12 Best College Backpacks (Review) in 2021

Under Armour just makes some high-end stuff, and you can bet that they spared no expense when it came to the Storm Recruit. You’re basically looking for a hub that holds your laptop and has a few other aspects as well. They focused on that first, by adding soft lining to the 15” laptop sleeve, cradling it from point A to point B. Everything is also created out of polyester, meaning it’s easy to clean and durable as can be.

They dedicated the storage compartments to raw space, so you’ll only get a little bit of organizational space. There’s one major internal pocket, but when you get outside, the one larger exterior pocket is completely waterproof. Put your phone in, your headphones, whatever you can fit that you don’t want the rain to damage. Last but not least, their patented HeatGear technology helps keep your shoulders cool, no matter how long your trek is.

The multi-versatile backpack: camping, hiking, day trips and heading home between semester. This JanSport Hatchet Backpack can handle it all. Everything is crafted out of highly durable polyester, making it simple to clean and near impossible to tear through. That’s a good thing because you’ll be stashing up to a 15” laptop in the interior panel, with an added bonus.

That panel is also an organizational compartment, designed to help you turn your mess of a backpack into functional space, where everything has a place. You’ll have your main interior compartment for mass storage, but those little items that always elude your grasp now have a home. Adjustable straps, a sturdy sewn-on top carry handle, and a design that’s fit to outlast every other backpack you’ve owned to date. This is JanSport’s current peak.

Designed by one of the most iconic brands in the world, built to hold your laptop: The North Face has blown us out of the water with this Pivoter Backpack. Most laptops up to 15” will fit, with a little bit of wiggle room for a 15.6” (why do they even make them this awkward size anyway?). That’s all going to be protected by the insanely durable 600D polyester exterior, which can take minor lacerations and punctures like a champ.

We got the important holding panel out of the way, but there’s more than meets the eye with the Pivoter. You’ll get a massive main storage compartment, with a large D-door to open it up. Nothing is more frustrating than trying to remove or deposit multiple items at once, only to be restricted by a narrow opening. They’ve also included their FlexVent technology with this one, which keeps your back cooler during hot days and long walks.

You can never go wrong with Basic Black (or the other four classic designs that they offer). Herschel made this for the minimalist in you, the one who tries to carry as little as possible at all times. The funny thing is that since there’s not a ton of organizational panels, you can actually fit up to a 17” laptop in here with ease, whereas most packs end up with restricted space.

There’s only so much to tell, but the small external pocket works wonders for your school ID and smaller items, while the adjustable straps provide a small drop, but a ton of comfort. Since you’ll have a lessened maximum load, you’ll feel like you’re wearing a cloud on your back with this one-pound backpack. Last but not least, the durable polyester exterior is designed to handle abrasions and the test of time.

AmazonBasics simplifies a lot of things, and when it comes to the perfect Laptop Backpack for college, they hit the nail on the head. You can fit up to a 17” laptop in your back panel compartment, while you can use the rest of them for some serious organization. There’s smaller compartments up and down, each with slots for items like your cell phone, pens, your ID and more. They made it easier to access your essentials.

They thought of just about everything by including a mesh water bottle pocket on the side (which can hold up to one liter bottles), as well as a wide pair of straps that rest nice and easy on your shoulders. Padding prevents excess pressure from trying to wear your joints down, while the unique back panel promotes airflow to prevent excess sweat buildup on your back.

Timbuk2 is one of our favorite suppliers of professional messenger bags and laptop sleeves, so it only made sense for them to take a crack at this. They made this Laptop Backpack out of durable polyester, providing light abrasion and puncture resistance (within reason). It’ll not only hold up against time, bumps and bruises but will also do it while protecting your 15” laptop.

You’ve got seven compartments, three internal and four external, to organize your necessities as you see fit. One thing we’re excited about is the range of adjustability with these straps: you get a drop of over 8”, and straps that widen near the top to add some extra comfort while you’re carrying it. What more could you want?

