The Best Backpacks for College Students Blend Style and Utility

Back in the day, all anyone looked for in a backpack for life on campus was durability and size. Could it endure several semesters without tearing, all while fitting an unreasonable number of (supposedly) required textbooks? Today, if you factor in all the tech needed (plus all the cords and chargers), the best college backpacks need to be slightly more sophisticated while still maintaining the toughness of those from the days of yore. There’s also the quandary of wanting them to fit everything but the kitchen sink in an organized and compact way that’ll keep them looking sleek and minimal and dare I add, stylish yet completely comfortable. So, are we asking too much? Actually, no.

What Makes a Backpack Right for School?

Yes, a college backpack today needs to tick a lot more boxes than it used to. Luckily, many of them do! What differentiates a school backpack from other forms is that it needs to be tough and durable to withstand the weight of laptops and textbooks and the inevitability of rainy days — plus dirty lecture halls and library floors. It should double as a filing cabinet, with organizational pockets and a separate padded compartment for your laptop.

The best ones have extra features, like key rings, secret pockets for quick accessibility to often-used sundries, and water bottle holders for long days. Often, it’s hard to find a backpack that masters functionality without compromising on style, so you may opt for a tote bag to avoid looking like a freshman (even if you are one). But totes aren’t going to protect your stuff from hard falls or bad weather, and you definitely don’t want uneven distribution of weight messing up your back. Nix the tote.

To learn more about our testing methodology and how we evaluate products, head here.

More Gear for College Students

While essential, a backpack is far from all you need for school. Find everything from desk lamps to personal air conditioners in our guide to building out a dorm room.

The Best Backpacks for College Students

State

Best Overall Backpack for College Students: State Kane Double Pocket Backpack

• $115.00 at State

Capacity: 18L

Dimensions: 15.75 x 11.25 x 4.75 inches

Materials: 100% Polyester

State is the master of the school backpack, so leave it to them to think of everything. While the options are endless, we like State’s Kane Double Pocket Large backpack for life on campus. It features a 15-inch padded laptop compartment, side pockets that fit 17-ounce S’well water bottles, a front pocket for pens, pencils, wallet and keys and a main compartment for books, notebooks, sneakers and everything else. Not to mention, it’s comfortable and understated.

L.L.Bean

Best Affordable Backpack for College Students: L.L. Bean Mountain Classic School Backpack

• $55.00 at L.L.Bean

Capacity: 24L

Dimensions: 17 x 13 x 8 inches

Materials: 420-denier mini-ripstop nylon

This may be the kind of backpack that takes you back to your high school days, but L.L.Bean truly is the master of affordable function. They’ve upgraded their standard backpack to a slimmer style that’ll keep you looking cool on campus while still carrying everything you need. Inside, there are two large main compartments: one is a laptop pocket with a water-resistant zipper and another main compartment with an additional sleeve for a tablet or folders. The larger front pocket has built-in organization for smaller school supplies and there’s a mesh water bottle holder on the side. Consider this your walking file cabinet.

Filson

Best Upgrade Backpack for College Students: Filson Dryden Backpack

• $265.00 at Filson

Capacity: 25.5L

Dimensions: 18 x 12.75 x 7 inches

Materials: 1000D Cordura nylon and Bridle Leather

You know what you’re getting with Filson: a durable and tough bag with ample space and no frills. There’s a compartment or pocket for literally everything but the kitchen sink. Laptop, books, papers, chords and tech, and even a jacket or sweater can be tossed in for chilly lecture halls. Going to the gym after class? Throw some sneakers in here too while you’re at it. While functionality reigns over style at Filson, the leather details add a sophisticated touch.

Read our full review of the Filson Dryden Backpack here.

Herschel

Best Simple Backpack for College Students: Herschel Classic Backpack XL

• $65.00 at Herschel

Capacity: 30L

Dimensions: 17.5 x 12.5 x 6 inches

Materials: 600D fabric made from 100% recycled post-consumer water bottles

If you’re going the Herschel route, opt for the XL for storing a laptop, textbooks and binders inside. (The standard size will likely be too small for that.) Made from 100 percent durable recycled fabrics, the backpack will withstand the test of time and never go out of style. The design is simple, but the signature striped liner inside adds a fun little sartorial touch. Inside, you’ll find a main compartment with a 15-inch laptop sleeve and a front pocket with a key clip, along with dual water bottle pockets at the sides.

