The 6 Best School Backpacks of 2024 (2024)

Best Overall School Backpack

Osprey Nebula 32

Volume: 32L | Electronic Storage: 17" laptop compartment + sleeve

Osprey is not generally the first name that jumps to mind at the start of a busy school year. Well-known for innovative, high-quality outdoor packs that can withstand the rigors of backcountry adventures, it seems a different beast. But why shouldn't we expect the same top-of-the-line construction, fit, and function from our everyday packs as we demand from our weekend gear? You can with the hyper-versatile Osprey Nebula 32. Scoring highly across every test we threw its way, this is a daily pack that will keep you moving fluidly from class to trail to airport and then back again. Five spacious, easily accessible compartments, including a designated TSA-approved laptop section, provide all the storage and organizational flexibility you'll need to manage a busy course load. Once on the move, its carefully crafted shoulder harness and densely cushioned, breathable back panel ensure long-distance comfort. And with a full set of fit adjustment features (this is the only pack in the test group with a waist belt), you can count on it to remain sleek and stable even when fully packed.

Chock-full of thoughtful features, we found very little to dislike about the Osprey Nebula 32. For some, its mildly outdoorsy style may be a deal breaker. But for most, the biggest hang-up will be its price. Far and away the most expensive bag in the lineup, it won't be the right option for every student. But, if you are working with an enhanced budget or have good luck finding it on sale, there is no question it will make for a trusty classroom companion. If you seek a similar set of comfort and stabilizing features but aim for a reduced price, the highly adaptable Patagonia Refugio 26L and efficient The North Face Jester are both worth a considered look.

Best School Backpack for Affordable Performance

Volher Travel

Volume: 30L | Electronic Storage: 15" laptop sleeve

Not every school day requires a top-of-the-line gear hauler. Sometimes you just need a solid bag at a great price. If cost is a high priority and design features come in a close second, then the Volher Travel should definitely be on your list for consideration. Large in storage and conveniences, this is a modern, professionally styled backpack built to tackle the demands of a daily commute just as effectively as it can help you stay organized in a busy classroom. From its sturdy, water-resistant exterior to the handy roller luggage attachment strap across the back, the Velcro-latched laptop sleeve inside, and all the deep cushiony pads in between, this thoughtfully designed all-purpose pack aims to protect. When it comes to storage, a bevy of highly accessible compartments, including two side mesh water bottle pockets and a multitude of well-placed inner options, make it easy to stow your belongings. At the same time, exterior USB and headphone ports keep you fully charged up and connected on the go.

You would be hard-pressed to find a better-priced yet equally well-rounded school backpack out there. But, we think it's important to note that with so much space to fill, the Volher Travel can quickly become a heavy, bulky load. The bag's contents tend to settle in toward the middle bottom, pulling hard on the back and shoulders even with the substantial padding provided. And without additional suspension features, you can do little to redistribute the weight. We also note various product reviews call out durability issues over time. And in our case, the pack's USB port was broken on arrival. So, this may not be a backpack that carries you through four years of college. But given its admirable performance in our testing and stellar price point, the Volher Travel stood out as an excellent value in the here and now. Two other backpacks that present very similar designs, feature sets, and price tags are the Matein Travel Laptop and Tzowla Travel Laptop.

Best Multipurpose School Backpack

Patagonia Refugio 26L

Volume: 26L | Electronic Storage: 15" removable laptop caddy

Do you struggle to find a single bag that's as versatile as you are? Look no further. The Patagonia Refugio 26L is up to the challenge, whether you're wandering libraries and lecture halls or roaming local markets, trails, or airports. This mid-sized all-arounder offers a simplified, highly durable, three-compartment design with enough cargo space for your standard school essentials. The designated compartment to the rear holds a fully padded, removable Tech Caddy that can safely hold up to a 15-inch laptop as well as your charger and other mobile workstation basics. Additional textbooks or gear can then be stashed away between the spacious core pocket and a single vertically zipped front pocket layered above. Once on the move, a set of dense foam shoulder and back pads cushion against heavy loads. If that's not enough, a mix of compression and sternum straps is available to redistribute weight on the fly. Together, this creates a compact, streamlined structure that's easily carried from bike to board, on foot, in flight, or while using public transit. And, when your workday is done, you can quickly leave the tech behind. Just swap out the Caddy to latch in a hydration bladder, and you'll instantly be ready to roll.

