The 20 Best College Backpacks For Back To School-1
For most people, the decision to go to college and pursue higher education is a pretty big deal. And we don't think that anyone would disagree with the thought that it's one hell of a commitment. In order to make good on that commitment, the best thing you can do is prepare yourself fully. That means mapping out an educational path, readying your finances, and actually attending your classes regularly. It also means gathering the appropriate gear to get you through your school days.
And what's perhaps the most basic piece of gear any college student needs? A backpack, of course. Not only is it a vessel in which to transport all of your textbooks, notepads, laptop or tablet, paper & pens, and everyday carry gear-but it's also an organizational tool that can help you stay on the top of your game. And if you're serious about school, you should take your backpack seriously, too. That means ditching the old single-pouch drawstring bag and picking up something with a bit more functionality-like anything on the this list, for example. The following are the best college backpacks for the back to school season.
Though it bears the same patch as the brand's classic two-pouch backpack, this version sports a number of features that give it a huge leg up. For starters, it has a full complement of pouches-4 exterior and 5 interior. It also has greater storage space-measuring up at 34 liters. That's more than enough room for most students' books, supplies, laptop, and more. And it still comes with the signature mesh water bottle pouch on the side, in case you get thirsty.
The North Face is far better known for their outdoor gear, but that doesn't mean they don't excel in other areas. Take, for example, their Vault backpack. It's crafted from a high quality durable polyester, has 28 liters of internal space, and even has a floating laptop sleeve that can fit up to a 15-inch computer. Best of all, if you walk to school or commute by bike, this backpack features reflective panels for added safety and a sternum strap to keep it snug and comfortable on the roads.
While it's certainly one of the more stylish options on our list, Hershel's Nelson pack is no less a solid and spacious option for a college backpack. It's made from lightweight polyester, has a spacious main compartment-with a padded sleeve for up to a 15-inch laptop or tablet-and has a secondary external pocket for any extra gear you might want to carry around (like, perhaps, your everyday carry). And, like all of their bags, this one comes with Herschel's signature striped internal lining.
Not content to let the North Face be the only brand that extends beyond outdoor gear, Patagonia also has some stellar backpacks that work just as great on the trails as they do at school. Their Refugio is one such pack. It features a large main compartment for quick and easy access to your gear, but also has a secondary space inside with organizational slots-if that's more your speed. In fact, it even has microfleece lined pockets for your sunglasses or delicate high-tech gear.
Don't let the super sleek exterior of this bag fool you-it's a fully featured and compartmentalized backpack with tons of internal organizational options. For instance, at the top of the bag near the suitcase-carry strap, there's a small faux fur-lined quick access bag that can fit your favorite sunglasses, everyday carry gear, or tickets & your passport. It also has a large internal faux fur-lined laptop compartment. Furthermore, the whole exterior is crafted from sleek and durable 840D nylon and the back is heavily padded for comfort and ease of carry.
While you could certainly take this backpack from Fjallraven out on a hiking trip, it's also perfectly suited for use on a college campus. And a part of that is because it comes equipped with a padded internal compartment that can fit up to a 17-inch laptop. It also features three separate organizational pouches-a large main compartment, one on the side, and a zippered front pocket-and features a Vinylon-F construction.
If you need a bag that will get you through your day at school, but you can't make a trip home to pick up some workout gear before you hit the gym, then this is the bag for you. Its 19-liters of internal space is broken down into a large main compartment, a back compartment with interior pockets, a quick-access top pocket, and a separate ventilated shoe compartment. So you can easily carry all of your gear from home to school to the gym and everywhere in-between.
MIS stands for Make It Simple-and that's exactly what they've done with this college-ready backpack. But don't let that fact confuse you; though it's simple, it's certainly not unworthy of consideration. In fact, it's constructed of some very tough materials (including water-resistant 1000D Cordura) in a California factory on machines that were used to create military-grade tactical equipment. And the backpack straps are fitted with PALS webbing, it has zippered mesh pocked in the main compartment, and a padded internal pouch that fits up to a 15"laptop.
With a history dating back to 1978, it's pretty safe to say that Mystery Ranch knows how to build a solid back. And while they specialize in very tough outdoors-style packs (like for long-form camping, day hikes, and everything in-between), their expertise certainly carries over into more casual-style bags. Take, for example, their Market Bag. It's made in the USA, features a simple flip-top closure, but is still crafted from a killer combination of 1000D Cordura and 1680 ballistic nylon. It also features a laptop sleeve that can fit up to a 15"computer.
Though it's not overly complicated, this handsome bag from the folks at Topo Designs is as perfectly capable as it is good looking. Crafted from 1000D Cordura and featuring a coated pack cloth liner, it'll stand up to daily use all while keeping your gear safe and secure inside. In fact, the spacious main compartment actually has a built-in organizer with pouches for your wallet, pocket notebook, EDC pen, 15"laptop and more.
