Back To School: The Best College Backpacks Of 2022

Our top choice in the list of the best backpacks for college students is the Deuter UP Stockholm. Deuter excels in crafting technical packs for adventures of any kind, in any terrain, including a college campus. We love the UP Stockholm for its sleek look, hidden pockets, and zipped top. This bag is great as a quick overnight bag since it’s easy to dump stuff into, but it can just as easily turn into an organization lover’s dream. The sneaky front pocket is hidden and great for valuables and the interior laptop pocket is just the right size for my MacBook while the other pockets fit small notebooks, pens and chargers with ease. There’s also a side pocket which is great for water bottles.

The zip top opening is flap style, so if you forget to close your backpack all the time, you’re unlikely to lose anything out of this one. To make carrying large loads easier, there is a padded and ventilated back panel, padded straps and a hip and sternum strap to distribute weight better and spare your shoulders and back. Lastly, this pack sports a 22L capacity, perfect for big days on campus.

Sleek, light, organized, a college student’s dream, the UAG UMouve Pack has a sleek exterior and an interior thoughtfully designed with pockets galore for the organization lover. There’s an elastic laptop or tablet pocket along the back panel and several other pockets for notebooks and other items. I love the organization on the outside for pens, keys and more. I usually bring a couple of different colored pens with me when I work, so this feature was perfect. There’s also a side pocket, perfect for water bottles.

The capacity on this bag isn’t as large as the UP Stockholm, but this is an excellent pack for lighter days or folks who mostly need a laptop and other small items. It earns a spot on our best backpacks for college students list with its sleek and colorful exterior, thoughtful interior organization, and excellent pricepoint.

The Troubadour Ridge Backpack may be one of the more expensive options on our list but it is also the most stylish and weatherproof. This is one of the most thoughtful backpacks around; upon opening the box, I was immediately excited about the number of pockets. I found the front pockets excellent for keys, blue light glasses and pens while I used interior pockets to store medications, notebooks, everyday carry items and more. Even with all the pockets stuffed and a laptop in the separate pouch, I still had space for lunch in the main compartment.

The pockets don’t end there though – there are two stretchy side pockets, which are great for folks like me who need multiple beverages. The waterproof lining, outer fabric and zippers held up really well during even the rainiest of Portland days. With a five-year warranty, this bag is built to last and could last you your entire college career.

Don’t let the hassle of a busy day leave you in chaos, the Mancro College Backpack is designed for easy access to your valuables with plenty of pockets for easy organization. With the capacity to hold a 15.6-inch laptop in the padded pocket, it has a good amount of space to keep your useful devices safely in place. The main compartment of this everyday backpack is conveniently sized to accommodate other accessories such as chargers, books, and even a change of clothes. There’s a front pocket that provides easy access to those items you’ll need regularly such as keys, I.D’s, credit cards, and other everyday carry items.

What’s even better is the built-in USB cable that allows you to plug a mobile power hub in to charge one or more devices on the go. In addition to easy charging, there’s an anti-theft system that prevents anyone from picking items from the bag via its secure lock. This keeps personal items and valuables safely in place without worries of people getting access to important projects, files, and other information. The bag is made from a water-resistant smooth nylon material that ensures the durability of the bag as well as quality zippers that open and close quite easily.

For a less busy day in school or a much-needed trip to the library, the Vancropak Water Resistant School Backpack is the right pick. It may not be as large as other backpacks, but what it lacks in size it makes up for in compartments. The design is simple and sleek enough to fit in with your daily outfits, with several pockets to keep necessities at reach. Made from premium quality water-resistant canvas set to last for the long haul, this classy bag would be a great gift to a friend or family member in college.

It features a large compartment for a laptop, notebook, or tablets and other compartments and a front pocket for books, chargers, and stationaries. This bag also comes with a USB port that connects to a USB cable for charging devices while walking or riding. On the sides are adjustable pockets to fit a water bottle on the go. It doubles as a suitable bag for traveling, going on trips, work, and the likes with a lightweight form that won’t add pressure to the load. The high base is well reinforced to be placed on different types of terrains and balances well on flat surfaces.

Twinning practicality with a comfortable design, the Timbuk2 Parkside Laptop Backpack is a great choice for a secure and built-to-last backpack. The large internal main pocket provides ample space and is ideal for storing laptops up to 15-inches, and the multitude of additional compartments make organizing your equipment a breeze.

The exterior of this Timbuk2 backpack features three zip pockets for valuables, pens and more. With comfortable straps and ventilated back panel, you’ll be able to carry everything you need for class without struggling under the weight. The simple but modern features and exceptional organization make this a great everyday backpack for college students.

