Our Top Picks
Best Budget: Matein Backpack for College and Travel
Best Rolling: Targus Compact Rolling Backpack
Best Rugged: Carhartt Legacy Standard Backpack
Best Overall: High Sierra Wheeled Backpack
Best Fashionable: Herschel Little America Laptop Backpack
Best Comfortable: The North Face Jester Laptop Backpack
Best Spacious: Yorepek 50L Backpack
When it comes to college supplies, there are a few essential things, and a good backpack is undoubtedly no exception.
Unfortunately, investing money in college-related stuff can be pretty overwhelming. College alone costs an arm and a leg these days, and so whatever amount you spend on things has to count.
Buying a backpack is no different. There are hundreds of options, and knowing which ones are worth your money can be tricky. So, to make your decision easier, we selected the 7 best backpacks worthy of your hard-earned money.
In this Article
- Best Budget: Matein Backpack for College and Travel
- Best Rolling: Targus Compact Rolling Backpack
- Best Rugged: Carhartt Legacy Standard Backpack
- Best Overall: High Sierra Wheeled Backpack
- Best Fashionable: Herschel Little America Laptop Backpack
- Best Comfortable: The North Face Jester Laptop Backpack
- Best Spacious: Yorepek 50L Backpack
Best Budget: Matein Backpack for College and Travel
Short on cash and don’t want to compromise on quality? Voila!
Let’s get the budget option out of the way first with Matein’s surprisingly cheap yet robust college backpack. If you don’t want to spend a lot, order this in the next minute with your eyes closed. Yes, it’s that good for the price.
This Matein backpack sports a laptop sleeve that can fit a 15.6-inch laptop easily. It has solid construction and a laidback design that comes in many different trendy colour options. It has three main compartments. The first one houses the laptop, the second can be used for books, and the third has many mini pockets for your phone, power bank and stationery.
As for the wearing experience, the backpack has a breathable mesh-type fabric on the back, which prevents excessive heat. The shoulder straps are sturdy yet soft and offer adjustability. This is, without a doubt, the best backpack 30 bucks can buy. Don’t believe us? Then believe the 60,000 people who gave it a 5-star rating.
Pros:
- Absolute bang for the buck
- Comfortable shoulder straps and breathable mesh design
- Solid construction and durable for the price
- The USB port on the outside for easy phone charging
Cons:
- No padding on the bottom for shock absorption
- The zipper may come undone during travel
Get it from here.
Best Rolling: Targus Compact Rolling Backpack
Wanna get there without straining your back? This has wheels!
If you think your books are the only things that will weigh you down, think again. Today, with all the extra accessories – laptop, chargers, power bank etc. – you have to lug around, your backpack can get quite hefty. This is where wheels are a godsend.
This Targus rolling backpack is perfect for a heavier load. It has plenty of storage, with one extra-large compartment and a smaller one to hold your stationery. It also has pockets on either side, one for your water bottle and the other for general use. When you want to roll it around, simply extend the retractable handle, and you are good to go.
Overall, this has the excellent quality, including the construction and materials, with more space than you need.
Pros:
- Spacious, neat and durable design
- Retractable handle to make use of rolling wheels
- Laptop sleeve with extra padding for safety
- Folding cover goes over wheels to prevent dirtying clothes
Cons:
- Tips over easily when standing on wheels
- Only two compartments
Get it from here.
Best Rugged: Carhartt Legacy Standard Backpack
Don’t wanna worry about wear and tear? This one is built like a tank!
To get into adventures, you need a backpack to fit that lifestyle. While there are many options for college backpacks, they are not necessarily built to sustain harsher handling. One’s that can easily cost hundreds of dollars. However, this Carhartt backpack provides the best value as it’s affordable yet rugged.
At first glance, the backpack might look plain, but this no-frills approach aids in the durability factor. It is made from 1200D poly fabric with water repellent base that will protect your belongings in the rain. As for storage, it has one large compartment to hold your laptop and books and two smaller ones for other goodies. The zippers are excellent; opening and closing them is a breeze.
Pros:
- Robust 1200D water repellent polyester construction
- High-quality zippers and a padded base
- Comfortable shoulder straps with padding
- Laptop sleeve to hold a 15-inch laptop
Cons:
- It might be too small for a heavier load
- No mesh pockets on the side
Get it from here.