Other than personal preferences tied to the no-nonsense organizational design and somewhat sporty style, we found very little that might detract from the appeal of the Patagonia Refugio 26L. Our entire test kit of school supplies packed well into the 26L model without great effort, and we found just enough bells and whistles to keep us on track and comfortable throughout the day. Admittedly, with a full load, things do become a bit squashed, making it more challenging to track down specific items inside without any supplemental organizational tools. For students who regularly handle larger loads, it may be worth considering the larger 30L option and picking up a few packing pouches to track small items inside. For even more bells and whistles, consider the Osprey Nebula 32. Or, for less expensive school backpack options that transition well between work and play, have a look at two other top performers from our testing: The North Face Jester and the Volher Travel.

Best School Backpack for an Active Commute

The North Face Jester

Volume: 27.5L | Electronic Storage: 15" laptop sleeve

The North Face Jester is a highly functional mid-sized and mid-priced everyday backpack with a casual style and a deeply cushioned, narrow fit that makes it a particularly appealing option for active students who rely on bikes, skateboards, or scooters for their daily commutes. Streamlined in design, mighty durable, and effectively water-repellent, the Jester is just big enough to hold your academic necessities in two efficient storage compartments. In the largest, a padded laptop sleeve sits in a raised position against the sturdy pack frame, well protected from any knocks to the base and taking full advantage of the bag's thick back padding to provide extra stability. This then leaves plenty of additional room for books, notepads, and bulkier items to be stored alongside. To the front, a second smaller compartment offers a handful of organizational pockets while an exterior bungee system makes it easy to keep daily necessities, like a jacket or snacks, close at hand. Yet what really sets the Jester apart is not its storage but rather its unique suspension system, featuring a flexible yoke built of molded shoulder straps combined with a sturdy sternum strap and densely padded back and lumbar panels that result in one of the most stable and comfortable fits we tested in the lot.

The few minor complaints that arose around The North Face Jester in testing — such as limited organizational options, a tenancy toward tipping, and an on-brand outdoorsy style — are all easily overlooked in favor of the pack's superb comfort and fit. If you can learn to live with a simplified set of storage options, we are confident the Jester will make an exceptional all-around backpack for school, work, travel, or even errands around town. And, given its reasonable price, the Jester is an excellent value, too. For other school backpacks with legitimate suspension and thoughtfully designed fits, consider the Osprey Nebula 32 or the Patagonia Refugio.

Best Backpack for Transitioning from Classroom to Gym

Under Armour Hustle 5.0

Volume: 29L | Electronic Storage: 15" laptop sleeve

While the brand may be synonymous with purpose-built athletic equipment, we found the Under Armour Hustle 5.0 is a school backpack with universal appeal. Not only is it large, with plenty of organizational features to safely accommodate a full kit of classroom essentials, including a fleece-lined laptop sleeve and accessory pocket for delicate items, but we also found it well-balanced and softly padded even under relatively heavy loads. The bag's body is built long and deep, with the bulk of its carrying capacity housed in two large main compartments. A bonus pocket zips into the base, featuring a soft panel top that expands into the body of the bag. This is the perfect place to stash dirty shoes, sweaty gym clothes, a wet rain jacket, or anything else best kept separated from the rest of your supplies. It also creates a "lift" effect on any items packed directly above. The resulting pack weight then shifts higher, rather than settling in at the base, creating a surprisingly supportive structure not found in any other school backpack tested.

We found little to critique in the cleverly organized Under Armour Hustle 5.0. Of course, the backpack's casual, sporty style may not be the right aesthetic for everyone, and the zippers along each side do run deep, making them harder to reach when the water bottle pockets are put to use (as the zipper pulls end up underneath). We also noted some concern about durability by purchase reviewers who have experienced occasional weakness in construction. But, since we saw no evidence of these issues ourselves in testing, really only time will tell if any manifest with long-term use. Overall, we found the Hustle 5.0 to be a great school backpack at an affordable price that will have particular appeal to students participating in after-school sports or gym classes. For upgraded options with a similar carrying capacity and proven durability in construction, consider The North Face Jester or the extra-large JanSport Big Student.

