The Ultimate Guide to College Backpacks [2023]

Are you a college or high school student looking for the perfect backpack? Look no further! In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about choosing the best backpack for your college journey. From comfort and durability to style and organization, we’ve got you covered. So let’s dive in and find your perfect college backpack!

Table of Contents

Quick Answer

Looking for a quick answer? Here are our top picks for the best college backpacks:

  1. Patagonia Refugio Daypack 26L – A sporty pack with all-day comfort.
  2. Fjällräven Kånken Laptop – A nostalgic school bag with a modern twist.
  3. Everlane The ReNew Transit Backpack – A contemporary and versatile backpack.
  4. Herschel Classic Backpack XL – A campus classic with extra room.
  5. Eastpak Padded Double – Street style, sized up for school.

Quick Tips and Facts

Before we dive into the details, here are some quick tips and facts to keep in mind when choosing a college backpack:

  • Comfort is key: Look for backpacks with padded straps and back panels for all-day comfort.
  • Durability matters: College life can be tough on backpacks, so choose one made from durable materials like nylon or polyester.
  • Consider organization: Look for backpacks with multiple compartments and pockets to keep your belongings organized.
  • Size and capacity: Consider the size and capacity of the backpack based on your needs. Make sure it can fit your laptop, books, and other essentials.
  • Style and aesthetics: Choose a backpack that reflects your personal style and makes you feel confident on campus.

Now that you have the basics, let’s explore the world of college backpacks in more detail!

Background

College backpacks have come a long way since the days of basic book bags. Today, they are designed to meet the needs of modern students, combining style, functionality, and durability. Whether you’re a fashion-forward student or a practical minimalist, there’s a backpack out there for you.

In recent years, backpack brands have introduced innovative features like padded laptop compartments, water bottle pockets, and ergonomic designs. These features make it easier for students to carry their essentials while staying comfortable and organized throughout the day.

The Research

At Backpack Brands™, we’ve done extensive research to find the best college backpacks on the market. Our team of experts has analyzed customer reviews, tested various backpacks, and considered factors like comfort, durability, style, and organization. Based on our research, we’ve selected five top-notch backpacks that we believe are perfect for college students.

Let’s take a closer look at each of these backpacks and what makes them stand out.

A Sporty Pack for All-Day Comfort: Patagonia Refugio Daypack 26L

  • Price: $109
  • Ergonomic design with padded mesh straps and back panels
  • Removable laptop sleeve and easy-to-use water bottle pockets
  • Water-repellant and durable
  • Dimensions: 19 by 12 by 6.5 inches
  • Weight: 1.75 pounds
  • Warranty: Ironclad Guarantee

The Patagonia Refugio Daypack 26L is a sporty backpack that offers all-day comfort. Its ergonomic design with padded mesh straps and back panels ensures a comfortable fit, even when carrying heavy loads. The removable laptop sleeve provides extra protection for your device, while the easy-to-use water bottle pockets keep you hydrated on the go.

One of the standout features of the Patagonia Refugio Daypack 26L is its water-repellant and durable construction. It can withstand the rigors of college life and keep your belongings safe and dry. With its spacious interior and multiple compartments, this backpack offers ample storage for your books, laptop, and other essentials.

Ergonomic Hero

  • Price: $100
  • Vintage-influenced with padded laptop compartment
  • Iconic look with updated features
  • Ideal for midsize loads
  • Dimensions: 15.7 by 11 by 6.3 inches
  • Weight: 1 pound
  • Warranty: Limited lifetime warranty

If you’re looking for a backpack with a nostalgic feel, the Fjällräven Kånken Laptop is the perfect choice. This vintage-influenced backpack combines timeless style with modern functionality. It features a padded laptop compartment that can accommodate most 15-inch laptops, making it ideal for college students.

The Fjällräven Kånken Laptop is known for its iconic look and updated features. It’s made from durable Vinylon F fabric, which is water-resistant and easy to clean. With its spacious main compartment and front zippered pocket, this backpack offers plenty of storage options for your books, notebooks, and other essentials.

A Nostalgic School Bag: Fjällräven Kånken Laptop

  • Price: $100
  • Vintage-influenced with padded laptop compartment
  • Iconic look with updated features
  • Ideal for midsize loads
  • Dimensions: 15.7 by 11 by 6.3 inches
  • Weight: 1 pound
  • Warranty: Limited lifetime warranty

If you’re looking for a backpack with a nostalgic feel, the Fjällräven Kånken Laptop is the perfect choice. This vintage-influenced backpack combines timeless style with modern functionality. It features a padded laptop compartment that can accommodate most 15-inch laptops, making it ideal for college students.

