The Best Herschel Backpack

If you’re looking for a new backpack, odds are you’ll consider a Herschel. And for good reason… Herschel backpacks have become a standard in the last decade.

They offer a cool neutral style that feels timeless and modern at once. But you might be wondering what is the best Herschel backpack?

We’ve done the hard work for you, sifting through countless reviews – both consumer and expert – and trying out the goods ourselves. Read on to discover the best Herschel backpack!

How We Researched the Best Herschel Backpack

39 Expert Reviews Considered
4,871 Consumer Reviews Considered
6 Hours Researching
13 Products Evaluated

Best Herschel Backpack 3 Features that Make Herschel Backpacks Special

1. Simple Design

Backpacks can come with a lot of bells and whistles. And sometimes to their detriment… they end up looking bulky, inelegant and just plain messy. Herschel’s backpacks have a really simple, streamlined design. And while they come in a wide variety of style options, the palette and designs are always clean-cut, simple and elegant.

2. Compartments

The right number of compartments is always a delicate balancing act. And while Herschel’s designs are simple, they do a good job offering just the right number of compartments. Almost all options have a laptop section and a smartphone pocket. Herschel fans perhaps favour minimalism and are happy to keep the large main compartment organized day-to-day.

3. Engineer-Inspired Striped Lining

One of the more distinctive features of Herschel backpacks is their striped red-and-white lining, which is inspired by classic engineering uniforms. This gives their backpacks a nostalgic but whimsical vibe, which is a nice addition to the mostly-neutral exterior looks of Herschel backpacks.

Best Herschel Backpack Top 5: Best Herschel Backpacks

Herschel Pop Quiz Backpack

Product place
Our Top Pick
Product rating

The Herschel Pop Quiz Backpack will appeal to those who like a streamlined and classic look. It is repeatedly touted as a favorite among students and professionals alike. With over 33+ styles to choose from, there’s certainly an option to appeal to every style sensibility.

  • Huge assortment of design styles
  • Signature striped fabric liner
  • Fleece lined sunglasses compartment
  • Padded and fleece lined 15″ laptop sleeve
  • Not waterproof

Herschel Supply Co. Little America Backpack

Product place
Runner Up
Product rating

The Herschel Supply Co. Little America Backpack stands out for its classic mountaineering silhouette. This is a perfect pack for anybody who wants a classic, outdoorsy vibe. But this pack isn’t just style. It offers a padded and fleece-lined 15″ laptop sleeve, internal media pocket with headphone port and much more.

  • Padded and fleece lined 15″ laptop sleeve
  • Custom striped fabric liner
  • Contoured shoulder straps and air mesh back padding
  • Internal media pocket with headphone port
  • Some reviewers wanted more functionality in this backpack
  • Not waterproof

Herschel Retreat Backpack

Product place
3rd Place
Product rating

The Herschel Retreat  mid-volume backpack is a streamlined rendition of a classic mountaineering style, featuring a drawcord cinch closure and a strap detailed top flap. This pack comes in 34 style options and will accommodate a 13” laptop, making it an ideal daily use backpack.

  • Padded and fleece lined 13″ laptop sleeve
  • Internal media pocket with headphone port
  • Magnetic strap closures with metal pin clips
  • Signature striped fabric liner
  • 14 L capacity might be light for some users

Herschel Supply Company Classic Backpack

Product place
4th Place
Product rating

The Herschel Supply Company Classic Backpack has a timeless design. Its clean and simple silhouette is perfectly tailored to fit any style. Available in 27 design options, this pack is lined with Herschel’s signature striped fabric liner and includes a front storage pocket.

  • Signature striped fabric liner
  • Stylish, streamlined silhouette
  • Front storage pocket
  • No laptop sleeve
  • Fewer compartments than some of the other options

Herschel Supply Co. Heritage Backpack

Product place
5th Place
Product rating

The Herschel Supply Co. Heritage Backpack is a sleek and classic backpack that is a solid and popular choice for many students. This pack is sleek and streamlined, meaning it won’t cramp your style. At the same time, it comes in 41 colours and patterns, so you’ll still be able to stand apart in a crowd. It’s a hardworking pack that will safely house all your supplies.

  • Huge assortment of 41 styles, patterns and color combinations
  • Internal media pocket with headphone port
  • Signature striped fabric liner
  • 15″ laptop sleeve
  • Fewer compartments than some alternatives
  • Not waterproof

Best Herschel Backpack More About Herschel Backpacks

Herschel is a relative newcomer to the backpack market. But they’ve had a big impact, very fast. And for good reason!

The company was founded in 2009 by brothers: Jamie and Lyndon Cormack. Herschel Supply Co. is named after the town where three generations of their family grew up.

Now based in Vancouver, Canada, Herschel Supply Co. is a design driven global accessories brand that produces quality products with a fine regard for detail.

Best Herschel Backpack Conclusion

We’re big fans of the Herschel brand and this made choosing the “best” Herschel backpack a controversial topic. We spent a lot of time going back and forth. Truth be told, we really argued about this one.

But at the end of the day we came to a consensus that the Pop Quiz should be our top pick for best Herschel backpack.

That our votes were divided for a while is a testament to this brand’s ability to create really special backpacks that will appeal to every kind of user. At the end of the day, follow your heart. You can’t go wrong with a Herschel backpack!