10 College Backpacks | Best Backpacks for School

Best value

If you like the North Face Jester Backpack, you'll be into their Borealis Backpack. It has premium materials, features, and high-quality hardware that still comes at a more-than-fair price tag.

The Borealis harness system is comfortable, has convenient external storage for your school gear, and comes in numerous colorways, so you can find a model that fits your vibe. It doesn't have any strap keepers, so there are some extra materials to work with; however, you can fix that yourself or go with the flow.

The bungee system on the front of the Borealis is large and easy to work with, so you can attach larger gear here. The sternum strap has an emergency whistle when you need to be heard on campus, and we dig the internal organization. For those looking for one of the best backpacks for college from a brand they've heard of, look no further than the Borealis!

• A comfortable and durable harness system
• Lots of external storage that’s easy to use

• No strap keepers on the pack
• The false bottom isn’t raised very high

The Fjallraven Kanken Laptop Backpack is the perfect mixture of comfort and cuteness; plus, it was designed to carry a laptop, which makes it ideal for heading to class. The shoulder straps are comfortable, the laptop compartment is easily accessible, and the handles on the top of the pack make it easy to hop from table to table at the library.

In testing, the materials have faded over time. They're still just as durable, and it took three years of use to happen, but if you're an incoming freshman looking for a four-year companion, it's worth noting.

The laptop compartment can hold up to a 13" inch computer, which is all most students need. However, if you have a larger size device, they make bigger sizes of this same exact style backpack. We think it’s a cute way to get your gear from point A to point B comfortably, making it one of the best college backpacks on the market.

• It blends cuteness with comfort
• Has a dedicated laptop compartment

• The material will fade over time
• Side pockets are very small

If you're looking for a pack that you can get into the nitty gritty of your gear organization and segmentation but don't want to get one of the college backpacks that comes in a bland color, we've got you covered. The Topo Designs Daypack has intuitive organizational details you can use for college and comes in colorful, heritage styling. Plus, it's easy to attach gear to the exterior.

At the time of writing, there are four colorways to choose from. The color choices have a heritage style, and the pig nose and loop on the front make attaching gear easy. Whether you want to bring an umbrella or gym shoes to class, this pack has you covered.

The materials are thick, and there isn't any mesh on the back panel, so things can get warm, especially on sunny days, if you choose a darker colorway. This isn't uncommon for backpacks for college, but the lack of breathable mesh exacerbates this. However, in most conditions, this isn't an issue.

Considering the neat colorways and intuitive organization, we think this is one of the best backpacks for college.

• Heritage styling with good interior organization
• You can attach gear to the exterior

• The water bottle pockets aren’t very stretchy
• No ventilation on the back panel

If you've been looking at college backpacks for ages and haven't found one that matches the professional look you're trying to emit throughout your collegiate career, we've got the pack for you. The Aer City Pack 2 is sleek, professional, and has some of the best internal organization of any pack that we've tested here at Pack Hacker.

Iterating on the original Aer City Pack, this follow-up feels a lot less cluttered thanks to a simplified main compartment. Gone are the too-many pockets, and it's now just a laptop sleeve and a big open space you can pack as you see fit. Whether that's a few textbooks, writing pads, and a pouch of gym clothing, you can fit them all here without worrying about blocking pockets.

Of course, since this is an Aer bag, you still get the usual goodies we've always known them for. Tough 1680-denier CORDURA® ballistic nylon, tight-fitting liner, well-structured shape, and a sleek, all-black, won't-make-you-stand-out-in-class-if-you-come-in-late aesthetic. In addition to trips to, from, and around campus, you can use this pack to go to the gym or on trips back home, as well.

• Sleek, professional, and well-built all around
• The main compartment isn't too cluttered with pockets, so it's easy to pack and use daily

• The shoulder straps' shape feels rigid around the neck area
• Key leash located way too low inside the front pocket

Best Budget

You don't have to spend a ton on a college backpack that you'll carry to class every day, and the adidas Amplifier is a good example of that. At around 55 bucks, it's an approachable option for students who would rather save their money for textbooks, coffee, or literally anything else that comes with being in college. It's also a recognizable brand on campus, so you won't have to explain what that logo means to your roommate.

The Amplifier comes with a 16-inch laptop sleeve, multiple zippered pockets, and side bottle pockets that can accommodate bottles up to 32 ounces. That's a pretty useful setup for the basics, especially if most of your day consists of carrying a laptop, notebooks, and a water bottle between classes.

The main compromise is the harness system. It feels pretty minimal, so once you've loaded the backpack, you may start to notice the weight after walking across a larger campus. Still, if you're looking for something inexpensive and don't expect to carry a ton of heavy gear, the Amplifier gets the essentials right without asking you to commit to one expensive backpack for all four years.

• It's an affordable price for a college backpack
• It fits a 16-inch laptop and large water bottles

• The harness system is pretty minimal
• A heavy load can become uncomfortable during longer walks

Most Comfortable

If your commute to class involves two wheels instead of two feet, the Osprey Metron 24 Pack is worth a look. This college backpack is designed with cycling in mind, so you get features like a helmet attachment, a rain cover, compression straps, a bike light loop, and well-ventilated padding. There's also a built-in shoe pouch, which is handy if you're heading to the gym after class or swapping shoes before you clip into your pedals.

