8 A.M. Classes Aren’t as Dreadful With a Teen Backpack They Love (2024)

With a bit of vintage flair, the straps that close the oversized flap on this Hershel Little America backpack are as useful as they are stylish. They're adjustable, so if you are carrying a ton of stuff, you can let it out a bit. However, you don't have to mess with those if you don't want to, thanks to the magnetic closures underneath.

It has multiple compartments, a tech-safe sleeve lined with soft fleece to keep things safe, and an internal smart device pocket.

Students I spoke with said that this backpack has the best straps, providing a dense cushion in the places where you need it. They are also big fans of the tech sleeve, noting that it's big enough for a laptop and an iPad — something not every bag on this list can boast.

More: The Best Laptops for College Students

Key Specs

You simply cannot have a best backpack list without including the classic leather-bottom Jansport backpack. It's the ultimate in reliable, affordable backpacks.

It has space for a 15-inch laptop sleeve, multiple compartments, and a huge main compartment. It's a classic style, easy to organize, and always a favorite. Users note that it's not as easy on the shoulders as it could be, but for shlepping from car to class, it's great.

Key Specs

One thing that sets the Fjallraven apart from other backpacks on our list is how you open it. It opens more like a suitcase than a bag, allowing for easy searching and loading. The tech compartment is seamlessly integrated into the backpack as a soft pocket in the back.

I carried a Fjallraven Kanken for all of graduate school. It held all of my tech, my dance shoes, and several romance novels. My only gripe is that there are just two pockets, and one is smaller than your average backpack's front pocket.

That being said, the padded straps make for easy carrying, and the generous main compartment is more than sufficient.

Key Specs

Dagne has a cult following, and it’s easy to see why. Form and function come together to make this a teenage dream. It has everything from functional interior pockets for organization to a tidy little strap on the back that affixes your backpack to the handle of a carry-on or suitcase.

The whole bag is made of stretchy, smooth, water-resistant neoprene, which makes carrying it a comfortable experience. Speaking to fans of the bag, reviewers compare it to a “soft wetsuit” and that “it just feels lovely.”

Key Specs

L.L.Bean is a brand with a bag for everyone. This bag is classically cool, with a throwback vibe that looks great no matter your age.

It has a few basic pockets, including a tech pocket, but it’s all backed by L.L.Bean’s notoriously good customer service, so if something goes awry, you know that it will get fixed. Sure, you’re probably not going to have your name stitched into it, but you can still rock it.

It’s a teen favorite, and students who carry it love how deep and wide the main compartment is. “You can just shove everything in it,” says my nephew, a loquacious reviewer if ever there was one.

Key Specs

One reviewer was bold enough to call this backpack for teens his “life holder,” meaning he trusted it to hold everything he needs for school, sports, and work. But regardless of what you’ll be using it for, it has sufficient room to fit all of your stuff comfortably, thanks to its cushioned back piece and straps.

Inside is everything you’d expect: a tech pocket, a place for chargers and pens, and a zippered interior pocket.

And for what it’s worth, the reviewer was pumped to show off the side stretch slash pocket that easily molds to fit what you need.

Key Specs

If you want a backpack that will take you from the high school classroom to the dorms to the boardroom of your first post-collegiate job, this is the backpack for you.

Calpak has managed to make a bag that's as chic as it is useful. It holds books, a laptop, and your other needs, and it does it in a molded shape with a gorgeous rope border. It looks more like a fashionable purse than it does a traditional backpack.

I talked to both professors and students who had this backpack, and while aesthetics were what drew them to the bag, the ease of use keeps them using it.

Key Specs

I know that anti-theft is probably not the first thing you think about when you think about backpacks, but it's actually a really good idea. This bag from Travelon has an anti-theft pocket on the inside, and the whole thing is slash-resistant, so if someone is trying to cut it open, they're going to have a tough time getting to your precious cargo.

The whole thing is super compact, too. It folds into itself in the front pocket. Plus, it has multiple compartments for all of your things. It does not have a padded tech sleeve, which is a bummer, but for the price, you could easily buy a Macbook cover.

Key Specs

When I spoke with a student wearing this bag, they said honestly, “I saw it on Instagram and bought it for the looks, but it’s turned out to be the best backpack I’ve ever had.”

It’s designed in a way that makes sense. It has a place for your laptop, your books, your pens, and your water bottle, with nothing sticking out. It’s all separate, so nothing gets wet or dented, and the straps are slim and attractive. As an added bonus, this backpack can fit a 16-inch laptop.

Key Specs

With a 40-liter capacity, this is a beast of a backpack. It fits everything you need and doubles as a carry-on. It’s great for students who need to carry a lot of stuff for school, sports, or theater.

According to users, it can fit a 17-inch laptop, a hoodie, a uniform, three big books, an iPad, and “like all the pens I have, so my roommates don’t steal them” — which honestly is a solid reason to get this bag if you ask me.

Key Specs

Teens love Nike, and this affordable backpack is a great option for sporty styles. It has a huge main compartment, two side pockets, and a bungee strap for holding extra necessities.

It doesn't have a tech sleeve, but its straps are adjustable and padded, and the whole thing is fairly water-resistant.

Key Specs