14 Best Backpacks For College Students

Want to know what are the best backpacks for college students? Find out this blog post! In college, it is honestly you and your backpack against the world. For 3-5 years, this backpack will be with you through it all. Your college backpack needs to be reflective of your personality, style, and lifestyle. 

Finding the best backpack for college is important. Your backpack should be able to hold everything you need while not being a hassle to carry. There are so many backpacks out there, but…Here are 14 of the best backpacks for college students. 

A Closer Look at the Top 14 Best Backpacks For College Students

1. Waterfly Crossbody Sling Backpack

If you’re hunting for a lightweight, “where-has-this-been-all-my-life” kind of crossbody bag, the WATERFLY Sling Backpack honestly crushes it. First off, it’s tiny but mighty. You look at it and think, “Okay, this’ll hold my phone and maybe a snack,” but then somehow it swallows your water bottle, sunscreen, wallet, portable charger, sunglasses, iPad mini, and a granola bar with zero drama. There’s a front zipper pocket for the stuff you need fast, like your lip balm addiction or headphones, and a hidden earphone hole if you’re still out here rocking wired earbuds (no judgment).

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Plus, the big pocket has these smaller compartments that make you feel way more organized than you actually are. If you’ve ever spent 15 minutes digging around for your keys while people silently judged you, you’ll understand why that matters. The strap situation is super comfy, too. It’s padded, adjustable, and can be worn left or right depending on which shoulder hasn’t betrayed you yet. It stays put while you walk, bike, or chase after your life choices, and it doesn’t start slicing into your neck when it’s loaded up either. And speaking of walking around, it’s surprisingly breathable so you’re not stuck with that gross sweaty-back situation by noon.

Design-wise, you can pick from a bunch of colors — from neutral classics to “I will not be missed in a crowd” bright shades — and the bag itself is built tough. It’s water-resistant, easy to wipe down, and has real “let’s go places” energy, not “handle with care” energy. As for cons? I mean, sure, if you try to jam a 40 oz Stanley cup in the side pocket you’re going to lose that battle (it’s built more for a regular bottle size), but honestly that’s reaching. Also, it would be cool if it had some reflective details for night walking, but that’s me pretending to have complaints.

Bottom line: for a day of city exploring, hiking, or pretending you’re a minimalist at the farmers market, this bag is the best under-30-investment you’ll make all month.

2. North Face Jester

Northface backpacks are all over my campus. It is easily one of the most popular backpacks for college students. The Jester has a huge main compartment for all your backpack essentials and a space specifically for a laptop. The laptop sleeve protects it from bumps. The Jester also has two side pockets for a water tumbler. 

I recommend the Jester backpack for students who don’t carry that much in their backpack. During my freshmen year, I chose the Jester but I stayed on campus all day and carry a lot of items and needed to upgrade to the Borealis. It’s a simple backpack for any student!

3. North Face Borealis

This is the EXACT backpack that I own. I love the Borealis backpack so much. The Northface Borealis is the best backpack for college students. 

Why? Because unlike the Jester, the Borealis has three compartments. It also has more space in its sections compared to the Jester. The Borealis has a section especially for a laptop computer with some space. Then, there is a section for other items, such as more papers and a notebook. But what I like the most is the three outer section where I keep snacks, lip balm, and other items. 

I recommend the Borealis for its sleek design and also convenience. It’s an upgrade from the Jester and for students who carry many items. 

4. Herschel Supply Co. Little America Laptop Backpack

Herschel Supply Co. has is one of the best backpack brands for college students. They have nice shoulder straps and padding for long days when you are carrying your backpack around campus. I also love their style. The laptop sleeve is similar to other backpack brands for college students. They have adjustable straps and an outside pocket perfect for your keys or headphones. 

5. Fjallraven Kranken Backpack

The Kranken is pretty spacious, but not the most spacious. It’s great for lightweight books and if you have a light load to carry. I like the Kranken due to its cute design. I use it more for online classes because of the simplicity of it. I’m not running around campus, working, or going to tons of meetings.

When I studied abroad in Greece, I bought this backpack. It is my backup college backpack for days when I do not need to haul a lot of items. It’s an okay backpack for laptops, but the Kranken doesn’t have enough cushion for a laptop.  Honestly, it’s more of a stylish cute backpack. I recommend it for days when you don’t need to carry much. 

