CM’s Top 10 Backpacks for College
It’s a wonder there haven’t been more songs about backpacks since the one we all sang along to on Dora the Explorer. Backpacks hold all of the essentials of college life. Forget a briefcase full of cash; your backpack is worth more with your small fortune of textbooks in there. And what would proud, basic girls do without backpack’s mesh side pockets to hold their monogrammed coffee tumblers? Plus, your backpack has probably been the treasure chest that hid your booze collection from your RA while walking to a BYOB get-together once or twice.
You need more than a backpack to start school. Make dorm decor easy with the freshman collection:
Get the 10 Best Backpacks for College
A bad backpack is a backstabber that leaves you almost as unprepared as your group project slacker; a good bag will always have your back. Since picking the best backpack for college is one of the most important items on anyone’s back-to-school packing list, we created a guide just for you.
We surveyed students on the best college backpacks available based on comfort, durability, organization, weight and style.
In a rush? For a quick, easy and inexpensive option, go with the hottest tribal backpack this year:
Finding the best college backpacks is easy!
If you’re ready to take a minute and research further, check out our guide to the best college backpacks here. Ideally your backpack will last for a year or more, and even in this modern world that seems to fear commitment, you should make sure to choose the best backpack for college that fits your academic needs. Our guide to choosing the best backpack makes your life easier. We describe the features plus the perks. Then we top it all off with real life examples and feedback from students.
Not sure what to sling around your shoulder this semester? Start here!
1. Kelty Dobler 27 Liter Daypack
The Dobler pack sports a simple, classic design for backpack minimalists. Large main pocket? Check. Organizer-equipped front pocket? Yup. Tablet sleeve and mesh water bottle pockets? Sure thing. But wait! I have a 17-inch monster laptop! No problem, there’s a sleeve for that too. This college backpack is like the cargo shorts of backpacks with all its functionality, but way cooler. Trust us. Six different color schemes exist, most with a sharp contrast between pack face and zippers.
Price: $39.99
Still not sure which college backpacks are the best for you?
When buying a backpack, there are many factors to consider.
1. Weather
Will you be sweating in the Florida sun like that kid who comes to class for the first time on the day of the midterm? Will you be a professional puddle-jumper or a monsoon survivor? Will your backpack regularly rest on a salt-covered floor beside your snowy boots? Some backpacks offer ventilation for sweaty backs, waterproof exteriors for rainy days, and extra-durable, washable fabric that will stand up to salt, sand and dirt. You’ll need to find the right features for your climate
2. What You’ll Be Carrying
Science students know that their backpacks will be stuffed with textbooks, lab books, lab equipment and many other unexpected bits and pieces. They’ll need large pockets to hold their books and smaller pockets to hold their instruments (and their teeny motivation to continue their major). Meanwhile, other majors like art and drama probably won’t carry much to class because their materials will be in the studio or theater. A big backpack for these students will make them look like a lost skydiver.
3. Your Personal Style
Are you minimalist like Portland or flashy like Vegas? Do you prefer neutrals or neons? No one parades backpacks down the runway, but your college backpack can still be a fashion statement if you want it to be.
4. Your Bank Account
College student bank accounts can range from “not even enough for a Doritos Locos Taco” to “student loans just came in.” A backpack can be a yearly purchase to fit your changing needs or a four-year investment, and the prices will reflect this.
Top 5 College Backpack Features
1. Organizers
A lot of backpacks have built in organizers to hold smaller items in your backpack or separate textbooks. These organizers can be helpful or annoying depending on your needs.
2. Water bottle holder
A pocket specifically for your water bottle keeps condensation away from your books and hydration right at your fingertips, but some streamlined backpacks forgo this feature.
3. Laptop sleeve
A laptop sleeve gives extra padding to protect your baby– whoops, we mean your computer.
4. Waterproof/water-resistant material
Waterproof and water-resistant backpacks protect your backpack’s contents from wet weather and spills.
5. Sternum/waist strap
These straps buckle in the front of your chest and/or waist to distribute the weight of your backpack evenly around your torso. These straps are good for heavy backpacks and long walks across campus.
Even More College Backpacks
Backpacks say, “I’ve got you,” like no other school supply. You constantly carry your backpack for support and to carry all of your necessary (tbh, unnecessary) items. The struggle is real. But, we've got your back. We've uncovered the best functional college backpacks that make a fashion statement too. They're great for you, or as a gift.
Bolang Water Resistant Backpack
More Back-to-School Prep:
Top 10 Duvets for Back to School
Top 10 Ways to Pack for College
*Updated November 26, 2016 by Caitlin Mason to include 10 new top backpacks from interviews with students on their favorites. We added even more of the hottest college backpacks for you to choose from.
**Updated January 6, 2017 by Marin McCall to include more student interviews and a buying guide.
