5 Best School Backpacks For Every Situation: A Comprehensive Buying Guide

Updated 12 Aug 2022

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Finding the correct product can be difficult and time-consuming. You might not have time to do it yourself, so let us help you. RevuuBuddy reviews thousands of items in hundreds of categories, including home appliances, toys, camping supplies, and everything in between.

We compare the most popular brands and models, and we boil them down to the top five to give you the most in-depth and dependable buying recommendation - so you can make the best buying decision possible.

BEST OF THE BEST

How We Tested

These products are recommended based on a thorough research process that aims to cut through the clutter and uncover the best products in this category. We spend hours looking into the elements that matter with the assistance of experts to provide you with these options.

Models Considered

180

Consumers Consulted

Hours Researched

Updated 12 Aug 2022

Written by

Revuu Buddy

The North Face Jester Backpack

BOTTOMLINE
Suitable for school usage with dependable quality.

PROS
The interior of this bag is very well-organized. The straps are both sturdy and comfortable. A laptop can be safely carried inside a pocket that has been lined. It's a beautiful design. This pencil storage solution is available in a variety of colors. The interior compartment aids in the organization of pens, keys, phones, and other objects.

CONS
This is a bag that can be used as an organizer, but it doesn't have as much interior volume as other bags on the market.

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Eastsport Everyday Backpack with Interior Tech Sleeve

BOTTOMLINE
This inexpensive backpack has a pocket to safeguard your university laptop.

PROS
For the price, it's excellent. A laptop may be kept safe in a padded and zippered compartment. Two additional storage compartments are included on each side. Extra padding on the shoulder straps for added comfort. It's also a useful travel backpack.

CONS
The lack of extra pockets on this model is unusual for Eastport models.

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JanSport Big Student Backpack

BOTTOMLINE
The JanSport Backpack is a smart, durable backpack that's also fashionable and versatile.

PROS
This backpack will last your kid many years of heavy use and may endure several years of abuse. There's plenty of space. A laptop sleeve is included. A water bottle mesh pocket is available. It's quite adaptable. Many pockets. There are many different color options to select from. The zippers are of decent quality.

CONS
This backpack's zippers get caught in the cloth covering them.

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ZIPIT Grillz Large Backpack

BOTTOMLINE
This school bag is a hit for children and parents alike.

PROS
This is a good-quality backpack that has character. There are six color options available. It may be machine washed and dried. A single large interior compartment and a tiny exterior one. Heavy-duty zippers will last the whole school year. Extremely cute and enjoyable pattern.

CONS
You might end up having to purchase one of these lovely backpacks for the entire family.

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Kidaroo Striped T-Rex Dinosaur School Backpack & Lunchbox

BOTTOMLINE
The Kidaroo backpack comes in a variety of designs and colors to match your child's style, as well as a matching lunch box.

PROS
This is a well-made and sturdy backpack that your youngster will be able to use for a long time. If your youngster changes their style or taste, the flaps may be switched. A cushioned pocket is included. The lunch box clips outside of the backpack. There's a lot of support on the straps.

CONS
This isn't a particularly big backpack.

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Buying Guide for Best School Backpacks

When it's time for your children to return to school, you'll be inundated with a long list of supplies. A school backpack may just be one thing to cross off your list, but it will be carried about by your child every year; therefore, it must also be durable and attractive.

When it comes to choosing the right school backpack, there are a few factors to consider. You don't want one unhappy kid on your hands if you get the incorrect bag, but you also need to make sure that what you choose is based on the quality and features of the bag rather than just what kind of design your child likes.

If you're feeling overwhelmed, don't worry; you're not alone! We created this shopping guide to help you choose the best school backpack and get back to the important job of parenting.

Backpacks for school are available in a variety of colors and designs. Some even include cartoon characters, which may attract younger wearers.

SCHOOL BACKPACKS: WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES?

Standard

This is the category into which most school backpacks fit. Unless your kid has any particular demands, you'll probably get a typical school bag.

Laptop

These backpacks are identical to ordinary backpacks. However, they have one padded compartment that can accommodate a laptop. A laptop backpack will assist in protecting your child's laptop or other delicate electronic equipment as well as provide adequate storage for various supplies.

Two-in-one

Convertible school backpacks may also be used as shoulder bags or messenger bags. Traditional backpacks are great for children who want to switch them up every now and then. However, if your child is lugging a very heavy school bag over his or her shoulder, it may not be ideal.

Wheeled

Examine different styles of school backpacks, such as wheeled and extendable handles that may be carried like a rolling bag. These backpacks are wonderful for youngsters who are unable to carry a normal backpack due to medical issues, but many schools prohibit them, so be sure before buying.

ESSENTIALS TO CONSIDER WHEN IT COMES TO SCHOOL BACKPACKING

External size

Examine the external dimensions of any bag you're thinking about to make sure it's not too large for your child. Smaller versions are also available for younger children who would be overwhelmed by a full-size backpack.

