Top 10 Best Kids Backpacks 2023
1. BEST OVERALL KIDS BACKPACK
L.L.Bean Original Book Pack
PROS
- Durable fabric
- Padded straps and back panel
- Available in a variety of colors and prints
CONS
- No straps at the waist or chest
- No laptop sleeve
L.L.Bean’s backpacks are consistently top performers in our tests and stand out in particular for beingdurable, functional and kid-friendly thanks to the variety of fun prints and solid colors.The fabric holds up to our abrasion and water resistance tests, so you can expect it to last for years. This version in particular is the brand’s most popular (and most basic). While this size is designed for ages 6 and up, there’s a smaller “Junior” size available in prints and solid colors for kids as young as 4.
There’s also good padding in the back and on the shoulder straps, plus reflective strips for safety. It’s machine washable so you can keep it clean and reuse it for years. The main callouts are that there aren’t straps at the waist and chest for added support and there’s no laptop sleeve. Inside, the bag has one main compartment, plus front pockets for organization.
2. BEST VALUE BACKPACK
Bansusu Geometric Print Backpack
PROS
- Popular on Amazon
- Costs notably less than other styles
- Four storage compartments to stay organized
CONS
- No chest or waist straps
- Limited print options
For just around $20, you can snag this spacious and well-designed backpack that has nearly 6,000 reviews and an average 4.6-star rating on Amazon. It has a large main compartment with a padded laptop sleeve and three smaller front compartments to stay organized. We also love that it’s made of nylon, which means you can expect it to be durable against wear and tear. Plus, it includes two water bottle pockets, which the brand notes can be useful to carry both a water bottle and an umbrella as needed.
This style comes in two sizes: Small for kindergarten and early elementary and large for ages 8 and up. Regardless of the size, it has padding against the back for comfort, though it doesn’t have chest or waist clips to add support for heavy loads. And while it comes in a range of colors for boys and girls, it’s only available in this geometric print.
3. BEST BACKPACK FOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Pottery Barn Kids Mackenzie Backpack
PROS
- Spacious with organizing components
- Good ergonomic features
- Many options for design and size
CONS
- Larger sizes can get pricey
This backpack perfectly combines fun and function for younger kids. For starters, it hascolors and prints for every design preference — from rainbows and mermaids to dinosaurs, sports and Disney themes. Plus, it comes in lots of variations, including multiple sizes for every age, a rolling backpack version and matching lunch bags. You can also monogram the backpack for $10 to make it feel extra personal.
On top of looking cute, the bag impressed our experts with its strong and water-resistant fabric, padding at the shoulders and back, organizing pockets and straps on the outside. Beyond that, it aced our Lab’s packing tests. In fact, this is the bag one of our textile experts uses for their own child in elementary school.
4. BEST BACKPACK FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL
Columbia Zigzag Backpack
PROS
- Spacious to hold a laptop, books and more
- Versatile to use as an adult
- Good padding for comfort
CONS
- No straps at the waist or chest
Columbia’s day packs earn high scores for 13- to 18-year-olds in our Lab’s tests thanks to their design features that make them versatile to use from middle school and high school through college and beyond. For starters, it has a high capacity that can hold more than other styles. Plus, it uses durable fabric and has good padding in the straps.
We especially love that it has lots of compartments to keep students organized, including a padded sleeve for laptops. It’s available in a range of colors so teenagers can choose which option they like best while avoiding childish prints. The only downside is that it’s missing extra support straps around the chest and waist.
5. BEST KIDS BACKPACK AND LUNCH BAG COMBO
Bentgo 2 in 1 Backpack & Insulated Lunch Bag
PROS
- Built-in insulated section
- Ergonomic and organizational features
- Trendy prints for children
CONS
- Lunch compartment may take space away from main compartment
Bentgo’s kids lunch boxes and bento boxes are favorites among both parents and Good Housekeeping product experts, and the brand offers an innovative backpack that can make bringing lunch to school even more convenient.It has a separate insulated zippered compartment at the base of the backpack that frees up hands from carrying an extra lunch bag.
