Which bag should i get for school

There are several styles of backpacks to choose from with distinct features:. This can be a popular style of bag for students who have a lot to carry. The cylindrical bag can hold more than school supplies.

Duffle bags can also store extra clothes or some light gear for after-school sports. This style of bag is a large satchel that you wear over one of your shoulders. Messenger bags can be popular with students on the go, as they can just sling it over their shoulder and have easy access to items.

These bags, also known as sack packs, have a top-load design with drawcord closure systems. These drawcords double as straps that provide a custom fit. Drawstring backpacks can feature zipper pockets for small-item storage and mesh pockets for quick storing.

Only need to carry the essentials? Waist packs , also known as fanny packs, give you enough room to pack only the must-haves. The adjustable strap allows you to wear it crossbody or around the waist. Synthetic fabrics are a popular choice for backpacks and bags, especially for younger students. These materials can be light, water resistant and easily cleaned. This can help keep your backpack looking good for everyday use.

This is one of the most important aspects when choosing a backpack or bag. You want to make sure you have enough room to carry all of your supplies and books. The backpacks are covered by the North Face's lifetime warranty, so returns are simple and always free.

The backpack also features reflective surfaces on the exterior and is made of breathable material. The North Face does not recommend machine washing their backpacks, so you'll need to spot clean this one.

Pros : Perfect for carrying laptops around campus, large main compartment, two mesh water bottle pockets, secure-zip pockets, reflective bike light loop for evening campus walking.

College students typically have a mountain of textbooks on their desks, so having a backpack to carry some of the pile, as well as a laptop, notebook, and other supplies make The North Face Jester Backpack the gold standard for strolls on campus.

In addition to its large main compartment, this sleek backpack has a durable, padded laptop compartment that can fit up to inch laptops. Aside from ensuring this college essential is safely stored within the backpack, the Jester has two external mesh pockets to store your water bottle, as well as a front compartment to store pencils, a pack of tissues, and other on-the-go items.

And it even comes with safety features for evening walks on campus. Its reflective bike light loop, water bottle tabs, and shoulder webbing are designed for degree reflectivity for nighttime visibility. The Jester is made of breathable material, but the backpack is not machine washable. The bag also includes a sternum strap to shift some weight off the shoulders. For an update to this guide, all backpacks will be put through a series of durability tests.

In addition to our current recommendations, we are also testing the following backpacks:. Jacobs provided some excellent tips to help students pack a backpack that isn't too heavy and that feels comfortable:.

Jacobs also emphasized the importance of connecting with your school's occupational therapy practitioner if your child encounters an issue with backpacks. Sign up for Insider Reviews' weekly newsletter for more buying advice and great deals.

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This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at reviews businessinsider. For you. World globe An icon of the world globe, indicating different international options.

Get the Insider App. Click here to learn more. A leading-edge research firm focused on digital transformation. Good Subscriber Account active since Shortcuts. Account icon An icon in the shape of a person's head and shoulders. It often indicates a user profile. The two separate exterior zipper pockets on the front are useful for smaller things we regularly carry, like keys, an external battery pack, and an SD card.

Flaws but not dealbreakers: Although we think the Timbuk2 Authority Laptop Backpack Deluxe can comfortably hold a wide variety of tech gear, other bags we tried, such as the eBags Pro Slim Laptop Backpack , can store even more.

Underneath, the Hakuba bag has a dedicated area to stash your shoes. If you need to carry something particularly big, you can pull out the insert to free up space. Even while handling all of that, this backpack maintains its shape. On the top of the bag, there are two easily accessible zippered pockets that are perfect for incidentals you want to access quickly, like your wallet, keys, lip balm, and headphones.

This bag can also hold a ounce water bottle or an umbrella in the two expanding, zip-up side pockets. And a pass-through sleeve allows you to attach the Hakuba bag to most suitcase handles.

But even after that period expires, the company asks that customers reach out if they experience problems. Flaws but not dealbreakers: The Hakuba is big, but when a backpack helps you transition from school to the gym, it needs to be large enough to carry all of your stuff. Dimensions: The shoulder straps are seamless, low-profile extensions of the twill exterior, rather than the heavily padded technical straps that often mar the otherwise-classic design of bags in this category.

Yet the straps are also extremely comfortable. But that large main pocket can hold plenty—we stuffed it with a pair of extra-wide size sneakers, a bulky cotton hoodie, a pair of nylon board shorts, a sunglasses case, a thick hardcover book, a phone, a inch MacBook, a charger for each, and a ounce bottle of water.

Its cotton construction is poorly suited to rainy weather because it absorbs water easily and can stain. This pack frequently goes in and out of stock, often with minor design changes. Look at each bag inside and out.

If it has threads running already, seems flimsy, or is damaged, don't buy it. Check the zippers to make sure they are strong and move easily. A durable bag may cost more money but not having to replace it will save money in the long run. However, if you want to be able to replace your bag year after year, extreme durability might not be your top concern.

Try on each bag you are considering. It's important to pick a bag that fits your body well so that it doesn't hurt you when you wear it every day. Put on the bag and adjust the straps until the bag feels good on your body. If you can't get it adjusted right, it's not going to be a comfortable bag to carry every day.

Ideally, the bottom of a backpack would sit a maximum of 4 inches 10 cm below a child's waistline. This ensures that the weight of the bag is held squarely on their back. For example, if you will be transporting a large laptop to school, record its measurements and see if each potential bag can hold it.

Compare the cost of bags you are considering to make your final choice. Once you have narrowed your choices down to a few, compare how much each will cost you and whether you think it's worth the money. In many cases, this will help you to quickly decide on the right bag for you. Quality brands will provide this reassurance but you will likely pay more for them up front.

What do you think about getting a Fjallraven Kanken backpack? I am considering getting one for my birthday. Fjallraven Kanken backpacks are great if you don't need to carry a lot of weight. They are made of durable material and have a great design. However, the most common ones do not have padding on their straps, so the straps can dig in to your shoulders if you carry too much weight in them. Yes No. Not Helpful 0 Helpful 3.

This varies greatly. If a high school student needs to bring home several text books and a laptop every day, they will need a large bag. If they keep most of their items in a locker and don't carry much, a small bag may be fine. Not Helpful 0 Helpful 1. In general, backpacks tend to be best for kids. If they are the right size for the child, they center the weight on the child's back, which helps avoid injuries to the shoulders and back. Not Helpful 1 Helpful 2.

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. If the bag you pick is a little plain, you can always personalize it. Try jazzing up your bag with things like patches, pins, and key chains, since you can remove them easily and change the look of the bag.