Favorite Classic School Backpack

JanSport Big Student

Volume: 34L | Electronic Storage: 15" laptop compartment

JanSport has long been known for its quintessential All-American school backpacks with simple minimalist designs and durable, colorful construction. In the impressively strong and lightweight JanSport Big Student, we find an affordable update on this original classic style, well-suited to the monster-sized loads of today's modern students. Laptop? Textbooks? Calculators? Gym clothes? Lunch? You name it; there's room for whatever you'll need to carry between the separate laptop compartment, two huge core sections, several midsized organizational pockets, and a single mesh water bottle holder down the side. Eight exterior access points with lengthy zipper pulls provide easy entry across the layers, while the heavyweight, 600-denier water-resistant polyester exterior instills confidence your belongings will make it to their final destinations safe and dry.

Cavernous capacity and broad organizational flexibility may be the JanSport Big Student's calling card, but they certainly don't come without cost. Pack contents have a way of moving forward-center within the bag, settling low and heavy to create a strain on the back and shoulders. And once that bulge has started, there's little that can be done about its girth. Similarly, while Big Student's shoulder straps are contoured and thickly padded, they are also quite narrow and offer limited relief against the weight over extended use. Scant more cushion is available along the backside of the pack, with little foundational support and no additional suspension tools embedded within. So, if you plan to use this big pack to its full potential, you'll also need to come prepared to do the heavy lifting. Extra care should also be taken when carrying vulnerable items such as your laptop inside, as the soft sides and limited padding offer minimal structural protection. Such muscle-reliant hauls may not be practical for all students. For a large-capacity backpack with more expansive fit controls, consider upgrading to the Osprey Nebula 32. Or, if you can leave your laptop at home, the super affordable High Sierra Loop is a high-quality, large-volume choice.

Notable for Performance When Not Carrying a Laptop

High Sierra Loop

Volume: 33L | Electronic Storage: 15" tablet-compatible Tech Spot with sleeve

Looking for something spacious, low-priced, and full of pockets but have no plans to add a laptop to your packing list? The High Sierra Loop may be the bag for you. This is a large-volume, super lightweight, high-performing school backpack made of tough, water-resistant mini-hex ripstop material that comes in a wide assortment of colors and patterns. It offers more than enough cargo space for a huge pile of textbooks, classroom supplies, and gym clothes as well as a nice selection of extra features like an interior key clip, external carabiner clip, and several inside pockets to keep your items organized while on the move. A thoughtfully designed harness and suspension system with densely padded straps and side compression does a decent job of alleviating the burden of your gear, even without the benefit of a sternum strap. There's also a set of straps across the base of the backpack perfect for attaching loose, bulky items to the exterior, like a towel, picnic blanket, or warm coat.

What the High Sierra Loop is missing is a laptop compartment, and what it offers instead really doesn't do the job. The designated, soft-sided Tech Spot, is a mid-sized pocket between the primary and front organizational compartments. It is only meant to be just large enough to store a tablet or other smaller technology items. So even though it can technically hold more (in testing, we managed to slide a 15" MacBook in without issue), that doesn't mean it's meant for the job. Due to its position in the middle of the bag, you lose any foundational stability and shielding that might otherwise be offered by the pack's frame, which, in the Loop's case, is already minimal. And given there's no additional internal pocket structure or padding to lend protection, the result is your electronics are left highly vulnerable to scratches, knocks, and rattling from both inside and outside the pack. Will this be a critical concern for every student? No. Should it be taken into consideration? Absolutely. The only other quibble we had about the Loop's design is the shallow depth of the water bottle pockets and the restrictive nature of the side compression straps above, which limit the bottle sizes that will fit. But these are small complaints for an otherwise highly functional bag. If laptop storage is a top priority for you, have a look at any of our other award winners here, or visit our dedicated review of laptop-focused backpacks review for even more options.

