We Found the Best Backpack Brands for School, Travel, and Beyond

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You and your backpack have been through everything together — your first day of middle school, your first crush, the day you got your braces off, and all those times you accidentally left it behind somewhere. Those trusty backpacks hold real mems. <3 But if you’re headed off to college or just planning on a total style revamp for the new school year and want to switch to something new, we have you covered with the best backpack brands to shop for back to school szn.

Not sure where to begin the search? For starters, some of those trusty brands that you and your friends have been carrying for years actually make some really trendy, cute styles like this spring yellow Jansport backpack or this regencycore print from Vera Bradley. Or if you’re looking for something more functional, Camelbak and Patagonia make top-rated hiking packs that can double as school gear. No matter what aesthetic (tech-y with a laptop sleeve, or cutesy and colorful?) you gravitate towards, we're confident that one of the best backpack brands below will have something that piques your interest. Keep scrolling for more.

Recon Backpack

Whether you need a daypack for scaling a mountain or a compact backpack for traveling, The North Face has you covered with functional options bearing their signature logo.

SUPERBREAK® Plus Backpack

You can't go wrong with a classic JanSport backpack. The reliable brand has dozens of colors, styles, and features to shop as well as awesome adaptive options for anyone who uses a mobility device.

Foundation 6 Backpack

Your go-to site for soccer cleats, white socks, and comfy hoodies also offers excellent backpacks that'll accommodate your books and your sports gear. This back is partially made with recycled content generated from production waste.

Atom 20L Tote Pack

Patagonia makes the cutest backpacks for that gorpcore vibe. This one has multiple different carrying straps and pockets, as well as a sustainable design — this bag is made of postconsumer recycled polyester.

Mountain Classic School Backpack, 24L

L.L. Bean might be where your mom bought your elementary school backpack with your name embroidered on the back, but they also have some cool colorful styles that are a bit more low-key for walking around campus.

City Adventurer Backpack Mini 11L

Next time you pop by the Lululemon website for an Align Leggings restock, don't forget to check out their bag section. Happy customers say that the 11L City Adventurer backpack is the perfect size for a book and a water bottle, although you'll want to snag the 20L version if you plan on carrying around multiple textbooks at once.

Metro Backpack

Monos' vegan backpacks are ideal for traveling, thanks to the spacious compartments (see: the extra storage that attaches to the back) and the clever ways the bag can accommodate overhead bins and airplane seats (see: the removable pouch).

Pro Pack 20L

Aer makes lowkey bags with intentional pockets for tech, including your laptop, and super wide zippers for easy access to your belongings whether you're in class or commuting to an internship.

Fourteener™ 24 Hydration Hiking Pack with Crux® 3L Reservoir

If you're headed to a college where serious hiking is a regular weekend activity, you'll love this Camelbak backpack that boasts features like trekking pole attachments, an adjustable sternum strap, and an easily accessible hydration system.

Lightweight Casual Laptop Backpack

Anyone on a time crunch to find a suitable backpack should look no further than Amazon, home of free 2-day Prime shipping (psttt: you get a free 6-month trial as a student). Dozens of brands and price points are available to you.

Campus Backpack

The comfort of a Vera Bradley backpack is unmatched thanks to the quilted, padded cotton fabric. The brand also stocks duffle bags and weekenders, which are helpful for road trips and shorter travels.

Stowaway Packable 30L Daypack

If you're looking for a bag that'll last you a long, long time, Eddie Bauer's high-quality backpacks will do the trick. This large backpack is water-repellent and surprisingly light.

Heritage Backpack

The retro-style Herschel patch is instantly recognizable. The brand's backpacks have a cool, laidback feel, but they're also surprisingly durable and affordable.

TechPack Large Backpack

Lands' End backpacks are specifically-designed with students in mind. This one comes with a laptop or tablet pocket, a padded compartment for your phone, and tons of space for lugging around heavy binders and books.

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