Backpacks for Teens, Adults

Best backpacks for older students and adults

Standard backpacks for school and commuting are usually panel-loading bags, with U-shaped zippers that unzip all or most of the way to make it easy to sort through the contents. Most have a big main compartment for binders and books, plus an organizer pocket for pens and other small items. Some backpacks also include pockets for cell phones and iPods, headphone-cord ports, and padded sleeves or suspension devices for carrying a laptop, although these extras usually result in a higher price and heavier weight.

The top-rated backpack overall is the JanSport Big Student TDN7 (*Est. $40). This classic backpack doesn't sport many bells and whistles, but reviewers say it has excellent durability. The JanSport Big Student has a capacity of 2,100 cubic inches and five separate compartments keep books and supplies organized. The backpack has ergonomic shoulder straps and a padded back panel, and it comes in 15 colors and patterns. In recent independent testing, the JanSport Big Student gets excellent ratings for durability and rain resistance. The pack also gets above-average ratings from owners on user-review sites like eBags.com, where nearly 3,000 people review the backpack. Of these owners, a clear majority say they would buy the JanSport Big Student again. Overall, owners say this backpack is a great value and extremely tough and durable. However, a few critics say that the straps are too stiff and inflexible, which makes the backpack uncomfortable to wear. One reviewer calls the straps "hard as lead." While most reviewers are able to fit all of their supplies in this backpack, some report problems fitting large three-ring binders into the largest compartment.

It's considerably more expensive than the JanSport Big Student, but The North Face Recon ABKH (*Est. $90) gets great reviews from those who need a sturdy, multi-purpose backpack. The Recon backpack uses The North Face's BackSaver technology, which shifts weight closer to the back for less shoulder and back fatigue. It has one large main compartment with a matching laptop sleeve (for laptops 15 inches and smaller), two smaller pockets, two side bottle pockets and a large mesh pocket on the front. The North Face Recon also has a smaller accessory pocket -- for a cell phone or iPod -- on one of the shoulder straps. It has a capacity of approximately 2,000 cubic inches and comes in 15 colors.

Good Housekeeping calls the JanSport backpack one of the five best packs for kids, saying the numerous compartments offer great organization. While its panel of testers like The North Face Recon backpack overall, some thought the back pad was too stiff and uncomfortable. Owner-written reviews are also favorable, with about 95 percent of eBags.com reviewers saying they would buy the Recon again. Owners call the pack strong and durable, and it gets high marks for versatility -- reviewers say it can do double-duty as a hiking, cycling or gym backpack. However, some say the internal capacity is rather small, and several owners report problems with weak seams along the mesh pockets.

If you don't need your pack to double as a laptop backpack, The North Face Jester AF9V (*Est. $55) is a more basic pack with a slightly smaller carrying capacity of 1,850 cubic inches. There's no padded sleeve for a laptop, and the back is padded but not ventilated. The Jester backpack includes the basics, such as dual water-bottle pockets and a removable hip belt, plus the usual main compartment and smaller compartment with built-in organizer pockets. Like the Recon, The North Face Jester backpack performs very well in recent independent testing, and it's recommended by a major consumer-testing organization. The Jester pack also rates highly with owners, boasting above-average ratings at both eBags.com and Buzzillions.com. Owners praise the removable hip belt, saying that it makes heavy loads more comfortable, but that it's nice to be removable. The bungee cord in the front is also popular for reducing the bulkiness of the backpack when it's not full. Most reviewers are overwhelmingly pleased with the Jester backpack, but a few stray critics report durability problems with seams pulling apart.

For those on a budget, the simple JanSport Superbreak T501 (*Est. $30) gets numerous recommendations in reviews. According to the editors at eBags.com, the Superbreak has been the top-selling school backpack for students worldwide for 30 years. The Superbreak backpack is about as simple as it gets, with one large compartment and a small front utility pocket. There's no hip belt or laptop sleeve, and the padded straps are straight, not contoured. Size-wise, it's smaller than the JanSport Big Student or The North Face Recon, but at 1,550 cubic inches, it's a good size for teens and college students who don't need to tote a laptop. The JanSport Superbreak backpack comes in nearly 50 color combinations. Owners say the Superbreak is extremely lightweight and very durable, and the backpack gets high marks for comfort. At eBags.com, one satisfied reviewer says, "This is the best backpack I've ever owned." Most owners are pleased with the JanSport Superbreak, but a few critics say the fabric is very thin, and some think it looks too much like a "little kid's backpack."

Several manufacturers make backpacks designed specifically to fit a woman's narrower shoulders. The North Face Isabella AMD0 (*Est. $80) is small at 1,200 cubic inches, but it's recommended for women in several reviews. The Isabella is one of the top-rated backpacks in owner-written reviews at eBags.com and Buzzillions.com, where reviewers say it's comfortable and spacious, even though it does hold less than backpacks like the JanSport Big Student or The North Face Recon. The Isabella backpack includes mesh side pockets for water bottles and a bungee cord to hold a jacket, plus a removable hip belt. The company says that the hip belts and shoulder straps are supposed to conform better to a woman's body, and if you find other backpacks uncomfortable, the Isabella might be worth a try.

For commuters, the German-made Ortlieb Velocity (*Est. $110) gets very good reviews. It's a waterproof backpack with a total capacity of just 1,220 cubic inches, but experts say the Velocity is a great backpack for commuters -- especially those who cycle to work. The Ortlieb Velocity has one large compartment, with a removable inner pocket for smaller items, and a unique roll-top that is secured with Velcro instead of a zipper. The back is padded and includes air channels for improved ventilation; the Velocity also includes a waist strap. Paul Hochman, a writer at Fast Company magazine, recommends the Ortlieb Velocity backpack on CBS' "The Early Show," and it receives an Editor's Choice award from Bicycling magazine. Most testers for Bicycling like the streamlined design, but others wish it had at least one external pocket. The Ortlieb Velocity comes in six colors, but most reviewers prefer the bright yellow color for visibility on their commute. The Velocity is expensive, but it's also durable; Joe Lindsey at Bicycling magazine says that "in five years of use, I've hauled thousands of pounds of stuff in this bag."