As any college student knows, a backpack is the most important accessory of any season. Not only will it enhance your wardrobe, but it will also help you feel comfortable and organized. We tested the best backpacks for college students to see if they can carry your essentials for the day neatly and comfortably. Of course, we also pay attention to beautiful ergonomic design. Our favorite backpacks look stylish and sophisticated even when fully loaded.
The best college backpack we found is The North Face Recon Backpack. Men’s Fashion Editor Amir Ismael especially liked the ultra-supportive shoulder straps, the sternum strap that evenly distributes weight, and the dedicated pockets for a laptop, book, water bottle, and phone. If you’re looking for a spring break backpack, I recommend the popular Dagne Dover Dakota for its storage compartments, luxurious look, and neat, removable dividers.
In addition to being eco-friendly, it’s also great for college as it has padded compartments for your laptop and tablet, as well as side pockets. There’s also a small outer pocket that’s perfect for quick access to things like sweaters or snacks.
It is ideal for students who carry a 15-inch laptop, lots of books, and various accessories such as headphones, a water bottle, toiletries, and a set of markers.
This neoprene bag is easily recognizable by its sleek, luxurious exterior and thoughtfully designed interior compartments. Available in three sizes and nine colors.
Students can take advantage of the 15-inch laptop compartment and two side pockets in this bag. The main compartment has a capacity of 25 liters and two mesh dividers and additional outer pockets for small items.
When looking for the best backpacks for students, we looked for durability, functionality, and style. Without a doubt, The North Face Recon backpack is the perfect combination of all three.
It’s designed to help correct your posture. We tested the suspension system (which includes a sternum strap, back clip, and removable waist belt) to help distribute the weight of a fully loaded backpack evenly. This, in turn, reduces chronic back pain that students suffer from when carrying heavy loads for long periods of time. We also liked the breathable lining on the back of the backpack and the wide shoulder straps for easy lifting. The backpack’s pocket layout is intuitive. The medium-sized main compartment includes a laptop compartment, while the front mesh pocket has practical dividers for charging cables, small devices, and office supplies. There are also two water bottle pockets on either side of the backpack. The safety features are also worth noting. The sternum buckle has a whistle, and the outer layer of the backpack is reflective to keep you illuminated even in low-light conditions. Plus, the compartments are padded enough to protect your tech from damage from impacts. We also included the Recon backpack in our guide to the best backpacks for schoolchildren, as it makes a great gift that will give confidence to students heading off to a new school. In terms of style, its simple design and color scheme make it a versatile choice for those who carry a backpack to school or work.
Patagonia is one of our favorite B-segment retailers, and we love its eco-friendly approach to outdoor gear. We really liked this pack during our testing because it has a small outside pocket for quick access to things like sweaters or snacks. The shoulder straps are very comfortable. Light padding provides extra comfort in the shoulder area, and the sternum strap takes extra pressure off your spine.
Stay dry even on rainy days. The Refugio’s recycled nylon outer shell is coated with a water-repellent finish that effectively wicks away moisture.
It has a removable laptop compartment. If you need to lighten the load, you can pull it out and it will effectively function as a backpack.
The Main Campus FX by JanSport is a top-notch travel backpack that’s perfect for students to use while they’re in school or even after they graduate. Not only is it perfect for carrying books and laptops, but it’s versatile enough to be used both on the go and during trips to the gym. Featuring a classic design, the Main Campus FX can hold a 15-inch laptop, a variety of books, and a variety of accessories like headphones, water bottles, toiletries, and a variety of writing utensils. Padded shoulder straps make it easy to carry. It’s roomy and has neat organizational features. The dedicated laptop pocket is well-padded, while the other two full-size compartments will hold all your essentials. The front pocket also features a key clip, making it easy to store your dorm or apartment keys. JanSport’s Right Pack is also a useful, yet affordable option that’s best suited for tech professionals looking for a paperless office.
