School bags take a lot of abuse every day, so when shopping for the best school backpack for your child to start the new school year, look for one that fits your child’s style and budget. You also want to make sure it’s built to last, comfortable even when filled with books, and won’t rip when it inevitably gets too full. Bonus points if it’s super easy to clean.
Below, find popular backpacks for kids, elementary school kids, teenagers, and college students for the 2024-2025 school year. When you’re done shopping for all your stuff, check out RetailMeNot for more great school supply deals.
— Editor's Picks —
Best Minimalist Backpack
Many older kids tend to opt for simple, basic backpacks, whether they’re trying to avoid standing out too much, trying to avoid clashing with their outfits, or trying to embrace a minimalist aesthetic. Whatever the reason for their simple choice, this backpack from UNIQLO has everything a student needs in a high-quality bag. It features padded straps for comfortable carrying, water-resistant treatment for rainy days, a laptop sleeve, and a zipper tab for quick and easy fastening. Bring this backpack to your middle school, high school, or college student, and check out all the school fashions from UNIQLO! The brand sells stylish and affordable essentials that are ideal for building a school wardrobe. With UNIQLO, it’s easy to stay on trend and ready for school.
size: 17.7 inches tall x 11.6 inches wide x 6.2 inches deep
price: $49.90 at Uniqlo
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Best Backpacks for Preschool and Elementary School Students
Skip Hop Zoo Mini Backpack
Skip Hop has been making high-quality bags for almost 20 years, starting with the adorable diaper bags that everyone and their moms (haha) had. Then the company transitioned into kid-friendly bags decorated with cute animals like koalas and unicorns that half the preschoolers in town are carrying on their shoulders. These backpacks are super simple, with a main compartment, small side pockets, and a hanging handle, and are best for kids who are 3-3.5 feet tall.
size: 9 inches high x 3¼ inches wide x 7½ inches long
price: $19.99 at Target
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Naturally Kids Dinosaur Backpack
This is a really unique style for a school backpack. Instead of patterns on the bag, there is a real stuffed dinosaur on the front so you can keep them company. The animal can be taken out of the bag for a quiet moment to cuddle, and it is easy to reattach so you don't lose it. Other nice touches: reflective patches, adjustable straps, useful pockets, and attractive fabric design.
size: 10 inches high x 8 inches wide x 3 inches deep
price: $29.97 on Amazon
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Lands' End Kids ClassMate Small Backpack
This little kid's backpack is cute and lightweight, but don't worry, it's made with really strong, reinforced handles, a chest strap for weight distribution, reflective trim for safety, and other details that parents love. Plus, it comes in 8 different patterns, and best of all, it's machine washable.
size: 16 inches high x 11½ inches wide x 6 inches deep
price: $23.97, $39.95 At Land's End
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Adidas Linear Mini Backpack
Mini backpacks for adults are the perfect size for little ones who want to be mini-me. For example, check out this sporty little Adidas backpack! This little tote has main, front and side pockets and an adjustable shoulder strap, and comes in a cool jersey grey shade, but comes in many other fun colors.
size: 4¼ inches high x 8½ inches wide x 10½ inches deep
price: $24.75 on Amazon
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LLBean Deluxe Book Pack
The brand boasts that the bag is “practically indestructible,” making it ideal for kids who get tossed, squashed, stuffed, and stomped on. The bag is made from machine-washable, water-resistant fabric and features a reinforced bottom, waist belt, padded and ergonomically curved straps, reflective trim, an internal tech pocket with built-in cord port, two water bottle pockets, and comes in nine colors. So it’s no surprise that the comments section is filled with people talking about how long their L.L. Bean backpacks have lasted. decades.
size: 17″ tall x 13″ wide x 9½” deep
price: $54.95 at LL Bean
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J World Sunrise 18 inch rolling backpack
Backpacks can weigh kids down and make long days seem longer. If your school allows rolling backpacks, this roomy backpack from J World is perfect for all your books, notebooks, electronics, and gym/dance/cheerleading/chess gear. It’s even the perfect size for the next sleepover or grandma’s sleepover.
size: 18 inches high x 13 inches wide x 9 inches deep
price: $59.99 at Target
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Best Backpacks for High School and College Students
JanSport Big Student Backpack
Well-made, reasonably priced, and available in a range of striking patterns and colours, the classic JanSport backpack offers the same high-quality design the brand has had since it began making school bags in 1967, but with a modern upgrade. The Big Student backpack has a dedicated padded laptop compartment to keep your child’s computer safe from damage. Additional goodies: padded back panel, zippered storage compartment, and water bottle holder.
size: 9 inches high x 3¼ inches wide x 7½ inches long
price: $41.24, 55 dollars At Kohl's
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The North Face Jester Backpack
A great all-rounder, with design touches like a padded back panel, breathable lumbar panel, and padded straps, it feels comfortable and balanced on your back even when you’re carrying all your stuff. It has a front storage compartment, a padded 15-inch laptop sleeve, two external pockets, and a front bungee for more storage, like a jacket. Slightly smaller than The North Face’s cult favorite Borealis backpack, this backpack is also a highly rated and great buy.
size: 11 inches x 8.25 inches x 18.13 inches
price: $75 at Dick's Sporting Goods
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Fjallraven Kanken Classic Backpack
Still popular with students who prefer a more retro feel over other high-tech, modern bags, Fjällräven backpacks come in a variety of fun, solid colors.
size: 14.9 inches high x 10.6 inches wide x 5.1 inches deep
price: $58.98 on Amazon
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UGRACE Vintage Laptop Backpack
This bag is a great mix of old-school vintage elegance and modern extras. Perfect touches for busy students include a built-in USB charging port and built-in charging cable (so you can charge your phone on the go) and six different compartments (including a sleeve that can fit up to a 15-inch laptop). Available in five versatile and stylish colors.
size: 17.2 inches high x 5.4 inches wide x 11.6 inches long
price: Starting at $25.99 on Amazon
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Tzowla Travel Laptop Backpack
This bag is ideal for athletes, students commuting to and from school, travelers, and anyone who wants a durable, affordable backpack that can handle planes, trains, and cars, made of water-resistant polyester. It has all the essentials, including space for all your gear including your computer, multiple pockets to organize your essentials, an anti-theft RFID blocking pocket to protect your credit cards and ID, a charging port, and a built-in lock to prevent pickpockets. This popular bag has over 44,000 reviews on Amazon, and an impressive 4.6 out of 5 overall rating.
size: Height 19.29 inches x Width 11.8 inches x Depth 5.43 inches
price: $29.95 on Amazon
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lululemon Wunderlust Backpack 25L
It’s a great buy for the busy college student who’s always on the go, with plenty of room for sports gear or overnight trips. It has convenient pockets inside and out, padded space for a laptop, and adjustable external straps to secure a jacket or yoga mat, and it’s attractive and professional enough for work or an internship.
size: 20.1 inches high x 14.2 inches wide x 6.1 inches deep
price: $158 at lululemon
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The post Best School Backpacks for 2024-25th Graders first appeared on RetailMeNot's The Real Deal.
