Best Backpack for High School

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The Best Backpack for High School

By Marilyn Churley, October 1, 2019

The best backpack for high school is one that’s designed for life both during, and after, class. High school students need cool backpacks, with features like laptop sleeves, compartments and water-resistant materials.

Depending on their style and extra-curricular activities, they might also need packs that are sporty or great for commuting. And, of course, they’ll want padded shoulder straps to help comfortably carry their heavy load.

Every high school student will prioritize their needs differently. That’s why we’ve found five amazing backpacks that all should be considered in your search for the best backpack for high school.

Best Backpack for High School Feature Overview

  • JanSport Big Student Backpack 1JanSport Big Student Backpack 1

    JanSport Big Student Laptop Backpack

    Buy now Product RatingProduct Rating 5 Stars Best for Large capacity Polyester
    Water-resistant
    34 L
    Laptop Sleeve
    7+ Compartments
    26+ Style options
    Warranty
  • Eastpak Padded Pak’r Backpack

    Buy now Product RatingProduct Rating 4 Stars Best for Cool designs Polyester
    Water-resistant
    24 L
    2+ Compartments
    137+ Style options
    Warranty
    • Laptop Sleeve
  • Under Armour Hustle 3.0 Backpack

    Buy now Product RatingProduct Rating 3.5 Stars Best for Weather resistance Polyester
    Water-resistant
    30 L
    Laptop Sleeve
    6+ Compartments
    20+
    Warranty
  • Herschel Supply Company Classic Backpack

    Buy now Product RatingProduct Rating 3 Stars Best for Clean modern style Polyester
    Water-resistant
    24 L
    2+ Compartments
    27+ Style options
    Warranty
    • Laptop Sleeve
  • North Face Jester Backpack 1North Face Jester Backpack 1

    North Face Jester Backpack

    Buy now Product RatingProduct Rating 3 Stars Best for Safe cycling / commute Polyester
    Water-resistant
    28L
    Laptop Sleeve
    9 Compartments
    29+ Style options
    Warranty

How We Researched the Best Backpack for High School

61 Expert Reviews Considered 3,316 Consumer Reviews Considered 11 Hours Researching 67 Products Evaluated

Best Backpack for High School 3 Features to Look For

1. Style & Design

We wouldn’t go so far as to say that high school students are obsessed with style. But let’s just say it matters A LOT. It doesn’t matter how comfortable, practical and durable a backpack is. No high-schooler will touch it if it isn’t also cool.

But cool can mean many things to different kinds of high school students. That’s why it’s important that these backpacks come in many different styles. There are funky modern patterns, whimsical designs and classic, timeless looks. So no matter what kind of high schooler you are, there’s a backpack to suit your style.

2. Waterproof or Water-Resistant

Depending on where you live, a high school backpack will have to endure all the seasons. It might face rain, snow, hail and sunshine. So it has to be water resistant at the very least.

But it’s not just water that can cause damage. Strong sunlight can also cause colours and patterns to fade on less durable fabric. That’s why we’ve focused on backpacks for high school that are made with fade- and water-resistant fabrics.

3. Big, But Not *Too* Big

High school students carry a lot of books, papers and perhaps even a laptop or other technology. So it’s important that backpacks are big enough to hold all their daily gear.

That said, it’s also important that a backpack is the right size — neither too big nor too small. The bigger the backpack the more likely it is to get over-packed and be too heavy for high schooler’s shoulders.Rather than judging ideal backpack weight by age, consider that the filled backpack should not “weigh more than 10 to 15 percent of your child’s body weight” — as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Best Backpack for High School Our top 5 choices

  • JanSport Big Student Backpack 1JanSport Big Student Backpack 1
  • JanSport Big Student Backpack 2JanSport Big Student Backpack 2
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JanSport Big Student Laptop Backpack

Product placeProduct place Our Top Pick Product ratingProduct rating

The JanSport Big Student Laptop Backpack comes in many different patterns – so don’t let this picture put you off if you prefer something more muted! Whatever pattern you choose, you’ll get the same amazing backpack — a trusted favorite for high school students. This pack boasts a whopping 34 liter capacity, laptop sleeve and many compartments.

  • Dedicated 15″ padded laptop compartment
  • Ergonomic S-curve shoulder straps
  • Front utility pocket with organizer
  • Large 34 liter capacity
  • Might be too big for smaller individuals
Buy Now
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Eastpak Padded Pak’r Backpack

Product placeProduct place Runner Up Product ratingProduct rating

The Eastpak Padded Pak’r Backpack was first released in 1976 and is the most iconic backpack Eastpak has ever made. These packs combine comfort and protection, giving you a backpack that will really got the distance. Plus, it’s available in hundreds of colours and prints and Eastpak often collaborated with world famous artists on these designs. So there truly is a Pak’r for every style.

  • 137 design styles to choose from
  • Carry the Padded Pak’r anywhere with our ergonomic back and shoulder straps
  • Big main compartment for all the day’s necessities
  • 100% Vegan
  • 30 year warranty
  • Smaller capacity than other options
  • No dedicated laptop sleeve
Buy Now
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Under Armour Hustle 3.0 Backpack

Product placeProduct place 3rd Place Product ratingProduct rating

The Under Armour Hustle 3.0 Backpack is another superb backpack for high school students. It boasts a good number of compartments, including a laptop compartment that holds a 15” laptop. The large, gusseted front laundry/shoe pocket makes it easy to carry for sports or other extra-curricular high school activities.

  • Adjustable shoulder straps for extra comfort
  • Soft-lined laptop sleeve holds up to 15″ laptop
  • Element-battling, highly water-resistant finish
  • Large, gusseted front laundry/shoe pocket at bottom of bag
  • A few reviewers wished there were sternum straps
  • Fewer style options than other options
Buy Now
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Herschel Supply Company Classic Backpack

Product placeProduct place 4th Place Product ratingProduct rating

The Herschel Supply Company Classic Backpack has a timeless design. Its clean and simple silhouette is perfectly tailored to fit any high school student’s style. Available in 27 design options, this pack is lined with Herschel’s signature striped fabric liner and includes a front storage pocket.

  • Stylish, streamlined silhouette
  • Signature striped fabric liner
  • Front storage pocket
  • No water bottle pocket
  • Fewer compartments than some of the other options
Buy Now
  • North Face Jester Backpack 1North Face Jester Backpack 1
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North Face Jester Backpack

Product placeProduct place 5th Place Product ratingProduct rating

The North Face Jester backpack offers organizational features such as pen holders, a front accessory pocket and an integrated key clip. The reflective bike-light loop, water bottle tabs and shoulder-strap webbing create 360 degrees of reflectivity make it ideal for high schoolers who cycle or commute.

  • 15 inch padded laptop compartment
  • Large main compartment for books and binders
  • Front compartment with internal organization has an extra padded tablet sleeve, a pendolier and additional secure-zip pockets
  • Reflective bike-light loop, water bottle tabs and shoulder-strap webbing create 360 degrees of reflectivity
  • Front bungees might not be used much
Buy Now

Best Backpack for High School Conclusion

It wasn’t easy to choose the best backpack for high school. There are so many great options out there. And because the needs of high school students are so diverse, it’s hard to find a “one size fits all” recommendation.

That said, it’s clear to us that the JanSport Big Student Laptop Backpack is a really great pick for so many high school students. It’s easy to understand why this backpack is such a classic pick for high school.

That said, there are four other great options worthy of your consideration if you’re looking for a best backpack for high school. Whichever one you pick, you’ll have a great companion for all your high school adventures.

Junyuan Bags

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