We rounded up the very best backpacks for each persona and life-style

There are a ton of causes you may want a backpack. Whether or not you’re a student, an athlete, a trainer or a guardian procuring to your child, it’s necessary to search for just a few necessary options to search out the very best backpack to your specific wants. Issues like sturdy zippers that gained’t get caught and pockets for on a regular basis necessities like water bottles and laptop computer sleeves present the final word comfort. 

To seek out the very best backpacks, I spoke with a number of consultants, together with a chiropractor and an equipment design professor at The Style Institute of Know-how, for his or her steering.

SKIP AHEAD How I picked the best backpacks | The best backpacks | The best backpacks for kids | The best backpacks for teens and young adults | Best backpacks for travel | How to shop for a backpack | Why trust NBC Select?

How I picked the best backpacks

There are just a few necessary traits to bear in mind when in search of backpack. Right here’s what our consultants suggest holding in thoughts: 

• Measurement: The dimensions of your backpack is necessary, not simply because it must have sufficient room for your whole belongings, however it needs to be in proportion to your physique and weight, in accordance with Dr. Allen Conrad, a chiropractor at Montgomery County Chiropractic Heart. “Usually you need the backpack to weigh not more than 15% of your physique weight when carrying it. It must be evenly dispersed so the load of the pack doesn’t pull erratically in your backbone,” he says. “Select a pack that’s large enough to hold what you want and not more than that.”
• Snug straps: The straps of your backpack play a vital function in how snug your bag feels. It’s higher to have straps which might be broad and extra supportive, in accordance with Conrad. “The shoulder straps needs to be wider as a substitute of slim. As you add weight to the pack, a narrower strap will pinch on the shoulders and pull them into exterior rotation as soon as weight is added,” he says. “The straps of the pack ought to really feel sturdy and cozy when carrying them.” Moreover, backpack straps with a sternum buckle, which lots of the luggage on this listing have, present further assist when carrying the bag.
• Storage and zippers: You must also think about space for storing, which is commonly decided by the variety of pockets and compartments. This additionally features a laptop computer sleeve that may match not less than a 15-inch laptop computer, a spacious water bottle holder, pockets for small equipment like keys ,make-up and a pockets. 

The best backpacks in 2024

All the merchandise under are both direct suggestions from our consultants or NBC Choose editors who’ve tried the bag themselves. We additionally included choices which have not less than a 4-star common score from 500 opinions or extra on Amazon.

Best backpacks for kids

Simple Modern Disney Backpack

Whereas we featured Easy Trendy’s sturdy tumblers in our roundup of the best water bottles, the model additionally has fashionable backpacks which might be excellent for youths. This Disney-themed one, which has a 4.8-star common score from 7,312 opinions on Amazon, is 15 inches tall, has a mesh water bottle pocket, a number of zipper compartments and a buckle that connects the shoulder straps for added assist. There may be additionally an area for storing a ten.9-inch pill. The backpack can also be out there in medium and enormous sizes, in addition to greater than 30 totally different designs.

Laptop computer sleeve: no | Trolley sleeve: no | Measurement: medium | Colorways: 35+ | Adjustable straps: sure| Shoulder strap padding: sure

Cusangel Backpack for Kids 

The Cusangel backpack for youths, which has a 4.8-star common score from 5,172 opinions on Amazon, is available in a bunch of various designs and illustrations, with dinosaurs, unicorns, fish and extra. It’s just a little over 15 inches tall, with reflective shoulder straps, water bottle pockets and different a number of pockets all through. It has a padded and breathable backing and loads of room for books, provides and extra. 

Laptop computer sleeve: no | Trolley sleeve: no | Measurement: N/A | Colorways: 20 | Adjustable straps: sure | Shoulder strap padding: sure

HawLander Kids Backpack

The HawLander backpack for youths is nice for youths who get pleasure from daring coloration choices fairly than a themed design. The bag is 15 inches tall, has padded, adjustable and reflective shoulder straps with a connector buckle, pockets for college provides, a water bottle holder and an inside identify tag, you could write info on. It’s out there in additional than 10 designs and two totally different sizes, so you’ll be able to select which one is finest primarily based on their top. 

Laptop computer sleeve: sure | Trolley sleeve: no | Measurement: small or medium | Colorways: 16 | Adjustable straps: sure | Shoulder strap padding: sure

Simple Modern Fletcher Collection Backpacks

This various assortment from Easy Trendy has a spread of various designs, equivalent to backpacks with illustrations of ballerinas, dinosaurs, planets, animals, superheroes and way more. It has adjustable straps that make it simple to put on comfortably, a number of water bottle holders and loads of area inside for a lunch field, a ten.9-inch pill, books and faculty provides. With a 4.8-star common score from 7,312 opinions on Amazon, the bag has a zip-closure stash pocket on the highest of the entrance panel and pull tabs on the zippers to make them simple to open and shut. 