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Why You Should Trust Us

We've been testing and reviewing school backpacks for three years now, in addition to the hundreds of other best-selling backpacks we evaluate across a much broader range of subcategories. We started our hunt for the best school backpacks by researching the most popular brands and models sold today. Thirteen of the most promising options were then selected for independent purchase and side-by-side testing. We explored packs of varying volumes, pocket styles, carry systems, and material construction, pitting each against the others to assess features, compare functions, and break down which among them truly excel where others fail.

Our testing of school backpacks is divided across four rating metrics:

• Comfort & Fit (30% of overall score weighting)

• Storage & Protection (30% weighting)

• Ease of Use (30% weighting)

• Versatility (10% weighting)

Our lead tester on this project Myrha Colt, is someone who rarely leaves home without some sort of backpack. Some days, she's carting her mobile workstation off to a temporary office. On others, she's carrying heavy gear for a high mountain climb or a picnic for a sunny day SUP adventure. With fair regularity, she's also likely to be packed up for a long-distance road trip or a series of international flights and keeping snacks, travel, and work essentials close at hand. From enormous backpacking packs to lightweight daypacks, school backpacks, and everything imaginable in between, Myrha has sampled a wide variety of products for specific needs and more generalized uses. Now, after years of living the life of a student, a daily commuter, an outdoor adventurer, and a serial traveler, she knows a thing or two about what makes a pack worth carrying or leaving behind.

We tested these backpacks for high school and college students, considering the wide variety of sizes, needs, and situations that might apply in class and beyond.

Analysis and Test Results

Using a standardized testing process, we monitored how each bag performed under the same conditions by using them side by side. We assessed and validated each pack's unique design specs and features to fully understand its range of capabilities. We then packed the same sample loads into each backpack and carried them over similar distances to compare and contrast according to our established metrics series.

Value

Not everyone approaches back-to-school shopping with a high-end budget, and even for those who do, big spending on a school backpack may not necessarily be rewarded. The right pick will always come down to each purchaser's personal priorities. In testing, we found it's possible to land on either end of the spectrum and still find an excellent option. For a first-rate school backpack with long-lasting durability, top-of-the-line carrying comfort, and optimized storage, it may well be worth making a financial investment. On the other hand, we found there are several best-selling low to mid-price backpacks that come with a wide variety of desirable features and only a short list of potential design disadvantages for consideration by shoppers.

The most expensive school backpack in our lineup, the Osprey Nebula 32, was also our top scorer overall and easily earned its place as top pick. With impressive results across all metrics, it proves in some cases, a high price point does deliver a better all-around bag. If you want to save a few bucks without sacrificing performance, the Patagonia Refugio 26L is also built to last and came in a close second with a similarly well-conceived design. For anyone less focused on a pack's longevity or comfort fit, the Volher Travel scored reasonably well in all areas and sells at just a fraction of the cost, making it a best-in-class option for budget-conscious students. Several of our other top performers, including the The North Face Jester, Under Armour Hustle, JanSport Big Student, and High Sierra Loop, follow a similar pattern, with very reasonable scores and a solid, mid-range price, making them each a great values if the feature sets are right for your needs.

Comfort and Fit

No matter how many cool features a pack has, it's not very practical if it isn't comfortable to carry. A high-performing fit is largely derived from the back padding, shoulder padding, shoulder strap width, and suspension system structure in place. In essence, how it sits on your back and what it feels like when carrying it. While all backpacks we tested are top-selling options for high school and college students, we recognize that users in this category come in all shapes and sizes. We also understand there's no universal set of school supplies that every student can expect to carry. Some school packs will be book-heavy and filled with standard classroom fare, while others will house an array of art-making tools, technology equipment, or sports gear. As a result, there's never going to be one single design style or carrying configuration that will work best for everybody.

Taking this diversity of needs into account, we engaged in a comprehensive assessment of all comfort-fit features incorporated into every pack. We measured the padded structural components, appraised the design and position of straps, and considered the range and application of any cinch and suspension options. We then loaded each bag up with a 20.4-pound Student Test Kit, including everything an average school day might require: a 15-inch laptop, textbooks, binders, notepads, pens, a 40oz water bottle, glasses, calculator, and even a warm layer and a raincoat. And then we took them out for a spin. We compared the fit of each pack on our shoulders and the feel of the weight against our backs. We explored how each fit might change depending on the size of one's torso or when hopping on a bicycle or skateboard. We considered the implications of riding a public bus, train, or other transit option with a full pack. And we made sure to cover distance, take sharp turns, and bend over fully to see how things shifted.

