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Pick a hard shell backpack if you carry a laptop through crowded trains and want the bag to keep its shape. Pick a soft backpack if it has to expand for trips or weigh as little as possible. The three hard shells below weigh 1.165 to 1.4 kg. The two soft ones weigh 1.06 kg (Solix 1801) and 1.5 kg (Coreva 1908, smaller size).
What makes a backpack "hard shell"
A hard shell backpack has a moulded front panel that keeps its form when you press on it. On BANGE bags the shell is EVA (Leila 22201, Torin 7251), PVC (the Pollux 7213 sling) or moulded 1680D polyester (7225). Behind the shell there's a fabric lining and a padded laptop sleeve, the same as in a soft bag. A soft backpack is fabric all round, usually 1680D polyester or PVC fabric on our models, and takes its shape from what you pack. Some shops call this "hard shell vs soft shell backpack"; in this guide, soft means a fabric-only bag.
The numbers: weight, depth and laptop size
We took the catalogue figures for three hard shell and two soft backpacks. The hard shells are slimmer front to back: 12.5 cm for the Torin and 16 cm for the 7225, against 20 cm for the Solix and 25 cm for the Coreva in its smaller size. Depth decides whether a bag fits under a seat.
| Model | Type | Outer | Weight | Size (cm) | Laptop | Extras |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leila 22201 | Hard shell | EVA shell | 1.4 kg | See product page | 15.6" | USB port |
| 7225 | Hard shell | Moulded 1680D polyester | 1.165 kg | 48 x 16 x 30 | 15.6" | Coded lock, USB port |
| Torin 7251 | Hard shell | EVA and polyester | 1.23 kg | 30 x 12.5 x 47 | 15.6" | Combination lock, USB port, trolley strap |
| Solix 1801 | Soft | 1680D polyester | 1.06 kg | 46 x 31.5 x 20 | 15.6 to 16" + 12.9" iPad | USB port, rear anti-theft pocket |
| Coreva 1908 | Soft, expandable | PVC fabric | 1.5 / 1.8 kg | 31 x 25 x 47 / 34 x 27 x 52 | 15.6" / 17" | Expands, USB port, luggage strap, hidden back pocket |
When a hard shell is the better buy
Daily commuting with a laptop is the clearest case. In a full carriage people lean on your bag, and a rigid front can take some of that pressure off the laptop sleeve. A shell also keeps its outline when you carry only a laptop and a charger. Two of our three hard shells lock the main compartment: a coded lock on the 7225 and a combination lock on the Torin 7251.
When a soft backpack is the better buy
Travel where the bag has to change size. The Coreva 1908 expands from 22 to 35 litres in its smaller version, and a moulded shell can't do that. Fabric also gives a little in a tight space under a seat. If weight matters most, the Solix 1801 carries 39 litres at 1.06 kg, the lightest bag in this comparison. The trade-off is protection: in a soft bag the laptop relies on its sleeve padding alone.
The five backpacks
BANGE 7225 · Best for crowded commutes
- Hard shell in 1680D polyester
- Coded lock on the main compartment
- USB charging port
- Fits a 15.6" laptop, breathable mesh back panel
48 x 16 x 30 cm · 1.165 kg
Who it's for: daily commuting, business and everyday carry. See the 7225
BANGE Torin 7251 · Best for airports
- Layered EVA and polyester front
- Combination lock
- USB charging port
- Trolley strap for your suitcase handle
30 x 12.5 x 47 cm · 1.23 kg · padded laptop compartment
Who it's for: work, college, daily commuting and international travel. See the Torin 7251
BANGE Leila 22201 · Best for the office
- EVA hard shell over a polyester lining
- Padded compartment for a 15.6" laptop
- External USB charging port
- Anti-theft design
1.4 kg · size on the product page
Who it's for: the office, university, daily commuting and short trips. See the Leila 22201
BANGE Solix 1801 · Lightest
- 1680D water-resistant polyester
- Fits a 15.6 to 16" laptop and a 12.9" iPad
- USB charging port and anti-theft back pocket
- 3D mesh back panel
46 x 31.5 x 20 cm · 1.06 kg · 39 L
Who it's for: business, school, travel and commuting. See the Solix 1801
BANGE Coreva 1908 · Best for trips
- Expands when a trip needs more room
- USB charging port
- Hidden anti-theft back pocket
- Luggage strap
22 to 35 L: 31 x 25 x 47 cm, 1.5 kg · 35 to 45 L: 34 x 27 x 52 cm, 1.8 kg (17" laptop)
Who it's for: business travel, weekend trips and daily commuting. See the Coreva 1908
Which one is right for you
Choose for the trip you make most often.
Hard shell
Get a hard shell if…
- ✓Laptop on a crowded train or bus most days
- ✓You want the bag to keep its shape
Our pick: BANGE 7225 (or Leila 22201)
Soft
Get a soft backpack if…
- ✓The bag has to expand for trips
- ✓Every gram counts
Our pick: Coreva 1908 (or Solix 1801, 1.06 kg)
Both
Commute and fly? Get a hard shell with a trolley strap
- ✓Rides on your suitcase handle
- ✓Slimmest bag here, 12.5 cm deep
Our pick: Torin 7251
The short version
A hard shell keeps its shape, and the Torin 7251 and 7225 are the slimmest bags here. For a laptop on a crowded train, start with the 7225. If you also fly, the Torin 7251 rides on your suitcase handle. A soft bag wins when it has to grow or stay light: the Coreva 1908 expands to 35 or 45 litres and the Solix 1801 weighs 1.06 kg.
See all six bags, including three hard shell sling bags, in our hard shell backpacks collection. For security on the road, read our anti-theft travel backpacks guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is a hard shell backpack better for a laptop?
A rigid front can take some pressure off the laptop on crowded transport. The laptop still needs a padded compartment; the Leila 22201 and Torin 7251 list one.
Are these backpacks waterproof?
They're water-resistant. The shell and fabric handle rain and splashes. Don't submerge them.
Can I take a hard shell backpack on a plane?
The 7225 (48 x 16 x 30 cm) and the Torin 7251 (30 x 12.5 x 47 cm) fit common cabin-bag limits such as 55 x 40 x 20 cm. Personal-item limits are smaller and differ by airline. Our carry-on size guide lists them.
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