Away

Best Stylish Backpack: Away The Front Pocket Backpack

• $156.00 at Away
  $195.00 (20% off)

Capacity: 17L

Dimensions: 15.3 x 11.8 x 5.9 inches

Materials: Nylon with leather

With a sleek and simple design, you’d think you were choosing a bag that emphasized style over function. Well, you’d be wrong. Away thinks of everything when it comes to creating bags that combine style, utility and comfort. The brand offers an upgrade to the Zip Backpack with the Front Pocket Backpack that affords more space for students to store smaller school supplies, like pens or smaller notepads and other often-used items. The full wraparound zip opens to the main compartment which features an interior organization system with zipper and slip pockets, a water bottle pocket and key clip with back zipper compartment that leads to a padded 15” laptop pocket with a magnetic locking zipper for security.

Amazon

Best Backpack for Traveling Students: Topo Designs Recycled Daypack Classic

• $99.00 at Amazon

Capacity: 21.6L

Dimensions: 19 x 11 x 5 inches

Materials: 1000D recycled nylon

Topo Designs is known for its simple and sturdy line of backpacks. While their affordable (and recycled) Daypack is one of their most basic silhouettes, it encapsulates everything you look for in a campus backpack — and then some. The main compartment is roomy and features a padded base and back panel for extra protection. Plus, there’s room for a laptop, too. The external padded compartment fits most 15” laptops and opens on the side, so you don’t have to open the main compartment to access it. It also comes with travel bag attachment loops for easy accessibility when on the go. There’s also a front zipper and side water bottle holder for extra storage. This was one of Topo’s original designs, and it’s endured since day one.

Osprey

Best Feature-Rich Backpack for College Students: Osprey Arcane Large Daypack

• $110.00 at Osprey

Capacity: 20L

Dimensions: 17.7 x 11.8 x 8.7 inches

Materials: 500D recycled polyester packcloth, PFC-free DWR

Made from recycled materials, Osprey’s ARCANE Large Daypack is refined and minimalist, as well as durable and tough. It features J-zip front panel access to the spacious main compartment that also has a document sleeve, a 15-inch padded laptop sleeve and internal organization sleeves with a small zip pocket and a key clip. This option also built-in self-locking hook to make sure your belongings stay in place if you’re not around your bag. Outside it has an external zipper and a stretch water bottle side pocket that zips closed. However, the unlikely hero here is the stretch mesh shoulder strap sleeve for easy access to transportation cards, meal cards or keys. Go for the XL if you need more space for textbooks.

The North Face

Best Vintage-Inspired Backpack for College Students: The North Face Daypack Backpack

• $99.00 at The North Face

Capacity: 20L

Dimensions: 17.5 x 12.1 x 6.35 inches

Materials: 70D recycled nylon

While the heritage-inspired design of The North Face’s recycled Daypack might air on basic, the modern features prove otherwise. The one large zip opens to a spacious main compartment featuring a padded laptop sleeve. There are also two front zipper pockets for small items and easy access, as well as external water bottle pockets that snap closed when not in use to maintain a sleek silhouette.

Bellroy

Best Organization Backpack for College Students: Bellroy Classic Backpack Plus

• $189.00 at Bellroy

Capacity: 24L

Dimensions: 19 x 12.6 x 7.8 inches

Materials: Recycled nylon

Bellroy’s brand pillars are centered around function and simplicity, and its Classic Backpack Plus is a perfect representation. The backpack has all of the hallmarks of a modern-day backpack, including a dual compartment with a padded 16-inch laptop sleeve, organizational pockets and a front pocket with key holder, but one of the more clever components here is the water-resistant sunglasses pocket on the top for easy access. Bellroy uses recycled dura-nylon for a hardy pack and includes a soft-lined sunglasses pocket.