Laptop computer sleeve: no | Trolley sleeve: no | Measurement: medium | Colorways: 38 | Adjustable straps: sure | Shoulder strap padding: sure

Best backpacks for teens and young adults

The North Face Borealis Commuter Backpack

The Borealis Commuter backpack from The North Face has every thing {that a} highschool or faculty pupil may need, together with a separate padded laptop computer compartment within the again, a most important compartment with room for issues like books, clothes and a pill. There’s additionally a skinny pocket towards the entrance of the bag with small pockets and compartments for securing small private objects like telephones, a passport, charging cables or a pockets. The padded and adjustable straps have a sternum buckle that connects to 1 one other to supply extra assist

Laptop computer sleeve: sure | Trolley sleeve: no | Measurement: medium | Colorways: 37 | Adjustable straps: sure | Shoulder strap padding: sure

Jansport Laptop Backpack

I’m positively a Jansport backpack fan, and never simply because it was my go-to bag of alternative after I was at school, however as a result of it’s the proper “fundamental” bag no matter your life-style. It is available in a ton of various designs, and it has padded and adjustable shoulder straps. The compartment within the entrance makes it simple to retailer issues like a pockets or passport, there’s additionally loads of room for college necessities in the principle compartment. The versatile mesh water bottle pocket on the facet can also be helpful in case you like to hold reusable water bottles of many alternative sizes. 

Laptop computer sleeve: sure | Trolley sleeve: no | Measurement: medium | Colorways: 31 | Adjustable straps: sure | Shoulder strap padding: sure

Lululemon New Crew Backpack

My brother bought me the New Crew Backpack from Lululemon for Christmas final yr, and I’m nonetheless utilizing it to today. What drew me to it essentially the most is that the emblem is delicate and the general design is straightforward and stylish. I really like that it doesn’t stain or get scratches simply. I’ve carried this throughout commutes on New York Metropolis subways and on a number of flights, and it’s nonetheless in nice form. It has a trolley sleeve so you’ll be able to place it in your rolling suitcase, a laptop computer pocket and some compartments, too. 

Laptop computer sleeve: sure | Trolley sleeve: sure | Measurement: N/A | Colorways: 4 | Adjustable straps: sure | Shoulder strap padding: sure

Calpak Terra Backpack

The Calpak Terra backpack is good for on a regular basis commuting and outside adventures. Beneficial by NBC Choose affiliate website positioning reporter Ashley Morris, the bag is good for journey as a result of it may possibly maintain every thing you’d convey and take again with you on a visit. “As a textbook overpacker, I generally tend to stuff my suitcase to the brim, however this bag helped with that lots,” she says. “I used it to carry my jewellery, make-up, electronics and a change of garments, all of which match with none issues.” It’s produced from a shiny, recycled ripstop polyester materials, making the skin water-proof, in accordance with the model. The entrance pocket has small compartments and sleeves for holding objects. It additionally has sufficient room to comfortably maintain a 14-inch laptop computer. Plus, you’ll be able to swap the laptop computer sleeve out with a 2-liter water reservoir for backpacking and different outside actions. 

Laptop computer sleeve: sure | Trolley sleeve: sure | Measurement: medium | Colorways: 10 | Adjustable straps: sure | Shoulder strap padding: sure

Dagne & Dover Dakota Backpack

The Dagne & Dover Dakota backpack beforehand gained an NBC Select Travel Award for finest backpack for commuting, because of its neoprene design and general performance. It’s a really compact backpack that has simply sufficient area for a pill, small books and different private objects equivalent to a pockets or a pair of sun shades. NBC Choose editorial initiatives supervisor Rebecca Rodriguez examined this bag and loves utilizing it for commuting to work. It has a small pocket on the facet to carry objects equivalent to a set of keys or a water bottle and is available in small, medium or giant sizes.

Laptop computer sleeve: no | Trolley sleeve: no | Measurement: small, medium or giant | Colorways: 9 | Adjustable straps: sure | Shoulder strap padding: sure

Best backpacks for travel

Matein Travel Laptop Backpack

The journey laptop computer backpack from Matein has a 4.7-star common score from 99,950 opinions on Amazon. It’s out there in a 14-inch, 15-inch, 17-inch and 18-inch measurement, so yow will discover one with the proper quantity of area to your particular person wants. It additionally has 4 totally different compartments: together with a laptop computer sleeve, a most important compartment for storing books, folders, clothes and small tablets. The facet of the backpack has a versatile mesh water bottle holder that may maintain each small and enormous bottles. You too can preserve your key fob organized by putting it within the compartment on the entrance pocket of the bag and join a conveyable cellphone charger via the port on the skin.

