17 Best Hard Shell Backpacks for Laptop, Camera, Motorcycle
A hard shell backpack is any backpack that features a rigid protective shell instead of a typical fabric exterior. These backpacks a great for anyone looking for extra protection of expensive tech such as laptops and camera gear as well as for motorcycle riders looking for aerodynamic backpacks for smoother rides.
Whether you are looking for the best hard shell motorcycle backpack or a good laptop backpack with a hard shell to protect your expensive tech - this buying guide has you covered!
What is a hard shell backpack?
The idea behind a hard shell backpack is simple - a rigid panel is added to the front and sides of a backpack to provide extra protection to the items inside from bumps, drops and bangs. This style of backpack is especially useful for those who carry expensive gear like laptops, cameras and drones and need to keep them protected.
Another use for a hard shell backpack is with motorcycle riders who need a backpack that is aerodynamic in design to reduce drag. These motorcycle-specific aerodynamic shapes are easier to mold with a hard case backpack than with a traditional textile backpack.
Hard Shell Materials
The hard shell on a backpack is usually made of either dense layered foam or plastic like PU (polypropylene) or ABS (the same material used in hard shell luggage). Although few hard shell backpacks are crush-proof, these materials are flexible enough to reduce cracking under pressure while still providing good protection to the items inside.
Find Your Hard Shell Backpack:
Best Hard Shell Laptop Backpacks
Photo: Fenruien 17.3” Hard Shell Laptop Backpack
The ideal hard shell laptop backpack will not only have great laptop protection but it should have plenty of pockets and features to simplify your carry.
Options include everything from a slim hardcase backpack for just your laptop and accessories to a larger backpack with a hard shell that can double as a travel bag for packing. Either way your objective is maximum protection of your laptop and other items inside.
Fenruien Expandable Hard Shell Backpack
Fenruien is our go-to brand for hard shell laptop backpacks and their expandable model is definitely one of our favorites for its clever anti-theft features, expandable main compartment and tech-centric internal pocket design. The hard shell ABS front panel and rigid backpack body offers shock-proof protection of the items stored inside.
As a hardshell backpack, the Fenruien Expandable Backpack feels the most complete as a one-bag solution with features for both daily laptop carry and travel. The main compartment expands from 18 liters to 26 liters to transform it from a slim hard shell backpack to a larger weekend travel bag while little extras like an integrated travel lock and external USB port make it a pleasure to use.
Smatree Laptop Backpack
Smatree offers a slim hard shell backpack for those looking for a sleek and professional design they can wear to the office or on business travel. The anti-shock EVA outer shell provides great protection against bumps and drops while also offering water resistance during bad weather commutes.
The Smatree Laptop Backpack is equipped with with 4 different sleeves for laptop and tablet carry making it a great multiple laptop backpack option. Other great features include an impressive array of internal pockets for organization, water resistant zippers and a luggage trolley strap for hands-free carry on travel days.
Fenruien 17.3” Hard Shell Laptop Backpack
The Fenruien 17.3” Hard Shell Laptop Backpack is perfect for anyone looking for a large hard shell backpack that can be used for both travel and daily carry.
The stiff ABS hard shell and high-density textiles offer shock-absorbing protection throughout the backpack and inside the laptop compartment you’ll find a honeycomb protective shock-absorbing padded laptop sleeve that can fit up to a 17-inch laptop.
What we like most about this Fenruien backpack is that both the main compartment and laptop compartment are designed with lay-flat clamshell zippers for easy packing and unpacking. Trust us when we say a clamshell backpack makes everything from organizing your daily tech items to packing for a weekend trip much easier than a traditional backpack zipper.
ALEON Aluminum Hard Case Backpack
ALEON is a brand known for their rugged aluminum luggage and suitcases but with their aluminum backpack the brand has brought the same tough exterior into backpack form. Inside you’ll find a built-in padded sleeve to protect a laptop or tablet plus an organization panel for storing smaller accessories.
The ALEON Aluminum Hard Case Backpack comes in a standard 16” and larger 17” version to fit your needs. The larger version also includes packing cubes for travel and the option to add a padded insert for camera gear.
