The 13 Best Teacher Bags That Are Stylish AND Functional

As a teacher, it is important to have a bag that’s reliable, organized, and sturdy.

Have you ever gotten to school and realized you forgot to bring anything to write with or spent 10 minutes rummaging around for a paper clip at the bottom of your teacher bag?

Or worse, has your backpack strap ever broken while you were riding the train or your bike?

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Hiccups like that can really inconvenience you!

Let’s dig into what makes a great teacher bag, as well as what some of the best options on the market right now are!

The 13  Best Teacher Bags Stylish AND Functional

What to Look for in a Teacher Bag

So what is a teacher bag? It could be a backpack, a messenger bag, a briefcase, or a tote.

The important thing is that it needs to be roomy, durable, grown-up, and comfortable. You want to be able to hold your laptop, graded papers, pens, chapsticks, document camera, water bottle, and everything else you need throughout the day.

And if you’re teaching abroad, you probably want your teacher bag to double as a travel bag because you don’t want a jillion things to bring home or throw away when you have to pack up your life eventually.

You also want a bag that doesn’t cost you a fortune because who wants to spend their whole paycheck on stuff they use for school?

If you are looking for rolling carts or rolling totes for teachers, read this post.

The best teacher bags are made to carry you through the subway, from class to class, and even to post-work drinks in reliable, effortless style.

These work bags for teachers are all dependable, useful, and affordable — and they’re all a major step up from your grade school backpack. 

From sturdy tote bags to big teacher bags that are surprisingly stylish, this list has it all!

Tote Bags for Teachers

Tote bags are totally roomy and chic. 

If you’re looking for big teacher bags that will keep your stuff organized but also look luxurious (and have a tote that doubles as a weekend bag), then these are a great choice. 

These sturdy tote bags for teachers are stylish, but they’re also super functional and durable.

The Amber & Ash Foldover Tote

This sturdy tote is stylish, functional, and really well-organized. Its detachable shoulder strap lets you wear it as a crossbody or messenger bag, and it’s sleek enough to take anywhere. 

Big enough to carry a 15” laptop as well as your notebooks and other items, this tote is a sensible and price-conscious choice. 

Best of all, it has pockets small and large for your water bottle, wallet, and other items. It even has loops for your electronics cords!

This bag comes is made of durable coated canvas and it comes in three different colors, so you can choose the one that matches your personal style best.

The Friendly Swede Weekender Bag

We’re in love with how good this chic tote looks, and we can’t stop talking about all its useful features!

This bag is on the pricier side, but it might just be the last bag you ever buy. It has a 3-year warranty and is beautifully constructed from rubberized polyurethane, meaning it’s durable, water-repellent, vegan, and easy to keep clean.  

This tote is totally durable, and it doubles as a great travel bag. Its dimensions are 21 x 7.5 x 14.5″, meaning that it’ll hold most any laptop — and it fits carry-on requirements for most airlines!

You’ll love that this teacher bag is big enough to hold all your things, and it has tons of pockets and pen loops, as well as a detachable shoulder strap. Functional, durable, and well-made, it’s a sure winner. 

The MONSTINA Laptop Tote Bag

This inexpensive tote does, like, quintuple duty. It has 15 internal pockets to keep all your stuff meticulously organized, as well as a sleeve for a 15.6” laptop (though one reviewer reported being able to fit a 17” laptop in the bag!).

This carry-all bag is made of high-grade nylon and vegan leather, and it has a waterproof coating that makes it extra-durable and stain-resistant. And it’s got zippers and good-quality straps to keep your stuff secure and you comfortable.

The best part of this tote, though, is its secret charging pocket. You can stick a portable charger in an internal pocket and then snake the cord through a specially designed hole in the bag so you can access your phone easily without having to walk around carrying a bulky charger! 

(Note, though, that the portable charger itself is not included.)

This very affordable, incredibly versatile teacher bag with pockets is a great option for anyone who’s looking for sensible style.

Backpacks

Backpacks are great work bags for teachers on the go because you can bike, walk, and do just about everything with them on. 

They can also hold a ton of stuff, and they look unassuming so you can wear them almost anywhere.

The OBOO Backpack

With room for three insulated Tupperwares, two drinks, a 15.6” laptop, and more, the OBOO backpack means business. This black backpack has pockets for your keys, a change of clothes, and everything in between. 

The insulated pouch will keep your lunch cold for up to 8 hours, but if you’re eating at school you can remove it and store something else in that space. 

At a very affordable price, this teachers’ carry-all bag will take you from class to the gym to an impromptu weekend trip without breaking a sweat.

The FITMYFAVO Basic Cappuccino Backpack 

The affordable FITMYFAVO Basic Cappuccino Backpack may not be fancy, but it gets the job done. This sturdy cotton canvas backpack holds up to a 15” laptop as well as whatever else you need to carry. 

It also has a front pocket, two side pockets, and some internal pockets so you can stay organized while you’re on the go. 

