Finding the best backpacks for college and high schools early on can make things a lot easier for students. A student’s versatility and dynamism refine with his engagement in varying activities, for which a suitable backpack is needed.
The marketplaces are flooded with options and alternatives to cater to the soaring need for college backpacks. However, having a reliable and long-lasting choice will make the student’s college schedule hassle-free.
To help college and high school students opt for the right backpack, here are the 10 best backpack options with a crisp brief of their features and their strengths and weaknesses.
10 Best Backpacks for College and High School Students
The life of a student is incomplete without practicals, projects, assignments, and thesis documents. Such academic requirements are fused with college trips, adventures, sports meets, or library studies during college days, making a foundation for lifelong learning.
From scoring a good GPA to performing well in sports, the ambitions of a student are interwoven in various engaging activities, which triggers a fresh need for carrying related stuff.
To fulfill this need, here are the 10 best backpacks for college and high school students, cataloged with their enlisted features and basic details.
Let’s latch onto the best college backpack options available.
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North Face Jester School Laptop Backpack
North Face is a prominent bag manufacturer, with Jester being their top seller. The brand is known for launching awesome bag designs, with the North Face Jester School Laptop Backpack being one of the popular options.
Its strong outer frame provides a stand-up design, which makes it stay straight upright for loading and unloading the stuff. The padded laptop sleeves, slip pockets, and multiple mini-zips are some of its key features. Its stretchable rope at the front can be used to optimize the size of the bag to make it more portable.
| Colour varieties available | 40+ colors and designs |
| Material | 600D Recycled Polyester |
| Size, Dimensions, and Volume | 8.25 x 11 x 18.13 inches and 22 liters |
| Merits | - Comfortable straps for normal and longer use
- Can carry a 15-inch laptop
- Double handles at the top to ease picking the bags
|
| Shortcomings | - Buyers expressed a lack of sufficient protection in padded laptop sleeves
|
| Price | $59.21 |
Product Link: North Face Jester School Laptop Backpack
North Face Recon Bagpack
Here is another backpack option from North Face for the college buddies. It is similar to the above backpack, with an observable difference in the front pattern, which is simpler and more plain in this variety.
The side compression straps adjust the total size of the bag to calibrate with your needs, making it good for normal college days and trekking trips with friends.
It comes with 3 large compartments, with chains containing snap hooks, giving it a sporty look. The soft and spongy shoulder straps with flex vent suspension system are its notable feature.
A laptop sleeve at the back side, 2 externally meshed pockets for water bottles, and a front pocket have been provided to arrange stuff conveniently, making it an efficient storage backpack.
| Color varieties available | 19 |
| Material | 600D Polyester Toile, 500D Nylon Oxford Slub, 210D Cordura Nylon Ripstop |
| Size, Dimensions, and Volume | 11.6″x7.5″x19.3″ (29.5cm x 19.1cm x 49cm) and 30 Litres |
| Merits | - Sufficient space in pockets
- Safety features such as a whistle in the chest buckle and outer reflective layer which illuminates in low light
- Weight-balancing features such as back clips, removable waist belts, and sternum straps
|
| Shortcomings | - Can be washed with hands only, not with a machine
|
| Price | $109 |
Product Link: North Face Recon Bagpack
Patagonia Refugio Daypack
The Patagonia Refugio Daypack is available in two capacity options of 26L and 30L. It has two water bottle pockets on each side, making it perfect for college purposes and sports events.
This backpack comes with 3 exterior and 5 internal pockets, providing ample space for the students.
Patagonia has brought the provision of an Ironclad Guarantee for this backpack, which provides refunds, repairs, and replacements in case of dissatisfaction of a customer, which makes it one of the best backpacks for college.
| Color varieties available | 8 |
| Material | Recycled polyester |
| Size, Dimensions, and Volume | 18 x 12 x 6.5 inches and 26/30 Litres |
| Merits | - Water-repelling fabric
- Durable stuff
- Sufficient space for 15-inch laptop
- Women-specific versions available
|
| Shortcomings | - Buyers have suggested providing more pockets would have been better
|
| Price | $109 |
Product Link: Patagonia Refugio Daypack
Jansport Main Campus FX
Jansport’s Main Campus backpack has ergonomic S-curve padded shoulder straps, and its secondary compartment comes with an organized panel to keep the books and other items neatly.
Two side compression straps have been provided to shrink or expand their overall size as per the need. The webbing grab handle at the top, 2 main compartments with ample space, and the front pocket with organized panels are some of its notable features.
| Color varieties available | 10 |
| Material | Denier Recycled Polyester |
| Size/ Dimensions | 17″ x 12.5″ x 7″ and 32 Litres |
| Merits | - Multiple pockets provide the option to carry multiple material
- Cordura fabric increases reliability and durability
- Dedicated 15-inch padded laptop compartment with zip closure
|
| Shortcomings | - Washable by hand, not by machine. Require dedicated efforts
- Not Water Resistant
|
| Price | $60 |
Product Link: Jansport Main Campus FX
Fjällräven Kanken Laptop Bagpack
This bag comes with a unique design and fascinating pattern. It has multiple carrying options, i.e., it can be used as a backpack or carried simply in hand, which makes it suitable for college boys and girls.
The rugged vinylon fabric further increases its life along with keeping it lightweight. Its main compartment has sufficient space for books and laptops, and its front zip pockets provide adequate room for keeping small items and accessories.
| Color varieties available | 7 |
| Material | Vinylal fabric |
| Size/ Dimensions | 15.79 x 11.54 x 2.68 inches |
| Merits | - Much space
- Overall highly durable
- Impactful handle to distribute the weight of the bag
|
| Shortcomings | - Washable through hands only; no machine washing
|
| Price | $63.82 |
Product Link: Fjällräven Kanken Laptop Bagpack
Vera Bradley Campus Backpack
The iconic colors and attractive print patterns of Vera Bradley Campus Backpack make it one of the best backpacks for college and high school students. Another amazing feature of this bag is that its stuff is printed from the outside as well as the inside.