6. Jansport Main Campus Backpack

Jansport is one of the most affordable backpacks for college students. I remember having them back in high school. I personally love how Jansport has upgraded their backpacks for modern students.

The Main Campus Backpack has a compartment for a laptop and two other spaces for your books and notebooks. It’s simple and straight to the point. Totally recommend it for students who don’t necessarily carry about the design or brand and just want a backpack.

7. JanSport Superbreak Plus Campus 

Similar to the Main Campus Backpack, Jansport has updated its backpack for current students. The SuperBreak Plus Backpack is another one of the affordable backpacks for college students. It comes in several colors and patterns found on the Jansport website. 

It has a water bottle sleeve perfect for carrying a water bottle. But it only has one main section with a 15 inches padded laptop sleeve instead of two like the Main Campus Backpack. It’s similar to the Main Campus and I still recommend it for students who aren’t too big on finding the best backpack brand and on a budget. 

8. Nike Hayward Backpack

Nike isn’t only known for their shoes. The Hayward Backpack has been upgraded to fit students with laptops, having a 15-inch sleeve. It has a large compartment to fit anything you need to carry. The Hayward Backpack isn’t as spacious as a NorthFace Borealis or has tons of pockets. I recommend this backpack for college students who carry the bare necessities. 

The Hayward Backpack also is one of the most affordable backpacks for college students. It is usually under $50. 

9. Adidas Classic 3s Backpack

Adidas also is another backpack brand perfect for college students. If you are looking for something more simple and light, check out Adidas’s Classic backpack. This backpack is one of the cutest in my opinion.

The Classic has side pockets perfect for holding an umbrella or a water bottle. It also comes with an internal laptop sleeve. On the inside, it also has a mesh pocket for pencils, a charger, or whatever you need to carry. This backpack is simple yet outdoes itself!

10. Adidas National SST Backpack

Another great backpack for college students is the Adidas National SST Backpack. It looks familiar, doesn’t it? Well, if you remember how popular Adidas’s Superstar shoe was, then you are on the right track.

The National SST Backpack has Adidas’s iconic 3 stripes and a nice selection of colors. The backpack is made from recycled polyester and wipeable material for spot cleaning. It’s more of an every day backpack without any side pockets. Similar to the Adidas Classic 3s Backpack, it has an internal laptop sleeve. Above its sleeve is a spot to write your name to claim ownership. Below, is another pouch for pencils or pens and another mesh pocket. 

11. Vera Bradley Grand Backpack

Vera Bradley’s Grand Backpack is both lightweight and spacious. There are several pockets perfect for any writing utensil you have. The Grand Backpack has a 15 inches laptop sleeve similar to the other backpacks for college students. 

Honestly, it’s an upgrade from the vivid and bold designs I remember Vera Bradley always having. It’s a sleek nice backpack that can go with any outfit. 

The Grand Backpack has a lightweight and water-repellent fabric. The recyclable fabric wipes easily. Perfect any for college girl looking for a backpack.

12. Kinmac Laptop Backpack w/ USB Charger

One of the best backpacks for college students on Amazon is the Kinmac Laptop Backpack. It is the first backpack on this list to have a USB charger port. According to reviews, the fabric is thick and sturdy and waterproof. It’s perfect for students with laptops and who need to carry tons of items, such as binders and notebooks. 

13. Himawaui Travel School Backpack

Finally, the last backpack for college students is the Himawaui Travel School Backpack. It’s one of the more affordable backpacks for college students that comes with tons of benefits. 

Made with eco-friendly waterproof material, this backpack is one of the most functional backpacks for college students on Amazon. 

It has two outer pockets on the side, an outer one with a zipper, and the main compartment. It also has a USB cable for any power bank that needs charging during the day. And it has a 15.6-inch laptop sleeve.

This backpack is perfect for students who are on a budget looking for a durable backpack. 

14. Victoria Secret Pink Nylon Sling Backpack

Victora’s Secret’s backpacks are known to be great backpacks for a college girl. I used to have them in high school. But honestly, I grew out of them. But I did have the Nylon Sling for a year. It’s small, yet has plenty of sections for a college student. 

One thing about Victoria’s Secret’s backpacks is that they are some of the most stylish backpacks for college students. They aren’t too flashy and have sleek designs. The compartments in the backpack are spacious and can hold a lot of stuff. 

This blog post was all about the best backpacks for college students.