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As any college student knows, your backpack is the most important accessory you'll wear all year. We tested the best backpacks for college students on their ability to carry a day's worth class essentials neatly and comfortably. Naturally, we also looked for the best-looking ergonomic designs — our favorites look sleek and polished, even when filled to their brim.
We found the overall best backpack for college students to be The North Face Recon Backpack. Men's style editor Amir Ismael especially liked its ultra-supportive straps, chest and back clips that distribute weight evenly, as well as its defined pockets for your laptop, books, water bottle, and phone. For something a little more fashionable yet still as functional, I love the popular Dagne Dover Dakota for the plush straps, luxe look, and neat removable compartments.
You can also save 30% off our favorite convertible backpack during Lo & Sons' Independence Day Sale.
The top 5 best backpacks for college students we tested:
The legendary North Face Recon is comfortable, durable, and comes with a lifetime warranty.
Beyond the sustainability factor, it’s a great college bag because of its padded laptop and tablet sleeves and side pockets. It also has an outer, small pocket that’s at the perfect spot to quickly grab something like a sweater or snacks.
It’s perfect for a student who’s carrying a 15-inch laptop with a nice load of books and random accessories, like headphones, a water bottle, beauty products, and assorted highlighters.
The easily recognizable neoprene bag has a stylish, luxe look on the outside and clever compartments on the inside. It comes in three sizes and nine colors.
Students can utilize this bag's padded 15-inch laptop compartment along with its two side pockets. It has a 25 liter main compartment, containing two mesh slots and extra outer pockets for storing smaller items.