8 great laptop bags for travelers who want to get through airport security faster

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If you travel for work with any regularity, you're familiar with airport security procedures, and you know how time-consuming they can be. TSA's PreCheck program can expedite the process. If you're not a member of it, though, simple hacks, like wearing slip-on shoes and carrying TSA-friendly laptop bags, can also save you precious minutes during screenings.

Not just any laptop bag is going to make the cut at security. There are a couple that will, though:  There are clamshell styles (bags that fold open into two parts), trifold styles (three parts), and laptop sleeves; whatever the style, your tech must be able to lie completely flat.

As you can imagine, the large majority of them aren't lookers, but we found 8 that aren't half bad — some we'd even call stylish. Buying one could make traveling to your next destination slightly less stressful. 

A caveat: Though the TSA approves of these bags, it reserves the right to ask anyone to remove a laptop from its case, or re-screen any laptop or case. Ultimately it'll come down to the discretion of the TSA agents working on your day of travel. 

Solo Pro Laptop CheckFast Briefcase

This simple, but functional black bag from Solo folds open into two parts and can accommodate laptops up to 17.3''. It's an well-reviewed choice for budget-conscious business travelers, averaging 4.5 out of 5 stars on from customers at Amazon. 

Solo Pro 17.3" Laptop CheckFast Briefcase, $47.93.

Timbuk2 Command TSA-Friendly Messenger Bag

Timbuk2's messenger bag is made with more sophisticated urbanites in mind, and comes it a bunch of different colors. The medium model of this clamshell-style laptop bag, which we’ve highlighted here, has a width wide enough to accommodate most laptops at 17.1’’. The widths of the small and large models are 16.9’’ and 18.5’’, respectively.

Timbuk2 Command TSA-Friendly Messenger Bag, $149.

Tumi Alpha 2 T-Pass Expandable Laptop Brief

Tumi luggage is far and away some of the best money can buy, which is why you'll have to pay a premium for it. This expandable T-Pass laptop brief is designed to accommodate laptops up to 15''.

Tumi Alpha 2 T-Pass Expandable Laptop Brief, $475.