It’s also helpful for the inner lining and outer material to both be water-resistant so that all their notes, homework, and graded papers stay safe from the elements.

You’ll want to look for school bags that have pockets for phones, laptops, and tablets. Make the most of your purchase by looking for a backpack that’s durable, suitable for use outside school, light enough for your kid to transport, and, most importantly, gear that your child is happy to carry around.įor students, storage is essential. These days, backpacks go much farther than school, doubling as gear for everywhere from the skate park to the mall. By high school, it’s time to consider strength, practicality, and utility. You’ll also want to look for a material that can shrug off spills and stains, as little folks are often spilling in the most creative ways. That Transformers bag might be really sweet in first and second grade but your child will probably be itching for something more mature by the third.įirst through second grade is a good time for lightweight packs that allow for storage of markers, tissues, and the safe transportation of precious early works of art home for quick framing. While you may want to get your kid an adorable backpack to head off to school, it’s important to pay attention to what your kid requires and likes at every age. What to consider when buying the best backpacks for school We looked at qualities like price, use-case, size, and durability to make our choices, guided by reviews, recommendations, and what the kids are talking about these days *rocks in rocking chair*. If you don’t want to purchase a new backpack every year-which is good for the environment and for your wallet-one that can grow with your kid is also an important consideration. If you’re a fellow parent, you know that “kid-tough” is a synonym for “really, really strong.” Plus, it needs to be fashionable too, or risk social annihilation. We have a few parents here on the PopSci Gear team. How we chose the best backpacks for school Best budget: Trailmaker Classic 17-Inch Backpack.Best sling backpack: KAVU Original Rope Sling.Best college backpack: Mancro Laptop Backpack.Best for middle schoolers: JanSport SuperBreak One Backpack.Best for elementary schoolers: Simple Modern Kids Backpack for School.Best overall: Herschel Little America Laptop Backpack.Our guide to the best backpacks for school will help any backpack-wearer make a great first impression while juggling an array of notebooks, textbooks, and pencils. It’s hard to balance essential functionality with equally important style-but it can be done. And if you’re in school now, you know that your backpack can say a lot about you. If you have about a decade or two between yourself and middle school, one glance at your raggedy old Jansport book bag might bring those vibrant memories back to life, flooding your brain with those first awkward moments waiting in line to file into class in the morning. Backpacks can play a central role in the social and academic lives of students.

Best backpacks for middle schoolers