The Best Kids Backpacks for School
A great school backpack should be able to corral all the stuff your kid needs for the day. It should also sit comfortably on your child’s back, be durable enough to last for years, and express their sense of style as they head off to face the world (and the lunch line).
The best basic backpack for young students: L.L.Bean Original Book Pack
L.L.Bean’s 16-liter Junior Original and 24-liter Original Book Pack rank among the highest-quality kids backpacks we’ve tested, and they’ve been our top pick for eight years running. The backpacks last for years, are comfortable and appropriately sized for young kids, and are spacious enough to hold plenty of gear without becoming unwieldy.
L. L.Bean introduced its now-classic Book Pack in 1982. Virtually unchanged today, the Book Pack has a nostalgic, hipster appeal—and it has even been said to have a cult following. The Junior and Original packs are identical in design; the only real difference between them is size. Both have water-bottle pockets, made with the same durable nylon as the bag.
More patterns, characters, and sizes: Pottery Barn Kids Mackenzie
The Mackenzie backpack comes in the widest variety of styles we’ve found for younger kids, including some of the most durable character backpacks available. It’s also the only pack among our picks that comes in a rolling option appropriately sized for elementary-age students.
The Mackenzie packs are roomy and durable. They also come with some welcome bells and whistles, such as a height-adjustable sternum strap, a laptop or tablet slot (which on the XL comes with a Velcro closure, though it’s not padded), a padded back with mesh lining, contoured shoulder straps, a clip to attach a lunchbox, and a daisy chain for attaching a keychain or knickknacks (a feature that many kids request).
The best pack for middle-school students: Pottery Barn Teen Gear-Up Backpack
The Pottery Barn Teen Gear-Up Backpack has many of the same features as Pottery Barn Kids’ younger-skewing Mackenzie, but this one is scaled up for older kids who need to tote more stuff. The Gear-Up comes in a range of colors and patterns that will appeal to tweens and teens. And it comes in roomy styles to help more-mature students pack, carry, and organize their gear; these include a rolling model and a sports model (which has a separate zippered pocket at the bottom for shoes).
A stylish, sophisticated student backpack: State Bags Kane Kids
Kane Kids backpacks (available in a range of sizes for different ages) have a sleek, modern shape and an ultra-stylish aesthetic. Plus, they’re durable, with high-quality finishes and lots of pockets to help kids organize and stash their belongings.
From a pink metallic showstopper with oversize sequins to a simple yet distinctive strawberry-and-checkered print pack, the Kane Kids packs feel more sophisticated and fashion-forward than typical kiddie offerings. The packs have a special look and feel that’s likely to appeal to both parents and kids (including middle-schoolers) who are seeking a distinctive backpack to start off a new school year.
