23 Best College Backpacks (Review) in 2020

Don’t let the hassle of a busy day leave you in chaos and disorderliness, this Laptop Business Anti-Theft Backpack is designed to keep all the necessary items in one place for easy access. With the capacity to contain a 15.6-inch laptop, it has a good amount of space to keep your useful devices safely in place. The main pockets are conveniently sized to accommodate other accessories such as chargers, books and even a change of clothes. There’s a front pocket that provides easy access to those items you’ll need regularly such as keys, I.D’s, credit cards and the likes.

What’s even better is the built-in USB cable that allows you to plug a mobile power hub in to charge one or more devices on the go. In addition to easy charging, there’s an anti-theft system that prevents anyone from picking items from the bag via its secure lock. This keeps personal items and valuables safely in place without worries of people getting access to important projects, files, and other information. The bag is made from a water-resistant smooth nylon material that ensures the durability of the bag as well as quality zippers that open and close quite easily.

The AmazonBasics Backpack for Laptops up to 17-Inches is the dream backpack for any student who likes to stay on top of organization and make sure they are never missing an essential item. Featuring 5 compartments, a padded laptop sleeve, small internal sleeves, and additional storage for a water bottle, you’ll have no trouble fitting your laptop, textbooks, and revision notes in this handy backpack. The large carry capacity is offset with heavily padded straps, so you won’t need to worry about struggling with your equipment when you use the AmazonBasics Backpack.

For a less busy day in school or a much-needed trip to the library, the Vancropak Water Resistant School Backpack is the right pick. It may not be as large as other backpacks, but what it lacks in size it makes up for in compartments. The design is simple and sleek enough to fit in with your daily outfits, with several pockets to keep necessities at reach. Made from premium quality water-resistant canvas set to last for the long haul, this classy bag would be a great gift to a friend or family member in college.

It features a large compartment for a laptop, notebook or tablets and other compartments for books, chargers, and stationaries. This bag also comes with a USB port that connects to a USB cable for charging devices while walking or riding. On the sides are adjustable pockets to fit a water bottle on the go. It doubles as a suitable bag for traveling, going on trips, work and the likes with a lightweight form that won’t add pressure to the load. The high base is well reinforced to be placed on different types of terrains and balances well on flat surfaces. For a stylish outlook and a multi-functional bag, this premium quality school backpack is definitely recommended.

The Herschel Supply Co. Retreat Backpack is one of the best backpacks for college students who find themselves lugging a lot of tech across campus on a regular basis. The enormous central compartment can fit multiple folders, textbooks, and a laptop, without breaking a sweat, or compromising on the safety of your valuable equipment. The added bonuses of a comfortable design, contoured straps, and traditionally charming aesthetics, makes the Herschel Supply Co. Retreat Backpack a highly popular choice for college students looking to lighten their load.

If you want a backpack that truly matches your style, or perhaps one for every day of the week, then the Herschel Supply Co. Heritage Backpack is a choice that is not going to let you down. The classic Herschel design, with a primary compartment and exterior compartment, is available in a near endless list of designs and colors, making it the perfect backpack for any occasion.  With an expertly finished design, the Herschel Supply Co. Heritage Backpack is the ideal backpack for traipsing around campus and enjoying yourself on the weekends.

Putting comfort first is no crime; a backpack will probably follow you everywhere, from home to school, the library even a friends’ dorm room. Exchanging files, doing projects and the likes has been made easy with the Amazonbasics Classic School White Backpack that provides students with an ergonomically designed bag. This eases up the tasks of getting schoolwork done, getting busy with campus life or planning the next campaign or concert.

Regardless of the plans ahead, this bag will carry material for academics and your budding social life with enough space to contain a good number of items without wear or tear. It has one large compartment for storage with two zippers that meet at the top for easy locking. The nylon ensures it doesn’t get worn out from exposure to moisture or water and lasts a good amount of time. There are several pockets available that ensure all items can be well organized for easy access at any time. This bag will definitely give a bang for your buck with its space capacity, useful pockets, and durable make.

The Haystack backpack from The North Face is an excellent combination of style and practicality. This North Face backpack is big enough to fit your laptop and folders, but with a vintage design that makes it a classic and very stylish choice for your new college backpack. The injection-moulded straps mean that long runs across campus are not going to take their toll on your shoulders. There is even a removable extra support strap for those long days when you need additional support carrying your textbooks.