While the sleek and elegant design of the Carhartt Legacy Classic Work Backpack makes it the perfect choice for any fashion-conscious student, the strong and durable design also makes it incredibly practical for office. Designed for comfort and security with a dedicated laptop sleeve, water-repellent design, and abrasion-resistant bottom, the Carhartt Legacy Classic Work Backpack gives you plenty of room to store your equipment in the spacious main compartment and external zippered pockets, but also peace of mind over the security of your belongings and the durability of your pack.

The durability and toughness of this bag makes it one of the best college backpacks for students who tend to be rough on their equipment. We also like its size – it’s perfect for 15.-inch (or smaller) laptops.

For a lightweight backpack that will safely store your essential college equipment, and leave you room to spare, the JanSport Right Pack Laptop Backpack is a top choice. Available in multiple colors and capable of fitting a 15-inch laptop securely in the internal laptop pocket, this college backpack is a great combination of stylish and practical.

Whether you have a packed day at college or need ample room to store your gym clothes, the JanSport Right Pack Laptop Backpack is a comfortable, practical, and durable choice for every occasion and one of the best college bags out there. It’s also available in a variety of colors, so you’re guaranteed to find one (or two!) to match your personal style.

It’s a bit reminiscent of your primary days but gets the job done on a budget. Nearly 19L of storage space, with four interior pockets for whatever you want to store. You can stash a 14” laptop in here, and make full use of the external water bottle slot. You even get a port to feed your earbud wires through for maximum discretion.

In terms of support, there’s a lower lumbar cushioning system to prevent strain. Vaschy Unisex Classic will be so lightweight and comfortable, that you’ll forget how heavy it is when you drop it down: don’t worry, there’s a reinforced bottom specifically designed to cushion that blow. We also like that it’s made from water-resistant material. It’s a budgeter’s backpack, perfect for a college student’s price range.

JanSport is one of the biggest backpack manufacturers in the world. We don’t really need to tell you about the quality of these packs – the amazing Amazon reviews and brand reputation do that, and if you’ve been to a school of any type or a college campus, you’ve seen JanSport bags. Instead, we’ll just tell you the features of the JanSport Big Student Backpack. It has a large main compartment with space for a 15-inch laptop. On the outside, it has three large zippered pocket options. For comfort, it has ergonomic S-curve shoulder straps, a padded back panel, and a web haul handle. Plus, it’s available in over 35 colors, prints, and patterns.

This is one of the most popular college backpacks on the market, and we’re not surprised as it’s seriously one of the best backpacks for college students on the market. If you’re a fan of the classic backpack design, get this one – you won’t regret it.

The Matein Travel Laptop Backpack is one of the best-reviewed products in this category. Designed for modern college students, it has a padded laptop compartment that can accommodate up to a 15.6-inch laptop. This backpack for travel-focused college students has pockets designed for your phone, tablet, pens, and key fob and even two mesh slip pockets for your water bottles. And, it even has an external USB port that you can hook up to your own power bank (not included) and charge your smartphone/devices on the go.

Of course, none of that’s important if the materials aren’t high-quality enough. Fortunately, it’s made from polyester, a water-resistant and durable fabric. All in all, it’s one of the best travel and college backpacks on the market in this price range.

If you’re looking for a more unique-looking backpack, the Modoker Vintage Laptop Backpack is perfect. It has a truly classic design but it’s been updated to make it useful in the modern world. For example, it’s made from 600D polyester, which is a relatively modern material that offers durability, water resistance, scratch resistance, and anti-tearing ability. It’s also much more lightweight than a traditional canvas backpack. On top of that, it has a built-in USB port that lets you hook up a charging port and phone through your backpack.

We also like the fact that it comes in some beautiful classic colors as well as with a spacious main compartment that can safely hold a laptop up to 15.6-inches. Importantly, its shoulder straps are well-padded, so the backpack will be easy on your shoulders.

The Tzowla Travel Laptop Backpack is designed for travel but it makes a great college backpack too. We like it because it has that low-profile design that suits the modern student. Study abroad anyone? You don’t need to carry around a huge pile of books and folders anymore. Everything is on your laptop. That’s why this backpack has a 15.6-inch padded laptop compartment and a locking system on top to keep it safe.

You can fit a couple of books in here as well but it’s definitely not the roomiest backpack on this list. Like a lot of modern college backpacks, it also has a built-in USB charger and headphone port, so you can keep your devices charged throughout the day.