Best Overall: High Sierra Wheeled Backpack
Want a little of everything? This is the one!
This High Sierra backpack is a feature-rich option making it our pick for the best overall.
Wheels? Check.
Spacious? Check.
Three or more compartments? Check.
Comfortable and durable? Check!
If you want greater space and don’t wanna carry around all the weight, the wheels will take care of it. The rolling wheels are of high quality and quiet. It also comes with a telescopic retractable T-handle, a breeze to open and close.
The backpack has a 15-inch sleeve for your laptop, side beverage pockets and plenty of mini-pockets to hold miscellaneous items. And did we mention it has extra padding on all sides and every pocket?
Wanna take it up the stairs? The padded shoulder straps can be worn where you’d instead carry them than roll them.
Pros:
- Plenty of space and three main compartments with multiple mini-pockets
- High-quality wheels
- Lightweight and good padding all around
- Reflective strip for high visibility
Cons:
- It might be a bit bulky to wear on the shoulders
- Wheels might gather dirt if used on city roads and become stuck
Get it from here.
Best Fashionable: Herschel Little America Laptop Backpack
Looking to move around the campus in style? Can’t go wrong here!
Each student has their unique style, and, to many, the look of their backpack is not a priority. However, if you are someone who wants to stand out a bit, this backpack will complement your fashion lifestyle.
This Herschel backpack looks like something worn on a fashion show. It has a beautiful laidback look but not so much that it goes unnoticed. Made out of breathable nylon and poly fabric, the bag is plenty cool to wear while at the same time sturdy and durable.
While looks can be deceiving in many instances, it’s quite the opposite here. The backpack is more than just a fashion statement. It has multiple compartments for all your stuff, with the bigger one housing your laptop and books. The shoulder straps are padded and soft, making wearing comfortable.
Not to mention, it holds 17 litres! That’s a lot of bags.
Pros:
- Fashionable and stylish
- 17L capacity
- Strong and durable construction
- Unisex design
Cons:
- No water bottle side pocket
- Not water resistant
Get it from here.
Best Comfortable: The North Face Jester Laptop Backpack
Want to go easy on your back? Get this one!
If you like wearing your backpack on your back, you need something that gives you padding. This North Face backpack has been purpose-built to be as comfortable as possible. It has a patented suspension system that makes it extra comfy on your back. In addition, the straps are soft and padded and are designed to not place strain on your shoulders.
It also features a padded mesh back panel and a breathable lumbar panel for comfortable, ventilated support. It can fit up to 17L, has multiple compartments for easy organizing and has a side pocket for water bottle storage.
Apart from the comfort aspect, North Face is a well-known outdoors company for its high-quality products. This backpack is no exception with its rugged polyester build and superb zippers.
Pros:
- Ultra comfort with padded straps and ventilated back panel
- Durable and high-quality construction
- endorsed by American Chiropractic Association
- Patented suspension system
Cons:
- It might be a bit small for an enormous load
Get it from here.
Best Spacious: Yorepek 50L Backpack
Wanna bring half the room with you? This one is BIG!
Are all the backpacks on this list too small for your needs?
Hey, it’s alright; we don’t judge.
We get it; you like to pack heavy and come prepared.
If that’s the case, you can’t go wrong with this one. It has an enormous 50L storage capacity, which is almost double your standard college backpack.
It has so many compartments and smaller pockets that you will lose count. Seriously, this backpack is enormous.
This is the best if you want a backpack to double as a travel backpack. Given the price, it has an abundance of storage pockets and not to mention the USB charging port.
The shoulder straps are fully padded and can be adjusted easily. Moreover, all the zippers can be interlocked.
Pros:
- Can easily store 17-inch laptop, spare clothes and books
- The USB port on the outside for easy charging
- Many compartments and smaller pockets
- Padded shoulder straps
Cons:
- It might cause mobility issues in crowded places
- It might be tiring to wear for more extended periods
Get it from here.
Verdict
A good backpack will make your life that much easier in college. Today, a spacious and comfortable-to-wear backpack can be a lifesaver with all the extra stuff we have to carry, like laptops, chargers, power banks and whatnot. In this article, you have seven backpacks ranging from the cheapest to the most spacious and everything in between.