Peak Design

Best Tech Friendly Backpack for College Students: Peak Design Everyday Backpack Zip

• $190.00 at Peak Design

Capacity: 15L

Dimensions: 16.5 x 10.2 x 7.9 inches

Materials: 400D double poly-coated DWR-impregnated nylon

An upgrade from Peak Design’s best-selling Everyday Backpack, the Everyday Backpack Zip is the brand’s answer for those wanting a bit more. There is easy top and side access via a 270-degree zip that leads to an interior with organizational features that keep things in place. There are compartments for your laptop, tablet, school supplies, sunglasses, chords and tech, and keys. This bag is particularly well-designed for photography or film majors as camera equipment fits well inside. (Plus, Peak Design gives a discount to students.)

Incase

Best Compact Backpack: Incase City Compact Backpack

• $110.00 at Incase

Capacity: 17.5L

Dimensions: 18 x 13 x 5 inches

Materials: Durable 270 x 500D blended weave polyester

Incase designed its new City Compact backpack as an upgrade to its best-selling Campus Compact Backpack. The brand took customer reviews into consideration when designing this sleek-looking updated version by expanding its dimensions and adding new features for optimal storage. This style is larger and more accommodating featuring a new pocket at the top of the bag for easy access on frequently-used items and redesigned beverage pockets to accommodate larger bottle sizes. But despite its larger size, it maintains an impressively low profile.

Troubadour

Best Business Casual Backpack for College Students: Troubadour Apex Compact Backpack

• $225.00 at Troubadour

Capacity: 16L

Dimensions: 16 x 11.5 x 5.5

Materials: Recycled polyester

Troubadour backpacks are made for future professionals – and that’s not solely based on optics. Along with the sleek design, the Explorer Apex Compact Backpack is as functional as they come. It’s lightweight, has a padded interior to fit a 15-inch laptop, multiple pockets for optimal organization and two retractable bottle holders to encourage hydration throughout the day. Best of all, the ergonomic padded shoulder straps are built in for comfort. Catching a flight home from an internship or job interview? No problem. This backpack also features a trolley sleeve to slide over your suitcase handle.

July

Best Customizable Backpack: July Carry All Backpack Series 2

• $175.00 at July

Capacity: 20L

Dimensions: 17.4 x 11.1 x 6.3 inches

Materials: Weighted 420D twill nylon fabric.

July’s Carry All Backpack Series 2 is an upgrade from Series 1 as its updated design features an external water bottle holder. The backpack is designed with comfort in mind, including its quilted back padding and padded straps with pull tabs for easy adjustments. Inside, you’ll find dividers and zipped pockets for documents, smaller books and other small items, as well as a discreet 16-inch laptop padded sleeve compartment. Along with the front pocket, there’s a side pocket for bottles or umbrellas with a zipper to keep things compact.

Brevite

Best Machine Washable Backpack for College Students: Brevite Everyday Backpack

• $130.00 at Brevite

Capacity: 18L

Dimensions: 16.25 x 11 x 5.5 inches

Materials: 600D polyester

Brevite’s lightweight backpack is an ideal campus option given that it contains ample storage compartments without compromising its minimal design. Featuring a main compartment with a 16-inch water-resistant laptop pocket, the Brevite backpack also boasts a front organization pocket with a key ring, a small items pocket at the top and an expandable water bottle holder.

Fjällraven

Best Traditional Backpack for College Students: Fjällräven Kånken Backpack

• $90.00 at Nordstrom

Capacity: 16L

Dimensions: 14 x 10 x 4.5 inches

Materials: Vinylon F

The Kånken is a best-seller for Fjällräven due to its versatility and ability to fit most 13-inch laptops. This bag is made with Vinylon F fabric, a synthetic material hailing from Japan known for its durability and resistance to heat and chemicals. The Kånken comes in 14+ color options and has a removable foam cushioning insert for shape and comfort. It also has a 16-liter carry volume and includes a rain flap.

Amazon

Best Workwear-Inspired Backpack for College Students: Carhartt Classic Backpack

• $50.00 at Amazon

Capacity: 25L

Dimensions: 17.5 x 12 x 6 inches

Materials: 600-denier polyester

The Classic backpack from Carharrt is made with durable polyester that’s treated with a water-repellent finish. Also, the backpack has a dedicated laptop compartment in the main compartment that’s big enough to carry a 15-inch laptop.

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