Best Backpacks for School – Elementary, Middle & High School Backpacks

I am a HUGE fan of Land’s End backpacks and they hold up so well that my oldest daughter carried the same Land’s End backpack for 4 years in elementary school! You can add monograms for an extra special touch. Plus now they come in all kinds of fun prints Their most durable backpacks are from the Classmate line, which comes in a variety of sizes such as extra-large, large, medium, and small sizes. I love that on the Land’s End website you can see the backpacks modeled and it’s easy enough to figure out what size you will need for school. They have great backpacks from preschool to high school.

The Land's End TechPack backpacks are better than ever. The chest strap is back, taking pressure off kids’ shoulders and keeping postures strong. They also reinforced the grab handle and added sturdy mesh pockets designed to hold water bottles in backpacks of every size. What hasn’t changed? The lightweight yet tough fabric that keeps our backpacks going for years, plus personalization options that make each one as unique as the child who carries it. 

Pottery Barn Kids has so many sizes, such as mini, small, large and rolling. We bought a backpack from Pottery Barn Kids a previous year and it worked for multiple years and was in great shape. If your kids love character backpacks and you don’t like the quality of most character packs at local stores, Pottery Barn Kids is known for high-quality character backpacks. Gear them up for school, fields trips and everyday adventures with the Pottery Barn Kids Mackenzie backpacks. Durable and well organized, they're made of water-resistant polyester crafted from plastic bottles with fun glow-in-the-dark details, and outfitted with pockets, straps and gear loops to keep everything in place. Adjustable padded shoulder straps ensure a comfy fit, while exterior straps and side pockets can hold a coordinating Mackenzie Lunch Bag and water bottle. Personalize your child’s backpack with their name or initials for a smart, extra-special touch.

Older Elementary School Kids will love this durable Jansport Right Pack Backpack and it comes in tons of fun prints and solids. The Right Pack backpack is a long-time favorite, and for good reason. Featuring a suede leather bottom for extra durability, a side water bottle pocket, and an internal laptop sleeve. Something about the Right Pack just feels so...right.

I love the classic style of these L.L. Bean Original Medium Backpacks. This classic-styled backpack is built to the highest standards with strong stitching & weatherproof fabrics to stand up to active kids. It boasts a large main compartment, smaller organizational pockets and a water bottle pocket. Plus the back panel is padded for comfort and it features reinforced, adjustable padded straps. Choose from a variety of colors. Choose from a variety of backpacks from L.L. Bean.

Florals are all the rage this year and this Jansport Right Pack Backpack is perfectly styled for your Middle Schooler. The Right Pack backpack is a long-time favorite, and for good reason. Featuring a suede leather bottom for extra durability, a side water bottle pocket, and an internal laptop sleeve. It also features a roomy main compartment with space for all your stuff. The side bottle pocket blends perfectly with your bag. This pack includes an interior padded 15-inch laptop sleeve helps protect from bumps and drops. The premium Cordura® fabric with suede bottom. A front pocket has built in organizer and a zipper hood to keep splashes from getting in. Adjustable straight cut padded shoulder straps provide comfort for large loads. Suede zipper pulls add premium detail and ease of use. Webbing grab handle on top. Fully padded back panel for long wear comfort. Jansport has so many great styles for middle school girls or guys.

Your sporty middle schoolers will love this cool backpack from Nike. The Nike Hayward Backpack is a new twist on an old favorite with plenty of room for your gear. The durable design has webbing at the front to hold a jacket and side pockets for a water bottle. Choose from black, grey, pink, green and more colors for girls and guys. You can also find the Nike Hayward Backpack at Kohl's.

This gorgeous Athleta Girl Limitless Backpack makes a great backpack for middle schoolers. It is made of water-resistant and snag resistant recycled fabric and includes a larger main pocket with room for a laptop, plus a front pocket for organization. Choose from several great colors.

This super cool Sprayground Core Backpack is a nice faux-leather backpack with ferocious-looking teeth is perfect for school days and weekend trips alike. It is water resistant, has multiple pockets, a handy laptop pocket, so that all the essentials stay organized.

Herschel Backpacks are some of my favorite backpacks as they are made of durable material and have a limited warranty against defects. You can choose from a variety of sizes, solids and prints, but I love this Herschel Classic XL Daisy Backpack and it will provide plenty of room for your middle schooler. Designed for everyday, the Herschel Classic XL offers a water bottle pocket, a laptop sleeve and extra storage to fit all your student's daily essentials. It includes the signature striped liner, a 15" laptop sleeve, zippered closures with Prusik cord pulls. The front pocket comes with key a clip. Plus this backpack includes a water bottle pocket. 

Your middle schooler can keep their essentials organized in this cool, Fjällräven Skule backpack. This bag has a zippered main compartment with a padded laptop sleeve and a zippered front compartment with an interior zippered pocket and mesh organizer pockets. It is made of hardwearing, water-repellent Oxford fabric in recycled polyester. It also has a comfortable back panel with air mesh, padded shoulder straps and adjustable chest strapsThe bag is hydration-system compatible with comfortable padded shoulder straps and a back panel with air mesh. The bag has seven pockets including inner mesh pockets, inside compartment, open side pockets, zippered inside pockets, and zippered outside pockets. You can also find the Fjallraven Skule Backpack at Amazon.