Dagne Dover makes a few bags that are some of our favorites among the many we tested. If you like a sleek, minimalist design, plenty of space, and clever compartments, the Dakota Neoprene Backpack is your savior. It comes in three sizes, all of which are waterproof, shock-absorbing, and feature a stylish carrying strap. There are multiple pockets inside the backpack, so there’s no wasted space. The large version of the laptop compartment can fit a 16-inch laptop, which is larger than the average student device. The main compartment holds up to 20 liters and features a mesh tablet compartment, five medium pockets, and a handy removable pouch. Two outer pockets can hold a water bottle and snacks. It’s sleek and simple in design. Despite its simple appearance, it’s safe to say that this luxury backpack will hold everything you need: a laptop, tablet, textbooks, a water bottle, notebooks, snacks, and an extra pair of shoes. It looks sleek and simple on the outside, but it keeps things organized on the inside—which is why we love it as a work backpack. There’s even a nearly invisible slip pocket on the handle for small items like snacks or headphones.
One of our favorite features we discovered during testing is the luggage handle cover, which you can place over the handle of your suitcase while you’re rolling it. For more information, read our full review of the Dagne Dover Dakota Backpack.
For the college student looking for a sophisticated look and a roomy bag, this Vera Bradley backpack is the perfect choice for both style and practicality. The bag features luggage handles and smooth zippers. The interior features a padded compartment for a 15-inch laptop and two side pockets for water bottles. The bag features an extra-large main compartment that holds up to 25 liters, two mesh patch pockets, and several external pockets for smaller items. Available in dozens of colors, this backpack is the perfect college backpack that combines practicality with minimalist style and comes in a variety of stylish colors. A small brand label is placed in a solid color on the side of the bag, blending in with the rest of the bag. Open the pocket to reveal the brand’s signature paisley pattern.
Designed with functionality in mind, this backpack will protect your laptop and provide essential storage space. It has a spacious main compartment, but space is limited. The Comfort Carry Bag has a capacity of 30L, but does not have many pockets. The main compartment has a laptop pocket, and the second compartment has a pencil organizer. You can zip up your shoes or jacket at the front. With a sternum strap, waist belt, and padded shoulder straps, this backpack is perfect for commuting to and from school and other activities. The elastic cord at the front is perfect for storing that last bulky item, like a jacket or dust bag.
The Lululemon Everyday Backpack is a lightweight, no-frills college backpack. It has enough room for sneakers, workout clothes, and towels. The bag has a 23-liter capacity and a padded laptop sleeve that can fit a 16-inch device. It’s made of waterproof fabric and features two side pockets for water bottles, an interior mesh pocket, and a small exterior pocket. It features a storage compartment and a minimalist logo that doesn’t scream “I love Lululemon.” It has a stylish look. You can use it to carry workout clothes without it looking bulky. While the Everyday Backpack from this popular fitness brand isn’t made of the thickest material, it’s perfect for the needs of college students.
The Carhartt Medium Backpack with Three Insulated Coolers is perhaps one of the best college backpacks to carry your books and lunch in. It is very durable. The backpack is made of Cordura fabric, a very durable ripstop material that is treated to make it water-resistant. On the outside, there is a mesh pocket for a water bottle, a Hook-n-Haul system for attaching additional items like a cooler, and breathable mesh shoulder pads. Inside, there are several practical storage compartments. From a 15-inch laptop compartment to a fleece-lined glasses compartment, you will be able to keep all your things organized and at hand.
A dedicated compartment keeps perishables refrigerated. “My favorite feature is the included cooler. It holds up to three 12-ounce cans and is also the perfect place to store snacks or lunch when school gets busy. When you’re not on campus, it’s perfect for hiking, trips to the beach, or anywhere you need a cold drink on the go. It’s also easily removable if you don’t want to lug around a backpack.” — Amir Ismael, fashion editor
The North Face is known for producing durable, high-quality gear, and the Borealis backpack, one of the brand’s most classic models, is no exception.
