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Posted: 2024-08-14T09:45:16Z | Updated: 2024-08-14T09:45:16Z

Finding the perfect backpack is the pinnacle of back-to-school shopping . Sure, new jeans and sneakers are important, but nothing is going to be worn or used more than your backpack. The hunt for one that delivers on both style and function can seem never-ending especially if youre going the online route. To help get your school year started out right, we read endless reviews of the hundreds of backpacks on Amazon to highlight the ones customers are loving the most. Keep reading to check em out.

HuffPost and its publishing partners may receive a commission from some purchases made via links on this page. Every item is independently curated by the HuffPost Shopping team. Prices and availability are subject to change.

1
Amazon
A classic Jansport backpack that comes in tons of colors

Rating: 4.6 out 5 stars

Theres a reason why entire generations of people have toted this JanSport backpack to school its the perfect size, has just the right amount of pockets and can hold up to a decent amount of wear and tear. (Its also water-repellant.) It comes in a wide range of solid colors and has some fun prints too, like daisies, paisleys and hearts.

Promising Amazon review:

This backpack is very durable. It is worth the money. It is high-quality and it washes well. It is exactly as described. The measurements are spot on. Theres just enough pockets for it to be useful for anyone who is going to school or needs a small overnight bag. It's a great durable backpack. I highly recommend it. Jessie


2
Amazon
A backpack thats big enough to fit a laptop and has a USB port

Rating: 4.7 out 5 stars

More than 98,000 people have bought and rated this backpack What makes it such a standout is that it can fit a laptop and has several other compartments for all your other stuff. It also has a USB charger, so it can charge your phone or computer while youre walking around campus or on the bus to school. Like the JanSport backpack, it comes in a wide range of colors.

Promising Amazon review:

I bought this backpack for my daughter to use as a personal carry-on item for a school trip and also for myself for my vacation. It has six compartments in varying sizes, two of which are hidden to help keep things secure. It also has a spot to place a power block with a cable so you can charge your items (USB A connectors, though, so you may need converters). There's also a strap you can hook over your luggage handle and the padding on the straps is relatively comfortable (although a bit thin).

It really is a great bag and we both loved using it. It has multiple compartments so you can organize your things. For me, it carried a large trade paperback, an iPad, all my cables and chargers, a travel pillow, a power block and my whole full purse. I still had some room to spare, too. Everything was separated neatly and this made things very easy to find. It also fits under the seat on a United 777 flight in the center section with plenty of room to spare. This is definitely staying in the travel arsenal! S. Katz

3
Amazon
A transparent backpack so youre in the clear with security

Rating: 4.7 out 5 stars

If your school has a clear bag policy in place, this is the backpack for you. The main compartment is big enough for books and notebooks while the smaller compartment is perfect for a phone, pens, pencils and other small items. Choose from 10 different colors.

Promising Amazon review:

See-through bags are mandatory at my grandchildrens schools. The school gave them free bags since we had mistakenly bought book bags which didnt meet school requirements. Unfortunately, the bags ripped almost immediately as they were made of very thin vinyl.

I bought these book bags and they still look new. The vinyl is heavy-duty and holds up great against staining. Were at the end of the school year and they still look new. And it was priced below what most of the vinyl bags which are offered on Amazon. I will buy only this particular book bag as I have two more grandchildren who will be going to new schools which require see through bags.

And I forgot to say that although the bags are made of clear, see-through vinyl, they are stitched in colorful trimming so you have a variety of colors to choose from. I bought different colored trimming so that the children could easily identify their bags. Im extremely satisfied with this purchase! Debbie

4
Amazon
An Adidas backpack that can hold more than just sports stuff

Rating: 4.6 out 5 stars

Whether youre stuffing this backpack with books or sports gear, the padded shoulder straps on this backpack will make the load a little more comfortable on your shoulder and back. In addition to two compartments, theres also a special pocket for your water bottle. Its also water-repellant, so it can withstand the elements while on the bench at sports practice.

Promising Amazon review:

This is the perfect size for a middle school or high school student! My middle schooler absolutely loves it! It is roomy and durable. Christopher A.

5
Amazon
A Fortnite backpack packed with personality

Rating: 4.8 out 5 stars

If youre a Fortnight lover, other players will be quick to connect with you when you rock this backpack to school. But it doesnt just look cool; the padded straps, multiple compartments and water bottle pocket make it super functional too. No wonder it has an almost perfect five-star rating from the more than 15,000 people who bought and rated it.

