JanSport SuperBreak

At its core, the JanSport SuperBreak backpack is simple and functional, with two pockets large enough to carry everything an elementary or middle school student needs.

Performance

Holds more than you might think. Although the JanSport SuperBreak looks small, its 1,550-cubic-inch carry capacity puts it at the lower end of the medium size range. The manufacturer says the SuperBreak's one large compartment and smaller utility pocket can hold two to three textbooks, a large binder, spiral notebooks, paperback books, miscellaneous school supplies and still leave room for a bag lunch -- about right for the elementary and middle school crowd. Parent reviewers, posting on a variety of retail websites, agree.

Many kids are dubious about how much they can fit in their JanSport, then pleasantly surprised; sometimes they'll post a list of what they were able to fit into the pack, and we found quite a few postings from high-schoolers who still carry this pack and find it adequate. As one high-schooler posts on eBags.com: "I thought my items would not be able to fit but my backpack can fit a composition notebook, two 1-1/2-inch binders. A dictionary and a thesaurus, pencils, two calculators, a pencil case, etc., basically all the things I need."

The zippers on the pack seem to work well, although some wish the SuperBreak had more pockets or built-in organizers to help students keep their belongings straight.

Comfort

Comfortable and stylish. Users seem to buy the JanSport more for style than comfort. It's available in 50 colors and patterns, and we found more than a few users on eBags.com who seem intent upon collecting a set of them.

However, many users comment on how light the SuperBreak is, and we found several comments on eBags.com from students saying it feels good on their backs and shoulders. One writes, "The straps are really thick and give full support to my back."

Durability

Living up to a strong reputation. In spite of JanSport's reputation for durable backpacks, we found a few complaints from owners about newer versions of the JanSport SuperBreak.  However, nearly all of the concerns about durability are expressed before the pack is pressed into use; those who post after spending some time with the pack seem more confident. The pack  is machine washable, something that's particularly useful with the lighter colors, which reviewers say show dirt easily. It is not waterproof.

JanSport backpacks in general  earn rave reviews in Cozi.com's poll of about 66,000 Facebook fans. Cozi.com published comments that the JanSport packs in question have been in circulation for three years or more and are still going strong; the SuperBreak is covered by JanSport's lifetime guarantee. Reviewers say good customer service is another plus.

Bottom line

The JanSport SuperBreak is popular for its value and surprisingly ample cargo capacity. It's light enough for an elementary school student to carry, but large enough to fit everything a middle-school or high school student needs. The SuperBreak has an excellent reputation for durability and comes in a range of stylish colors and patterns.