It is made of cotton and has 2 main compartments, 2 side pockets, and a hidden pocket for personal items. The bag also comes with 2 interior mesh slip pockets to carry and segregate small items.
| Color varieties available | 61 (differs by retailers) |
| Material | Cotton |
| Size, Dimensions, and volume | 7.5 x 12 x 16.5 inches and 25 Litres |
| Merits | - Washable in machine
- Color and design options
|
| Shortcomings | - Some buyers have suggested it be bigger.
|
| Price | $125 |
Product Link: Vera Bradley Campus Backpack
Lovevook Laptop Bagpack
This Lovevook backpack is a fashion statement, having a blend of convenience and capacity. The smooth shoulder straps are made of fine spongy material to reduce the stress of the bag over the shoulders.
The bag has a concealed anti-theft pocket to keep valuables. A luggage strap between the shoulder straps has been provided to mount the bag on a suitcase for easy conveyance.
It comes with a total of 18 pockets, making it useful not only for high school but also for travels and hikes. The bag also has enough space to accommodate a 15.6” laptop with ease. Its laptop sleeve and the USB charging facility make it more gadget-friendly.
| Color varieties available | More than 30 |
| Material | Nylon |
| Size, Dimensions, and Volume | 7.48 x 11.81 x 16.14 inches and 20 liters |
| Merits | - Double handles to distribute the weight of the bag
- Multi-pocket
- USB charging point
- Meshed shoulder Straps that facilitate circulation
- Waterproof
|
| Shortcomings | - Some buyers reported the compartments in the bag are not spacious enough.
|
| Price | $29.99 |
Product Link: Lovevook Laptop Bagpack
WONHOX Large Backpack
This backpack from WONHOX comes in medium, large, X large, XX large, and EX large options. It is designed with an anti-theft pocket at the back to carry valuable material safely.
Each of the 2 main compartments has 1 laptop pocket, which is admired by tech-savvy students, making it one of the best backpacks for college guys. The waterproof polyester stuff makes it lightweight along with providing adequate strength.
| Color varieties available | More than 30 |
| Material | Recycled polyester |
| Size, Dimensions, and Volume | 16.93 x 11.81 x 7.87 inches (volume varies with the size options) |
| Merits | - Manufactured sustainably
- Lightweight and fashionable
- USB charging port
- Shoe Compartment at the bottom
- Water-proofs
- Wet bag to separate wet material from the dry ones
|
| Shortcomings | - USB charging feature not available in all size options
|
| Price | $29.99 |
Product Link: WONHOX Large Backpack
Samsonite Leather Convertible Backpack
Samsonite Leather Convertible Backpack is an attractive bag with a simple, smooth, and crisp style, where utility is amalgamated with elegance.
It has a vogue feature where the straps can be pulled and extended to carry the bag over the shoulder or in a cross-body format, and pulling the straps back down brings it to the backpack pattern.
The plain and classy look further makes it more eye-catching.
| Color varieties available | 5 |
| Material | Leather (Textured Saffiano) |
| Size/ Dimensions | 15.5 x 11.5 x 5.5 inches |
| Merits | - Ample capacity
- Durable stuff
- Sleek design
|
| Shortcomings | - Some customers suggested straps are not easy to adjust
- Not to carry heavy material
|
| Price | $199.99 |
Product Link: Samsonite Leather Convertible Backpack
EASTPAK Out-of-office Backpack
This Eastpak entrant is made of 60% nylon and 40% polyester. It has 4 zip pockets, and the main compartment can accommodate a 13” device.
The bag has adequately spacious compartments, a padded laptop sleeve, and a mesh zip pocket. It suits the demands of students requiring a small bag to carry limited stuff.
| Color varieties available | 5 |
| Material | Nylon + Polyester |
| Size, Dimensions, and Volume | 17.32 x 11.61 x 8.66 inches and 27 Liters |
| Merits | - Lightweight
- Padded laptop sleeves and shoulder straps
- Adjustable threat at the front
|
| Shortcomings | - Does not have a drink sleeve
- Not water-resistant
|
| Price | $58.61 |
Product Link: EASTPAK Out-of-office Backpack
Suggested Reads: What is a Good GPA? Here is Everything You need to Know
Conclusion
The aforementioned best backpacks for college and high school are available in various colors and print designs. They exhibit a variety of options in sizes and patterns to help the students pick one that suits their requirements and interests.
Buyers can visit the brand showroom or outlet or order them by visiting the provided link to buy them. Make sure your requirements and budget are aligned with the backpack’s features and price.
FAQs
Ans: The buyers can visit the top e-commerce sites such as Amazon, order it from their official websites, or visit a brand showroom to get one.
Ans: North Face’s Jester school laptop bag and Recon Backpack, Patagonia’s Refugio Daypack, Jansport’s Main Campus FX, and Vera Bradley’s Campus Backpack are the 5 best backpacks for college.
Ans: The North Face Jester School laptop backpack and the North Face Racon backpack are some of the best backpacks for colleges and school students.
Ans: North Face, Patagonia, Vera Bradley, WONHOX, and Jansport are some popular brands manufacturing backpacks for students.
Ans: Samsonite Leather Convertible Backpack is a suitable backpack for college girls as it has highly adjustable shoulder straps that provide options to use it as a bag, handbag, or be carried in a cross-body format.