Promising Amazon review:

I am always leery about buying backpacks online because I've gotten some pretty cruddy products from cheap materials but this was a great buy! My son loves Fortnite, and he loves this backpack. And the price! So much cheaper than almost all the other Fortnite backpacks. Vibrant colors. Lots of pockets. The zipper is good quality, even the plastic one on the front. And the material is water resistant. Definitely buy this! JKCupps

6
Amazon
A durable Under Armour backpack with a bungee front

Rating: 4.7 out 5 stars

This Under Armour backpack is designed to withstand a long, messy school year: Blotty pens, rainy weather, heavy textbooks bring it on. The padded straps make it more comfortable to lug around, even when stuffed, and the bungee pull cord in the front can hold a pair of shoes, jacket or water bottle.

Promising Amazon Review:

This is greatmy daughter absolutely loves this backpack. She said it's comfortable and also fits more items than she thought. Megan Riegel

7
Amazon
A lightweight backpack with nine compartments

Rating: 4.5 out 5 stars

Sure, all backpacks have multiple pockets, but not many can boast as many as this one. It has a laptop sleeve, a big compartment for books and notebooks, an inner mesh pocket for smaller items, four side pockets, one zipper pocket in the front and one velcro pocket in the front phew! Not too shabby for less than $19.

Promising Amazon review:

I was worried about this book bag because the price was so low and it was coming from out of town, but its so nice! Jake loves it! It has so many pockets and really great quality! It seems to be very durable. The colors are beautiful. A great bookbag at a great price! Kelli Burgin

8
Amazon
A backpack designed to make carrying a heavy load easier

Rating: 4.5 out 5 stars

Having a lot of schoolwork can be a real pain in the neck. And shoulders. And back. If you can relate, this backpack is right up your alley. Its made with a suspension system designed to help soften the blow of a weight transfer, like when heavy books are placed inside while its on your shoulders.

Promising Amazon review:

These backpacks are great design options that have a lot of space for the different things that you might need to send to school. They also withstand great adventures, which we know kids go on. I had a backpack like this for myself in college and know my kids will love it. My son saw it and immediately wanted to see the boy styles. It holds up well! Lynn Nehl

9
Amazon
A North Face backpack big enough for a laptop and books

Rating: 5 out 5 stars

More than 1,000 people have bought this backpack from The North Face just this month. What makes it so great? Part of it is that anything North Face is going to be durable and last. It also could be because of the sheer amount of stuff you can stash into this backpack; it has a laptop sleeve and two sizable compartments. Then theres the fact that its made with a padded back panel to make carrying it more comfortable. Are you sold on it yet?

Promising Amazon review:

I started this school year knowing that although I loved my North Face backpack, it was too big and too heavy. I started looking for smaller alternatives and found this one. It's perfect, much easier to lug around and throw in my car without throwing something out. The color is also bright and nice. Highly recommend. Anna

Looking for more options? Ahead, see which travel backpacks reviewers and HuffPosters swear by.

Amazon
Carhartt advanced backpack
If you're looking for a long-lasting bag without a ton of extra zippers or doodads, HuffPost senior editor and reporter Andy Campbell has a recommendation. "This Carhartt work backpack was a godsend for me, someone who splits time between work in a city environment and business trips all over the country. It's super durable (the zippers don't break!) and it works both as a computer bag and a day pack for hiking. I've used this backpack daily for years and I can't imagine switching brands for my next one," he said.

Another promising review: "I got this for my big girl college bag and its perfect, comfortable has enough pockets and when im walking to class in the rain all my books stay dry." Aniya Surratt
Timbuk2
Timbuk2 Wingman backpack duffel
If you're looking for a brand that will have your back, HuffPost's senior culture editor Erin E. Evans recommends the luggage company Timbuk2. "When my Timbuk2 [bag] broke, I mailed it off to them and they fixed it and sent it back," she said. While everything on their site is drool-inducing, this travel backpack is versatile and chic. With a roomy main compartment, interior water bottle pocket and wipeable bottom cargo pocket for shoes, it holds everything you need for a carry-on.

