10 Best School Backpacks 2024 in the US

Why You Should Get a School Backpack

Summer is almost over, and while kids do the best they can to enjoy the last adventures of the summer vacation, parents know it’s time to get ready for a new school year. And the first things on the list are new backpacks for school. Your children will have a lot of notebooks and school supplies that they will need on a daily basis, so you have to find school backpacks that can help them carry all that stuff without much effort. Of course, if you want to find the perfect one that has the cartoon hero your kid wants, you may have to start shopping in advance, to avoid all chaos in the stores.

What Should You Look for When Buying a School Backpack?

There are many things you need to consider when deciding what backpack to choose. For the parent, the best backpacks for school are light and won’t give the child any pain, even if they’re packed full. This is especially important if the school isn’t very close to home. They also need to be practical and have compartments of different sizes that can fit everything and keep things organized. While kids only check the appearance, parents have more issues in mind, like the fact that those school backpacks need to make it until the end of the school year. So the material has to be strong enough not to tear under the weight inside, or in a busy school bus. They also need strong zippers, so they won’t accidentally open or break after just a few weeks. And, of course, having a long shopping list that needs to be checked, they will be looking for the cheap school backpacks that fit the rest of the requirements.

On the other hand, the ones who will actually wear those backpacks have other interests in mind:  it’s all about the external appearance for them. Boys may be easier to please, with a Spiderman or Lightning McQueen theme, but if you are looking for school backpacks for girls, things will be trickier than you think. Not only are girls pickier, but the selection on the market is much larger for them, so it will take much longer to decide which one is their favorite. Things are even more difficult when you are looking for school backpacks for teens. They will have strong opinions and preferences that are unlikely to match yours.

Why Should You Consider Buying a School Backpack?

School backpacks are available all year long because accidents happen and they sometimes need to be replaced in the middle of the school year. But the best time to consider buying them is maybe a month before school starts. That way, you will avoid the rush and the overcrowded stores at the last minute. If you take your time and look at all the items available, you will find cheap school backpacks that meet all your needs. However, if during the school year, your child complains the backpack is too heavy or doesn’t have the right compartments, for example, you can always take another look in stores and replace it.

What Are the Main Features of School Backpacks?

It may be a bit overwhelming to decide, but keep in mind that the best backpacks for school need to have some main features. They need to be strong enough to make it through the school year, especially since kids and teenagers aren’t always careful with their stuff. If it’s a quality backpack, you can even hope you won’t have to buy another one next year. School backpacks also need to be compact and easy to carry, but at the same time well-organized so they can fit everything, so that means good compartmentation.

Main Pros and Cons of School Backpacks

School backpacks have become very popular over time and parents usually prefer them over other options, like messenger bags that you wear on your hip. But not everyone agrees they are ideal for our children. The positive effects of using backpacks for school are obvious: they are comfortable, they can fit many items, many are waterproof to protect what’s inside, and the kids have their hands free so they can easily get on the bus, for example. They are also quite popular with children since they can be a way of expressing their personality.

On the other hand, many kids and teenagers have complained about lower back pain after wearing them, but the reason may not be the backpack itself but rather the huge amount of books and school supplies they need to carry every day. That’s why you’ll see many backpacks with an ergonomic design and special padding.

If you are looking for a lightweight backpack for school, there are many choices both in stores and online. Take a look on Pinterest or Amazon for inspiration. You will find everything from vintage leather to lightweight canvas backpacks from many good brands.

Out of the wide range of choices in the stores, here are the best school backpacks that should best suit your needs:

• Vaschy Unisex Classic Backpack

This backpack is great especially for teens and students, due to its modern, elegant design and reinforced durable material. It is also water-resistant and, at 18.9” x 12.6” x 5.9”, it’s large enough to easily fit a laptop. It comes in a wide variety of color combinations, so you can find one that is suitable for either a young man or a young woman.

Vaschy Unisex Classic Backpack

• Meisohua Girls’ School Backpacks

This is a 3-in-1 backpack: when you buy the backpack, you also get a matching trendy lunch bag and pencil case! This model has either unicorns or an outer space-themed design. It’s perfect for elementary school children. It has side pockets to carry a water bottle and a folding umbrella as well.

Meisohua Girls’ School Backpacks 

• Pro E-Trade Backpack for College Students

College students may have a harder time choosing a backpack--they have to carry more weight, and also need to move around from one classroom to another all day. They need to keep their backpack extra-practical and light. Also, they probably want an option to allow them to charge up their phone or another mobile device. The Pro E-Trade Backpack for College Students has an ergonomic, padded design to be easy on your back, and a USB charging port to allow you to hook up a power bank and recharge your phone. This also has a mesh pocket for holding a phone or water bottle and an anti-theft back pocket. 

Pro E-Trade Backpack for College Students

• JiaYou Girl Flower

This floral backpack is excellent for girls in elementary and junior high school students. It is made from durable polyester, and also has beautiful and delicate designs girls will adore. It comes in three sizes: 19 liters, 24 liters, and 35 liters. It has a large main compartment for books and folders, a middle pocket, and a front bag for writing supplies.

JiuYou Girl Flower Printed Bookbag

• High Sierra Loop Backpack for Men and Women 

This backpack is especially rugged and is suitable for hikers as well as college or high school students. It has many features for added comfort: non-slip shoulder pads, compression straps, and a padded back panel and shoulder straps. It can even be used to carry a sleeping bag or tent!

High Sierra Loop Backpack

Final Verdict

School backpacks are the ideal choice when preparing for school. They are a great way to keep things organized and save time and energy. They can also look really cool so that kids will love them as well. As long they are not over-packed, your child will have no problem using it. So, go find your favorite backpacks for school, add them to your cart and move on to the next item on your shopping list.