The best backpacks of 2023: Top picks for back-to-school
‘ZDNET Recommends’: What exactly does it mean?
ZDNET’s recommendations are based on many hours of testing, research, and comparison shopping. We gather data from the best available sources, including vendor and retailer listings as well as other relevant and independent reviews sites. And we pore over customer reviews to find out what matters to real people who already own and use the products and services we’re assessing.
When you click through from our site to a retailer and buy a product or service, we may earn affiliate commissions. This helps support our work, but does not affect what we cover or how, and it does not affect the price you pay. Neither ZDNET nor the author are compensated for these independent reviews. Indeed, we follow strict guidelines that ensure our editorial content is never influenced by advertisers.
ZDNET’s editorial team writes on behalf of you, our reader. Our goal is to deliver the most accurate information and the most knowledgeable advice possible in order to help you make smarter buying decisions on tech gear and a wide array of products and services. Our editors thoroughly review and fact-check every article to ensure that our content meets the highest standards. If we have made an error or published misleading information, we will correct or clarify the article. If you see inaccuracies in our content, please report the mistake via this form.
From everyday use to back to school, these are the best backpacks
Backpacks are an essential item for a wide variety of activities. Whether you need a backpack for back to school, the trail, travel, or a beach trip, you want to make sure it’s a reliable vessel to hold your belongings.
Also: The best laptop backpacks
These days, backpacks are packed (pun intended) with features like laptop sleeves, reflective trims, hidden pockets, and even USB charging ports. We’ve rounded up the best backpacks available on the market today to keep your valuables protected wherever you take them.
Our top pick for the best backpack is Herschel’s Little America backpack, but we also included options from Lands’ End, L.L. Bean, JanSport, and more to help you choose the best backpack for back-to-school season.
The best backpacks of 2023
- Plenty of colors and designs to choose from
- Limited lifetime warranty
- Comfortable padded straps
- Lacking internal pockets
Herschel Little America Backpack features: 25L | 18 color options | Magnetic fastened straps
The Herschel Little America backpack is a top pick since it has an iconic and timeless design that’s comfortable to wear thanks to its contoured padded back straps. It comes in standard (17L) or mid-volume (25L) sizes which can hold up to a 13-inch laptop or a 15-inch laptop, respectively. Its drawstring closure allows it to expand to create extra storage space while its front straps with magnetic fastenings secure what’s inside.
Herschel has a limited lifetime warranty on its products, which means all material or manufacturing defects are covered.
- Inexpensive
- Lightweight and water-resistant
- Quality is not as great or as durable as more costly options
Vaschy Casual Daypack features: 21 color options | 20L capacity | Water-resistant fabric
For less than $30, this is a decent backpack for basic needs. There are four pockets total: two water bottle side pockets, a front zippered pocket, and an internal zipped mesh pocket. You can choose from more than 20 color options to match your style. This backpack also comes with a one-year warranty.
- Can personalize with initials or embroidered designs
- Reflective trim helps keep kids visible
- Company no longer has a lifetime warranty
- Fabric could be thicker
Lands’ End Kids ClassMate Large Backpack features: 13 color options | 33L capacity | Reflective trim on front and back
If you’re looking for a backpack specifically for your little ones, this Lands’ End Kids ClassMate backpack is the perfect option. It has PE Foam padding in the back and an adjustable chest strap to take any weight from heavy books off of a little body.
Your child can also pick from various color/design options and personalize their backpack with their initials or an embroidered design. The backpack is also completely compatible with a matching lunchbox.
- Accommodates most laptops up to 15 inches
- Built-in organizer panel
- Decent warranty policy
- Computer sleeve could use more padding
L.L. Bean Comfort Carry Laptop Pack features: 6 color options | 30L capacity | Reflective trim
College students are lugging around textbooks and laptops across campus, so this backpack from L.L. Bean is a great pick. It is made of rugged 300-denier ripstop polyester and 420-denier ripstop nylon body with an extra-durable 1000-denier nylon bottom. A padded laptop sleeve holds up to a 15-inch laptop, and the stretch water bottle pockets can hold up to 32-oz bottles.
It’s important to note that L.L. Bean has a limited warranty policy which guarantees a full refund if you return your product within one year, as well as consideration for any defective products due to materials or craftsmanship after that one year.
- Includes a separate waterproof wet pocket
- Super lightweight
- Plenty of pockets and compartments
- Customers say the advertised 40L capacity is more 25L
- Straps could use more padding
Venture Pal Lightweight Packable Backpack features: 11 color options | 40L capacity | Foldable design
You’ll want a lightweight bag with lots of pockets while hiking on the trail, and this backpack from Venture Pal is just that. It has a multi-compartment design that includes one main zipped compartment (with one separator and one small, zippered pocket), one zipped front pocket, and two side pockets. In addition, it’s lightweight, water-resistant nylon fabric and can easily be folded up.