Promising review: "Love this bag for short 2-3 day trips. I don't like checking bags and I can fit a few changes of clothes in compression sacks with shoes in it no problem. I also like the fact that it has dedicated pockets for my both my laptop and my tablet. If you like traveling light, this bag is for you!" Jason
Amazon
Coowoz carry on waterproof backpack
With the capacity of a duffle bag but the practicality of a backpack, there's no wonder this sleek bag has an overall Amazon rating of 4.6 with 4,161 total reviews. It has a shoe compartment, a "wet bag" section for products or wet bathing suits, tons of pockets and separators, and a spot for your laptop. Reviews say it works for both travel and daily use to work or school and can hold a couple of days' worth of clothing.

Promising review: "I absolutely love this bag! I bought it to stuff as much in it for a personal bag on an international flight. Boy did I cram a lot in the bag! It fits the personal bag qualifications, so its a great companion when trying to cheat those extra charges on air travel. Definitely recommend this bag!" Kaylee
Amazon
Matein travel laptop backpack

With 4.8-star Amazon rating from 79,054 reviews, this travel laptop backpack may be the bestselling carry-on on Amazon. With internal and external pockets for your laptop, phone, keys, pens, water bottle and more, this baby will keep you put together when traveling or commuting to work.

Promising review: "This backpack is Amazons #1 backpack and for a good reason. It has many different pockets that fit all your needs and is extremely durable. I personally have had one for about 3 years now and it still is in very good shape. Its also waterproof which is super useful since it would be bad it water got in any electronics that you may have in your bag" Evan W

Amazon
Herschel Little America laptop backpack

Noah Michelson, editorial director of HuffPost Personal, has only bought Herschel backpacks for the past decade. While he loves them all equally, the Little America laptop backpack with a 4.6-star Amazon rating is his recommendation. "I love this particular style because theres an easy-access zipper pocket in front and a slot for my laptop inside, he said. Its perfect for work or the gym or because its big but not bulky both. Best of all, it comes in a ton of colors and patterns and Hershel updates and offers new ones all the time (Ive got my eye on the ash rose one right now)."

Promising review: "I've had this backpack for a couple of years now. It's my personal item whenever I travel by plane and it fits so much! I've also used it for weekend trips. I really like the laptop sleeve as it protects my MacBook and I don't have to worry about it when I travel. The quality of the bag is really great, like I said I've had it for a couple years already but still looks good!" Justine

Amazon
Thule 28L Aion backpack
From trusted Swedish gear brand Thule comes this high-capacity waxed canvas backpack thats equipped with a side zipper, allowing the bag to expand from a 28-liter daypack to a 32-liter travel backpack. Geoff Grisdale of One Bag Travels previously recommended this rucksack to HuffPost. It's large enough to hold on my gear and organize it well, but it's also has a pretty simple minimalist look and feel to it that makes it not weigh too much and also not be super expensive, he said.

Promising review: This is a great backpack work perfect and all clothing go perfect. Emilio Escartn
Amazon
Osprey Fairview 40-liter travel backpack

Minimal lifestyle vlogger Sophie Daquis previously recommended this Osprey Fairview 40-liter travel backpack. "It's a very well-built and functional bag. I love it because it is big enough to hold all of my essentials (camera gears, laptop, clothes, and other small essentials), but also small enough that it makes me think twice about what I actually need on the trip," she said. With a 4.7-star Amazon rating, other people seem to love this sporty bag as well.

Promising review: "I ordered this pack to use for a 9 day trip to Ireland and Scotland. With the help of two packing cubes I was amazed at how much I was able to fit in here. When I got home I somehow had 2.5 loads of laundry to wash. I am 5'1 and I ordered size small." E

Wandrd
Wandrd PRVKE Lite
HuffPost art director Jianan Liu said her boyfriend has (and loves) this super versatile travel backpack with a protected section for a camera. Although it's a weatherproof bag designed by and for photographers, the big inner pocket with removable foam dividers can also fit personal items for non-photographers. There's a section for a water bottle, a laptop sleeve and a removable chest strap if you want to wear it as a duffle.

Promising review: "I really love this bag. It is small enough to comfortably fit under an airline seat. It carriesmy laptop and has a special compartment for a camera from the outside of the bag, Youcan get to it easily , Fits easily on my back and I am tall! Has a special fuzzy space in thetop for your phone! Would buy it again!" Alice G