Backpacks: Reviews

According to reviewers, The North Face Jester is an excellent backpack for adults or college students who need to carry a lot of gear. It is the top-rated backpack in one independent test, an opinion that is backed by… thousands of user reviews. Users love the many bells and whistles on this 1,830-cubic-inch backpack, including built-in organizer pockets, a removable hip belt, key clip and bungee cords across the front to hold a sweater or windbreaker. Mesh water-bottle pockets are another plus. Durability is excellent, according to reviews, and users say it is comfortable to wear. Unlike some adult backpacks, The North Face Jester is not overly bulky when it's full. Some reviewers would like a few more internal pockets, but most users are very pleased with this well-reviewed backpack, which comes with a lifetime warranty.

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It may not have fancy features like water-bottle pockets or a hip belt, but the affordable JanSport Big Student is one of the highest-rated backpacks on the market. With a capacity of 2,100 cubic inches, the JanSport Big… Student has plenty of room for multiple textbooks and school supplies. Owners say the JanSport backpack is remarkably durable -- many use it for years with only minor wear and tear -- and these opinions are confirmed in independent tests. In comparison reviews, the JanSport Big Student excels in durability and rain-resistance tests. Few reviewers can find a downside to this popular backpack, but some owners say the ergonomic shoulder straps are a little stiff and inflexible. The Big Student backpack comes in a variety of colors and patterns, and it's covered by a lifetime warranty.

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For kids over the age of 9, the Lucky Bums Dragonfly 15 is a top pick. The backpack has a capacity of 915 cubic inches, and parents say it offers plenty of space without being overly heavy or bulky. According to one… recent independent test, the Lucky Bums Dragonfly 15 is very comfortable to carry. It also sports several features that experts recommend for kids' backpacks -- reflective strips and a waist belt. A waist belt helps take some of the weight off the back and shoulders, and the Lucky Bums backpack includes a sternum strap as well. The backpack has one large pocket, one exterior pocket and two stretchy side pockets for water bottles. It comes in three colors and has a lifetime warranty. For elementary students younger than the age of 8, Lucky Bums offers an identical but smaller pack in the Dragonfly 10 (*Est. $45).

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For kids ages 4 and older, experts recommend the L.L.Bean Junior Original backpack. It has a capacity of 950 cubic inches, with one main compartment and two smaller pockets for pens and accessories. It comes in six colors… and has a lifetime warranty. Durability is always a concern with backpacks -- especially those for kids -- but parents say the Junior Original backpack is strong and tough. It stands up to one formal torture test without complaint, and many parents report that it looks as good as new after an entire school year. Parents also appreciate the lightweight design. However, we saw several complaints that the zipper can get stuck easily.

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Laptop backpacks offer a dedicated compartment for a notebook computer. Reviewers like the Case Logic Security Friendly Laptop Backpack for its easy-to-access padded laptop pocket, which accommodates a 16-inch or smaller… laptop. There are plenty of internal pockets for file folders, notebooks and power cords. Reviewers say the backpack saves time when going through airport security because it can be unzipped in the center so the laptop compartment lies flat (some TSA agents allow the laptop to remain in the case in this scenario, although regulations can change at any time). Users also praise the strong, durable design, but some would like to have water-bottle pockets and a few others think the design is boring. The Case Logic laptop backpack comes in black only, and it's covered by a 25-year warranty.

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Rolling backpacks help ease the strain of heavy textbooks, but not all schools allow them, so check with your school before you buy. Parents say the JanSport Wheeled SuperBreak is easy to roll and carry, thanks to… tuck-away shoulder straps and a retractable handle. This rolling backpack has a capacity of 1,900 cubic inches, but the design itself is pretty basic: just one large compartment and one front pocket. Most parents say the JanSport Wheeled SuperBreak holds up well through heavy use, and most say it offers plenty of room for heavy textbooks and school supplies. Some parents wish it had more pockets, and we saw a few complaints that the handle can be hard to retract. Like most JanSport backpacks, the Wheeled SuperBreak comes in a bevy of colors and is covered by a lifetime warranty.

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