Regarding Venture Pal’s warranty, all products carry a three-month warranty from the date of purchase which covers material issues, shipping-related damages or issues, and defective products.
- Luggage strap to slip over luggage
- Anti-theft back pocket to deter pickpocketing
- Fits a laptop up to 15.6 inches in a separate laptop pocket
- Must purchase a separate portable charger to use the external charging port feature
- Bottom of bag could be thicker
Matein Travel Laptop Backpack features: 10 color options | Luggage strap | Hidden back pocket
The best backpack for travel is the Matein Travel Laptop backpack since it’s packed with travel-friendly features. For example, a luggage strap allows you to slip the backpack over your carry-on’s handle easily, and an anti-theft back pocket sits up against your body, so your valuables are protected while traveling. A bonus feature is an external USB charging port for easy charging on the go.
Matein has a lifetime warranty for all its products; however, it doesn’t cover damages resulting from normal wear and tear.
What is the best backpack?
We chose the Herschel Little America Backpack as the best backpack since it has a stylish design that’s comfortable for all-day wear. It also has a limited lifetime warranty.
|
Backpack |
Price |
Capacity |
|
Herschel Little America |
$100 |
25L |
|
Vaschy Casual Daypack |
$27 |
20L |
|
Lands’ End ClassMate Large Backpack |
$50 |
33L |
|
L.L. Bean Comfort Carry Laptop Pack |
$89 |
30L |
|
Venture Pal Lightweight Packable Backpack |
$25 |
About 25L |
|
Matein Travel Laptop Backpack |
$30 |
About 35L |
Which backpack is right for you?
While any of these backpacks are great options, it ultimately comes down to what size backpack you want, what you will use your backpack for, how many pockets or compartments you need, and what price you’re willing to spend.
|
Choose this backpack… |
If you want… |
|
Herschel Little America |
The best overall option. It comes in two different sizes and can hold up to a 15-inch laptop. |
|
Vaschy Casual Daypack |
A budget-friendly backpack for any activity. It has four pockets and plenty of color options |
|
Lands’ End ClassMate Large Backpack |
A backpack perfect for kids to take to school.You can even personalize the backpack with initials or an embroidered design. |
|
L.L. Bean Comfort Carry Laptop Pack |
A backpack for college students and their laptops. It has a 30L capacity. |
|
Venture Pal Lightweight Packable Backpack |
A day-hiking backpack with lots of compartments. There is even a separate waterproof wet pocket. |
|
Matein Travel Laptop Backpack |
A travel-friendly backpack that fits over your carry-on. An anti-theft back pocket sits up against your body, so your valuables are protected while traveling. |
How did we choose these backpacks?
We chose these backpacks after extensive research into the product category by reading reviews online (both good and bad) and considering the top brands in the market. Ultimately, these are the major factors we considered:
Capacity: Backpacks mean nothing if they are not big enough to hold your things. That’s why we paid attention to the capacity for each backpack and considered different size options for different use cases.
Purpose: We included various backpacks for different purposes, since you’ll need different features for different situations. We considered backpacks for school, travel, outdoor activities, and more, paying attention to their specific features.
Pricing: Backpacks run the gamut in price, so we made sure to include some affordable options alongside some more high-end picks.
What makes a backpack comfortable?
Features like a padded back and straps make a backpack more comfortable to wear. Also, mesh fabric is more breathable. The less you put in your backpack, the lighter it will be, and the easier and more comfortable it will be to wear.
What should you look for in a backpack?
Here are a few key features to keep in mind while shopping for a backpack:
- Padded straps
- Water-resistant material
- Front and side pockets
- Padded and thick bottom
- Chest strap
- Mesh fabric
Are there alternative backpacks worth considering?
The market is flooded with different kinds of backpacks, and our top picks are far from the only suitable options. Here are a few other backpacks we think are worth looking into:
Best alternative for the outdoors
Teton Sports Oasis 18L Hydration Pack
This backpack comes with a built-in 2L hydration pack to keep you hydrated while out on the trails.
Best design alternative
JanSport Right Pack Backpack
The iconic JanSport brand is known for its backpacks, and this one has more than 20 different design options to choose from.
Best alternative for laptops
Lenovo Laptop Backpack B210
This laptop backpack features a durable, water-repellent polyester fabric with a padded interior to protect your laptop.
