23 Best College Backpacks (Review) in 2019

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.

The Haystack backpack from The North Face is an excellent combination of style and practicality. This North Face backpack 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 going 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.

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.

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 Patagonia Ironwood Pack is a versatile backpack made from recycled polyester, combining excellent storage space with a strong and comfortable design. The lightweight backpack is ideal for carrying heavy textbooks across campus with padded sleeves to protect your laptop and water repellent fabric to ensure a safe trip in all conditions. With ample main compartment space and a stash pocket on the exterior, there is no reason you can’t stay organized with this Patagonia backpack.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

For the minimalist in you, Tommy Hilfiger has something to say: you can look like a boss without killing your back. This lightweight backpack has a durable canvas exterior (making it super easy to clean), and just enough storage capabilities to get you from A to B and back again. You get a padded laptop sleeve, as well as a few small interior pockets for your phone, coiled-up earbuds, or whatever else your imagination dictates. There’s nothing else to it: stylish, functional, minimalist-approved, and ready for the glory days.

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.

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.