Best Backpack for High School Feature Overview
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JanSport Big Student Laptop Backpack
Best for Large capacityPolyester
Water-resistant
34 L
Laptop Sleeve
7+ Compartments
26+ Style options
Warranty -
Eastpak Padded Pak'r Backpack
Best for Cool designsPolyester
Water-resistant
24 L
2+ Compartments
137+ Style options
Warranty- Laptop Sleeve
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Under Armour Hustle 3.0 Backpack
Best for Weather resistancePolyester
Water-resistant
30 L
Laptop Sleeve
6+ Compartments
20+
Warranty -
Herschel Supply Company Classic Backpack
Best for Clean modern stylePolyester
Water-resistant
24 L
2+ Compartments
27+ Style options
Warranty- Laptop Sleeve
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North Face Jester Backpack
Best for Safe cycling / commutePolyester
Water-resistant
28L
Laptop Sleeve
9 Compartments
29+ Style options
Warranty
How We Researched the Best Backpack for High School
Best Backpack for High School 3 Features to Look For
1. Style & Design
We wouldn’t go so far as to say that high school students are obsessed with style. But let’s just say it matters A LOT. It doesn’t matter how comfortable, practical and durable a backpack is. No high-schooler will touch it if it isn’t also cool.
But cool can mean many things to different kinds of high school students. That’s why it’s important that these backpacks come in many different styles. There are funky modern patterns, whimsical designs and classic, timeless looks. So no matter what kind of high schooler you are, there’s a backpack to suit your style.
2. Waterproof or Water-Resistant
Depending on where you live, a high school backpack will have to endure all the seasons. It might face rain, snow, hail and sunshine. So it has to be water resistant at the very least.
But it’s not just water that can cause damage. Strong sunlight can also cause colours and patterns to fade on less durable fabric. That’s why we’ve focused on backpacks for high school that are made with fade- and water-resistant fabrics.
3. Big, But Not *Too* Big
High school students carry a lot of books, papers and perhaps even a laptop or other technology. So it’s important that backpacks are big enough to hold all their daily gear.
That said, it’s also important that a backpack is the right size — neither too big nor too small. The bigger the backpack the more likely it is to get over-packed and be too heavy for high schooler’s shoulders.Rather than judging ideal backpack weight by age, consider that the filled backpack should not “weigh more than 10 to 15 percent of your child’s body weight” — as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Best Backpack for High School Our top 5 choices
JanSport Big Student Laptop Backpack
The JanSport Big Student Laptop Backpack comes in many different patterns – so don’t let this picture put you off if you prefer something more muted! Whatever pattern you choose, you’ll get the same amazing backpack — a trusted favorite for high school students. This pack boasts a whopping 34 liter capacity, laptop sleeve and many compartments.
Eastpak Padded Pak'r Backpack
The Eastpak Padded Pak’r Backpack was first released in 1976 and is the most iconic backpack Eastpak has ever made. These packs combine comfort and protection, giving you a backpack that will really got the distance. Plus, it’s available in hundreds of colours and prints and Eastpak often collaborated with world famous artists on these designs. So there truly is a Pak’r for every style.
Under Armour Hustle 3.0 Backpack
The Under Armour Hustle 3.0 Backpack is another superb backpack for high school students. It boasts a good number of compartments, including a laptop compartment that holds a 15” laptop. The large, gusseted front laundry/shoe pocket makes it easy to carry for sports or other extra-curricular high school activities.
Herschel Supply Company Classic Backpack
The Herschel Supply Company Classic Backpack has a timeless design. Its clean and simple silhouette is perfectly tailored to fit any high school student’s style. Available in 27 design options, this pack is lined with Herschel’s signature striped fabric liner and includes a front storage pocket.
North Face Jester Backpack
The North Face Jester backpack offers organizational features such as pen holders, a front accessory pocket and an integrated key clip. The reflective bike-light loop, water bottle tabs and shoulder-strap webbing create 360 degrees of reflectivity make it ideal for high schoolers who cycle or commute.
Best Backpack for High School Conclusion
It wasn’t easy to choose the best backpack for high school. There are so many great options out there. And because the needs of high school students are so diverse, it’s hard to find a “one size fits all” recommendation.
That said, it’s clear to us that the JanSport Big Student Laptop Backpack is a really great pick for so many high school students. It’s easy to understand why this backpack is such a classic pick for high school.
That said, there are four other great options worthy of your consideration if you’re looking for a best backpack for high school. Whichever one you pick, you’ll have a great companion for all your high school adventures.