Ideal for carrying all your gear, the 28-liter capacity allows you to fit almost everything you need for your workout and more. It has the standard features: a padded laptop pocket, a roomy main compartment, several side pockets for water bottles, a small outer fleece-lined pocket, and a large outer pocket with various pockets and pen holders. A sternum strap and a waist belt are included, making it suitable for hiking.
Easy to open and close. Another small but thoughtful feature worth appreciating: the U-shaped zipper, which makes opening any pocket ten times easier. The Borealis backpack may not have as many hidden compartments in the most thoughtful places, but it is made of quality materials and is durable enough to meet your needs. For the same price, there is a women’s version of the Borealis, designed for those with a slim figure.
We’ve already tested the Adventurer backpack by Eddie Bauer, but the 2.0 version is even better. It’s one of the best backpacks for college students because of its versatility and durability. There’s an extra space for refilling your water. They’re not kidding when they say this backpack is made for adventures – it has a hydration compartment and two water bottle pockets that will come in handy on your next campus trek. It will also keep your valuables dry. This backpack has a unique side pocket that can hold a 17-inch laptop, as well as a small fleece-lined front pocket for storing smaller items. This waterproof backpack will last you through college and beyond.
The Herschel Little America Backpack is a classic travel bag with a rather misleading name. With a roomy 25 liter capacity and a well-thought-out laptop compartment, it easily holds all your school essentials without sacrificing classic style. The backpack is easy to open and close. The main compartment is like a giant pit that can hold all sorts of items: books, snacks, electronics, etc. There are also two small side pockets inside. The Little America backpack is easy to open and close. The single outer pocket is perfect for storing things you might need during the day.
The pack comes with extra long adjustable shoulder straps. The back is thickly padded for easy carrying. However, we personally think that this backpack is more suitable for tall people as it is 19.25 inches long. So, it may be a bit difficult for short people to carry.
We tested the now-discontinued Carhartt Classic Work Pack, but luckily the 25-liter Classic Laptop Backpack is a great upgrade. It’s made from durable, water-resistant material and has enough space for medium-sized items. A front zippered pocket (with a key clip) and a separate mesh compartment for your phone, notebook, or pens will keep any small items from getting lost at the bottom of the bag.
The back of the main compartment has a dedicated 15-inch laptop compartment, and this new model even has side pockets for water bottles. The bag comes in a classic brown colorway, the signature color of the Michigan-based workwear brand.
You can adjust its width to fit into small spaces. The compact rectangular design can be expanded, making it especially versatile. The stylish look makes it a practical item and the perfect addition to almost any outfit. It has three pockets: a laptop pocket, a main compartment, and an external pocket. The laptop pocket is well padded and the zipper is hidden on the back. The straps are comfortable and soft, but oriented differently than a regular backpack, and the two side pockets can be used to store water bottles or even an umbrella. This is a popular eco-friendly brand. I often saw this backpack in college. The stylish look makes it a practical item and the perfect addition to almost any outfit. Read our full Fjällräven Tree Kånken review to learn more about its updated version.
Sometimes a tote bag can make it easier to access your stuff at any time, but the single-shoulder design is likely to be less convenient than a backpack. The Rowledge lets you switch from a single to a double strap at any time. It has a neat internal storage system. Inside the front pocket is a key fob, as well as several compartments for charging cables, headphones, and other small items that can easily get lost at the bottom of the backpack. The main compartment has several similar dividers, and on the outside there are two pockets for an umbrella and a water bottle.
Its convertible design is perfect for busy commutes. “I managed to squeeze two bags of gear into the Rowledge, and its convertible design came in handy on a crowded train. As more people boarded, I had to take the bag off my back and place it next to me. I secured the backpack straps into the travel case and used the bag’s handles to hold the bag securely. The transition was so easy, I didn’t even realize I’d boarded the train with a backpack and left with a bag,” said Francesca Rea, former story production manager. For more information, check out our full review of the Lo & Sons Rowledge Backpack.
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