The carry is a big part of the appeal here. The Metron has load lifters, something you don't usually see on everyday college backpacks, which can help when you're carrying a heavier load across campus. The main compartment can also open fully clamshell-style, while the shoe pocket stays out of the way when you don't need it. It's a thoughtful setup for students who spend as much time commuting as they do sitting in class.

Of course, all those cycling-specific features are less useful if you don't actually ride a bike. The pack is also pretty top-heavy, so don't expect it to sit upright next to your desk. We also wish the laptop sleeve had its own compartment, since it's something you're likely to access several times throughout the day.

• Cycling features make it particularly useful for bike commuters
• Load lifters and ventilated padding prioritize carry comfort

• Several features aren't particularly useful if you don't cycle
• The pack is top-heavy and doesn't stand up well on its own

Best Colorway Options

Sometimes you want a college backpack that looks like a backpack. Not a technical piece of outdoor equipment, not a giant collection of pockets, and not something that screams "I have a laptop inside." The Fjallraven Raven 20L keeps things pretty classic while adding a little more style to the equation.

It's similar to the Topo Designs Daypack in size, price, weight, and overall aesthetic, making both good choices for students who want something a little more elevated than a basic school backpack. The Raven has a simple harness system and comes in a range of colors, so it's easy to find one that fits your style without getting too wild. Inside, the laptop sleeve fits a 15-inch computer with a decent false bottom, while the wide-opening admin compartment has zippered mesh pockets for smaller gear.

A 16-inch laptop can technically squeeze in, but its edges hit the top of the bag, so we'd stick with a 15-inch device here. The bottle pocket can accommodate a 24-ounce bottle, though it's a bit of a squeeze. Those are small trade-offs for a backpack that keeps things simple while still giving you enough organization for everyday campus life.

• Classic styling with useful internal organization
• Simple design works well for everyday carry around campus

• The laptop sleeve is best suited to 15-inch devices
• The water bottle pocket is a tight fit for larger bottles

Best for tech

If you're the kind of person who would rather have one more pocket than spend five minutes digging through the bottom of your school backpack, the tomtoc UrbanEX-T77 26L has you covered. There are pockets everywhere, and the main compartment has a particularly useful trick: you can access it through its own zipper or through the laptop compartment divider.

That second access point is handy when you're trying to grab something without completely opening up the backpack. The laptop compartment is plush and includes a strap to hold a 16-inch computer and up to a 13-inch tablet in place, while the 26L capacity sits between the available 22L and 32L versions. At $119, tomtoc also keeps the price relatively reasonable while giving you plenty of organization.

There is one thing to watch out for, though. The zippers work almost too well: they can fall open when you pick up the backpack when it's loaded toward the front. So, make sure they're completely closed before you start walking, unless you want your school supplies making a break for it.

• Multiple access points make the main compartment easy to reach
• It has lots of organization and a plush 16-inch laptop compartment

• Zippers can fall open when the bag is picked up from behind
• Lots of pockets can make the bag easier to over-organize

Best organization

College might mean carrying more than one computer, especially if you're studying something that requires specialized technology. That's where the Rework Gear Toshi Pack 20L comes in. Its device sleeve can fit up to two 16-inch devices, with a padded divider between them for some extra protection. If your school supplies look more like a small electronics department than a pile of notebooks, this is the school backpack for you.

The rest of the bag keeps up with that tech-focused approach. There's an admin compartment with mesh organization, a clamshell-style main compartment for easier packing, and an ambidextrous quick-access pocket that's easy to reach from either side. There's even a hidden smart tracker pocket, while expandable water bottle pockets with drainage, external attachment points, a ventilated back panel, and a luggage pass-through give it some useful flexibility beyond the classroom.

The main downside is that the top quick-access pocket is more limited than its name might suggest. A max-sized iPhone fits, but there isn't much room for anything else. That's a small compromise for a backpack designed around carrying a serious amount of tech.

• You can carry two 16-inch devices with a padded divider between them
• It has strong organization and useful tech-focused features

• The top quick-access pocket has limited capacity
• Its 20L size is better suited to students with a relatively focused load

Best accessibility

You might spend most of your day in class, but that doesn't mean you want your college backpack to look like it belongs exclusively in a classroom. The ALPAKA Bravo Backpack has a polished, professional appearance that works just as well walking across campus as heading to an internship or a meeting.

A big part of that versatility comes from the way the Bravo handles its storage. The front compartment can fold down for easy access to the main compartment, while a well-designed gusset lets that front section expand without making the backpack look lumpy. The main compartment has a half-zip design that tapers toward the front, giving you a lot of accessible space for packing larger items. Its contoured, padded shoulder straps and flexible back panel also make long walks across campus more comfortable.

There's one catch with that clever fold-down front. If you've filled it with something large and rigid, like a Nintendo Switch or a pair of over-ear headphones, you won't be able to fold it down properly. Still, for students looking for something that can make the jump from college to the working world, the Bravo offers a comfortable carry and a polished look without feeling overly formal.

• The comfortable harness system works well for longer walks
• Its professional look and clever expansion keep it polished when packed

• Large, rigid items can prevent the front compartment from folding down
• At around $175, the price puts it above many conventional college backpacks