Choosing a Work Bag That Is Easy To Carry

Consider wheels, size to your body, lighter materials, padded straps and compartments, and leave a spare charger at the office.

Published November 6, 2026 · 3 min read · Topic: Size, Fit & Comfort · Size & fit

Typical situation

You carry a work bag with documents and a laptop every day, and your shoulder is starting to hurt.

Main answer · berabags Editorial Team · Fit view

Choose a bag proportionate to your body, no larger than you need, in a lighter material, with padded straps and built-in compartments. AOTA also says to consider a wheeled briefcase.

What the source says

Consider a wheeled briefcase.
Choose a briefcase that is proportionate to your body size and no larger than needed.
Avoid briefcases made of heavy material such as leather, and select lighter materials such as microfibre and nylon.
Select briefcases with built-in compartments, to distribute the weight more evenly.
Select padded straps, and avoid thin and long straps; straps should be wide and adjustable.
Review the contents every evening or morning, and keep only what is needed for that day.
Consider buying an extra power cord and battery to leave at the office.
Pack the heaviest items at the bottom, and clip your phone to your waistband.

How to apply this

Weigh the empty bag.
Measure the bag against your torso width.
Choose padded, adjustable straps.
Pack heavy items low.
Leave duplicates at the office or at home.

Wheels or shoulder

A wheeled bag suits smooth floors and long walks, while a strap suits stairs and crowds. Some people use both options and decide each day.

Questions to ask before you buy

Can you carry it on your shoulder and by hand? Does it have a padded strap that you can adjust? Will it hold your laptop snugly? How much does it weigh empty? If you travel by train or bus, will it fit under a seat or on your lap? Answers to these questions say more about daily comfort than the brand or the price.

Where this answer stops

AOTA’s guidance is brief and based on ergonomics practice, and it does not cover security or travel rules. Personal comfort and health needs also vary.

Sources and further reading

Three more perspectives

berabags Editorial Team · Fit view

Check the bag against your torso. A briefcase that is much wider than your frame knocks into other people and swings as you walk, which makes it feel heavier than it is.

berabags Editorial Team · Purchasing view

Look at the inside of the bag as well as the outside. Several compartments and a padded strap matter more for daily use than a branded name.

berabags Editorial Team · Use view

Review the contents at the start or the end of the day, and take out what is not needed tomorrow. A habit of reviewing is cheaper than a new bag.

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