Sleeves

A laptop sleeve is a padded pouch with no handles and no pockets. It is the minimum protection that still counts as protection.

Where it is the right choice: inside another bag — a rucksack, a holdall or a suitcase — where the sleeve stops keys, chargers and cables scratching the lid; and for short carries between rooms or desks. It adds almost nothing to the bulk of what you are already carrying.

Where it is not: a daily commute on foot or by bike, where a proper briefcase or backpack spreads the weight and protects against a drop.

Sizing is the thing to get right. The stated size is a maximum for the laptop, not the sleeve’s own dimensions, and modern machines vary considerably — a 16in laptop with slim bezels can be smaller than an older 15.6in one. Compare your machine’s actual measurements against the stated internal dimensions, and prefer a snug fit; a laptop that slides around inside a loose sleeve is less protected, not more.

The range covers Targus, Kensington, Hama, Belkin, PREVO, Dell, Lenovo and ASUS.