Your middle schoolers can level up with this cool Under Armour Hustle 6.0 Backpack. This sporty backpack is made with durable polyester, adjustable straps, and dual compartments for seamless organization. The zippered closure ensures security on-the-go. Choose from solids and fun prints.

If you have tweens or teens, they will love these L.L. Bean Deluxe-sized Backpacks included in best backpacks for back to school. They are also great for kids that need to pack winter snow items as they hold so much more. This backpack has dual main compartments and holds up to 32 liters! L.L. Bean is great for standing behind their product. They have the motto “Guaranteed to Last” on the home page of their website. Instead of driving from store-to-store shopping for backpacks, save on gas and have your quality backpack arrive at your doorstep!

The North Face Vault Backpack is one of the more affordable backpacks from The North Face and it has a sleek, modern aesthetic, a water-repellent finish and the ability to stand unsupported. It also has a sought-after endorsement from the American Chiropractic Association. The FlexVent suspension system features a flexible yoke built from custom injection-molded and flexible shoulder straps, a padded mesh back panel and a breathable lumbar panel for comfortable, ventilated support. A front compartment simplifies organization while maintaining essential features for storage with zip pockets, a tablet sleeve and a key clip. On the outside, it has two water bottle pockets and a daisy chain for added lash points. A huge main compartment holds all your books for a day at work and contains a padded 15" laptop sleeve to protect your computer from bumps and falls. Plus it has top handles allow for easy grabbing, and a sternum strap provides extra support. Choose from tons of great color combos! You can also find The North Face Vault Backpack at Tilly's.

The Borealis Backpack from The North Face has a front bungee system that provides additional storage and is very comfortable due to North Face's suspension system that's certified by the American Chiropractic Association. The huge main compartment is perfect for holding all the books and binders needed for high school. The 16 inch padded laptop sleeve protects your laptop from bumps and falls, and features internal organization with secure-zip pockets. Plus it has an external fleece-lined pocket for sunglasses, phone or keys, two durable water bottle pockets can easily double as multi-use pockets with quick-draw smartphone access on one side. Choose from tons of great colors. You also find a Women's specific Borealis Backpack on Amazon. You can also find so many great unisex Borealis Backpacks in several colorways on Amazon. This backpack has a lifetime guarantee.

If you are looking for a cool lifestyle backpack, this cool Berkeley Backpack from The North Face comes in several great colors. The minimalist Berkeley Daypack efficiently carries your belongings and has a vintage-feel fabric. It has a water-repellent finish and side water bottle pockets help keep your valuables dry and body hydrated, plus a edicated 16" laptop compartment. It also has external and secure-zip pocket holds smaller items. The padded back panel and shoulder straps provide a comfortable carry. It also has spacious, a zippered main compartment with two organizational mesh pouches, and two water bottle pockets. You can also find The North Face Berkeley Backpack at Tilly's.

The stylish and spacious, the Herschel Supply Co. Classic XL Backpack is a great option for high schoolers. Designed for everyday, the Herschel Classic XL offers a water bottle pocket, a laptop sleeve and extra storage to fit all your daily essentials. It includes a signature striped liner and a 15" laptop sleeve. It has zippered closures with Prusik cord pulls and a front pocket with akey clip and a water bottle pocket. You can also find fun prints and more colors of the Classic XL Backpack at Tilly's.

Meet the backpack cool full-sized Nike RPM Backpack for Girls and Guys. Whether it's on a sunny day hike or hiking around campus, you have plenty of space to stay organized while also staying comfortable. Multiple zippered pockets complement the spacious main compartment, and both the back and straps are padded for long days on your feet. You can also find this Nike RPM Backpack at Tilly's.

Minimalists will love this ultra lightweight, yet sturdy JanSport Superbreak Backpack. Built to last, and complete with plenty of storage, a JanSport backpack is a must-have for anyone who's on the go! The JanSport Superbreak Backpack has a large main compartment, providing ample storage space to hold books, clothing, or more. A smaller, exterior zip pocket features an organizer panel for even more storage options. And the adjustable padded shoulder straps enable mobility as well as keep your back supported. Choose from tons of colors and patterns. You can find more colors and patterns of the Jansport Superbreak at Tilly's.

This Lululemon Everywhere Tech Backpack will be a hit with your teen. It is made of a water repellent tech canvas material and comes in several gorgeous colors. It features a main pocket with a separate 16" laptop sleeve pocket, front pocket and side water bottle pockets.

This Carhartt Classic Backpack is just the right size to help you stay organized when you're on the go. This daypack has a large main compartment with a dedicated laptop sleeve. Plus it has a front zip pocket to keep smaller items like pens and keys within easy reach. Light rain rolls right off thanks to water-repellent Rain Defender.

If your teen prefers that skater style, this Vans Old Skool Sport Backpack is a cool option for school This classic backpack features an all-purpose, two pocket design with an organizer in the front, laptop sleeve that fits most 15'' laptops, and a side water bottle pocket. The contrasting suede bottom and heritage details like the woven logo label bring added branding to this iconic design. Large main compartment. It also has ergonomic, padded shoulders traps and comes in several great colors.