Going to college can be quite a tiring experience, particularly for young adults living far away from their soon-to-be campuses. Since most students carry laptops with them everywhere, let’s take a look at the best backpacks for college. Our rating was based on user reviews, as well as on the products’ specifications. This way, you’ll know that every item on this list was personally tested and considered praise-worthy by someone who needed a backpack for college.
Top 11 Best Backpacks for College Overview
| Product Name | TBR Recommendation |
|---|---|
 Bolang Water Resistant Travel Backpack |
Best water resistant backpack |
 HotStyle 936Plus College School Backpack Travel Rucksack |
Best travel backpack |
 Leaper Cute Laptop Backpack for Kids |
Best laptop backpack |
 The North Face Women’s Jester Backpack |
Best backpacks for women |
 High Sierra Fat Boy Backpack |
Most spacious backpack |
 JiaYou Boy Girl Unisex 20L Fashion School Bag Backpack |
Best unisex backpack |
 High Sierra Access Laptop Backpack |
Most comfortable backpack |
 Under Armour Storm Hustle II Backpack |
Best waterproof backpack |
 High Sierra Swerve Laptop Backpack |
Most practical backpack |
 JanSport Big Student Schoolbag/Backpack |
Best budget backpack |
 High Sierra Loop Backpack |
Most versatile backpack |
11. Bolang Water Resistant Travel Backpack
This college backpack comes in 10 different colors. With its polyester lining and high-quality nylon material, it’s one of the best backpacks for college because it’s almost entirely waterproof. Measuring 18.5 x 12 x 6 inches and weighing 1.54 pounds, the Bolang backpack comes with a padded computer sleeve. It holds a 16-inch laptop, and it has three small front pockets, one large multi-compartment pocket, and two side pockets for water bottles. It might just be the best backpack for school if you have many knick-knacks to take with you.
10. HotStyle 936Plus College School Backpack Travel Rucksack
This backpack is one of the best backpacks for college students. It is available in 7 different colors and prints. This cheap backpack measures 12.6 x 18 x 6 inches and weighs 1.3 pounds. The HotStyle backpack also comes with a one-year warranty. Its rugged leather-bottom designed for a better grip is also excellent at protecting it from getting wet or dirty.
It has a perfect sleeve for 15.6-inch laptops, as well as an integrated storage space for a 10-inch tablet. In addition to the padded back panel and shoulder straps, it has a series of seven very useful pockets, made for easy organizing.
9. Leaper Cute Laptop Backpack for Kids
This Leaper backpack is one of the best backpacks for college or school. It comes in a plethora of colors and prints, suitable for all genders and ages. The large version of this school backpack measures 12.4 x 6.1 x 18.9 inches, while the medium one measures 12 x 5.6 x 17 inches. It has plenty of compartments, as well as a number of features designed for keeping your backpack better organized. Even more, it also has a laptop compartment, as well as padded shoulder straps and back plates.
8. The North Face Women’s Jester Backpack
Being the only entry from the company on this list, the Jester is undoubtedly the best North Face backpack for college. Available in countless color schemes, this rucksack backpack is made out of polyester, and is one of the best choices you could go with for a college backpack. Weighing 2.2 pounds and measuring 19.8 x 7.5 x 13.2 inches, this unisex backpack is suitable for any type of activity.
Plus, it helps you look good regardless of what you’re doing, whether you’re hiking, biking, or commuting to and from college. It also comes with an air-mesh padded back panel, as well as with the compression-molded shoulder straps given by the FlexVent suspension system.
7. High Sierra Fat Boy Backpack
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The first, but certainly not the last High Sierra entry on this list, the Fat Boy backpack is certainly worth considering. Available in 6 different color schemes, this cheap backpack is made out of 100% polyester, measures 13 x 19.5 x 7 inches, and weighs 1.5 pounds. The Fat Boy backpack also comes with a lifetime manufacturer’s warranty.
The origin of its name is pretty interesting, as it can swallow all of your gear. It has a suspension system built into its shoulder pads, padded back panel, and side compression straps. This is one of the best backpacks for college students because it can basically carry as much as you can.
6. JiaYou Boy Girl Unisex 20L Fashion School Bag Backpack
If you’re looking for a backpack that will stand out from the crowd, this is definitely the backpack for you. It is unisex, and due to its many colors and prints, it is a great choice for both women and men. Most of the designs rely on a graffiti pattern that is eye-catching. The dimensions of the backpack are 11.81 x 5.9 x 17.71 inches.
