The best backpacks for college students
Remi Rosmarin
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- The back-to-school season is a little different for most college students this year, but regardless of what your situation looks like, you can't go wrong a great backpack to store all your essentials.
- In addition to being practical and functional, backpacks can help to show off your personal style.
For most college students, back-to-school looks a little different this year. But whether you'll be learning virtually or heading into a classroom, you're still likely to need a great backpack.
College students should look for a backpack that's big enough to fit all of the necessary school supplies while still being comfortable and easy to carry. Of course, it doesn't hurt if your backpack looks nice too. To help you start your search, we rounded up 7 backpacks that college students will love. Our picks are functional, stylish, and definitely a bit more mature than the backpacks you probably toted around in elementary school.
Including utilitarian options from outdoor brands like The North Face to fashionable options from clothing brands like Everlane, this list has a variety for all types of students. So, no matter if your classroom commute involves walking around campus or just walking to your kitchen table, you'll find lots of options to keep your school supplies secure and organized.
Here are the best backpacks for college students:Table of Contents: StaticThe North Face Jester Backpack
Color options: Black, Blue/Navy, Yellow/Black, Taupe Green, Navy Heather
Known for its outdoor gear, The North Face delivers when it comes to making products that are durable, practical, and do their job really well. Is the Jester the trendiest backpack you'll see on campus? Probably not, but it's definitely one of the sturdiest around.
This backpack has a spacious interior that can bear the weight of your textbooks, plus it offers plenty of storage, from a padded laptop compartment to lots of interior pockets for smaller items like your water bottle, writing utensils, and more. This backpack lasted me through four years of high school without as much as a rip or tear.
Fjallraven Kanken Backpack
Color options: Holly, Ochre, Flamingo Pink, Mint, Frost Green, Lavender, Super Grey, Blush, Olive Green, Light Red, Fog, Black
The Kanken is one of Swedish brand Fjallraven's bestsellers, and for good reason. The iconic boxy silhouette stands out in a crowd of classic, rounder backpack styles. Practically speaking, the Fjallraven Kanken is lightweight but still has plenty of space to hold your textbooks, binders, notebooks, and more. The water- and dirt-resistant vinyl is also super easy to clean. Just wipe it down if it's looking a little dirty.
The Fjallraven Kanken comes in tons of fun colors, so you can be sure you'll find one that speaks to you. If you're looking for something filled with lots of strategic pockets for little knick-knacks, you might be better off with a different backpack, although this one is certainly spacious. For those with a big laptop, you may want to size up and get a different style from the Kanken family.
Dagne Dover Dakota Backpack
Color options: Onyx, Dark Moss, Dune, Heather Grey, Ash Blue, Storm, and Seasonal Options
We're big fans of Dagne Dover's intelligently designed backpacks, duffels, and totes. The Dakota Backpack is no exception. The neoprene bag not only offers a more polished look but also makes the bag particularly durable since it's waterproof. This backpack has thoughtful features, like a luggage sleeve that you can put over your suitcase while traveling and hidden zip pockets that keep essentials within arm's reach.
The Dakota Backpack comes in three different sizes. I'd recommend the medium or large for school, as those sizes can comfortably fit almost any laptop. If you want to learn more about the bag, you can find our full review here.
State Kane Double Pocket Large Backpack
Color options: Black Nylon, Navy Nylon, Heathered Gray, Heathered Desert, Black Coated Canvas
A simple exterior and thoughtful interior (think a laptop sleeve and pockets sized to fit your essentials) make State backpacks a standout. Kane is one of the brand's most popular styles, and this large version is perfect for college students lugging around multiple books, binders, and more. There's an easy-to-clean nylon version as well as a sleek coated canvas option. 45% of the bag comes from recycled materials, including a recycled polyester lining.
On top of being a great backpack, the brand gives back for every State bag purchased. State is a certified B Corp and has done many different giving initiatives, like donating fully-packed backpacks to American students.
MZ Wallace City Backpack
Color options: Port Laquer, Dark Blue Camo, Shibori Print, Mist, Black, Dawn
MZ Wallace makes bags that are functional and fashionable. The brand's classic quilted nylon and details like leather zippers give the City Backpack a more sophisticated feel than your average nylon bag. The bag is lightweight and can be easily rolled up for storage or packing.
The City Backpack is filled with thoughtful additions that make it easy to keep your backpack organized. There's a detachable pouch that's great for pencils and other small essentials, a keyring strap so you never have to worry about digging around or misplacing your keys, and side pockets to hold your water bottle, phone, and more. With a mix of simple neutrals and fun patterns to choose from, this backpack is a great option for making a stylish statement. While a bit pricey, MZ Wallace bags are really durable, can hold a ton, and are easy to clean so they always look new.
JanSport Right Pack Backpack
Color options: Soft Tan, Blackberry Mousse, Oyster, Crabapple, Moon Haze, Mystic Pine, Dark Slate, Russet Red, English Mustard, Black, Navy, Red Tape
There's a reason JanSport backpacks have been popular for decades. The Right Pack is classic, affordable, and durable — so much so that the bags are backed by a lifetime warranty. The suede bottom adds a nice touch to the otherwise simple nylon bag. The inside of the bag is spacious and has a few pockets to help you stay organized. One of my favorite things about this bag is the padded shoulder straps because they make holding heavy textbooks a lot more comfortable.
The Right Pack comes in lots of fun colors that go with everything. Many shoppers say that they've had this backpack for years. I used the Right Pack for the majority of my college career and it served me well, though the suede was a bit difficult to clean.
Everlane Modern Snap Backpack
Color options: Navy/Black Leather, Reverse Denim/Black Leather, Black/Black Leather
Made from a water-resistant cotton twill material, the Modern Snap Backpack from Everlane will keep your things protected through the elements while looking sleek at the same time. As the name suggests, this bag has a more contemporary look with its snap closure and leather accents. The dark, neutral color combinations go well with everything and help hide any stains or dirt.
While it's surely stylish, this backpack doesn't sacrifice on space either. The Modern Snap Backpack has a padded compartment that fits a 15-inch laptop, as well as side slip pockets for easy access to your essentials on-the-go.
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