College is one of the biggest adventures of your life, so what could be better for the job than an expedition style backpack? The JanSport Hatchet Backpack is ideal for the tech-savvy student. The backpack features a tablet pocket, ample space for a laptop, and multiple compartments for optimum organization. The rustic expedition style design is highly stylish, giving the JanSport Hatchet Backpack a perfect combination of stylish and comfortable, with all the practicality you’ll ever need.

The Pivoter Laptop Backpack by The North Face is the perfect option for students who need a safe and strong backpack to carry their electronics across campus. The unique design makes opening and closing the backpack quick and easy, with secure internal pockets for easy organization. Featuring a simple yet stylish design, The North Face Pivoter Laptop Backpack is ideal for making heavy loads much more manageable.

Featuring a clean but stylish design, the Herschel Supply Co. Classic Backpack is a classical choice with plenty of modern additions. The traditionally styled backpack has a singular internal compartment capable of fitting larger laptops and textbooks, and an additional large exterior pocket on the front of the backpack. For a sophisticated start to your college year with a comfortable but hard-wearing backpack, the Herschel Supply Co. Classic Backpack Multipurpose Backpack is an ideal choice.

Twinning practicality with a comfortable design, the Timbuk2 Parkside Laptop Backpack is a great choice for a secure and built-to-last backpack. The large internal compartment is ideal for storing laptops up to 15-inches, and the multitude of compartments make organizing your equipment a breeze. With a comfortable strap and ventilated backing, you’ll be able to carry everything you need for class without struggling under the weight.

While the sleek and elegant design of the Carhartt Legacy Classic Work Backpack makes it the perfect choice for any fashion-conscious student, the strong and durable design also makes it incredibly practical. Designed for comfort and security with a dedicated laptop pocket, water-repellent design, and abrasion-resistant bottom, the Carhartt Legacy Classic Work Backpack gives you plenty of room to store your equipment but also a peace of mind over the security of your belongings.

Whether you’re walking around campus, dashing to a lecture, on a weekend hike, or spending the day on the beach, this highly versatile backpack is going to meet all your needs. Designed by Under Armour, the Storm Recruit Backpack is created to battle the elements with an impressive water-resistant finish and strong abrasion-resistant base. While the backpack is built for practicality and security, Under Armour hasn’t compromised on style, ensuring the Storm Recruit Backpack has a high-quality and detailed finish.

Statement backpacks rarely come more unique or colourful than the Fjallraven – Foldsack No.1. The beautifully designed backpack is available in every colour of the rainbow, with vibrant designs to make sure that you never lose your backpack in a crowd. A large singular internal compartment, with laptop sleeve, makes the Fjallraven – Foldsack No.1 perfect for everyday use while still enabling you to stay organized with the zipped front external compartment. The simple design of the backpack is embellished with large metal buckles, the classic Fjällräven logo, and comfortable straps.

For a lightweight backpack that will safely store your essential college equipment, and leave you room to spare, the JanSport Right Pack Laptop Backpack is a top choice. Available in multiple colors and capable of fitting a 15-inch laptop securely in the internal sleeve, the backpack is a great combination of stylish and practical. Whether you have a packed day at college or need ample room to store your gym clothes, the JanSport Right Pack Laptop Backpack is a comfortable, practical, and durable choice for every occasion. 

The North Face Vault Backpack lives up to its name, providing a vault on the go for your valuable belongings. The adventure-style backpack is fantastic for those hectic days when you need to cram everything into your bag quickly – whether to attend lessons or take off for the day. With a 28l capacity, 15-inch laptop sleeve, and plenty of internal organizational compartments, you should have no problem fitting your textbooks inside or keeping your laptop safe.

The Eastpak Padded Pakr Backpack is a reincarnation of the classic backpack style at its finest. If you want a sturdy backpack that is easy to use and very durable, without any extra fuss, then the Eastpak Padded Pakr Backpack has you covered. There is ample room to fit all your equipment, and a handy external storage space for your valuables. The backpack is comfortable, with padding on the straps and front, and built to last through your college years.

Whether it’s hanging by the wayside or slugged over your shoulders, these things get really damn heavy. This Thule EnRoute 23L capacity bag comes with dedicated, organized storage for everything you’re bringing to and from college. Quick access pockets come with specific linings to allow you to carry a water bottle, umbrella, phone, or anything else you need. On top of that, there’s dedicated storage for your laptop and tablet, as well as a hard shell exterior for damage coverage on certain slots. Thanks to the vertical pill-shaped design, it’s supportive of your lower lumbar, and even includes a chest strap to keep your center of gravity on-point.

