best Daily Laptop Backpacks with Chest Strap

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The North Face Borealis is a versatile mid-sized laptop backpack that can be used for school, work commutes and outdoor adventures. The Borealis is available in both men’s and women’s versions for the perfect fit.

Each Borealis comes equipped with an adjustable chest strap with a built-in whistle and a removable waist strap. The North Face’s own FlexVent suspension design does a great job at providing ergonomic shoulder straps and a breathable back panel for comfortable carry.

The Ridge Commuter Weatherproof Backpack

The Ridge

The Ridge Commuter is a compact laptop backpack with a chest strap for both weekday commutes in the city and weekends outdoors thanks to a weatherproof nylon shell and water resistant zippers. As a daily tech pack, you’ll love the myriad of pockets that line the inside. A clamshell main compartment and separate shock-proof laptop compartment make organizing your most important items a breeze.

Dakine 365 Backpack

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The Dakine 365 offers a back-to-basics sternum strap backpack for the daily grind. A roomy 30-liter main compartment is great for overnight stays and long days on campus while a padded laptop sleeve and an additional tablet sleeve keeps your tech secure. One awesome feature of the Dakine 365 is its insulated cooler front pocket that keeps your drinks and food fresh while on the move.

Osprey Nebula Backpack

Osprey Packs

The Osprey Nebula is a powerhouse daily pack for work, college and daily commuting. What makes the Nebula special is that Osprey has applied their hiking technology to a daily backpack and as a result you get a laptop backpack with a chest strap and waist belt for great load stabilization and a soft breathable back panel for comfortable all-day wear.

Osprey offers two versions of this backpack for the perfect fit: Men’s 34L Nebula and the Women’s 32L Nova

Read more about the Osprey Nebula & Nova

Features at a glance:

Large daily backpack with chest and waist strap
Men’s and women’s versions for a perfect fit
Lay flat padded laptop compartment
Admin compartment for organizing smaller items
Plenty of exterior pockets for water bottles, phones and more

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The Osprey Nebula and Nova are great options for those who need a roomy daily pack for work, school and travel thanks to their large main compartments and amazing array of pockets for organization.

The lay flat laptop compartment allows for quick access to a 17” laptop, paperwork and magazines. It also makes air travel a breeze by being TSA-friendly.

If you are serious about organization then you’ll love this backpack’s array of smaller pockets throughout its design. The outside of the pack features a front mesh pocket for quickly stashing away mid-sized items. Side water bottle pockets and a cell phone/sunglasses pocket also makes grabbing essentials a breeze.

As for comfort, Osprey integrated a back panel and harness system that’s usually reserved for more technical outdoor packs. As a result you have a reliable sternum strap backpack that does a great job at adapting to different loads. The top and bottom compressions straps help stabilize your pack while an adjustable chest and waist strap allows you dial in just the right weight distribution for comfortable all-day wear.

Pacsafe Vibe Anti Theft Backpack

Pacsafe

The Pacsafe Vibe is the perfect companion for city commuting and light travel thanks to its anti-theft features and fresh minimalist design. Some of our favorite features include cut-resistant materials and lockable zippers, a padded 13” laptop sleeve that can double as a hydration pack pocket and a multitude of pockets for keeping you organized.

Patagonia Black Hole

Patagonia

Patagonia offers water resistant durability for work and play with their line of Black Hole backpacks. Equipped with a chest strap for increased stability and an airmesh back panel for cooling ventilation, the Black Hole backpack allows for comfortable carry day in and day out.

Looking for a women’s fit? Check out the women’s Black Hole 23L backpack.

Read more about the Patagonia Black Hole

Features at a glance:

Water resistant sternum strap backpack
Made from lightweight recycled ripstop
Padded laptop and tablet sleeves
Front daisy chains for attaching additional gear
Great for school, commuting and weekends outdoors.

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The Patagonia Black Hole backpack is available in a few different sizes for the perfect fit. You can currently choose from a small 23L women’s size and larger 25L and 32L sizes.

If you are looking for a sternum strap backpack that’s rugged enough for the daily grind then the Black Hole might be just the ticket. We love the Black Hole for its versatile design that is perfect for daily urban carry or outdoor adventures.

Each bag is made from recycled materials and features a highly water resistant TPU-film laminate that keeps out rain and moisture. In fact, the Black Hole has made it to our list of best waterproof backpacks for college.

For a bag so tough, the Black Hole is actually surprisingly lightweight. This is thanks to its recycled polyester ripstop construction and airmesh back panel that keeps you cool without the additional bulk of heavier back paneling. The included adjustable sternum strap helps with proper load distribution for an additional point of comfort.