The Fjällräven Kånken Laptop is known for its iconic look and updated features. It’s made from durable Vinylon F fabric, which is water-resistant and easy to clean. With its spacious main compartment and front zippered pocket, this backpack offers plenty of storage options for your books, notebooks, and other essentials.

Schoolyard Style

  • Price: $81
  • Modern and functional design with luggage pass-through and magnetic top closure
  • Clean, wear-anywhere aesthetic
  • Smart internal organization and extra features
  • Dimensions: 17.5 by 12 by 7.25 inches
  • Weight: 1.42 pounds
  • Warranty: None

If you’re looking for a backpack that combines modern style with functionality, the Everlane The ReNew Transit Backpack is a great choice. Its sleek design and clean aesthetic make it suitable for any occasion, from campus to coffee shops.

The Everlane The ReNew Transit Backpack features a luggage pass-through and a magnetic top closure, making it easy to travel with. Its smart internal organization and extra features, like a padded laptop sleeve and multiple pockets, ensure that you can keep your belongings organized and easily accessible.

A Contemporary and Versatile Backpack: Everlane The ReNew Transit Backpack

  • Price: $81
  • Modern and functional design with luggage pass-through and magnetic top closure
  • Clean, wear-anywhere aesthetic
  • Smart internal organization and extra features
  • Dimensions: 17.5 by 12 by 7.25 inches
  • Weight: 1.42 pounds
  • Warranty: None

If you’re looking for a backpack that combines modern style with functionality, the Everlane The ReNew Transit Backpack is a great choice. Its sleek design and clean aesthetic make it suitable for any occasion, from campus to coffee shops.

The Everlane The ReNew Transit Backpack features a luggage pass-through and a magnetic top closure, making it easy to travel with. Its smart internal organization and extra features, like a padded laptop sleeve and multiple pockets, ensure that you can keep your belongings organized and easily accessible.

Modern and Functional

  • Price: $59
  • Traditional with a twist, extra-roomy with 30-liter capacity
  • Simple school bag styling with red and white striped lining
  • Straps work well and sturdy fabric made from recycled post-consumer water bottles
  • Dimensions: 17.5 by 12.5 by 6 inches
  • Weight: 1.6 pounds
  • Warranty: Limited lifetime warranty

For those who prefer a more traditional backpack with a twist, the Herschel Classic Backpack XL is an excellent choice. With its extra-roomy 30-liter capacity, this backpack can accommodate all your college essentials and more.

The Herschel Classic Backpack XL features simple school bag styling with a red and white striped lining, adding a touch of nostalgia to your college look. Its straps work well and the sturdy fabric is made from recycled post-consumer water bottles, making it an eco-friendly choice.

A Campus Classic: Herschel Classic Backpack XL

  • Price: $59
  • Traditional with a twist, extra-roomy with 30-liter capacity
  • Simple school bag styling with red and white striped lining
  • Straps work well and sturdy fabric made from recycled post-consumer water bottles
  • Dimensions: 17.5 by 12.5 by 6 inches
  • Weight: 1.6 pounds
  • Warranty: Limited lifetime warranty

For those who prefer a more traditional backpack with a twist, the Herschel Classic Backpack XL is an excellent choice. With its extra-roomy 30-liter capacity, this backpack can accommodate all your college essentials and more.

The Herschel Classic Backpack XL features simple school bag styling with a red and white striped lining, adding a touch of nostalgia to your college look. Its straps work well and the sturdy fabric is made from recycled post-consumer water bottles, making it an eco-friendly choice.

Traditional with a Twist

  • Price: $65
  • Durable polyester pack with cool storage options
  • Great organizational extras and comfortable straps
  • Substantial, not overly stiff material
  • Dimensions: 18.5 by 11.2 by 8.3 inches
  • Weight: 1.18 pounds
  • Warranty: 30-year warranty

If you’re a fan of street style, the Eastpak Padded Double is the perfect backpack for you. This durable polyester pack offers cool storage options and great organizational extras, making it a practical choice for college students.

The Eastpak Padded Double features comfortable straps and a substantial, not overly stiff material, ensuring that you can carry your belongings with ease. With its spacious main compartment and multiple pockets, this backpack provides ample storage for your books, laptop, and other essentials.

Street Style, Sized Up for School: Eastpak Padded Double

  • Price: $65
  • Durable polyester pack with cool storage options
  • Great organizational extras and comfortable straps
  • Substantial, not overly stiff material
  • Dimensions: 18.5 by 11.2 by 8.3 inches
  • Weight: 1.18 pounds
  • Warranty: 30-year warranty

If you’re a fan of street style, the Eastpak Padded Double is the perfect backpack for you. This durable polyester pack offers cool storage options and great organizational extras, making it a practical choice for college students.