Not all bags are made equally, and what sets a good bag apart from a great backpack is often found in the back padding, shoulder strap design, and suspension options.

Our standout winner in carrying comfort was the Osprey Nebula, with its sturdy Atilon frame supporting thick ridge foam across the upper back and shoulders, its deeply padded lumbar support, and its highly capable suspension system incorporating compression, a sternum strap, and a waist belt. This backpack handled all 20+ pounds in our test kit with ease, leaving our shoulders no worse for the wear. And given its compact shape, even bikes, skateboards, and buses felt reasonably navigable. The Patagonia came in a close second, with plenty of padding and fit adjustment features, and The North Face Jester stood out as a particularly well-suited fit for taller, longer-torsoed students.

Our testers performed a comprehensive review and comparison of back and shoulder strap padding across every backpack in our lineup, taking note of anything special that improved balance or comfort in use.

We must admit we were surprised by how well the Under Armour Hustle also carried weight, even without a notable investment in suspension. We also appreciated the deep padding on Volher Travel's back and shoulders, even if we wish its design team hadn't skimped when it came time to incorporate additional straps and suspension elements. In contrast, the classically styled yet feature-simple designs offered by JanSport Big Student, Fjallraven Kånken Laptop 17", and Herschel Heritage Classic all earned low marks. Each backpack has a small footprint and sat reasonably balanced and centered on our backs once filled (as a compacted block). However, none provided enough padding or adjustability to protect our adult-sized backs and shoulders. While we appreciate the classically attractive design style these options offer, the sets of narrow straps they rely on are just not enough to carry heavy burdens over any distance comfortably.

Storage and Protection

To assess this metric, we investigated what each backpack is made of and how well it will stand up to the rigors of use. We considered the amount of functional space available for packing and what, if any, impact the use of each storage feature might have on the protection of our contents within.

Next, we loaded up our Student Test Kit into each pack and then compared and contrasted how easily everything fit and how well-stabilized and secure the final package ended up for transit. Finally, we stuffed all backpacks with newspaper and sprayed them down in a series of two-minute showers, aiming a "heavy rain" at their tops and fronts to simulate a storm. Each bag was then assessed for moisture and any other associated weaknesses.

We tested how well each backpack could store the basic supply needs of an average modern student.

Once again, the Osprey Nebula 32 captured the prize for best overall performance. At 32 liters and 1.8 pounds, it is among the largest and heaviest of the options we tested. It also proved much can be gained by adding just a few extra ounces with intention. This standout design boasts best-in-class materials plus a wealth of packing space, useful features, and suspension options to lighten your load. In comparison, the admirably lightweight Patagonia Refugio 26L may only be a mid-sized pack, but it too earned high scores for its heavy-duty construction housing a handful of smart, protective features within a streamlined design.

The The North Face Jester, Volher Travel, and High Sierra Loop all landed in the middle, achieving a reasonable balance between structure, capacity, weight, and features. Though the JanSport Big Student was the biggest bag in the bunch, it did not stand out as a top performer. While we were impressed with its strength, organizational flexibility, and generous, lightweight structure, we found that what it saves in overall weight, it directly sacrifices in comfort and protection — a poor trade-off.

Some bags lay claim to cavernous cores or bonus features that allow you to easily affix additional items to the outside. Others intentionally aim for a basic, compact look with few extras that detract from the classic appeal.

On the bottom end of the spectrum, the JanSport SuperBreak One appears to experience "small bag problems." With 25 liters of space and only 0.7 pounds to carry, it seems like it should be an obvious contender. But, while we liked the tough polyester canvas exterior and found the basic two-compartment design delivered just enough space to fit most of our Student Test Kit, our final assessment was that the pack is far too small and featureless to serve most older students. At capacity, everything became so squashed there was no way to access specific items without dumping or digging through the entire pack's contents. And without a water bottle pocket, we had to carry our beverage in hand — a surefire way to lose it. Similar problems occurred among all of the small capacity packs we tested, including the Herschel Heritage and the Fjallraven Kånken Laptop 17". So, unsurprisingly, all received low scores in this metric.