The North Face Recon

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The North Face Recon is one of the most versatile backpacks for school, commuting and travel thanks to its roomy 30-liter main compartment, incredible organization and new sleek design.

Each Recon backpack includes a sternum strap, waist belt and features North Face’s FlexVent breathable back panel and ergonomic padded shoulder straps for a comfortable fit that’s certified by the American Chiropractic Association.

The North Face Recon is available in both a men’s and women’s fit.

Under Armour Hustle Pro Backpack

Under Armour

The Under Armour Hustle Pro is the perfect choice if you are looking for a sports and gym backpack with a chest strap and a ton of clever features for organizing important gear.

Awesome features include an insulated zippered water bottle pocket, a large gusseted pocket for shoes or laundry and an adjustable clip on the shoulder strap to help carry an additional duffel bag.

Read more about the Under Armour Hustle Pro

Features at a glance:

Laptop and gym backpack with chest strap
Special numbered shoulder strap system for dialing in balanced weight distribution
Insulated pocket for water bottles and snacks
15” soft-lined laptop sleeve
Backpack with shoe compartment
Available in multiple colors

The Ridge Classic Weatherproof

The Ridge

The Ridge Classic Weatherproof Backpack is a small backpack with a sternum strap for those who need a simple yet versatile pack for running errands, outdoor adventures or as a travel daypack.

The weatherproof design keeps your important items safe from the elements while a 22L main compartment, padded laptop sleeve and internal pockets gives you the room you need to stay organized.

Want an even more lightweight option? Check out the ripstop version of the Ridge Classic Backpack.

Fjallraven Ulvo Daypack

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Perfect for the trail and daily grind alike, the Fjallraven Ulvo is a versatile daypack for life on the move. The Ulvo features an internal laptop sleeve and admin panel inside the main compartment to keep your tech and accessories nice and organized while the bag’s outer shell is made out of Fjallraven’s own Bergshell fabric that is known for its durability and waterproof properties.

The Fjallraven Ulvo is equipped with an adjustable sternum strap for increased load stability. The bag is also available in both a 23 liter and 30 liter versions for the perfect fit.

Travel Backpacks with Chest Straps

Osprey Farpoint Travel Backpack

Osprey Packs

The Osprey Farpoint is a travel backpack with a chest strap and hip belt for short and long journeys alike. What makes the Farpoint special is Osprey’s use of hiking technology on travel luggage that puts an emphasis on proper fit and comfort.

You can choose from Small, Medium and Large harness sizes to ensure a great fit. The Farpoint is also available in 40 liter, 55 liter and 70 liter sizes so you are sure to find the right size based on your travel needs!

Looking for a women’s specific fit? Check out the women’s Osprey Fairview.

Knack Pack Series 2

Knack Bags

The Knack Pack Series 2 is one of the most versatile backpack designs available today for both work and travel.

Most work-travel combo backpacks on the market force you to lug around a big heavy bag even on the days you aren’t traveling. What is unique about the Knack Pack is that has the ability to transform from an everyday backpack to a travel bag thanks to a special hidden suitcase compartment. This hidden packing compartment stays tucked away until its time to expand the bag.

Each Knack Pack comes with an adjustable sternum strap that can be removed completely for a cleaner look.

Osprey Daylite Carry-On Travel Pack 44

Osprey Packs

With the Daylite Carry-On Travel Pack 44, Osprey offers the lightweight and durable construction of their Daylite in a roomier carry-on size. Along with a 44 liter main compartment that opens like a suitcase – this backpack also features a quick TSA laptop compartment, stretchy side pockets for water bottles and a front organizer pocket for keeping your smaller items within reach.

Each Osprey Daylite Carry-On 44 is equipped with a chest strap for even weight distribution with heavier travel loads. The shoulder straps also stow away for easy handling on overhead compartments.

Read more about the Osprey Daylite Travel Pack

Features at a glance:

Carry on travel backpack with chest strap
44L capacity
Open flat 16” laptop compartment
Suitcase-style main compartment
Plenty of pockets for smaller items, passport, water bottles and tech

Nomatic Travel Pack

Nomatic: nomatic carryon coupon code

The Nomatic Travel Pack is perfect for anyone looking for a modern backpack that adapts to how you travel. This backpack was designed to be used both as an everyday pack and a travel bag thanks to its main packing compartment that expands from 20 to 30 liters as needed. Throughout the Nomatic Travel Pack you’ll find dozens of innovative pockets and compartments for everything from a laptop, passport, water bottles, and tech.

The Nomatic Travel Pack comes standard with an adjustable sternum strap for additional comfort – this sternum strap comes in handy when the bag is expanded. Nomatic also offers a comfort-padded waist strap as an add-on if you wish increase the Travel Pack’s stability.