The Best Backpacks for High School and College Students, According to Our Teens

Oct 15, 2024

We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.

We’re not saying these backpacks will make your kids better students (but they might help).

Parents

Whether your student is gearing up for high school or heading off to college, a spacious, comfortable, and durable backpack that can carry all their essentials will help them succeed in the school year ahead. While some teens might care more about fashion, you can also help them prioritize plenty of space for a laptop, textbooks, notebooks, and of course, a water bottle.

To select the best backpacks for high school and college students, we consulted with medical experts, a backpack designer, parents, and students. We then researched the top backpacks on the market and had our own tweens and teens test 65 of them during their daily routines. Our kids wore backpacks while walking and running between classes and reported how well the bags worked for keeping them organized. (And, by the way, if you're shopping for younger kids, don't miss our more comprehensive guide to the best backpacks for kids.)

The size of a backpack is important because it determines the weight placed on your student’s back. According to Scott Bautch, DC, president of the American Chiropractic Association (ACA) Council on Occupational Health, a fully packed student’s backpack should weigh no more than 10% of their body weight. It should also sit 2 inches below their shoulders and hang no more than 4 inches below their hips. According to Dr. Bautch, a heavier backpack will cause students to bend forward to support the weight on the back rather than the shoulders. It can also affect a person's posture and cause fatigue, pain in the neck and shoulders, and increase their risk of musculoskeletal injury.

Our editor's son has used this North Face Borealis backpack for an entire school year and gives it high marks for storage and comfort. He loves that it has plenty of room for his notebooks, three textbooks, lunch, an iPad, and a change of clothes for after-school sports, and it never feels heavy or overstuffed. It comes equipped with two water bottle holders and lots of little compartments—including a padded pocket for electronics—that help him stay organized throughout the day. The suspension system includes thick, comfortable straps that help the bag stay in place even during last-minute runs to catch the bus, with a little extra help from the bungee cord system for compression.

Another great aspect of this backpack is its durability. Made from recycled polyester, the backpack has a water repellent finish that helps keep it clean. After using it for the entire school year, there aren't any frays and it legitimately still looks new. To top it off, our tester got lots of compliments while wearing it, which we know means everything to kids at this age.

"The back of the school bag is all padded and the straps are easy to adjust. The backpack isn’t big and bulky, so it is easy and fits on your back like you’re wearing nothing." —Jaclyn, aunt of two tweens.

Although it took our teen some time to get used to the chest strap, we could tell it made the backpack even more comfortable to wear since it helped disperse the weight. We really like that it's certified by the American Chiropractic Association, though this backpack shouldn't be used by kids younger than 12 years old.

The Details:

The JanSport Cool Student backpack has generous storage capacity and can easily fit a laptop, lunch bag, and folders inside its main compartment. It has plenty of pockets to store supplies, which helps prevent smaller items (like Airpods and house keys) from getting lost at the bottom of the bag. This backpack is quite durable, with strong, reinforced stitching that withstands the force of teenagers plopping the bag down or cramming all their belongings into it.

We also like the Cool Student backpack’s design that pays homage to JanSport’s vintage look going strong since 1976. The backpack is made from 100% recycled materials and has synthetic leather accents, which make it both durable and stylish. It also has ergonomic s-curve shoulder straps, which our tester confirmed were easy to adjust for a customized fit. The straps also help make this backpack ideal for students who have to walk—or run—long distances between classes because it doesn't flop around when they walk.

"This bag has an amazing capacity. The larger areas were easy enough to carry the big items, including a computer, lunch, and all the larger folders without having to cram them in." —Art, father of a 12-year-old.

This bag is all about being simple and functional, and it does not have all the bells and whistles that other backpacks do. Translation: although it comes in a ton of colors, fashion-forward teens might balk at its very classic and somewhat clunky shape.

The Details:

Lululemon’s Triple-Zip backpack definitely lives up to its hype. When our high schooler tested the pack, he was immediately impressed by the comfort as compared to his previous bag. Once the buckles were in place (a very easy task, thanks to their easily adjustable nature), the pack felt weightless and stable for walks between classes. We found the straps were the right mix of softness and firmness to provide both comfort and stability, and the aesthetic was simplistic yet still earned compliments. The backpack has enough structure to stand on its own and can easily unzip it with one hand.

As an architecture student, our teen applauded the bag’s seemingly endless capacity. The top-loading style makes it easy to find what you’re looking for at a quick glance (although he wished it had a carabiner for keys, which can get lost at the bottom). The extra features such as a laptop sleeve are helpful, and the water-repellent fabric is great for keeping contents safe and dry.

"[Our teen] is constantly speaking about the compartments and the way that the inside of the bag is sectioned. That’s his favorite part about it. It was easy to use and made his belongings super accessible. " —Chantia, aunt of an 18-year-old.

Tightening the straps is easy, but we encountered some when loosening them. Additionally, because it's larger in size, older kids might benefit more from using this backpack over your family’s younger students.