This bag’s design is cool and modern, and it has adjustable padded shoulder straps so you can commute in comfort.

The Cotopaxi Tasra 16L Backpack

The Cotopaxi Tasra 16L Backpack has a padded laptop sleeve big enough for a 15” computer, and it also has plenty of space for the rest of your things. With internal mesh pockets as well as front pockets, this sturdy bag has you completely covered.

That’s not even the best part of this bag, though! Cotopaxi is B Corp Certified, meaning that their business practices hold to the highest social, environmental, and workplace standards. 

The Tasra Backpack is made from repurposed nylon by workers who have creative control over the design of each backpack, meaning each backpack is totally unique and one-of-a-kind.

Your students will think you’re the coolest teacher ever when you rock up with this colorful backpack, and it can also serve as a tool to teach your students about waste reduction and conscious consumerism. 

Laptop Bags (Messenger Bags)

Messenger bags with pockets for laptops are perfect for the cool teacher on the go.

With a messenger bag, you can keep an eye on your stuff, so if you ride a crowded subway or don’t like wearing backpacks, these are a great alternative.

And, of course, they protect your valuable laptop device which has cost you a small fortune. 

These laptop bag options are all as stylish as they are versatile. 

The ECOSUSI Messenger Bag

The stylish ECOSUSI Messenger Bag blends timeless style with modern sensibilities, bringing you a bag that you’ll use for years to come. This faux-leather bag is made of polyurethane, making it water-resistant and durable.

It’s big enough for a 14” laptop, it has pockets for your wallet, phone, and pens, and it has a detachable shoulder strap, meaning you can wear it as a briefcase or a messenger bag. 

The ECOSUSI bag also has magnetic front closures for easy access to everything you keep in your front pocket. 

This classic yet contemporary bag is a great deal for a bag that has style, comfort, and all the space you need.

Estarer Men’s Travel Leather Briefcase

This affordable vegan leather briefcase is as stylish as it is utilitarian. It has compartments for both a 15.6” laptop and a tablet, as well as a host of various pockets for storing pens, business cards, cables, your cell phone, and more. 

You’ll finally be able to overpack and stay organized at the same time with this bag!

This briefcase has a timeless, simple design, and it also has a detachable shoulder strap and even a luggage belt so that you can attach it to your suitcase when you’re on the go. 

We love this bag because of its style, its utility, and its cool price point.

COOLBELL Convertible

If you’re the kind of person who can never make up your mind, this is the bag for you. It comes in 15 different colors so you can choose your favorite, and it also can convert into a backpack, a shoulder bag, and a messenger bag. It’s basically a Transformer. 

Oh, and there’s a luggage belt for when you’re at the airport, too.

If you’re looking for a teacher bag with pockets, this one is a great option! It has tons of internal and external pockets to keep your items neat and organized. It’s also reasonably priced and can fit a 17” laptop.

Leather Bags for Teachers

Leather bags are cool, sleek, and timeless. 

Some of them may be a little pricey, but these leather work bags for teachers (and real-looking vegan leather options!) will last you a lifetime and stay stylish forever. 

EDODAY Laptop Tote Bag

This chic briefcase is very reasonably priced. It holds a 15.6” laptop, and it also has pockets for papers, your cell phone, and other important items. 

The laptop sleeve has a velcro enclosure to keep your computer extra safe, and the bag has sturdy shoulder straps that help you carry it in comfort. This carry-all bag also has durable lining and a sturdy zipper to keep your things secure. 

And if you don’t like this bag, you can return it and get a full refund!

LXY Vintage Leather Backpack

This sleek vegan leather backpack has space for a 15.6” laptop, as well as compartments for a water bottle and any other day-to-day items you might need. 

It’s got comfortable, breathable padding on the shoulder straps and back for maximal comfort, and it has a ton of internal pockets to help keep you organized. 

You’ll love carrying this stylish bag with pockets around!

Vintage Brown Handmade Leather Briefcase

If you’re in the market for sturdy tote bags, then this genuine leather briefcase is the choice for you. It’s reasonably priced, holds a 17” computer, and is durable and chic.

It’s got an adjustable crossbody strap, pockets for all your knickknacks, and a carrying handle, to boot. It also has buckles and zippers to keep all your things safe and in place. 

This teacher bag does have quite the stench upon opening according to reviews, but that’s the price you pay for getting real leather — and the smell should go away over time. 

Kah & Kee Leather Backpack

This timeless backpack comes in 14 different colors, and it’s versatile enough for anyone to love it!

It fits a 15.6” laptop along with papers, a cell phone, a water bottle, and other day-to-day items. It has padded interior pockets and sturdy zippers for peace of mind, and it has a breathable back, adjustable straps, and carrying handles for comfort and ease. 

This backpack is totally adjustable and personalizable — it’s the perfect option for anyone in the market for stylish and useful work bags for teachers.

Want more teacher supplies? Go this way.

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