The bag also checks off the boxes for a good backpack, with features like curved and padded shoulder straps, a chest clip for support and plenty of spacious compartments. It comes in over 10 fun designs that match Bentgo’s collections and are geared toward younger children.
6. MOST DURABLE KIDS BACKPACK
The North Face Borealis Backpack
PROS
- Popular for high school and college
- Durable materials for long-term use
- Comfortable padding and straps
CONS
- Pricier than others
- Not for younger kids
This super popular style from The North Face was a top performer in our tests more than 10 years ago and still continues to impress both our experts and real users. It stood out specifically for holding up during our Lab’s abrasion, water-resistance and durability drop testing.It also has tons of padding for comfort, a separate laptop compartment and reflective features for safety. Plus, it comes in plenty of colors.
It’s a larger size that can be worn by adults and older kids, so it’s better suited for high school and college rather than younger grades. And though it’s expensive, its technical features are top-notch with ventilation for increased breathability, straps at both the waist and sternum (with a safety whistle attached) and fleece-lined protection in its compartments to keep contents safe.
7. MOST POPULAR KIDS BACKPACK
JanSport SuperBreak One Backpack
PROS
- Popular with rave reviews online
- Lightweight and versatile
- Lots of prints available
CONS
- The brand isn’t among the most durable in our tests
- Lacks features found in other backpacks
JanSport is an Amazon bestseller and one of the most searched-for kids backpack brands on the Internet. Though this style is a no-frills design with only one main compartment and no laptop sleeve, water bottle pocket or chest strap,users love that it’s roomy, lightweight and versatile to use for years.
One of our favorite aspects about this bag is that it comes in dozens of colors and prints so there’s something for every design preference. And though there aren’t as many compartments as other bags, the small pocket in front has an organizer to conveniently store smaller items like pens, keys and a phone.
8. BEST BASIC KIDS BACKPACK
Herschel Kids Heritage BackPack
PROS
- Three sizes to find the best fit
- Ideal for those who prefer minimal designs
- GH experts use it for their kids
CONS
- Less organization for older kids
If you’re looking for a simple design, Herschel’s popular backpack for kids has one main roomy compartment with a smaller section in the front. It comes in three youth sizes to fit children of all ages plus lots of colors that keep it kid-friendly. We also love that it has a chest clip for added support and a side bottle holder for convenience.
One GH Institute expert used the “youth” size for her 1st-grade child and loved that the size wasn’t too bulky for a small frame. The large main compartment makes it easier for a younger kid to find their belongings. She also noted that it has washed well throughout the school year.
9. BEST LIGHTWEIGHT KIDS BACKPACK
Lands’End ClassMate Medium BackPack
PROS
- Light and spacious
- Plenty of size and print options
- Personalization available
CONS
- Material wasn’t as abrasion- or water-resistant in tests
A backpack’s load can get heavy enough, so students don’t need the bag itself weighing them down. This one from Lands’ End was among the lightest in our test, but it still held our entire load for 7- to 12-year-olds with room to spare. It comes in other colors and prints as well as larger sizes. Plus, you can choose to personalize it for an extra $8.
The style has been around for years but has since undergone some updates, with the addition of an extra pocket for folders in the main compartment and a chest clip for more support. The main downside during our testing was that the fabric wasn’t as resistant to abrasion or water as others, but it was still an overall top contender and worth buying if you’re worried about weight.
10. BEST FASHION KIDS BACKPACK
State Kane Kids BackPack
PROS
- Trendy and fun
- Spacious interior
- Company has a give-back donation model
CONS
- Expensive
Whether your kid loves metallics, colorful sparkles, camo prints, sports designs or something else entirely, State stands out for having a wide assortment of truly unique styles for any preference. Besides the fun factor for boys and girls, it’s also well-made with a large compartment for supplies, organizational pockets and padded straps for comfort. Plus, it comes in various sizes designed for preschools, kindergarteners and elementary-aged students.
The brand has a give-back model and donates money to charities supporting children for every bag sold. Just note that certain styles may feel heavier with the addition of metallics and embellishments. It also doesn’t come with a built-in chest strap, but you can buy it separately and attach it yourself.
