Credit:
Reviewed / Tim Renzi
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Credit:
Reviewed / Tim Renzi
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The North Face Borealis backpack has many features that work well for the classroom and the outdoors. Read More
An affordable backpack from a trusted brand, the JanSport Main Campus has a large capacity and a secondary compartment with an organizer panel. Read More
A trendy backpack, this Fjällräven Kanken also is functional for college and high school students. Read More
A chic backpack, the lululemon Everyday Backpack can make the transition from high school to college to the workplace. Read More
The MATEIN is extremely popular on Amazon, with 4.7 stars on more than 85,000 ratings. Read More
Backpacks are for more than just carrying books and a laptop around campus. The best backpacks can reflect the style of the student who is lugging them—but they need to be more than a fashion statement.
High school and college backpacks should be functional and designed to help students succeed in the classroom. In addition to padded laptop compartments and dedicated space for water bottles, the best backpacks should also have the organization elements that help students stay on top of their schoolwork, including big front pockets for school supplies, interior pockets, and plenty of space to carry school books. (They should also have padded straps so overstuffed bookbags don’t cause back and shoulder pain.)
When shopping for backpacks, don’t overlook your students’ outside interests, either. Some of the best backpacks on the market are specially designed with these interests in mind, whether they be sports, travel, hiking, or something else. (Outdoorsy students may want to consider the North Face Borealis (available at Amazon for $98.98) , which has features that work both in the classroom and on a hike.) Regardless of what your student is interested in, their backpack should be durable because teenagers and young adults are notoriously hard on things.
We researched popular and top-rated backpacks from the best brands so the college student or high schooler in your life can return to campus organized, comfortable, and ready to learn. Here are our favorite backpacks for college and high school students.
The North Face Borealis backpack would be great in the classroom and the outdoors.
Stand-up design
Features a sternum strap and removable waist strap
Bungee compression system
None we could find
The Jansport Main Campus backpack has a padded laptop compartment and is available in many colors and patterns.
Padded laptop compartment
Wide range of colors and patterns
Mesh water bottle pocket
The Fjallraven Kanken 17-inch laptop backpack is trendy while also being functional.
Lululemon Everyday Backpack 2.0 can easily make the transition from high school to college to the workplace.
This Matein backpack is among the most popular on Amazon.
Multiple sizes available
Affordable
Plentiful space
Mesh water bottle pocket
Some complaints about zippers
Stylish
Easy-access laptop compartment
Two water bottle pockets
Pricey
Limited color choices
Ergonomic design
Adjustable sternum strap
Body made of durable materials
Some complaints about straps
One year warranty
Many pockets
Few design choices
A good school backpack is essential for students, but not all backpacks are created equal. While every high school or college student deserves a comfortable, spacious, and durable bag that works for their lifestyle, how that looks will depend on the student. Here’s what you should keep in mind.
The right-sized bag with pockets and compartments in the right places can help keep your student ready for anything. Here’s what to look for.
While all of our backpack recommendations have laptop compartments, there is a range in sizes — don’t forget to make sure that your student’s laptop fits the backpack you’re considering, and that the laptop compartment is well-padded.
Considering how important a laptop is to school success—and how rough high school and college students can be on things—you might also want to invest in a quality laptop sleeve for extra protection.
A place for everything and everything in its place is the secret sauce to staying organized. The right backpack for your student will have enough compartments to keep things organized, but not so many that it’s hard to find what they’re looking for. Look for easy places to stash pens, keys, lip balm and other daily essentials – and if it makes sense for your student, a hidden internal pocket for wallets, IDs, and other items you don’t want on display.
Quick access to needs like a subway pass, headphones, or a water bottle make life easier. But size is important, especially for water bottles. It’s worth double checking to make sure that the backpack you're planning to purchase accommodates your favorite water bottle—there’s a big difference between a standard Hydro Flask and a Yeti Rambler.
Backpacks take a beating – between heavy loads and rough handling, there’s a dozen ways students puts packs through their paces. To make sure the backpack lasts as long as your student’s academic career, look for water-resistant or waterproof fabrics (like ballistic or ripstop nylon or coated canvas); strong stitching and seams, especially around zippers and pockets; and a reinforced bottom of the bag.
Whether they’re walking across the quad or commuting across a city, smart, ergonomically-minded features can make a massive difference in how comfortable a backpack feels, both in the moment and over the long term.
There’s no getting around the fact that a student’s backpack is heavy. When looking for a backpack for college or high school, it’s vital that the straps be well-padded for comfort. Adjustable straps ensure that the pack sits correctly across the shoulders, so the load stays balanced and easier to carry for students of all heights.
If your student has a long walk or commute, an especially heavy load to carry, or plans to use their backpack for hiking or travel, opting for a model with sternum or waist straps can be a smart ergonomic upgrade. Both straps can help keep the backpack balanced and supported to avoid putting strain on backs and shoulders — but are cumbersome extras for students who don’t use them.
No one likes a hot and sticky back. Look for mesh back panels that help create airflow, or ridged airflow channels or honeycomb mesh for better circulation.
Jaclyn Greenberg lives with her husband and three children on the East Coast. She writes about her experiences parenting as well as challenges related to accessibility and inclusion.
A journalist for more than 25 years, Ben Yoder uses his news, editing, and search experience to help consumers find the best products possible as an SEO & Updates Editor with Reviewed. Based in Iowa, his work has appeared in the Des Moines (Iowa) Register, HawkCentral, and Cyclone Insider, among other websites.
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