It’s a bit reminiscent of your primary days, but gets the job done on a budget. Nearly 19L of storage space, with four interior pockets for whatever you want to store. Stash a 14” laptop in here, and make full use of the external water bottle slot. You even get a port to feed your earbud wires through for maximum discretion. In terms of support, there’s a lower lumbar cushioning system to prevent strain. Vaschy Unisex Classic will be so lightweight and comfortable, you’ll forget how heavy it is when you drop it down: don’t worry, there’s a reinforced bottom specifically designed to cushion that blow. It’s a budgeter’s backpack, perfect for a college student price range.

Puma pounced on the competition with this ultra low pricing. While the low cost is due to the plastic frame and lens, there’s a sturdiness to this that the marketing just doesn’t do justice for. Start off with a lightweight build and padded, adjustable shoulder straps, allowing you to make good on any weight that you’re currently carrying. Whether it’s the laptop in your dedicated sleeve, or your zippered pocket if full-up and flooded with items in the organizer, you’ll be ready to slug it over your shoulders. There’s an added exterior mesh pocket for a water bottle or quick-access items, as well as a compression strap to minimize unused space, and keep this perfect with your center of gravity.

Puma’s back in black, this time rocking the Squadron pack. This has a few similar features to the Thunder, but adds a couple of twists. For one, you get two exterior mesh pockets, which are perfect for a water bottle, and a quick-access item like a school ID or something of the sort. You get a stitched loop handle along the top, with a much broader contact range than you’re used to with other packs. There’s an interior zipper pocket sporting excellent organizational capabilities with a divider, so you won’t have to dig to the bottom just to find a pen that doesn’t have a cap. Puma priced this one fairly well, especially for their high-quality and attention to details. You need a college backpack to last you from your freshman year all the way through your last master’s class? You just found it.

If, like many students, you find your phone running out of charge at the most inopportune of times, the Benkii Backpack w/USB Charging Port, is the backpack for you. The innovative design features a built-in USB charging port for charging your devices on the go, and an impressive 35l capacity for students with a heavy workload. The simple but modern design features reflective strap patches for safety, organizational compartments, and adjustable straps on the chest for tailored comfort –  an ideal choice for students after a little of everything in their backpack.

This is one brand that redefines quality: Victorinox products can be found all over Gear Hungry, and for good reason. They focus on every minor detail that would otherwise pass right by lower-grade companies without so much as a second glance. This one includes enough space for a 17” laptop in a padded, dedicated sleeve, and boasts both interior and exterior pockets for organization; if you make a mess of the inside of this bag, you really have to be trying. Earth-friendly fibers are accented with napa leather accents, while the durable shoulder straps keep fatigue at bay from morning until night. There isn’t one inch of this bag that isn’t absolutely stunning or high-grade.

Leather is never not a good idea, even when it comes to your college backpack. You get way more storage than you’d expect just looking at the photograph, including enough space for a 15.6” laptop, and multiple exterior access points with proper organization. Thanks to the mesh air hole design along the lower lumbar area, you’re able to wear Police Genuine Leather Backpack without fear of sweating. There’s enough airflow to keep you calm, cool, and collected all day long. If it’s a bit tight, just adjust that leather strap along the rear, and get it fitted just right. All cowhide exterior, all cotton-lined interior to cradle your belongings.

Topo Designs is a backpack designer that’s based out of Colorado. The firm has made some impressive products in the past, and the Topo Designs Daypack stands among the company’s most iconic products. The backpack comes with an outdoors aesthetic, although it also has an urban feel to it that is appealing to young adults. It’s made from durable materials and with the 1000D Cordura exterior, you know this thing was built to last.

At the upper right-hand side is a leather lash tab that looks to be more of an aesthetic addition than something functional. It adds to the vintage look, so no biggie there. As for storage, you get two water bottle pouches, one on each side. They’re also made from the same material, and they’re large enough to fit bigger water bottles so you can always stay hydrated between classes.

In the fashion industry, Tommy Hilfiger is one of those brands that doesn’t need any form of introduction. You see their stuff, and the word ‘quality’ screams at you. With Tommy Hilfiger’s Patriot Colorblock Canvas Backpack, the brand didn’t disappoint at all. The bag is as beautiful as it’s effective, and it will get you maximum bang for your buck.

The first thing you’ll see when you pick this product, of course, is the iconic Tommy Hilfiger design template. Blue, red, and white highlight the brand’s identity, and the entire bag is made in its image.