We’ve been in love with Carhartt’s lineup for some time, including their fantastic dopp kits such as this Classic Work Backpack. They put their full style and grace into this backpack, which fits up to a 15.6” laptop in a dedicated, padded storage sleeve along the back of the interior. Speaking of the interior, if you pop open that front pocket, you’ll get access to a nice organizational panel to make sense of your usual carry-on items. Pens, ID, phone: you can stash it all here without losing it on the bottom of the bag.

If you’re wondering how well this is going to hold up, it’s crafted of 1200D polyester, which is like having armor for your personal belongings. To capitalize on that protection, you also get the full care of Rain Defender to protect against light rainfall. Carhartt offers this in classic black or basic brown, both at a rock bottom price.

Do you take your backpack with you just about everywhere? We thought so, and so did Berkii when they built this superior college backpack. From top to bottom, they engineered this Tech Backpack to make your days ten times easier. First of all, you get some massive 35L storage in the main compartment and a padded panel that holds up to a 15” laptop. You have to wiggle it in there, but 15” is the maximum it can handle.

There’s such little time to pack in all the details. You get ergonomic shoulder straps that contour to your arms and includes small bits of reflective tape for safety. Full waterproof backpack, internal organizational panels, and the star of the show: a side USB charging port. Stop bugging your buddies for their charger, and just plug in and go.

Another one from Herschel, because we just can’t stay away from their killer designs. Speaking of which, there are over two dozen different styles you can pick from, each with the same excellent features. You get a tough as nails sewn-on top carry loop, one large internal pocket, and one exterior. This Herschel Heritage Backpack made for the minimalist that still needs to pack their tech, which is why they added a special media pocket along the interior to hold onto your headphones.

You’ll be able to drop in any laptop up to 15”. There’s light padding to help absorb shock and impact, and Herschel spared no expense in ensuring the back panel stays rigid against your back. Nothing’s worse than feeling your laptop poking you through the fabric. A simple approach, comfortable shoulder straps, and an extremely light empty weight.

We dare you to properly say their brand name, but we know you won’t be able to get it out of your head once you’re slipped this onto your shoulders. Fjallraven’s Backpack comes with cushioned straps that help prevent fatigue, evenly distribute weight between both sides, and even help out a bit with proper posture if you have them set right. In this fortress-on-your-back, you’ll be able to stash up to a 15” laptop.

You also get a few smaller internal pockets to organize your other electronics and essentials. When we said this was a fortress, we weren’t kidding. Fjallraven made this out of a specific G-1000 weave (blend of cotton and polyester), and it’s not budging for anything. You’ll be able to put this pack through hell and back without a care in the world.

There’s something to be said about a brand who stands by their products to the bitter end. JanSport is willing to bet that this Right Pack Laptop Backpack will never meet its final curtain call, and if it does, you can call upon the inclusive lifetime warranty, straight from them. Between the 915D cordura construction with a suede leather bottom, and the durable hardware, this will outlast your college years, and then some.

You can stash up to a 15” laptop in here, though that’s not all it can do. You’ll also get a few organizational slots in your interior panel, as well as a mesh pocket for smaller, more delicate items. You get a good drop on the straps, as well as comfortable padding that helps reduce stress on your joints. If you can handle lifetime dependability from a company that’s been around since 1967, JanSport is right for you.

Last on our list is Eastpak, and their simplistic approach. You get over two dozen fairly minimalist styles to choose from, each sporting the same single compartment design. One inside, one larger external pocket on the outside. You can snugly fit up to a 15” laptop into this Padded Backpack because the padded polyester lining cradles electronics to withstand the shock of jostling around during your walk.

You’ll also see excellent padding on the straps. Between the 5” drop and cushioning, you’ll be able to adjust this as you see fit. That’s all there is to Eastpak: padded, supportive and stylish as you want it to be.