Best Backpacks

The best backpacks for teens 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 packs also include pockets for cell phones and MP3 players, 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 (*Est. $40). This classic pack doesn't sport many bells and whistles, but reviewers say it's an excellent choice, especially for high school students, thanks to its incredible durability. The JanSport Big Student has a capacity of 2,100 cubic inches, and five separate compartments keep books and supplies organized. Other features include ergonomic shoulder straps and a padded back panel. JanSport backpacks come with a lifetime warranty, and the Big Student is available in dozens of colors and patterns.

In a recent independent test, the JanSport Big Student earns excellent ratings for durability and rain resistance, and it's a top pick for older kids at Parents.com, the website of Parents magazine. The pack also gets above-average ratings from owners on user-review sites like eBags.com, where more than 4,200 people review the pack. Of these owners, nearly all (97 percent) say they would buy the JanSport Big Student again. Overall, users say this backpack is a great value, and extremely tough and durable. A few critics say the straps are stiff, but others say the wide, sturdy straps make carrying heavy loads more comfortable. Reviewers say the Big Student has plenty of room to store a laptop, multiple books and notebooks with room to spare, and a few report using it for day hiking trips. We did find a few mentions that the JanSport Big Student isn't waterproof.

For adults and college students, reviewers also like the High Sierra Fat Boy (*Est. $30), which comes in a choice of 17 colors and patterns. Good Housekeeping magazine calls the Fat Boy "one of the most abuse-proof we tested," deeming it the best backpack for high schoolers and college students. Of more than 450 owners at eBags.com, 93 percent say they'd purchase the High Sierra Fat Boy again. With a capacity of 2,382 cubic inches, the Fat Boy is slightly larger than the JanSport Big Student, but reviewers say it's lightweight at just less than 2 pounds. A multiple-compartment design provides easy organization, including separate pockets for a cell phone (integrated into the shoulder straps) and iPod, one large primary compartment, and an organizer compartment featuring several pockets, zippered pouches and a key fob. Compression straps adjust to accommodate the amount of gear inside, preventing the sagginess that often accompanies weighed-down backpacks.

A few owners complain of the Fat Boy's lack of an exterior water-bottle holder and a laptop sleeve. Overall, testers say the High Sierra Fat Boy is roomy and its multiple compartments make it easy to organize gear. Reviews say the pack is comfortable to carry even when filled to capacity, thanks to the ergonomic, padded shoulder straps that distribute weight evenly. It's also waterproof, so notebooks and other important documents aren't at risk when students get caught in the rain. High Sierra offers a lifetime warranty against defects on all non-wheeled backpacks.

If you're looking for a few more features, you'll pay a bit more for The North Face Jester (*Est. $55). It has a slightly smaller carrying capacity of 1,830 cubic inches, but it includes some accessories the Big Student and Fat Boy backpacks lack, including two mesh pockets for water bottles and bungee cords along the front to hold a sweater or windbreaker. Like the High Sierra Fat Boy, the Jester offers a key clip, one large main compartment and a smaller section with built-in organizer pockets. For 2011, The North Face Jester comes in 15 colors and has a lifetime warranty against defects (not daily wear and tear).

The North Face Jester is the top-rated backpack in one recent independent test of six packs, where it posts excellent scores for durability and safety (thanks to its reflective strips and hip belt). The Jester also rates highly with owners, boasting above-average ratings at both eBags.com and Buzzillions.com. "It's slightly undersized but will fit even the largest laptop plus plenty of books, clothes or whatever you might be carrying," one user writes at eBags.com, where 98 percent of 80 reviewers say they'd buy it again. Owners praise the removable hip belt, saying it makes heavy loads more comfortable. The bungee cord in the front is also popular for reducing the bulkiness of the pack when it's not full. Most reviewers are overwhelmingly pleased with the Jester, but a few stray critics wish it had more pockets. A few users also report problems with weak seams.

While it's more expensive than the JanSport Big Student and Jester packs, The North Face Recon (*Est. $90) gets great reviews from those who need a sturdy, multipurpose backpack. The Recon 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. It has a capacity of approximately 2,000 cubic inches and comes in eight colors with a lifetime warranty.

Owner-written reviews for The North Face Recon are favorable, with about 94 percent of more than 460 eBags.com reviewers saying they'd buy it again. Testers call the pack strong and durable, and it gets high marks for versatility -- owners say it can do double-duty as a hiking, cycling or gym backpack. However, a few users think the pack is overpriced and some wish it had a larger capacity. Another drawback is that the compartments don't open fully, so it can be cumbersome to take larger items in and out of the Recon. That said, at least one reviewer says it fits nicely underneath an airplane seat when packed to its limit.

For those on a budget, the simple JanSport SuperBreak (*Est. $30) earns numerous recommendations in reviews. According to eBags.com, the SuperBreak has been the top-selling backpack for students worldwide for 35 years. The pack 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. It's smaller than the JanSport Big Student and the High Sierra Fat Boy, but at 1,550 cubic inches, it's a good size for teens or college students who don't want a huge pack. The SuperBreak comes in more than 50 color combinations and is covered by a lifetime warranty.

Owners give the JanSport SuperBreak backpack very high ratings at online retailers. More than 6,800 users review it at eBags.com, and 95 percent say they'd buy it again. Owners say the SuperBreak is extremely lightweight and very durable, and the pack gets high marks for comfort. "It's good looking, comfortable, seems unbreakable and ultralight. Perfect for books, garments and shopping," one owner writes. It's also one of the top-rated backpacks on LuggageOnline.com, with an average rating of 4.5 stars out of 5 in nearly 50 owner-written reviews. Most users are pleased with the JanSport Superbreak, but a few critics say the fabric is very thin, and some say it looks too much like a "little kid's backpack." Unlike more expensive brands, the SuperBreak doesn't have any padding in the back, which some owners say can cause discomfort when it's full.

Backpacks designed for women

Several manufacturers make backpacks designed specifically to fit a woman's narrower shoulders. The North Face, for example, makes women's versions in several of their popular styles, including the Women's Jester (*Est. $55) and Women's Recon (*Est. $90). Both offer the same storage capacity as their male counterparts, but feature a specially designed back panel and shoulder straps to better fit a woman's typically more compact frame.

The North Face Isabella (*Est. $75) is small at 1,220 cubic inches, but it gets high marks at user-review site Buzzillions.com -- nearly 160 users give the pack a 4.5-star rating. Reviewers say the backpack is comfortable to wear, and many users praise the cute design. "I did a lot of searching for a pack for a woman's shape. I tried on a lot, too. I was surprised that I liked the Isabella, for the packs I was thinking about were a lot more expensive," one owner writes. However, several reviewers complain that The North Face Isabella is too small. It includes mesh side pockets for water bottles and a bungee cord to hold a jacket, plus a removable hip belt. The company says the hip belts and shoulder straps are supposed to conform better to a woman's body, so the Isabella might be worth a try if you find other backpacks uncomfortable. It's available in five colors (pink, white, purple, black and blue) and comes with a lifetime warranty.