If you order this backpack, you also get a shoulder bag (9 x 2.36 x 7.87 inches) and a pencil bag (2.75 x 7.87 inches), which every responsible college student needs. In the backpack, there is a special compartment where you can put your laptop (14-inch).
5. High Sierra Access Laptop Backpack
High Sierra’s access backpack is available in 10 different color schemes. It measures 20 x 15 x 6.5 inches and weighs about 1.5 pounds. It is certainly one of the best backpacks for college out there. The access backpack features a spacious, multi-compartment build, with special padded computer and tablet sleeves. It also comes with the Deluxe Airflow technology integrated into its back panel. Additionally, it has a VAPEL mesh grab handle, very comfortable and advanced shoulder pads, as well as several other key features, such as a rain cover.
4. Under Armour Storm Hustle II Backpack
The Storm Hustle Under Armour backpack is one of the most reliable options on this list. It has a highly resistant waterproof finish that’s perfect for locations prone to rainy days. In addition, it has a resistant bottom panel that can keep your 15-inch laptop safe. It’s one of the best laptop backpacks you can find as it guarantees safety. The Storm Hustle II has 8 pockets to keep all of your things – 5 exterior ones and 3 interior ones.
3. High Sierra Swerve Laptop Backpack
Available in 31 different unique color schemes, the Swerve backpack is fashionable and trendy, as well as highly practical. This school bag is undoubtedly one of the best backpacks for college. It weighs around 2.15 pounds and measures 7.8 x 19 x 13 inches.
With a fully padded bottom, back panel and grab handle covered and padded in mesh, an interior padded special computer sleeve, and a very practical and spacious design, the Swerve also features shoulder straps equipped with the Suspension System. Therefore, any load is far more bearable. It is definitely worth considering if you’re on the market for a school backpack which can hold its own.
2. JanSport Big Student Schoolbag/Backpack
One of the most widely used sports brands in the world, the JanSport backpack is a budget option, as opposed to many other more expensive brands. It is the only product to insert itself somewhere in the onslaught of High Sierra products. It weighs 1 pound and measures 13 x 9.8 x 16.9 inches. Featuring ergonomic S-curved shoulder straps, two big main compartments, a front utility pocket with a special organizer feature, and a side water bottle pocket, this JanSport school bag is one of the best backpacks for college. It also comes in 5 different color schemes.
1. High Sierra Loop Backpack
The last entry on this list of the best backpacks for college students is, once again, a High Sierra product. It comes in 31 different color schemes. It weighs 1.4 pounds, measures 13.5 x 8.5 x 19 inches, and is made out of a 100% polyester fabric.
With its very spacious, multi-compartment design, monster hook, and bottom straps, this High Sierra backpack may not have a special compartment for a laptop, but one can certainly fit in there. The Loop backpack does, however, feature a special Tech Spot tablet sleeve. Very spacious, affordable, and multifunctional, this is one of the best backpacks for college students.
Conclusion
The best backpacks for college ensure the safety of your laptop and books. In addition, they have a comfortable grip and can carry a heavy load without burdening your back. If you’re always on the go, make sure to also check out the best infuser water bottles that will fit comfortably in your new bag.
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With a godson and nephew off to college, I’m trying to find the right backpack for them that won’t give them a hernia (or my wallet for that matter). Thanks for cross-referencing these and putting the prices on. I’ve used JanSport myself so it was good to see what else is out there.
When you’re looking for the best backpack for college you have to try and find one that: 1) fits everything but the kitchen sink in it; 2) won’t break or tear; and 3) evenly distributes the half-ton of books, food, and assorted items you need every day. Looking through these, the High Sierra Fat Boy looks like the best one. The price is comparable to the other ones too.
Hello, Christopher!
The High Sierra Fat Boy is, indeed, one of the best backpacks for college you can buy. Have you ever owned one? Let us know what you thought of it if you did.
Have a nice day! 🙂
Teachers and professors give the kiddos so much homework that I get worried they’re going to have blown discs in their back. I think the best backpacks here are JanSport (used them myself) and anything from High Sierra. Both are established brands with good reputations. As for Under Armour, they seem to be slapping their name on everything short of toilet paper. They make good wick but not so sure about backpacks.