Our Best Backpacks For College
Mar 23, 2021
Heading off to college this fall? You’re probably feeling all the feels, from excitement to nostalgia to nerves. It’s a time to think about what exciting new things you want to learn, what activities or clubs you want to join, and how you want to reinvent your style as a college student.
Regarding your style, you might be the type who rolls out of bed and goes to early-morning lectures in pajama pants, or you might prefer to dress to impress before you head out for the day and make the library or a coffee shop your study space. Maybe you’re heading to a school in a different climate or exploring a new look after being freed from your high school uniform or dress code. No matter your style situation, a new pack can give you a head start in defining your college look. And of course, there’s the practical factor of this bag; you’ll need a sturdy, comfortable, and stylish backpack to carry your belongings all around campus.
So what makes a great college backpack? One of the most important features is a padded sleeve to carry your laptop and keep it protected. Ideally, a good pack will also have a water bottle holder to help you stay hydrated throughout the day—but it should be separate from your laptop, just in case there’s a leak. Also look for handy features like stash pockets for keys or headphones, ergonomic straps to give your shoulders a break, and a spacious main compartment for any books you might need to tote around. Don’t forget durability: You want a bag that will last the whole school year, no matter the conditions you carry it through.
Making sure you've got a backpack that fits your needs and your lifestyle makes all the difference. And if you need help finding one, you’ve come to the right place. We've rounded up eight of our best-selling, fan-favorite backpacks for college, tried and tested over the years by many college students. Ready to make every activity easier and a little bit more stylish, these college-ready backpacks are sure to suit every taste and packing need.
The Favorite College Backpack
The SuperBreak® Plus is, by far, the number one backpack worn (and loved) by JanSport staff and college students alike. A fresh take on the classic SuperBreak® pack, it’s made with recycled materials—perfect for being more eco-friendly as you go around campus. Throw on this versatile backpack for school days or weekend outings.
The SuperBreak® Plus makes an ideal laptop backpack, as it includes an internal 15-inch laptop sleeve that’s padded to keep your tech safe and secure. It also features a side water bottle pocket and a front organizer pocket that’s ideal for keeping all your cords in one easy-to-grab place. The spacious main compartment is great for textbooks, notebooks, and all your other daily essentials.
Does this backpack have a laptop compartment or sleeve?
Yes. The padded Interior laptop sleeve fits up to 15-inch screens and helps protect your gear from bumps and drops.
The Origional College Backpack
In 1970, students at the University of Washington took our original hiking pack and turned it into the first campus backpack. A few design changes later, the Right Pack was born. Functional simplicity at its best, the dependable leather-bottom Right Pack is a solid choice for any college student. The main compartment has ample space for everything you need on and off campus, and it also has a 15-inch laptop sleeve and large front pockets. This is, without a doubt, the iconic college pack.
Want to take this bag to the next level? Check out the Right Pack Premium which has a few fun upgrades on the OG including a dedicated zippered laptop compartment, air mesh shoulder straps, and premium suede leather bottom, trim, and zipper pulls.
Does this backpack have a laptop compartment or sleeve?
It does! The Right Pack has a padded interior laptop sleeve and the Right Pack Premium has a separate zippered laptop compartment.
The Gear-ready College Backpack
The future belongs to those who have the gear to get there. The Main Campus will carry all your gear with ease. As its name suggests, it’s truly a college backpack at heart, but it can stay with you long into the future, too. The Main Campus has two main compartments: Pack your goals into the front compartment and your gumption into the other. With a dedicated laptop compartment, front organizer, zippered stash pocket, H2O sleeve, and organizer panel with key clip, there’s nothing the Main Campus pack can’t do. Side compression straps help you keep even large loads manageable and a fully padded back panel with air mesh backing ensures you’ll stay cool. The backpack comes in 14 versatile colors to boot.
Does this backpack have a laptop compartment or sleeve?
Sure does. The Main Campus has a dedicated 15-inch padded laptop compartment with zip closure.
The Fashion-forward College Backpack
The sleek Station Pack reads more style than student, but it still has all the features you need to carry it to class. The clean lines and silhouette conceal a roomy main compartment, side pockets that stretch to fit even the largest bottles, separate zippered side access for your laptop, and an easy-access organizer pocket. The backpack comes in four trendy muted colors, including misty rose and elemental blue and, in true college fashion, is made from 100% recycled fabric. Padded shoulder straps round out the package.
Does this backpack have a laptop compartment or sleeve?
Absolutely. Access the 15-inch padded laptop compartment through the side zipper.
The Travel-friendly College Backpack
Flying off to school? The Landings Pack will make the journey just a little bit easier. This handy bag features a luggage attachment, AKA a back panel that can slip over the handle of a wheeled suitcase. It also has plenty of pockets for anything you might need to have easy access to, whether you’re journeying across the country or across campus, including a front gear compartment, stash pocket, padded laptop sleeve, and two stretchy water bottle pockets. This super-cushy pack is ready for the long haul with ergonomic shoulder straps, an extra-soft back panel, and a sternum strap with a whistle built into the buckle.
Does this backpack have a laptop compartment or sleeve?
For sure! The zippered plush 15-inch laptop compartment comes with an internal lined sleeve.
The Versatile College Backpack
Whether you’re headed to a lecture, a study group at your classmate’s dorm, the campus gym, rehearsal for your a cappella group, or all of the above, the multipurpose Journey Pack has you covered. This super-roomy backpack has a separate plush laptop compartment with an internal lined sleeve, along with plenty of other pockets to keep you organized: a gear loft compartment with an internal organization panel and zippered mesh pocket; a spacious front pocket; a large main compartment; and a stretchy bottle holder on each side. Gear straps on the bottom can help provide compression for large loads or even attach a blanket or yoga mat. The pack is extra durable, too, made of recycled fabric and reinforced with a heavy-duty ballistic nylon bottom. Padded shoulder straps, a sternum strap with a built-in whistle, and an extra-soft padded back panel ensure you’ll stay comfortable, no matter how heavy the load.
Does this backpack have a laptop compartment or sleeve?
Yep. The dedicated laptop compartment fits up to a 15-inch computer and comes with an internal lined sleeve.
The Internship-ready College Backpack
For a bag that will take you from the classroom to the conference room, look no further than the Inbound Pack. It’s sleek yet practical, made with recycled fabric and a heavy-duty reinforced bottom made of recycled ballistic nylon. Your laptop will be separated from your essentials in a dedicated padded compartment that fits computers up to 15 inches. Everything else can be stashed in the gear loft compartment with an internal organization panel and zippered mesh pocket built in. EVA-padded shoulder straps and an extra-soft padded back panel round out the package. Pick this pack up in subtle black or make a statement in colors like Deep Juniper or Misty Rose.
Does this backpack have a laptop compartment or sleeve?
It does. You can access your laptop from a separate zippered compartment.
The Daypack College Backpack
Give your college backpack an outdoor vibe with the Agave. A classic daypack featuring a padded sleeve to fit a three-liter hydration system or 15-inch laptop, this backpack makes it easy to get to all your stuff at once. The large compartment fits everything from books to your favorite college sweatshirt. Pack your pens, cords, chargers, and all your small stuff in the large front pocket, and keep your sunglasses or wallet in the top easy-access stash pocket. Designed with a soft tricot-lined tablet pocket, AirCore shoulder straps, a quick external accessories pocket, and a front utility pocket with an organizer, this is the perfect backpack for hiking across campus or into the wilderness.
Does this backpack have a laptop compartment or sleeve?
And more! The padded sleeve fits a laptop for commuting or a hydration reservoir for hiking.