The Eastpak Padded Double features comfortable straps and a substantial, not overly stiff material, ensuring that you can carry your belongings with ease. With its spacious main compartment and multiple pockets, this backpack provides ample storage for your books, laptop, and other essentials.

Why You Should Trust Us

At Backpack Brands™, we take our backpack recommendations seriously. Our team of experts has years of experience in the backpack industry and has personally tested and reviewed numerous backpacks. We are committed to providing honest and unbiased advice to help you make the best purchasing decision.

We don’t just rely on our own opinions. We also consider customer reviews and feedback to ensure that our recommendations align with the experiences of real users. Our goal is to provide you with accurate and reliable information so that you can find the perfect backpack for your college journey.

How We Picked and Tested

When selecting the best college backpacks, we considered several factors, including comfort, durability, style, and organization. We analyzed customer reviews and feedback to understand the pros and cons of each backpack. We also took into account our own experiences and expertise in the backpack industry.

To ensure the quality and performance of the backpacks, we conducted rigorous testing. We evaluated the comfort of the straps and back panels, the durability of the materials, and the functionality of the organizational features. We also considered the overall design and style of each backpack.

Based on our research and testing, we selected the five backpacks mentioned earlier as our top picks for college students. These backpacks stood out in terms of comfort, durability, style, and organization, making them ideal companions for your college journey.

Other Good Backpacks

In addition to our top picks, there are several other good backpacks worth considering for college:

These backpacks offer a range of features and styles to suit different preferences and needs. Consider your specific requirements and choose the backpack that best fits your college lifestyle.

The Competition

While our top picks are excellent choices for college students, there are many other backpacks on the market worth considering. Some popular alternatives include:

These backpacks have their own unique features and styles, so be sure to explore all your options before making a decision.

FAQ

three men laughing while looking in the laptop inside room

Which backpack is best for college?

The best backpack for college depends on your specific needs and preferences. Consider factors like comfort, durability, style, and organization when choosing a backpack. Our top picks, including the Patagonia Refugio Daypack 26L, Fjällräven Kånken Laptop, Everlane The ReNew Transit Backpack, Herschel Classic Backpack XL, and Eastpak Padded Double, are all excellent choices for college students.

Read more about “College Backpacks for Women: 10 Must-Have Options …”

Do I need a backpack for college?

Yes, a backpack is an essential item for college students. It allows you to carry your books, laptop, notebooks, and other essentials comfortably and conveniently. A good backpack will also help you stay organized and prepared for your classes.

Read more about “What Kind of Bag is Best for a College Student? …”

How heavy should a backpack be for college?

The weight of a college backpack depends on its size and capacity. As a general guideline, aim for a backpack that weighs around 1-2 pounds when empty. This will ensure that the backpack itself doesn’t add unnecessary weight to your load.

Read more about “… The Best Backpack Brands for College: Expert Recommendations and Reviews”

What does a college-ready student have in their backpack?

A college-ready student typically has the following essentials in their backpack:

  • Laptop or tablet
  • Notebooks and folders
  • Pens, pencils, and highlighters
  • Textbooks and reading materials
  • Water bottle
  • Snacks
  • Personal items like a wallet, keys, and phone

Make sure to choose a backpack with enough compartments and pockets to keep these items organized and easily accessible.

Conclusion

Choosing the right backpack for college is an important decision. It should be comfortable, durable, and stylish, while also meeting your organizational needs. After extensive research and testing, we recommend the following backpacks for college students:

  • Patagonia Refugio Daypack 26L
  • Fjällräven Kånken Laptop
  • Everlane The ReNew Transit Backpack
  • Herschel Classic Backpack XL
  • Eastpak Padded Double

These backpacks offer a combination of comfort, durability, style, and organization, making them perfect companions for your college journey. Whether you prefer a sporty pack, a nostalgic school bag, a contemporary design, or a traditional backpack with a twist, there’s a backpack on this list that’s perfect for you.

So go ahead, choose your perfect college backpack and embark on your academic adventure in style!

For more information on college backpacks, check out The Best Backpacks for College and High School Students by The New York Times Wirecutter.

Review Team
Review Team

The Popular Brands Review Team is a collective of seasoned professionals boasting an extensive and varied portfolio in the field of product evaluation. Composed of experts with specialties across a myriad of industries, the team’s collective experience spans across numerous decades, allowing them a unique depth and breadth of understanding when it comes to reviewing different brands and products.

Leaders in their respective fields, the team's expertise ranges from technology and electronics to fashion, luxury goods, outdoor and sports equipment, and even food and beverages. Their years of dedication and acute understanding of their sectors have given them an uncanny ability to discern the most subtle nuances of product design, functionality, and overall quality.

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