In order for it to be considered water resistant, a backpack needs to be able to keep its contents safe in case its wearer gets caught in the rain. Water resistant backpacks repel water so that it’s not absorbed by the fabric and therefore doesn’t enter the bag and damage its contents. For extra protection, some backpacks come with water bottle pockets which are perfect for holding umbrellas.
Keep in mind that water resistant does not mean waterproof, so don’t submerge your backpack in the fountain on campus!
It’s difficult to get through university without a laptop. The best water resistant backpacks for college have padded laptop sleeves that protect your precious computer and separate it from other items in your bag that could damage the laptop. The backpacks on this list can fit laptops with screen sizes of 15”.
From laptops to textbooks and notebooks to binders, college students have a lot to carry. Their loads can get very heavy! The best backpacks for college students are ergonomically designed to increase comfort. These bags come with padded backs and straps, and sometimes sternum and waist straps.
If you’re looking for the best water resistant backpack for college, the Under Armour Hustle 3.0 Backpack is the bag for you. Its generous 30-liter capacity lets wearers fit everything they need for school, including a 15” laptop. This backpack’s shoe compartment is perfect for storing dress shoes for internships and sneakers for after-class gym time.
This beauty by Samsonite is a great college backpack for women. Its gold details and sleek shape give it a feminine touch, while its water-resistant coating and laptop sleeve make it practical. College students who have to fly home for breaks will love the bag’s trolley sleeve.
Students who live far from campus will love Osprey’s Transporter Zip Top Laptop Backpack for its commuter-friendly features. Students who ride a bike to campus will enjoy the bag’s sternum and waist straps, blinker light attachment feature, and water bottle compartment. The bag’s water resistance makes it a suitable companion for all kinds of weather.
The JanSport Cool Student Backpack is a great everywhere, everyday backpack for college students. With a generous capacity of 34 liters, this pack is great for heavier loads of technology and books. It even makes a great weekender or carry-on pack for off-campus adventures.
Moleskine’s ID Backpack is the perfect backpack for upperclassmen with lighter course loads thanks to its small capacity and sleek design. Its padded back and straps make the bag comfortable to carry, even when there’s a heavy laptop inside of it. The bag’s water repellent exterior keeps rain and snow away from the backpack’s precious contents.
Under Armour’s Hustle 3.0 Backpack is the best water resistant backpack college students will love. Its spacious capacity, cushioned laptop sleeve, shoe compartment, and water resistant fabric make it a versatile bag for college students.
At the end of the day, all of the backpacks on our list are great options for college students on the go. If the Under Armour bag isn’t for you, take a look at the other customer-approved options in our guide.