Editor's Picks
The Best School Backpacks
From urban explorers to the princess-loving pre-school set, our favorite back to school backpacks have a little something for everyone.
What To Look For in a Backpack
Ahead we'll share why each of these back to school backpacks works including the things we look for when deciding on the best backpacks for our own kids: how much it holds, if there is a place for everything your child will need to bring to school, the materials, and the print or color. As long as their size needs don't change boys and girls can wear backpacks for a few years so we like to use sturdy materials and allow kids to express their sense of style.
Once you've ordered a kids' backpack and when it arrives it's half the size of your mini (anyone else?) you start to look closer at the size, shape, and materials. From preschoolers with nothing but snacks and diapers to tweens with laptops and geometry books- here are the best backpacks for school this year.
For the Little Adventurer
What It Fits: With a main storage compartment zippered front pocket and Velcro side pockets, it can fit an iPad or small 13" laptop, water bottle, snacks, pencils, standard school folders, and the coordinating Rogers lunch box.
Why We Like It: This STATE Kane Backpack in a classic color combination is the perfect companion for the first day of Kindergarten and big enough to carry them through third grade – adjust the straps as they grow. Kids can keep their backpacks feeling fresh with patches or keychains year after year.
For the Horticulturist
What It Fits: With an adjustable strap the length max. is 85 cm is tall with room for extra layers
Why We Like It: YKRA backpacks combine outdoor functionality with a colorful retro design and heavy cotton canvas. Founded in Budapest to recreate a vintage hiking backpack that would stand up to everyday use. The Sailor Mini Backpack is filled with "friendly little trees" in inspire budding naturalists. You can waterproof the backpack with beeswax that patinas over time.
For the Dino-Obsessed
What It Fits: This backpack is one of the bigger styles on our go-to list – its' two large compartments can hold a 15" laptop while the other one stashes books, folders, and a water bottle and lunch.
Why We Like It:
With roaming dinos, minis will be ready for that night at the museum field trip. With padded shoulders perfect for carrying to school, the Deux par Deux backpack features a zipper closure, a front zipper pocket, adjustable straps, and side mesh pockets to hold water bottles or other slim items, all in 100% Recycled Polyester.
For the Artist
What It Fits: Features include a zippered front pocket, interior water bottle pocket, and main compartment that fits a change of clothes, small books, up to an 11” device, and the matching Mini Rodgers Snack Pack.
Why We Like It: The Kane Backpack in a vibrant tiger pattern masks all manner of art class chaos. Plus, for every STATE bag purchased, they support American children and families in need, donating fully-packed backpacks at signature bag drop rallies.
For the Minis
What It Fits: For the preschool set that need to tote a lunch and an occasional change of clothes to school this lunch bag is just the right size.
Why We Like It: The Fluf lunch bag has an interior pocket for a water bottle or ice pack. Made with organic cotton, it's fully machine washable, with a wipeable, water-resistant lining.
