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Sep 4, 2024 · From students of all ages to office commuters, we’ve rounded up 29 backpacks to keep all your goods secure and organized during the busy back-to-school season.
- Ergonomic hero. With its padded mesh straps and back panels, this sporty-looking pack makes carrying heavy loads lighter and comfier. It also has the easiest-to-use water-bottle pockets of any bag we’ve tested, as well as a removable laptop sleeve—but it could use more interior organization.
- Schoolyard style. This compact, durable backpack is big on nostalgia and aesthetic appeal. But while its straps are lightly padded—a significant upgrade from the original Kånken—it still isn’t ideal for carrying extra-heavy loads.
- Modern and functional. A sleek design and utilitarian features (such as a luggage pass-through and magnetic top closure) make this sophisticated bag feel pricier than it is.
- Traditional with a twist. Simplicity is what makes this bag cool—and it comes in a plethora of colors and patterns, whether you’re looking to stand out or blend in.
- Best Overall School Backpack
- Best School Backpack For Affordable Performance
- Best Multipurpose School Backpack
- Best School Backpack For An Active Commute
- Best Backpack For Transitioning from Classroom to Gym
- Favorite Classic School Backpack
- Notable For Performance When Not Carrying A Laptop
- How We Test School Backpacks
- Why Trust Gearlab
- Analysis and Test Results
Osprey Nebula 32
Osprey is not generally the first name that jumps to mind at the start of a busy school year. Well-known for innovative, high-quality outdoor packs that can withstand the rigors of backcountry adventures, it seems a different beast. But why shouldn't we expect the same top-of-the-line construction, fit, and function from our everyday packs as we demand from our weekend gear? You can with the hyper-versatile Osprey Nebula 32. Scoring highly across every test we threw its way, this is a daily p...
Volher Travel
Not every school day requires a top-of-the-line gear hauler. Sometimes you just need a solid bag at a great price. If cost is a high priority and design features come in a close second, then the Volher Travelshould definitely be on your list for consideration. Large in storage and conveniences, this is a modern, professionally styled backpack built to tackle the demands of a daily commute just as effectively as it can help you stay organized in a busy classroom. From its sturdy, water-resista...
Patagonia Refugio 26L
Do you struggle to find a single bag that's as versatile as you are? Look no further. The Patagonia Refugio 26Lis up to the challenge, whether you're wandering libraries and lecture halls or roaming local markets, trails, or airports. This mid-sized all-arounder offers a simplified, highly durable, three-compartment design with enough cargo space for your standard school essentials. The designated compartment to the rear holds a fully padded, removable Tech Caddy that can safely hold up to a...
The North Face Jester
The North Face Jester is a highly functional mid-sized and mid-priced everyday backpack with a casual style and a deeply cushioned, narrow fit that makes it a particularly appealing option for active students who rely on bikes, skateboards, or scootersfor their daily commutes. Streamlined in design, mighty durable, and effectively water-repellent, the Jester is just big enough to hold your academic necessities in two efficient storage compartments. In the largest, a padded laptop sleeve sits...
Under Armour Hustle 5.0
While the brand may be synonymous with purpose-built athletic equipment, we found the Under Armour Hustle 5.0 is a school backpack with universal appeal. Not only is it large, with plenty of organizational features to safely accommodate a full kit of classroom essentials, including a fleece-lined laptop sleeve and accessory pocket for delicate items, but we also found it well-balanced and softly padded even under relatively heavy loads. The bag's body is built long and deep, with the bulk of...
JanSport Big Student
JanSport has long been known for its quintessential All-American school backpacks with simple minimalist designs and durable, colorful construction. In the impressively strong and lightweight JanSport Big Student, we find an affordable update on this original classic style, well-suited to the monster-sized loads of today's modern students. Laptop? Textbooks? Calculators? Gym clothes? Lunch? You name it; there's room for whatever you'll need to carry between the separate laptop compartment, tw...
High Sierra Loop
Looking for something spacious, low-priced, and full of pockets but have no plans to add a laptop to your packing list? The High Sierra Loopmay be the bag for you. This is a large-volume, super lightweight, high-performing school backpack made of tough, water-resistant mini-hex ripstop material that comes in a wide assortment of colors and patterns. It offers more than enough cargo space for a huge pile of textbooks, classroom supplies, and gym clothes, as well as a nice selection of extra fe...
We've been testing and reviewing school backpacks for three years now, in addition to the hundreds of other best-selling backpacks we evaluate across a much broader range of subcategories. We started our hunt for the best school backpacks by researching the most popular brands and models sold today. Fifteen of the most promising options were then s...
Our lead testers on this project are Myrha Colt and Kendra Ridenour. Myrha is someone who rarely leaves home without some sort of backpack. Some days, she's carting her mobile workstation off to a temporary office. On others, she's carrying heavy gear for a high mountain climb or a picnic for a sunny day SUP adventure. Now, after years of living th...
Using a standardized testing process, we monitored how each bag performed under the same conditions by using them side by side. We assessed and validated each pack's unique design specs and features to fully understand its range of capabilities. We then packed the same sample loads into each backpack and carried them over similar distances to compa...
- Best Overall School Backpack
- $131.29 at Amazon
- 88
5 days ago · Best Overall Travel Backpack: Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L; Best Budget Travel Backpack: JanSport Journey Pack; Best Carrying Travel Backpack: Osprey Farpoint & Fairview 40...
Jul 16, 2024 · Best Overall. Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack. Read more. Best Value. MATEIN Travel Laptop Backpack. Read more. Best for School. THE NORTH FACE Borealis Commuter Laptop Backpack. Read more. Your...
- Emma Seymour
- emma.seymour@hearst.com
Mar 15, 2023 · The best school backpacks can also have a life outside of the classroom, and be used on day trips, outdoor excursions or even for travel. So whether you're heading to summer classes later...
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Sep 28, 2023 · Product Reviews. 13 Best Travel Backpacks of 2024, Tested by Experts. Keep all your belongings safe and organized in a lightweight backpack. By Grace Wu and Emma Seymour Updated: Sep 28,...