Laptop computer sleeve: sure | Trolley sleeve: sure | Measurement: small, medium and enormous | Colorways: 30 | Adjustable straps: sure | Shoulder strap padding: sure

Bagsmart Travel Backpack

This travel-friendly backpack from Bagsmart is good for anybody in search of a compact carry-on bag that has sufficient room for necessities like a laptop computer, pockets for wallets, keys and passports, clothes and toiletries. Apart from the laptop computer sleeve on the again, the bag has a compartment within the center for holding issues like folded t-shirts and full-size bottles of shampoo, conditioner and physique lotion. Plus, the within of the principle compartment has a buckle to assist flatten and safe your folded clothes, much like what you’d discover in a rolling suitcase. 

Laptop computer sleeve: sure | Trolley sleeve: sure | Measurement: medium | Colorways: 2| Adjustable straps: sure | Shoulder strap padding: sure

Calpak Luka Backpack

The Calpak Luka Backpack gained an NBC Choose Journey Award for finest general backpack. NBC Choose affiliate reporter Bianca Alvarez tried out this backpack and says that it’s a go-to alternative every time she travels or commutes. It has two most important compartments for holding books, toiletries, snacks and extra. Plus, it has a water bottle pocket on one facet after which a delicate compartment on the opposite facet for holding a small collapsible umbrella. 

Laptop computer sleeve: sure | Trolley sleeve: sure | Measurement: medium | Colorways: 20 | Adjustable straps: sure | Shoulder strap padding: sure

Osprey Daylite Commuter Pack

The Osprey Daylite backpack is a match for many who have lengthy commutes, take multi-day journeys, or spend time outdoor. With a 4.7-star common score from 2,308 scores on Amazon, the bag matches laptops as much as 14 inches and is available in greater than 20 coloration combos. It additionally has each sternum and waist straps to present your physique extra assist, particularly when the bag is especially heavy. You possibly can even use the laptop computer sleeve to carry the water reservoir of a hydration pack in case you plan on utilizing it for lengthy journeys exterior.

Laptop computer sleeve: sure | Trolley sleeve: no | Measurement: medium | Colorways: 22 | Adjustable straps: sure | Shoulder strap padding: sure

How to shop for backpacks

When you’re prepared to buy a backpack, there are some things to bear in mind when selecting one. Right here’s what our consultants suggest:

Consider you needs and activity

Earlier than choosing a backpack, determine whether or not you’ll use it for journey, commuting or outside actions. It is because options equivalent to plentiful pockets and waterproof supplies will assist manage and defend your whole belongings, in accordance with Sarah Mullins, an affiliate professor of footwear and equipment designs on the Fashion Institute of Technology. “If the individual goes to be exterior then water resistant materials or a rain cowl can be useful,” she says. “Waterproof zippers and dry bag designs could also be options essential for boating-related actions.” The identical applies in case you use it to journey lots — you’ll need options equivalent to trolley sleeves and area for toiletries. 

Prioritize padding and comfort

Whereas many backpacks have some form of padding, not less than within the shoulder straps, it’s best to try to search for a backpack that has padding on different spots, too, equivalent to on the bottom, in accordance with Mullins. “Think about the consumer’s wants, for instance, in case you want a bag to hold photograph tools, a laptop computer or different costly gear then search for padded pockets or adjustable padded sections.” Lots of backpacks could really feel snug at first, however as soon as they’re crammed with heavy supplies, the consolation stage could change.

Take your height and size

It’s necessary to think about your general top, shoulder width and torso size to guarantee that the backpack is appropriate together with your physique kind, in accordance with Mullins. “Individuals ought to search for a correct match for his or her torso (see REI’s How to size and fit a backpack), assist (equivalent to again padding, adjustable shoulder straps, sternum strap and/or hip belt), and capability,” she says. Ensure that the shoulder straps are lengthy sufficient to comfortably match round your physique, whether or not it’s empty or full. 

Meet our experts

At NBC Choose, we work with consultants who’ve specialised information and authority primarily based on related coaching and/or expertise. We additionally take steps to make sure all skilled recommendation and proposals are made independently and with out undisclosed monetary conflicts of curiosity.

• Allen Conrad is a chiropractor at Montgomery County Chiropractic Center in North Wales, PA.
• Sarah Mullins is an affiliate professor of footwear and equipment designs on the Fashion Institute of Technology.

Why trust NBC Select?

I’m a commerce editor at NBC Choose, the place I cowl life-style, residence and cooking home equipment. I’ve written tales on the very best backpacks for faculty college students, the best stainless steel cookware to make use of and a review of Yeti’s French press. I spoke with a chiropractor and equipment consultants for this story. 

Atone for NBC Choose’s in-depth protection of personal finance, tech and tools, wellness and extra, and observe us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok to remain updated.