When I conjure an image of a backpack, I picture something made with ripstop nylon fabric and stacked with hip straps, gear loops, and paracord zipper pulls, a cross between an overstuffed high school book bag and a technical pack for the trail.Such a backpack has a place, but for me, most of the time, that place is not on my back.When I’m traveling with my laptop, whether for work or for pleasure, I don’t want a backpack that looks like it will survive a five-day hike in a downpour. I want function, yes, but I also want style.For a long time, it felt like a quest on par with finding a pair of heels that wear like sneakers. But when you work at Wirecutter, hope springs eternal. The backpack has a polished, unisex style. Maria Adelmann/NYT WirecutterWhen I first started testing the Troubadour Apex 3.0 Backpack, a pick in our guide to the best laptop backpacks, I was taken but skeptical (because when you work at Wirecutter, skepticism also springs eternal). It was so structured and refined it reminded me of a faceted gem. It had polished, unisex style with luxe details like color-matched faux-leather accents. It was beautiful, but I was sure that a backpack this dapper would have to seriously sacrifice function.Surprise of my life (at least when it comes to backpacks): It’s actually one of the most functional and comfortable backpacks I’ve ever owned, fulfilling several checkboxes I’d only expect of technical backpacks.Best for...The best laptop backpack for a polished, upscale designTroubadour Apex 3.0 BackpackHandsome styling, ergonomic design, and thoughtful details make this pricey backpack worth the money.$249 from Amazon$249 from Troubadour