We should note that none of the backpacks in the current lineup claim to be waterproof, even if all indicate some level of water resistance. And all are built out of some variation of a durable, polyester material that's treated for this exact purpose. So, the scores for the water testing submetric were reasonably similar across the board. As expected, zippers tend to be the most vulnerable components of any bag. And, notably, those on the SwissGear 1900 ScanSmart seemed to fall victim to this problem more so than others, with a small amount of moisture creeping into several of its compartments, resulting in minor pooling within the largest. But for the most part, all of these backpacks performed well during water testing, and all seem equipped to protect their contents in the face of a sudden storm. That is, assuming you take only a few minutes to run for cover, as none are designed for a soaking. If you are planning to commute to school by bike, board, public transit, or on foot with regular exposure to the elements, we suggest grabbing a waterproof rain cover for a bump in overall backpack protection.

Each school backpack in our lineup went through rigorous water testing to help us better understand what brands really mean when they say "water-resistant."

Ease of Use

Ease of use is our measure of how straightforward and painless it is to pack, unpack, adjust, and manipulate each bag. This applies to the features we rely on for storage and organization, as well as to those we utilize to maintain fit. For this metric, we carefully evaluated how well each of the pockets and compartments on every backpack serves its intended purpose and how much flexibility the bag's design offered us overall. We also assessed how easily we can readjust our fit on the fly, checking to see if buckles, clips, and braces release easily when resizing straps and repositioning loads.

Once again, a top scorer, every compartment, strap, and pocket on the Osprey Nebula 32 stands out for its top-tier design and intentionality. The TSA-approved laptop compartment with its clamshell opening is a particularly brilliant use of space, ensuring it's just as quick to pull out your computer in class as it is to run through airport security. The many pockets across the rest of the pack are accessible through a splayed opening, meaning you should have everything right at your fingertips at all times. The one minor complaint we did note across some purchase reviews is that the top-side cinch buckles sometimes impede quick access to the main compartment if you don't intentionally tuck them away to avoid getting caught up. This didn't bother us in testing, but it's worth noting and an easy fix.

On the flip side, backpacks with simplified or classic designs tend to have one consistent problem: too few entry points and too few cargo spaces to make your contents easily accessible once packed. From the Fjallraven and the JanSport SuperBreak One to The North Face Jester and the Patagonia Refugio, we saw this issue over and over again — compartments become stuffed so full there's no way to find anything without pulling out half the items first. One solution is to get creative with your own set of colorful packing pouches. The other is to select a backpack that has already solved this problem by incorporating a broader range of organizational tools. We suggest you consider your own day-to-day organizational requirements carefully when assessing the options.

Small bags can be compact, youthful, and fun additions to your school wardrobe, but they don't necessarily deliver the tools needed for productive days.

Many of the other packs in the lineup fell somewhere in the middle, neither exceptional nor particularly poor performers. Among them, the Volher Travel and Matein Travel Laptop demonstrated a welcomed assortment of external pockets and extra organizational features, including easy-access laptop storage, large main cargo compartments, and built-in USB ports paired with slot pockets for battery packs. In turn, Patagonia Refugio went in the opposite direction, opting for very few access points and a small selection of smart features that increase its overall versatility (i.e., a removable Tech Caddy, useful suspension features, and a pass-through port for hydration bladder).

Mobile tech is a big part of every student's life these days, and having the option to charge up on the go can be a huge asset for students facing long days in between classes and commutes.

The JanSport Big Student, High Sierra Loop, Under Armour Hustle 5.0, and SwissGear ScanSmart all took an especially thoughtful approach to pocket configuration, creating packs of particular appeal to specific subsets of students. Under Armour's soft storage pocket is ideal for student-athletes. Anyone faced with a mountain of textbooks and class-specific tool sets will love the Big Student. The clamshell laptop compartment and varied zip-pockets on the SwissGear will serve anyone with a tech-heavy course load well. And the Loop is sure to be a favorite among those choosing to leave their laptops at home.

Several bags stood out for delivering a strong balance of capacity, useful pockets, and extra organizational features.

