Backpacks For School

Students can easily get overwhelmed by all the books, notebooks, pens and pencils, and other school supplies they need to bring. They also need a sturdy backpack to carry their belongings in.

A padded back and straps can make all the difference when it comes to comfort. And a shoe compartment can help them stay organized.

1. Waterproof Backpack

If your school life takes you through a rainstorm or a lakeside excursion, you may want to invest in a backpack that’s designed to stay dry. Waterproof backpacks are typically made with thicker, rigid materials than your average pack and have features like taped seams and waterproof zippers that keep water out. They can also be treated to resist ultra-violet degradation and the wear and tear that comes from regular use.

The fabric used to make a bag is the biggest factor in whether or not it’s truly waterproof. Canvas is a popular choice, but it’s not inherently waterproof. It can be treated to make it resistant to water, but it’s not ideal for heavy downpours or full submersion. Synthetic fabrics like nylon and polyester are more likely to be waterproof, but they’re not inherently so either. They can be made with rip-stop nylon, which has a grid pattern of durable threads that are sewn tightly together to prevent them from tearing, or they can be coated with a waterproof membrane or layer of polyurethane that seals the seams and makes the entire pack water-resistant.

For a waterproof backpack that’s designed to fit into your active lifestyle, check out Lululemon’s Everyday Backpack. It has a padded laptop pocket that fits a 15-inch device, side pockets for a water bottle, and outer mesh backpacks for school pockets to store smaller accessories. It also has a slim profile, comfortable straps with chest and hip pads, and a luggage sleeve.

2. Magical Backpack

One day Timmy’s parents gave him a special backpack. It looked like any other backpack but when he reached inside it, something magical happened. It had the ability to give him whatever he needed in that moment. Whether it was a pencil for his homework or food for his lunch, the magic backpack always had it for him. He couldn’t believe his eyes and was elated.

Soon, he started using the magic backpack for all his school needs. His friends were amazed and wanted to know about it. But Timmy didn’t want to tell them the secret. He realized that having a magic backpack came with a big responsibility and should be used wisely. Over time, he taught his younger sister Tina the power of the magical backpack.

This cool backpack has a unique design with applique accents that give it an enchanted forest feel. It features an ethereal moth suspended in mid-air against a backdrop of bewitching black. The mystical backpack is also durable and spacious to hold all your school necessities. It has padded shoulder straps and large zippered compartments to fit purse vendors everything you need for your next adventure. This backpack is also a great gift for kids who love to travel and explore!

3. Backpack with Lunchbox

A backpack is the school bag that will carry all of your child’s essentials for the day. For older kids, this may include a notebook or binder for notes. It’s best to have this filled and ready the night before, as it can be a little easy for them to forget things throughout the day. Some schools also require a planner or journal for students, which can help them keep track of their schedule and what assignments are due when. Other items they might need are a lunchbox, pencil case or other writing materials, and a water bottle.

For college-aged children, it’s important to choose a backpack that will fit all of the books they’ll be taking for their courses, and also accommodate any extra school supplies that they’re going to bring with them. Consider the size of their classes, and whether they have any long turnarounds between them, as this will determine how large or small their backpack needs to be. It’s a good idea to ask them what features they want their backpack to have, such as padded laptop compartments, extra pockets and dividers, or even a daisy chain loop for their bike lock.

A great option for college kids is the Herschel Little America backpack, which has a spacious main compartment and a padded laptop pocket for all their school needs. It’s also designed with a shoe compartment, which is great for keeping dirty gym shoes or sweaty workout clothes separate from the rest of your gear.

4. Backpack with Laptop Pocket

Whether you’re heading to the cafe to meet with clients or taking a break to walk around campus, your laptop and other essentials need a safe place to travel. Laptop backpacks feature padded compartments and sleeves that keep your tech snugly inside. These packs also often have extra security features like lockable zippers, which are especially useful for commuters who need to keep their belongings safe from opportunistic thieves.

Meghan used an old, non-working laptop in her testing and threw each pack across her apartment to mimic an oopsy moment (and her downstairs neighbors would sincerely appreciate if she’d stop this stage of her tests). She based the protection factor on the sound each bag made as it hit the ground. A dull thud indicated the bag’s padding had done its job, while a sharp thunk meant that it hadn’t.

The best laptop backpacks offer plenty of space for the tech you carry along with room to store books, accessories and other gear. They’re typically lightweight and versatile enough for use at school, work or on a weekend camping trip. They can be found in a range of colors, designs and sizes to match your personal style. Some, such as the Timbuk2 Authority Deluxe and JanSport Right Pack, are also available in a business backpack iteration to better suit your professional environment.