Refutuna Hard Shell Laptop Backpack
Refutuna offers a small hard case backpack for those who needed maximum protection for their tech essentials. Inside you are greated with padded laptop and tablet sleeves plus extra pockets for accessories. Other great features include an external USB charging port, an integrated zipper lock and a hidden anti-theft pocket.
Unlike other hard shell backpacks, Refutuna offers a backpack with a hard shell on all sides except for the back panel. This means you get a hard shell protection on all exposed sides when worn. The shell itself is made out of PC (polycarbonate) and ABS plastic - the same materials used in hardside luggage for maximum protection.
Alienware Vindicator 2.0
The Alienware Vindicator 2.0 is a beast of a backpack made with tough 1680D ballistic nylon and a hard shell front panel to protect any precious cargo inside. The roomy main compartment fits gaming accessories and daily gear while the rear laptop compartment is reinforced with the Vindicator’s padded back panel for additional protection.
The Vindicator 2.0 backpack is available in 13”, 15” and 17” laptop sizes for the perfect fit.
Lenovo Legion Armored Backpack
The Lenovo Legion Armored Backpack is large enough to fit up to a 17.3” laptop with pockets for everything from pens and notebooks to a keyboard and headsets. This backpack was designed with PC gamers in mind but performs well as a daily backpack for school or for traveling thanks to its roomy interior and multiple fast-access compartments.
The front armored panel on the Lenovo Legion Armored Backpack is made from a rigid EVA foam that is lined with a waterproof fabric to keep that front panel safe from hard bumps and moisture. Although the laptop compartment is located in the rear it is also protected thanks to its bubble foam padding that protects against shocks.
Best Hard Shell Motorcycle Backpacks
Although it’s true that you can wear just about any backpack while motorcycle riding, the benefit of choosing a motorcycle-specific backpack is to provide a convenient way to haul gear while minimizing drag and protecting the items inside your pack.
Few styles provide more riding benefit than a hard shell motorcycle backpack. Along with having riding-specific features such as special shoulder harnesses and storage for a helmet and shoes - you also get the unique benefit of a hard shell shape that can help reduce drag.
OGIO No Drag Mach 5
Featuring Ogio’s No Drag Technology, the Ogio No Drag Mach 5 is a hard shell motorcycle backpack made of a single shot molded exterior that doesn’t deform from wind shear to minimize drag when riding.
Some of its standout features include a ventilated ergonomically-designed back panel, 360-degree reflective safety piping and a roomy 22-liter main compartment complete with a padded laptop sleeve and pockets for organizing smaller items. When it comes to hard shell backpacks for motorcycle riding - the Ogio No Drag Mach 5 stands out as one of the best on the market in terms of quality and features.
ICON Speedform Backpack
The ICON Speedform offers an aerodynamic hard shell design made especially for motorcycle riders who are looking for a reliable backpack for daily commutes.
The 20L main compartment features a pocket-rich admin panel with a special pocket for a hydration bladder, padded 15” laptop sleeve and extra pockets for organizing smaller items. Outside of the pack you’ll find a fleece-lined sunglasses pocket and an integrated helmet cradle to provid easy storage of your helmet when off the bike.
Cortech Super 2.0 Backpack
The Cortech Super 2.0 motorcycle backpack was designed to give riders an ergonomic and secure storage solution when riding while keeping the benefits of an aerodynamic hard shell backpack. The outer material is made from 1680D Ballistic Polyester while EVA-backed PP board structural panels gives this backpack its stiff aerodynamic shell.
Along with a great exterior design, the Cortech Super 2.0 is packed with motorcycle-specific carry features including a water bladder pocket and hydration tube pass-through, lockable zippers to prevent accidental opens while riding and a built-in helmet storage.
Alpinestars Charger Pro Backpack
The Alpinestars Charger Pro is an aerodynamically-shaped motorcycle backpack with a semi-rigid outer shell to minimize drag while adding protection. Inside you’ll find everything you need for daily hauls - a padded laptop pocket, top pocket for quick-access to sunglasses or other essentials and an additional organizer pockets for smaller items.