The Details:

This “hold everything” backpack will keep your teen organized before, during, and after school. Touted as the largest lifestyle pack by North Face, the Router packs a whopping 40 liters of space, with a stand-up design for easier loading and unloading. Our teen tester packed it to the brim with her laptop, notebooks, personal care items, water bottle, lunch box, pens, pencils, and her phone, yet she felt organized because of all of the compartments. The padded, fleece-lined tablet sleeve is smartly located in the front compartment for quick access.

Despite its potential to carry a hefty weight, the bag is certified by The American Chiropractic Association and has custom injection-molded shoulder straps, a rounded lumbar panel for comfort and security, and a padded mesh back panel to prevent those sweaty backs during shleps across campus.

"This backpack has everything and is really comfortable. It was functional because of all the storage, and it was very easy to access contents with the larger zippers and smooth zipper track.” —Sarah, mom of a 15-year-old.

We wish the North Face Router had a luggage loop to attach it to a suitcase handle for travel ease. Consider also that the pockets might not work for a student who prefers a single compartment for large items or sports gear.

The Details:

With college being the first time many kids are away from home, parents will be relieved to know that the Nordace Aerial Infinity Backpack can help protect their kid's identity. This backpack contains card-blocking pockets that prevent radio frequency ID (RFID) readers from obtaining credit card information. There's also a secret zippered pocket where students can hide their valuables.

The backpack has a stylish silhouette and an ergonomic backplate made from ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) foam, which is known for being soft and resilient. During testing, our students never felt weighed down while wearing it, and its padded straps were thick, comfortable, and easy to adjust. When it comes to design, this backpack is touted as an organizational superhero. With six external and many internal pockets, it feels like this backpack has room for anything and everything. This will be especially helpful when your kid spends hours on campus before returning to their dorm room. It even has a three-in-one USB charging port to keep electronics up and running all day.

During testing, we ran into a few (literal) snags when placing binders inside because of the small size of the internal pockets. There is also no bottom panel for structure, so the bag did have some issues standing up solo.

The Details:

In line with the Swedish company’s love of simplicity and practicality, FjallRaven’s Skule 28 offers a surprisingly light carry weight even when our tester filled it to the brim with her laptop, folders, a binder, notebooks, books, and personal care items. The pack’s seven compartments keep even unorganized students in check by giving every item a potential home. The straps are nicely padded and the weight is evenly distributed thanks to its ergonomic shape. The back is also very well padded and made with breathable material, so our teen tester never complained of back pain or a sweaty back.

This Skule 28 is all about adjusting to your specific needs. The back, chest, and waist straps can be customized to the wearer, while the side straps can be used to hold large water bottles in place or to compact the backpack for when you need more structure. The bungee across the front allows for additional items to be snuggly held to the pack. The Oxford fabric holds up against wear and tear, and the bag is crafted from all recycled materials, which fits with the company’s sustainability claims.

"Because this backpack looks very durable, I envision it lasting for a long time. My daughter will probably use it for the rest of her high school years." —Hildara, mom of a 15-year-old.

The little pull cords on the zippers are small and fall off easily, so keeping track of those could get annoying. Some also say that the second water bottle is a missed opportunity for another quick-access zipper pocket.

The Details:

While some backpacks can feel crammed with a laptop inside, the L.L.Bean Comfort Carry Laptop Backpack has plenty of room to spare. In addition to a dedicated sleeve that can house a 15-inch laptop, the bag has three large pockets for binders, books, and supplies. Our teen tester said it has the perfect amount of pockets, making pulling items in and out a breeze.

In terms of comfort, this backpack has the ergonomic support of a hiking pack, including breathable mesh straps and an extra-padded back. We know lugging tech around can be cumbersome, so we loved that the sternum and waist straps are adjustable and help stabilize the weight. One student described it as "very comfy," which was especially important for her mile-long walk to school. The backpack is also really durable because it's made from super wear-resistant 1,000 denier nylon, a material typically used in luggage.

The Details:

The durable Dagne Dover Dakota scuba-knit backpack is ideal for trekking from class to class or walking to the library for a study session. There’s a place for everything your student might need in this backpack, especially their tech.

The main compartment is accessible through a double zip closure, so no more struggling to remove items through a thin opening. Inside you’ll find a tablet compartment closure that keeps a smaller 13-inch laptop in place with a hook and loop closure and a removable bag for storing cords and chargers. The zippered pocket in front can hold a cell phone, and there are tabs for storing pens and a stylus. There's even a dedicated shoe bag for students who need to change footwear after walking to class or plan on hitting the gym after studying.

The Details:

The Swissgear 3760 ScanSmart Laptop Backpack has four main compartments and is large enough to hold a laptop, tablet, textbooks, and binders. It has lots of little pockets and slots to house various items and even has a designated “crush-resistant” spot for sunglasses.

Aside from being organized, this backpack got high marks for durability during testing. It’s made from abrasion-resistant polyester and comes with a 10-year extended warranty. We like that this backpack has padded ergonomic straps made from a breathable material, which we found very comfortable to wear during testing. Although we didn’t examine this feature, it’s worth mentioning that this backpack has a lay-flat electronics compartment that allows you to go through airport security without removing your laptop, so it could be a convenient backpack for travel.