Internal capacity

The external size of the bag is only one component to consider. You should also think about the inside dimensions and capacity of the backpack. Discover what your youngster will require for school each day and make sure there's enough room for everything. Include books, lunch, and any other unique assignments that need to fit in. If your child has a school locker, you may probably get away with buying a smaller bag since he or she won't have to carry everything all the time.

Compartments

Backpacks vary in size, structure, and number of compartments and pockets. Some have only one big compartment, while others have various compartments and pouches. Children in elementary school may be managing with only one compartment, but middle and high school kids will find it difficult. Some students prefer to take the laptop or tablet inside an enclosure, while others like having more interior compartments so they can separate their laptop or tablet, textbooks, projects, pens, lunch, and other items.

Style

It may not be so essential to you, but it's very probable that your child is concerned about the design of the bag. It's possible to discover a high-quality, practical backpack that is also fashionable but doesn't sacrifice substance for style. It's a good idea to let your kid participate in selecting the backpack style if you're not expecting it to be a surprise or if the wearer isn't too young to select. You might give your kid-free reign, or you could provide a choice that you think is appropriate. Otherwise, consider what your child likes - colors, style, and current trends - in order to assist you in determining.

Comfort

Because your kid will be wearing this school backpack for at least five days a week, you must ensure it is pleasant to wear. Backpacks with broad, well-padded straps are generally more comfortable because the weight of the bag is more evenly distributed over the user's shoulders.

EXPERT TIP

If you wear a backpack while going to or from school at night, some of them have light-emitting diode (LED) strips that can aid in your safety.

STAFF

Revuu Buddy

ACCESSORIES

You might want to add a few more things to your checklist in order to get your youngster ready for school.

Water bottle: Nutrition and hydration are required for learning. Water bottle holders are common on backpacks.

Pencil case: Pens and pencils should be stored together in one container so that your kid doesn't have to search for a pencil at the bottom of their bag.

SCHOOL BACKPACK PRICES

School backpacks can range in price from $10 to $100 and up, so you should be able to locate one that fits your budget.

Inexpensive

Backpacks for students start at less than $10, but we wouldn't recommend spending a lot of money on one since they are unlikely to survive more than a few months of regular usage. Though not as visible, inexpensive school backpacks ranging from $25 to $30 are popular.

Mid-range

For the price range of $40 to $100, you'll find school backpacks from well-known brands that are both sturdy and affordable. Backpacks in this price range generally have a more sophisticated appearance that may appeal to older pupils.

Expensive

High-end backpacks may cost more than $100. Expect to pay in this price range if you want a leather backpack or other features like built-in laptop charging.

TIPS

Choose a tough backpack that can withstand regular use. Your kid will be carrying it every day and filling it with hefty books, so an insufficiently durable option is unlikely to survive the school year.
Consider what your youngster would be willing to use and is confident with. Sure, you may want to get a backpack that has a waistband to relieve shoulder strain, but if your child doesn't use the strap due to how uncool he or she thinks it would be, there's no purpose in forcing it.
Consider the weather. It's possible for school backpacks to be too big or bulky, but a large one might not fit well in the overhead compartment. You should look for something that is waterproof or resistant to water since books and homework are loaded inside. Models with exposed zippers are not recommended because water might flow in via them.
Keep up with school regulations. Many schools have restrictions on what backpacks are permitted, such as only drab colors or small enough to fit in a locker. Make sure you know about these limitations before purchasing anything.

When it comes to selecting a school backpack, it's even more useful to involve your kid in the process, but you may have to set restrictions on price, size, quality, and comfort.

FAQ

My kid's bag is much too heavy, should I be worried?

A. If you're concerned about how heavy your child's backpack gets when it's full, weigh it to make sure it isn't dangerous. Your kid should not be carrying a bag that weighs more than 15% of his or her body weight, and for other youngsters, even that may be too much. Consider some methods to reduce the burden of your child's school bag, such as leaving books in the locker for afternoon classes and gathering them during lunch break.

Should I get more than one school backpack? Is it necessary to have many backpacks for different occasions?

A. While one school bag should suffice, there's always the danger of being in an uncomfortable scenario if a zipper breaks or a strap snaps. The disadvantage of having a backup backpack is that it may appear "uncool" when your kid requires it. If you opt for a second backpack, it's probably worth investing in something that is unadorned and out of date within six months or so.

I'm concerned about what my child would say if I got her the newest "in-style" backpack. Should I give it to them as a present?

A. Many parents are torn over whether to purchase their children the newest fads. It's natural for your youngster to want to be like everyone else, especially if all of their pals are wearing the latest fashionable bag. But you don't want to spend your money on something that won't last. There's nothing wrong with buying your child the newest backpack fads as long as they have all of the features they require and are within your budget.