The Best Backpacks for College Students of 2026

Enduring design and hardwearing materials come together to create the timeless Herschel Little America Laptop Backpack. Mountain adventures inspire the handsome silhouette and faux leather contrast buckles. Each bag is crafted to last using a strapping polyester-nylon fabric blend, comfortable contoured shoulder pads and multi-layered security. The top-rated backpack comes in over 20 eye-catching color combinations and is equipped with ample storage for keys, books and tech essentials.

The Luka Laptop Backpack from Calpak is heaven-sent for anyone seeking a lightweight pack and needs a little help in the organization department. Each Luka bag weighs 1.8 pounds and comes equipped with several exterior and interior pockets to store school supplies, plus a secret storage pocket for valuables on the go. Complement your classroom ‘fits with one of 21 fresh finishes including, matte black, oatmeal, rose quartz, chocolate, sage, copper or navy.

The ReNew 15-Inch Transit Backpack is a must for out-of-state students who fly home for holidays and summer breaks. It comes with an exterior laptop pocket that makes pulling out your electronics for TSA a breeze. Even better? Each bag is made from 100-percent recycled polyester dyed with environmentally friendly dyes and finished with a water-resistant coating.

The YETI Crossroads backpack was designed to hold up on hiking trails and onto your laptop and books on long treks across campus. It’s forged from the company’s signature 700 Denier TuffSkin™ Nylon and is water and abrasion-resistant, providing you with a bag with unrivaled endurance for wherever your classes or extracurriculars take you. The hard-wearing backpack has a GroundControl™ Base with PU-coating for stress-free cleaning. Better still, it’s ergonomic and offers all-day support with contoured foam shoulder straps and a built-in back panel. Scoop up the Crossroads backpack in three capacities and four colors: wine vine red, navy, black or alpine brown.

The Open Story Signature Adaptive Backpack is our top recommendation for college because of its sleek design and thoughtful features. Each bag is made from 100% recycled nylon and features a roomy main compartment to hold a laptop and tablet, plus inner pockets to organize writing utensils, notebooks and more. We especially love that there are several ways to attach this adaptive backpack to wheelchairs and that it has tuck-away straps that ensure it doesn’t snag or drag to the floor while on the go. Better still, this bag is equipped with RFID Blocking to protect from identity theft, a water bottle compartment and three discreet tube and cord ports. Grab the bag in one of three hues: atmosphere, shade or thistle.

People born in or before 1995 fall into one of two categories. They carried their L.L. Bean Book Pack faithfully from the first day of middle school to the last of high school, or they know several people who did. This hard-wearing backpack is the roomier upgrade of the Deluxe Book Packs of yore with high school and college students’ heavier book loads in mind. Each bag is constructed from weatherproof, 420-denier nylon and offers a robust 41-liter interior capacity. Padded straps and back panels ensure co-eds’ comfort while racing to class. Inside, the bag features padded and unpadded storage compartments for tech, books and more.

Understated and sophisticated, the Rowledge Backpack from Lo & Sons takes you from your college classroom to your corporate internship with ease. The elevated design is great for grad students on the go and can be worn as a backpack or tote bag. Each bag features a navy or black nylon body and your choice of three jacquard hummingbird print linings: lavender, camel or gray. The Rowledge features buttery nappa leather front pockets and handles and comes finished with chic gunmetal, silver or gold hardware. Bonus: This convertible backpack is travel ready with a compact silhouette and suitcase handle sleeves.

Are you looking for a college backpack with storage akin to Mary Poppins’ carpet bag? The Router Backpack from The North Face checks out. The roomy bag boasts a 40-liter interior, offering a protective 17-inch laptop compartment and multiple zip pockets. Other favorite features: An external fleece-lined compartment to stow your sunglasses or phone, 360-degree reflectivity, a sternum strap with whistle, padded straps and a stand-up design for stress-free loading and unloading in class. Shop the water-repellent backpack in five fresh color combinations, including timber tan, navy-and-black, meld gray-and-black, black and asphalt heather gray.

Less is, in fact, more with the eye-catching Melbourne backpack from Bellroy. The minimalist, fold-top backpack is made from water-resistant recycled fabric and sports a compact silhouette that makes navigating through crowded quads and internship offices a breeze. Each bag has the interior to hold a 15-inch laptop, three interior pockets, an A5 document slip pocket, plus an exterior bottle sleeve. The Melbourne comes with adjustable straps and padded back panels for unmatched comfort on the go. Snag the classic black hue pictured here or choose from four additional colors: navy or slate.