Backpack shopping can be so overwhelming; you want to find one that will last you for years without spending a fortune on it. Not only that, but it can be so confusing to sort through what you actually need and what you donāt!
A general idea of features to look for in a school bag:
30-35 liters, enough to hold supplies for ~5 classes, plus lunch.Ā
Outer pockets for water bottles, to stay hydrated and organized throughout the day.Ā
Interior sleeve for a laptop, so that you donāt have to worry about scratches or damage.
Padded straps, to save your back from heavy textbooks.
Multiple color options, to make sure itās perfect for you.Ā
$ <$50
$$ $50-$75
$$$ $75-$100
$$$$ $100-$125
$$$$$ $125+
standard backpack
Itās a classic for a reason. Good on your back with plenty of room for everything you need. Perfect for basically every situation.
rolling bag
Good if you have serious back problems and a school with elevators, but otherwise youāre best steering clear of this one. They has a geeky reputation, and not in a good way. Not to mention if you ever have to actually wear it the weight of the wheels will be way too much.Ā
messenger/laptop bag
Theyāre convenient for grabbing things out of while youāre wearing it, and typically pretty stylish. The downside? Theyāll kill your shoulder fast. Best for short walks with light loads.
tote
Similar to messenger bags, theyāre cute and convenient but easy to overload. Good for days when you just need a notebook and some pens but will be running straight to work or the gym.Ā
Fjallraven Kanken, Classic
Features: 1/5
Price: $$$
Comment: This backpack is a study blogger staple. Everywhere you look online you see it, so how does it stack up? Not too well, surprisingly. Itās small, at 16l, and doesnāt come standard with a laptop sleeve, outer pockets for water bottles, or padded sleeves. Where it shines is its whopping number of color options: forty seven. There are other options, like the Kanken Big or Kanken Laptop that work out some of these kinks, but the classic seems mostly suited to school children and those with very light class loads.Ā
North Face Borealis
Features: 4/5
Price: $$$
Comment: Iāve had a North Face (of a discontinued style) for years. Theyāre durable and easy on your back. At 25 liters, the Borealis just misses the 5/5 mark. If youāre looking for a durable bag with tons of color options (27 to be exact) and donāt mind the smaller size, this is a good option.
Jansport, Big Student
Features: 4/5
Price: $
Comment: Jansports are classic student bags. Theyāre cheap and roomy, and hit almost all of the marks. If youāre looking for an inexpensive and functional bag, this is a good place to start.
LL Bean, Super Deluxe Book Pack
Features: 4.5/5
Price: $$
Comment: This bag is one thatās been raved about for its durability and utility. It getās half a point for actually being over 35l, which is not a bad thing if you have a lot to haul around. It only comes in four colors, but if youāre looking for function over form you really canāt go wrong with this one.Ā
Herschel, Classic
Features: 2/5
Price: $
Comment: Another stylish option, Herschel bags have become very popular in the past few years. Like the Kanken, the classic option doesnāt have many features from my list, but there are other variations that may bring you closer to what youāre looking for. At $45 itās one of the cheaper options, so itās not to be overlooked if you need a smaller bag without any frills.Ā
No two students are the same, so what works for one might not work for another; do some research and look at bags in person to get an idea of what features are important to you!
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