Backpacks: Reviews

Updated July 2008

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Best backpack, teens and adults

Even if the padded laptop sleeve isn't needed, reviews recommend this backpack for outstanding durability and comfort. It's sized for ages 15 to adult, with medium capacity that makes it fine for both school and day… hikes. A padded hip belt and ventilated back add comfort, and it excels in tests for water resistance. The hip belt and shoulder strap have pockets for cell phone and iPod, and bungee cords on the front can hold a jacket or other gear. Side pockets hold water bottles. The Borealis comes in 14 colors and carries a lifetime warranty.

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Expert & User Review Sources:

Good Housekeeping: The North Face Borealis is one of the top five (out of 29) backpacks recommended here, and the only one of the five for which no ...

EBags.com: More than 500 owners rate and review The North Face Borealis, with 95 percent saying they'd buy it again. Some say they use the ...

EMS.com: Roughly 35 owners rate and review The North Face Borealis, praising its capacity, padding and adjustability. Criticisms are minor ...

Backcountry.com: The North Face Borealis is one of the top-rated backpacks at this camping gear retailer. About 20 owners give the pack ...

Epinions.com: Fewer than a dozen owners review The North Face Borealis over several years (which means they may not be discussing the latest ...

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Budget backpack for teens and adults

JanSport Super Break

*Est. $30 Compare Prices

Reviews recommend this basic JanSport backpack as a budget choice if you don't need a laptop sleeve, pockets for electronics or water bottles, or to carry more than two or three textbooks. It has one main compartment plus… a small pocket. With straight shoulder straps and no hip belt, it's not as comfortable as The North Face Borealis above. However, it costs much less, comes in 46 different colors and carries a lifetime warranty.

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Expert & User Review Sources:

Good Housekeeping: The reviews of backpacks are especially thorough here. The JanSport SuperBreak isn't among the 29 daypacks tested, but testers ...

EBags.com: More than 4,500 owners review the JanSport SuperBreak backpack here, giving it higher than average ratings on all counts except ...

Zappos.com: Owner reviews of the JanSport SuperBreak give it mostly positive ratings. A lot of the praise goes to the choice of colors and ...

Amazon.com: Some of the roughly 55 owners who rate and review the JanSport SuperBreak backpack find the fabric thin and weak. Users also ...

Backcountry.com: Only a handful of owners review the JanSport SuperBreak at this camping gear retailer, where it earns praise for its simplicity. ...

USA Today Magazine: This article doesn't include backpack comparison tests but it does mention the JanSport SuperBreak as the most popular school ...

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Kids' school backpack (4 to 7 years)

Lands' End Ergo Junior

*Est. $40 Compare Prices

Reviews love the way this durable backpack adjusts in size to fit kids as they grow. Contoured straps are padded with memory foam, and reflective trim adds to safety. Two main compartments hold books, with an organizer… panel plus a pocket for a CD or iPod with a headphone port. Side pockets hold water bottles and a D-ring is handy for attaching a lunch box. The backpack comes in five colors with optional personalization (*est. $5).

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Expert & User Review Sources:

Prevention.com: The Lands End Ergo Junior is recommended for kids aged four to seven, based on comparison tests of 30 backpacks. The tests focus ...

Real Simple: This review of backpacks for kids of various ages recommends Lands End as a brand, based on tests of more than 100 backpacks.

Good Housekeeping: The Lands' End Ergo Junior isn't among the 29 backpacks tested here, but another Lands End backpack does well on tests of ...

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Rolling backpack

L.L.Bean Rolling Deluxe

*Est. $70 Compare Prices

For ages 10 and up, this backpack gets better ratings than most wheeled backpacks for comfort, performance and durability. The 2,350-cubic-inch capacity is well organized, with two big main compartments plus an organizer… pocket. It's durable but heavy. A reflecting patch on the front adds safety. It comes in nine colors and can be personalized with an optional monogram (*est. $6) or sports figure (*est. $6).

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Expert & User Review Sources:

ConsumerReports.org: This Consumer Reports review of school backpacks is a short buyers' guide, but tests and ratings from 2001 cover eight rolling ...

LLBean.com: Nearly two dozen owners review the L.L.Bean Rolling Deluxe, praising its quality, durability and convenience. One owner reports a ...

About.com: The L.L.Bean Rolling Deluxe backpack is one of five rolling backpacks recommended and praised for its strong frame, sturdy fabric ...

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LL Bean

for $79.50

Hiking daypack

Osprey Talon 22

*Est. $100 Compare Prices

You could certainly use a regular backpack for short day hikes, but specialty hiking packs are lighter with slots for hydration bladders and loops to hold trekking poles and other gear. Reviews recommend Osprey backpacks… for superb comfort on day hikes, praising the adjustable torso length and well ventilated backs. The Osprey Talon 22 includes pockets on the shoulder straps and padded hip belt for small items. The pack has a slot for a hydration bladder plus loops to hold trekking poles. It's rated for carrying at least 20 pounds, and a blinker patch on the front adds safety.

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Expert & User Review Sources:

BackpackGearTest.org: Based on seven hiking trips, the reviewer reports that the hip belt and back ventilation work extremely well, as do the ...

Vegetarian Times: A sports rehabilitation specialist recommends the Osprey Talon 22 as one of three backpacks with especially good ergonomics. The ...

REI.com: More than a dozen owners give the Osprey Talon 22 backpack lots of praise for its adjustable torso length and good padding. All ...

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Mountain Gear