$99.00
Backcountry
The 13+ best backpacks to shop for every type of lifestyle
To find the best backpack, look for multiple pockets, sturdy zippers and laptop sleeves.
The Borealis Commuter backpack from The North Face has everything that a high school or college student could need, including a separate padded laptop compartment in the back, a main compartment with room for things like books, clothing and a tablet. There’s also a thin pocket toward the front of the bag with small pockets and compartments for securing small personal items like phones, a passport, charging cables or a wallet. The padded and adjustable straps have a sternum buckle that connects to one another to provide more support.
I’m definitely a Jansport backpack fan, and not just because it was my go-to bag of choice when I was in school, but because it’s the perfect “basic” bag regardless of your lifestyle. It comes in a ton of different designs, and it has padded and adjustable shoulder straps. The compartment in the front makes it easy to store things like a wallet or passport, there’s also plenty of room for school essentials in the main compartment. The flexible mesh water bottle pocket on the side is also useful if you like to carry reusable water bottles of many different sizes.
My brother got me the New Crew Backpack from Lululemon for Christmas last year, and I’m still using it to this day. What drew me to it the most is that the logo is subtle and the overall design is simple and chic. I love that it doesn’t stain or get scratches easily. I’ve carried this during commutes on New York City subways and on multiple flights, and it’s still in great shape. It has a trolley sleeve so you can place it on your rolling suitcase, a laptop pocket and a few compartments, too.
The Calpak Terra backpack is ideal for everyday commuting and outdoor adventures. Recommended by NBC Select associate SEO reporter Ashley Morris, the bag is ideal for travel because it can hold everything you’d bring and take back with you on a trip. “As a textbook overpacker, I have a tendency to stuff my suitcase to the brim, but this bag helped with that a lot,” she says. “I used it to hold my jewelry, makeup, electronics and a change of clothes, all of which fit without any problems.” It’s made from a shiny, recycled ripstop polyester material, making the outside water resistant, according to the brand. The front pocket has small compartments and sleeves for holding items. It also has enough room to comfortably hold a 14-inch laptop. Plus, you can swap the laptop sleeve out with a 2-liter water reservoir for backpacking and other outdoor activities.
The Dagne & Dover Dakota backpack previously won an NBC Select Travel Award for best backpack for commuting, thanks to its neoprene design and overall functionality. It’s a very compact backpack that has just enough space for a tablet, small books and other personal items such as a wallet or a pair of sunglasses. NBC Select editorial projects manager Rebecca Rodriguez tested this bag and loves using it for commuting to work. It has a small pocket on the side to hold items such as a set of keys or a water bottle and comes in small, medium or large sizes.
This Away backpack has a simple design, but it still has everything you’d want in a backpack for college, work and more. It has a main compartment on the top and a pocket on the front. On the inside, it has a laptop sleeve and other small pockets for holding a water bottle, journal and more. The adjustable shoulder straps have padding and the back has a trolley sleeve, so it’s ideal for taking with you on trips as well.
The travel laptop backpack from Matein has a 4.7-star average rating from 99,950 reviews on Amazon. It’s available in a 14-inch, 15-inch, 17-inch and 18-inch size, so you can find one with the perfect amount of space for your individual needs. It also has four different compartments: including a laptop sleeve, a main compartment for storing books, folders, clothing and small tablets. The side of the backpack has a flexible mesh water bottle holder that can hold both small and large bottles. You can also keep your key fob organized by placing it in the compartment on the front pocket of the bag and connect a portable phone charger through the port on the outside.
This travel-friendly backpack from Bagsmart is ideal for anyone looking for a compact carry-on bag that has enough room for essentials like a laptop, pockets for wallets, keys and passports, clothing and toiletries. Aside from the laptop sleeve on the back, the bag has a compartment in the middle for keeping things like folded t-shirts and full-size bottles of shampoo, conditioner and body lotion. Plus, the inside of the main compartment has a buckle to help flatten and secure your folded clothing, similar to what you’d find in a rolling suitcase.
The Calpak Luka Backpack won an NBC Select Travel Award for best overall backpack. NBC Select associate reporter Bianca Alvarez tried out this backpack and says that it’s a go-to choice whenever she travels or commutes. It has two main compartments for holding books, toiletries, snacks and more. Plus, it has a water bottle pocket on one side and then a subtle compartment on the other side for holding a small collapsible umbrella.
The Osprey Daylite backpack is a match for those who have long commutes, take multi-day trips, or spend time outdoors. With a 4.7-star average rating from 2,308 ratings on Amazon, the bag fits laptops up to 14 inches and comes in more than 20 color combinations. It also has both sternum and waist straps to give your body more support, especially when the bag is particularly heavy. You can even use the laptop sleeve to hold the water reservoir of a hydration pack if you plan on using it for long trips outside.
This backpack from Béis has plenty of features that make it ideal for travel and everyday routines. It has a water bottle pocket on each side, a pocket on the front with even more pockets within the interior and one large compartment on the top. It has a laptop sleeve in the main compartment, a key leash and a 22-liter capacity. It also has a trolley sleeve for your rolling suitcase and the shoulder straps are padded and adjustable. It’s available in multiple monochromatic colors, similar to the brand’s other items.
Once you’re ready to shop for a backpack, there are a few things to keep in mind when choosing one. Here’s what our experts recommend:
Before selecting a backpack, decide whether you’ll use it for travel, commuting or outdoor activities. This is because features such as plentiful pockets and waterproof materials will help organize and protect all of your belongings, according to Sarah Mullins, an associate professor of footwear and accessories designs at the Fashion Institute of Technology. “If the person is going to be outside then water-resistant material or a rain cover would be beneficial,” she says. “Waterproof zippers and dry bag designs may be features necessary for boating-related activities.” The same applies if you use it to travel a lot — you’ll want features such as trolley sleeves and space for toiletries.
While many backpacks have some sort of padding, at least in the shoulder straps, you should try and look for a backpack that has padding on other spots, too, such as on the backside, according to Mullins. “Consider the user’s needs, for example, if you need a bag to carry photo equipment, a laptop or other expensive gear then look for padded pockets or adjustable padded sections.” A lot of backpacks may feel comfortable at first, but once they’re filled with heavy materials, the comfort level may change.
It’s important to consider your overall height, shoulder width and torso length to make sure that the backpack is compatible with your body type, according to Mullins. “People should look for a proper fit for their torso (see REI’s How to size and fit a backpack), support (such as back padding, adjustable shoulder straps, sternum strap and/or hip belt), and capacity,” she says. Make sure the shoulder straps are long enough to comfortably fit around your body, whether it’s empty or full.
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
I’m a commerce editor at NBC Select, where I cover lifestyle, home and cooking appliances. I’ve written stories on the best backpacks for college students, the best stainless steel cookware to use and a review of Yeti’s French press. I spoke with a chiropractor and accessories experts for this story.
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