A Guide to Finding the Best JanSport Backpack For You
You’re about to hop on an airplane, take to the trail, spend a day at the beach, or head in for your first class of the day. What do these things have in common? You need the right backpack to support you through it all. So whether you’re a travel enthusiast, making your way through school or college, in search of the perfect carry-on, or just want something for everyday use, we’ve compiled the ultimate guide to meeting your best backpack match at JanSport.
It’s not as simple as choosing the one that looks the best (though, style is vital!). You need to think about your specific needs, too. And when it comes down to it, everybody has different requirements for a backpack. Personally, I need it to be able to carry all my daily necessities—my laptop, a book for a long commute, and lunch, if I remembered to pack it—without the bag putting a lot of weight on my shoulders.
Others may prefer something sleek and small that holds only the essentials. Or maybe you prefer dual water bottle pockets for your weekend hike. Whatever you’re on the hunt for, at least one of these bags will accommodate your needs and cater to your lifestyle. Why? Because JanSport crafts quality and durable packs to last a lifetime for all your life’s adventures. Really—if your pack ever breaks down, simply return it to our warranty center. If we can’t fix it, we’ll replace it. No questions asked. That’s a bag for life. So let’s find the best backpack for you.
The Best Backpack for the On-Campus College Student: Main Campus
That on-campus life likely means you have to do your fair share of carrying textbooks, handouts, notepads, and, of course, a laptop. Plus, you’ve got to stay hydrated and have space to carry a snack or two. And what if you need to carry some gear for your intramural sports practice? You need a big backpack that’s capable of holding all of this (and then some). Luckily, the Main Campus pack fits the bill precisely.
It has it all for the college-goer. There’s a dedicated laptop compartment, a front organizer compartment, a zippered stash pocket, an H2O pocket, an organizer panel with key fob, and so much more. And remember how I said that it needs to look good, too? The Main Campus comes in 14 different styles, so you can find one that matches your aesthetic preferences exactly. My personal favorite is Deep Juniper.
This XL bag has everything the on-the-go student needs.
The Best Backpack for the City Commuter: Inbound Pack
Look at you, city slicker! You need a bag that can fit anything you might need for the day, from your work laptop to a sweater for the chilly office to a change of shoes (no one likes commuting in dress shoes). So staying organized with a backpack that can hold everything you might require is key—and you need to look good while doing it. In essence, you need something practical and professional. Enter the Inbound Pack.
We’re talking sleek, stylish, and comfortable. There’s a laptop compartment, dual water bottle side pockets, and a reinforced, heavy-duty bottom—great for if your shoulders demand a break after a long, standing commute. It also has a gear loft compartment that makes storing and reaching small essentials a breeze. While super roomy and capable of holding whatever you carry with you, it’s also a minimalist's dream, creating that neat and tidy professional look.
This pack makes dashing around the city feel like a walk in the park.
The Best Backpack for the Everyday Adventurer: Right Pack
If you’re someone who’s always on the go, searching out a new experience that could take you just about anywhere, a backpack that can handle whatever you throw at it is a necessity. Well, good news for you: The Right Pack just feels… well, right for this very scenario.
Its suede leather bottom adds extra durability in case you set it on rocky ground or a park bench. There’s a padded laptop sleeve, a side water-bottle pocket, a front pocket with a built-in organizer, and a zipper hood to keep splashes from getting in. You never know when rain might strike as you take to the open road! This backpack also has adjustable padded shoulder straps that provide extra comfort for large loads and long-wear carrying—in case your adventure spans multiple hours.
Another bonus? It comes in more than 40 styles. Choose a bright shade to add a fresh pop of color to your outfit or go more muted to blend in.
The Best Backpack for the Style Trailblazer: Everyday Large Tote
You’ve got something to say, and you say it with your wardrobe and accessories. You’re confident in your look and know exactly how to bring it all together. But just because your bag needs to make a statement doesn’t mean it can’t also take on all of your essentials with ease. Thankfully, the Everyday Large Tote is both stylish and practical.
