Last week I read a post on FabSugar about how you shouldn't carry a bag that's more than 10 percent of your body weight [1] and I knew I was in trouble.

Geek girls can't help it — it's the laptops! Since the average weight of a laptop is about 5 pounds, we're usually around halfway to that 10 percent mark — and as women, we've got all our purse essentials in there as well. Add on some luxurious fabric like leather, and BAM! Back-break city.

That's why sometimes it's not even a question of laptop sleeve vs. laptop bag [2]; if you're using a sleeve in a bigger bag, that's going to be heavy. If you're using a laptop bag that holds other things, that's going to be heavy, too. We can't win!

Except, of course, we can. Here are a few tips for your next laptop bag, if you're starting to feel the weight of your world on your shoulders! To see the tips, just .

• As Fab says, you can look for a bag that's not in leather (bummer, but at least leather trim is OK), and the straps make all the difference. If you're going to wear something over your shoulder or messenger style, look for a wide, padded strap.
• Sadly, as much as it defies efficiency, the problem may lie in having one bag to hold everything. One of my co-workers carries her handbag separately and her laptop in a laptop backback, which she says solved her back problems. Holding your regular (lightweight, of course) handbag in one hand and your laptop in a slim, lightweight bag in the other is an alternative, too.
• And there is also the dreaded bag on wheels. Thankfully, there are few that aren't too terrible to look at, and they offer the ultimate break for your back. I like this leather, studded GoGo Voyage one [3].

Check out some of my selections that fit into the above categories!

Source [4]