What makes the Charger Pro special is its adjustable magnetic quick-release harness system that can be used with one hand. This shoulder and chest harness helps spread the backpack load evenly on the back for a more comfortable fit with much great stability when riding.
Best Hard Shell Camera Backpacks
The main purpose of a camera backpack is to provide a safe and reliable way to carry your camera gear and more photographers are choosing a backpack with a hard shell for the additional anti-shock protection of their expensive gear.
Features to look out for in a good camera backpack include modular padded dividers in the main compartment to custom fit your gear, protective laptop sleeves, clamshell zippers to allow for easy packing and organization of camera bodies, drones and lenses and smaller pockets for accessories.
HAZARD 4 Pillbox Hard Case Backpack
We can’t talk about hard shell backpacks without mentioning the Pillbox by Hazard 4. To date this bag is one of the most well made and protective camera and laptop bags on the market thanks to its rugged hard case exterior and intuitive design.
The Pillbox can be divided into two main compartments. The first gives you plenty of admin pockets for everyday carry as well as a protective sleeve for a laptop or tablet. The second larger compartment is equipped with generously padded dividers for your camera gear. Both compartments are encased in molded-foam shell and padding for ultimate protection of your expensive cargo.
Tarion Hard Shell Camera Backpack
The Tarion Hard Shell Backpack was designed for those serious about protective camera and drone carry and it shows with its solid all-round EVA shell that protects from every angle when worn. Inside the clamshell main compartment you’ll find a roomy main compartment with padded dividers that you can configure to your specific carry. A laptop and tablet sleeve can also be found against the back panel.
Another great feature on the Tarion Hard Shell Camera Backpack is the multi-functional X-cross straps on the front of the bag that can be used to attach anything from larger drones to accessory pouches. All in all this is an impressive hard shell backpack and a great value at under $100.
MOSISO Hard Shell Camera Backpack
Available in a ton of great colors, the MOSISO Hard Shell Camera Backpack features a roomy main compartment that’s equipped with adjustable padded foam dividers to accommodate everything from camera bodies and lenses to drones. A second rear laptop compartment fits up to a 16” Macbook Pro for quick-access without having to rummage through the main compartment.
The front exterior panel is made out of waterproof faux-leather that is reinforced with foam to create a hard shell to protect your gear inside the main compartment from bumps and drops. What we like most about this hard shell camera backpack is its straightforward design that allows for quick access and simple organization of essentials. The clamshell main compartment makes grabbing gear a breeze and the extra pockets inside makes finding small accessories an easy task.
Mosiso DSLR HARDSHELL Backpack
MOSISO offers a great solution for photographers who need a larger backpack for more than just camera gear. Along with a roomy camera compartment, the MOSISO DSLR Hardshell Backpack includes a top compartment for storing miscellaneous gear. A separate rear zipper compartment also allows for easy storage of a laptop up to 17-inches.
The modular camera compartment can be accessed from the hard shell front panel while a special zipper on the side gives you quick-draw access to your camera when the backpack is worn. An additional hard shell on the top of the backpack gives you extra protection to the secondary top compartment.
Endurax Camera and Drone Hard Shell Backpack
Made for outdoor adventures, the Endurax Camera and Drone Hard Shell Backpack is a clever mix of a hiking pack with the functionality of a camera bag. The main camera compartment is large enough to accomodate most DJI Mavic drones and up to two full sized mirrorless cameras while a secondary top compartment fits additional gear. Both compartments are safeguarded by a rigid armored shell for maximum protection while on the move.
What’s impressive about this Endurax backpack is its large array of sneaky pockets - you have a large 17” laptop and tablet compartment in the rear, a side-pocket for stashing smaller accessories and additional side pocket for a tripod or water bottle.
TARION XH Roll Top Hard Shell Backpack
With the XH, Tarion adds the protection of a hard shell camera bag to a traditional roll top design for a best of both world’s experience.
The lower camera compartment can be accessed through the zippered PVA hard shell while an upper roll top compartment gives you access to even more storage. You can expand the roll top when need it or compress it down for a more compact profile. Other great features include a separate rear laptop compartment and side straps for attaching tripods and other gear.