Say goodbye to two-strapping; it wasn’t your game anyway. This over-the-shoulder, fashionable maven has multiple zippered compartments and deep side pockets. It even has not one, but two water bottle pouches! The padded bottom boot gives the bag nice structure, and the big zippered front pocket can keep your phone and keys within easy reach. It’s durable and long-lasting but doesn’t sacrifice style to be so.
It comes in several prints, and my favorite print is Animal Illusion—talk about standing out, in the best way.
The Best Backpack for the Go-Getter: Landings Pack
You’ve got places to be, things to do, and stuff to carry. You’re ready to not just meet your goals but completely smash them. So a backpack that can meet you where you’re at is just what the doctor ordered. The Landings Pack is ready to join you.
With an extra-soft back panel, cushiony ergonomic shoulder straps, and a padded top-haul handle, this backpack screams comfort. It has a super roomy main compartment, two side pockets for large water bottles, a big zippered front pocket, and even a trolley slip on the back for easy luggage attachment, so it can follow you wherever you go. And don’t worry, of course there’s a laptop sleeve and even a secret stash pocket for your personal items.
It also comes in a variety of styles to best suit you.
The Best Backpack for Carry-On Travel: Journey Pack
The world is calling. You’re always ready and waiting to head to the airport, get on the road, or board a train to visit a new place. So a travel companion in the form of a backpack is not just a want, but a necessity. The aptly named Journey Pack is just the ticket to ensure you have everything you could wish for on your travels right at your fingertips.
It’s literally designed with a multi-day trip in mind. Optimized for comfort with an extra soft back panel and padded shoulders, you won’t even realize you’re carrying this bag over long periods. And it has bottom compression gear straps and an ergonomic sternum strap to keep comfort and carrying levels at an all-time high. Oh, and don’t worry: It’s got space to boot. There’s a huge main compartment, front zippered pocket, and dual bottle pockets on the side.
The padded top haul handle also means you can lug this carry-on bag around with no worries.
The Best Backpack for Hiking: Hatchet Backpack
There’s nothing quite like getting out in the open air and into nature for you. You seek new paths and can’t wait to see what you discover. So being prepared for whatever the trail throws at you is the name of the game. The Hatchet Backpack was born for the nature buff who will be on their feet for multiple hours.
It has a huge main compartment with top hatch entry—the U-shape opening makes for easy packing and quick access to all your stuff. There are two side bottle pockets, a padded interior laptop sleeve to protect your tech, and cinch straps on sides to compress large loads. There’s also a built-in organizer panel with a ton of pockets to keep everything where it should be.
And if that weren’t enough, the daisy chain on the front allows for multiple attachment points for anything else you may require on the trail.
The Best Backpack for the Eco-Conscious Consumer: Restore Backpack
You’re concerned with helping the planet, but you still have to have somewhere to put all your tools to do so. What if I told you there was a backpack that married your love of the earth with function and fashion? The Restore Backpack is ideal, and it’s ready for you.
Not only is it made from RENU® recycled textile waste fabric that would have otherwise ended up in landfill, it also has webbing and cording made from 100% surplus yarn and 100% recycled polyester labels. Features of this bag include a side-bottle pocket, big main compartment, an interior laptop sleeve, and a fully padded back panel made of partially recycled EVA foam.
This is a purchase you can feel good about making. And remember when I mentioned that JanSport offers free repairs and replacements when necessary? That means reduce, reuse, recycle when it comes to your backpack.
The Best Backpack for the Fitness Enthusiast: Odyssey Backpack
The gym is your home away from home, and nothing gets you pumped more than the thought of spending an hour or two sweating it out as you tone your body. But you need a backpack to carry all your gear—especially if you’re going from school or work. The Odyssey Backpack is the durable, heavy-duty gym buddy you’ve been searching for.
With not one, but three main compartments, two side-bottle pockets for ultimate hydration, a built-in loop allowing for a bike light mount, and a sternum strap for extra mobility, this bag can handle anything you can throw at it. It also has side compression straps that cinch down large loads and a laptop sleeve, so it can double as your work or college backpack, too.
No need to carry an extra gym bag, keep it all in one place.
By: Larry Stansbury
With Additional Reporting By: Kelly Meehan Brown