The Details:

This sleek three-compartment backpack from Herschel Supply Co. is all about getting your tech to your destination safely and securely. And when you get there, you’ll have easy access to the bag’s contents. The front organization pocket helps keep tech essentials such as cords, keys, chargers, and pens together. Meanwhile, the center section features a padded and fleece-lined compartment that utilizes a buckle to keep your laptop secure during long hauls.

We really liked the Kaslo Tech’s hidden shoulder strap pocket for easy access to wireless earbuds, so your teen can quickly listen to tunes or a podcast while walking to class. Even with a fully packed bag, our tester found the padded straps kept the pack still feeling light, and she was able to make a lot of adjustments for a more comfortable experience.

The Details:

The only zipper-free bag on the list (instead it has a drawstring opening covered by a large flap that snaps to the body of the bag), the Little America Backpack is big on storage. Our tester loved having easy access to everything he needed for a full day of classes and after-school adventures, but did still wish the bag had a few breakout storage areas as smaller items were difficult to find.

We found the straps to be very thick and padded, so they didn’t dig into shoulders and made for a comfortable carry. We also tested (and loved) the Herschel Classic Backpack XL, which is known as a much more basic option that still packs up your student’s day seamlessly.

The Details:

The Zigzag might look small, but looks can be deceiving. The capacity of this Columbia backpack is truly remarkable, with a full 30 liters of available storage. We also appreciate the lower price point and minimalistic yet functional design, with enough room for textbooks, two water bottles, pens and pencils, a 15-inch laptop, and a charger.

Because of its simple style, there aren’t a lot of options to organize smaller items within the backpack, which could be a deterrent for less organized students. The lightweight pack is made from waterproof material, but our tester did note that the bag wasn’t very breathable during a walk on a hot day.

The Details:

Don’t let the classic design of this simple backpack fool you. The Settlement style has room for all of your student’s school necessities, including extras like a change of clothes or a lunch bag (although it doesn’t have an external water bottle holder). The bag’s durable coated water-resistant fabric is heavy enough to add a bit of structure so it’s easy to unzip one-handed.

Our tester found the padded air mesh back straps kept her cool during wear, even when she was running to class. Other details we appreciate are the key clip inside the front pocket, the elastic top computer sleeve, and the small hole that allows you to run your headphones from inside the bag to the outside.

The Details:

Foregoing the traditional backpack shape, the rounded design of the ReNew Transit gives the backpack loads of room and flexibility when it comes to how your student packs and arranges their school bag. Another bonus? They can see exactly what’s in the bag when it’s open, so it’s easy to grab something on the go without searching for too long.

We love the unique flap pocket that lays over the main zipper compartment. It’s an unexpected place to store small items, and its magnetic closure keeps things in place. Although the straps aren’t padded, our tester noted that the bag is still comfortable to wear, even when loaded up with belongings.

The Details:

While other backpacks may focus on ample pockets for organization, this bag keeps things simple with a minimalistic design. The spacious interior compartment is very versatile for hauling whatever students need, from a laptop to books, notebooks, lunch, and more. The straps are adjustable and padding is very minimal, but our testing teen didn’t find them to be uncomfortable.

In fact, over the five years of owning the backpack, she reports that the material has actually become softer and more comfortable. The bag is also still in perfect shape, with no fraying, ripping, or tearing at all. When put up against our other tested Fjallraven backpack, the Kanken Outlong, we prefer this traditional one, with the main difference being a small compartment at the bottom.

The Details:

To find the best backpacks for high school and college students, we researched and tested 65 options with our tweens and teens for at least a month (and up to an entire school year or longer). When examining and using each backpack, our parent and teen testers considered the following attributes:

Our editors and their high school and college-age kids continue to use these backpacks in their daily routines. We will update this article as they provide additional feedback on the quality and durability of these backpacks.

In addition to our hands-on testing, we spoke with several experts about what to look for in backpacks, such as weight and design. We also asked experts how carrying a heavy backpack can contribute to neck and back pain in teenagers. The experts we spoke with were:

Along with your student's unique needs for class and extracurriculars, it can be helpful to keep the following aspects of a bag in mind when choosing the best backpack for high school and college:

Laura Lu, MS, is an experienced health writer who has a Master of Science degree in Health Communication. Her work has appeared in publications like The New York Times, Media Psychology, and Brit+Co, to name a few. Growing up, she always carried a JanSport backpack to school and loved how colorful, durable, and spacious they were. As a mom, she took the road less traveled and opted for a backpack instead of a diaper bag, and is ecstatic to see that mini backpacks from the ‘90s are back on trend.

Cheryl Fenton is a Boston-based freelance lifestyle writer who has enjoyed a 30-year career of bylining in both national magazines and popular websites, as well as authoring a book or two. With a rising senior in high school, she is no stranger to trying to find the best backpack for her daughter. And since stopping at your locker doesn’t hold the “water cooler chat” coolness appeal that it did in her day, her kid’s backpack has to hold everything.

The Impact of Backpack Loads on School Children: A Critical Narrative Review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2018.