In general, we love a nice assortment of pockets on any backpack. But, they must add value. If they're too small and/or oddly sized or poorly positioned, a pocket is no longer a productive storage feature. For some reason, water bottle pockets seem to be a particular design challenge. Some are too shallow in size to confidently stabilize large containers, like the Matein Travel and Volher Travel. Others don't work at all due to a lack of stretch in the pocket material, such as the Tzowla Business and Fjallraven 17". Some water bottle pockets even conflict outright with another design element incorporated into the same bag, which is what we found in the SwissGear ScanSmart and High Sierra Loop. And, of course, there are those packs that don't include water bottle pockets at all, such as the JanSport SuperBreak One and Herschel Heritage. If this is a feature that's especially important to you, be sure to take a careful look before you make a selection.

Versatility

The versatility of a backpack speaks to how many different types of situations it can be comfortably used in. Can it be taken on a flight? Is it big enough for all school supplies? Is it office-appropriate? Can it double as a hiking daypack or pass as a gym bag? Does it remain secure and comfortable when you hop on a bike? Finding a single option that will transition well between a variety of activities is a genuine value-add, yet not all bags are up to that task. A pack also becomes an accessory that is part of your everyday look, directly reflecting your personal style. So, the range of colors and patterns you have to choose from can be important to your final decision. To get a handle on what each backpack can offer, we went ahead and evaluated them based on the multi-purpose flexibility in each design and the selection of colorways.

Unsurprisingly, when it comes to versatility, many now familiar names rose to the surface, with the Patagonia Refugio and High Sierra Loop topping the list. The Loop really stood out due to the wide variety of colors and fun patterns there are to choose from — we counted more than 24 options, including hot pink, mermaids, camouflage, heather grey, and more. The pack is also notable for its middle-of-the-road style, which makes it a suitable choice for a broad range of activities and environments where laptops are not required. Patagonia's Refugio 26L is intentionally designed to transition easily from office and class to whatever activities are on deck for the weekend, and its unique combination of removable Tech Caddy, pass-through hydration port, and excellent suspension serves that purpose well. It also comes in a nice mix of playful, trendy colors in addition to the more understated, neutral tones the brand is often associated with.

Our favorite bags in testing were those that incorporate smart design choices to allow for a broader range of use beyond the activity limits of an average school day.

The Osprey Nebula, Volher Travel, Matein Travel, Under Armour Hustle, and SwissGear ScanSmart all scored reasonably well for versatility given the healthy mix of colors available among them, including at least one or two unexpected, eye-catching choices each. So whether you seek a discrete pack that blends into the background or you prefer something lively, bold, and easy to spot in a room, you ought to find something that works well for you in this group.

Functionally, the lineup ranges a wider spectrum. The TSA-approved laptop compartments on the Osprey Nebula and SwissGear ScanSmart make them particularly great choices for frequent flyers. The Under Armour Hustle 5.0 is an excellent size for travel or around town. The Volher Travel, Matein Travel, and Tzowla Business are all remarkably similar, and each makes it easy to stay plugged in, charged up, and organized. They also each have a sleek, modern look that's equally well-outfitted for a student, business, or urban lifestyle. For outdoor adventuring, the Nebula, Refugio, and The North Face Jester offer the most stable fit for bikes or trails.

The backpacks with the least versatility are well familiar to elementary schoolyards: the JanSports, Herschel, and Fjallraven. Even though these packs come in a rainbow of colors and fun, youthful patterns, none provides the aesthetic or cargo flexibility required to seamlessly move from classroom to work or after-school adult-sized play. In fact, most don't even live up to the requirements of a modern-day student, providing only the bare minimum in storage and organizational features. Only the JanSport Big Student stands as an outlier, providing a large capacity and numerous pockets for varied use even if it too lacks the basic comforts of construction to make it a great choice for broader activities.

Conclusion

After testing the most popular everyday-use school backpacks available today, we sent them through a series of side-by-side field tests to figure out how they stack up against the competition. From classic book bags and sporty carryalls to tech and travel-friendly options that double as mobile workstations or carry ons, we tested each bag for comfort and fit, storage and protection, ease of use, and versatility. We hope our in-depth testing will help you determine which bag is right for you.