Backpacks: Reviews

For adults and students who have a lot of gear to carry, The North Face Recon is a top-rated pick. This 2,000-cubic-inch backpack has numerous pockets to keep books and supplies organized, including two side bottle… pockets and a small accessory pocket for a cell phone or MP3 player. The North Face Recon also boasts a matching laptop sleeve for notebooks up to 15 inches. Overall, reviews of this backpack are highly favorable, with multiple owners saying the backpack is strong, durable and versatile. The North Face Recon uses a padded AirMesh back panel to improve ventilation, but some testers find the panel to be too stiff and slightly uncomfortable. Overall, though, the vast majority of owners are happy with this backpack.

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It may not have a laptop sleeve or water-bottle pockets, 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.

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Designed for children ages 7 and older, the L.L.Bean Critter Pack has a larger capacity (1,500 cubic inches) than most backpacks for kids, but it has contoured shoulder straps and a compact design to fit smaller bodies.… Reviewers say the Critter Pack is highly durable and can handle the roughest treatment dished out by youngsters. The Critter Pack also gets high marks for convenience, because it has a variety of easy-to-access pockets, including two zippered side compartments. Parents say the Critter backpack can hold a good amount of stuff, but they caution that the backpack can get very heavy when fully packed. Experts recommend that a child's backpack weigh no more than 10 to 15 percent of his or her body weight, so keep that in mind when packing.

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For younger kids ages 4 and up, L.L.Bean also offers the well-reviewed Junior Original backpack. The backpack has a capacity of 950 cubic inches, with one main compartment and two smaller pockets for pens and accessories.… Durability is always a concern with backpacks -- especially those for kids -- but parents say the Junior Original backpack is strong and tough. It's one of the top performers in a Slate.com comparison test, where it receives excellent scores for durability. Slate's kid testers play tug-of-war with the backpack and happily pour grape juice and dirt all over it, and the backpack easily stands up to the torture.

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It's not cheap, but the Ortlieb Velocity has several features that make it attractive to commuters -- especially those who cycle to work. The 1,220-cubic-inch backpack is completely waterproof, so it keeps books and… supplies dry in wet weather. A ventilated back pad, waist strap and highly visible colors also make the Ortlieb Velocity a good choice for commuters. The Velocity backpack is expensive, but reviewers say it's highly durable. In fact, one reviewer says he's used it for over five years to haul pounds of gear while commuting. Some reviewers would like to see at least one external pocket for better organization, but the Velocity does include a removable inner pocket for smaller items.

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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, but a few reviewers report holes developing in the bottom of the backpack. Overall, though, the JanSport Wheeled Superbreak gets above-average ratings from parents and kids.

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