Rolling Backpacks

Best wheeled backpacks for school

Rolling backpacks are one solution to the problem of having to carry heavy loads. The wheeled backpacks sized for school use can double as carry-on travel bags, although they're smaller than most rolling luggage. Because of the extra hardware, rolling backpacks are heavier than traditional packs, often by 5 pounds or more. They're also more expensive.

Experts are split on the use of rolling backpacks for kids. The American Academy of Pediatrics says wheeled backpacks can be a good alternative to carrying an overloaded traditional pack, but the American Chiropractic Association (ACA) recommends them only for children who can't carry a backpack because of a disability or some other issue. According to the ACA, the proliferation of wheeled backpacks causes a different type of injury -- from tripping over them. As a result, some schools have banned their use, so check with your child's school before you buy.

The JanSport Driver 8 (*Est. $100) gets the best reviews among rolling backpacks. The design looks more like an adult pack, and it has a large 2,175-cubic-foot capacity and lots of organizational pockets. The wheeled backpack features a padded sleeve for a 15-inch laptop, a front utility pocket with organizer and a padded grab handle. Two large compartments and two smaller front pockets are included. The Driver 8 weighs in at just less than 5 pounds and has the same lifetime warranty common to all JanSport products.

Reviewers at eBags.com, where more than 2,300 people review the JanSport Driver 8, say it rolls easily (even when fully loaded) and is very durable. The numerous storage options and roomy interior also earn high marks. The Driver 8 has a wide range of functionality, with as many owners saying they purchased it for an elementary student as professionals using it to transport laptops and other work essentials. "It keeps books dry and secure even in downpours, easily converts from wheeled to carry when the weather requires it. It fits all of my college textbooks without feeling too tight, and it has held up well to some serious use," one owner writes. Users at Amazon.com also have good things to say about the JanSport Driver 8, giving it a 4.5-star rating out of 5 in nearly 70 reviews. There are few complaints, but a handful of owners report broken handles. We also see some reports that the bottom of the pack wears out quickly.

The smaller and simpler JanSport Wheeled SuperBreak (*Est. $75) has a capacity of 1,900 cubic inches, and offers a retractable handle and tuck-away shoulder straps. Its design is pretty basic, with just one main compartment and one front pocket. Unlike the Driver 8, the SuperBreak doesn't offer a laptop sleeve. It weighs 6 pounds and comes with a lifetime warranty. There's no recommended age range for the JanSport Wheeled SuperBreak, but many users report buying it for kids in elementary and middle school.

Professional reviewers haven't tested the JanSport Wheeled SuperBreak, but the rolling backpack excels in owner-written reviews. At eBags.com, more than 1,300 reviewers praise its durability and numerous color options. In fact, 92 percent say they'd buy it again. The story is similar at Buzzillions.com, where about 30 users give the JanSport Wheeled SuperBreak a 4.7-star rating (out of 5), and at Amazon.com, where about 55 users contribute to an average rating of 4 stars out of 5. High points include colorful patterns, quality construction, and plenty of room for books and school supplies. However, some reviewers wish for more pockets, including for water bottles. We also see a few complaints that the handle can be hard to retract and breaks easily, and that the bottom of the backpack wears out quickly.

The High Sierra Freewheel rolling backpack (*Est. $80) also earns positive remarks from owners but receives mixed feedback from editors at Good Housekeeping magazine, who say the pack's fabric didn't perform as well as competitors' in water resistance and abrasion tests. About 92 percent of the nearly 50 owners posting to eBags.com say they'd buy the Freewheel again, and the backpack earns an average rating of 4.5 stars out of 5 in nearly 35 reviews on Amazon.com.

With more than 2,500 cubic inches of storage, the pack's large main compartment can easily fit a laptop plus multiple books and notebooks, owners say. A front organizer compartment contains several open pockets, a key fob and a media pocket. An added bonus is a plastic guard on the outside of the pack between the wheels, which protects the pack from rubbing against the ground and wearing out prematurely. All these extra features contribute to a weight of nearly 6 pounds. High Sierra claims the Freewheel can store a 17-inch laptop, but several owners are skeptical of this claim, noting that their 15- or 16-inch laptops were a tight fit. The High Sierra Freewheel comes in six colors, adds reflective accents for visibility and is backed by a 5-year limited warranty.

The CalPak Awestruck (*Est. $35) is another option, but at more than 7 pounds, it's a little heavier than the top-rated JanSport Driver 8. The Awestruck does have more compartments, including several front accessory pockets and a side mesh pocket. At eBags.com, the pack receives good marks for appearance and organization, but its durability score is just average. Of the 630-plus reviewers, several owners report problems with zippers breaking after only a few months of use. Opinions are more positive at Buzzillions.com, where the CalPak Awestruck earns a 4.7-star rating out of 5 from nearly 60 reviewers. Most users say the backpack is sturdy and roomy, but a few users complain about broken zippers. The Awestruck has a 5-year limited warranty. 

Designed for ages 10 and older, the L.L.Bean Rolling Deluxe (*Est. $90) backpack is just slightly smaller than the High Sierra Freewheel at 2,350 cubic inches, but it weighs only a little more than 5 pounds. The handle is retractable and the shoulder straps tuck away when not in use. Like most L.L.Bean school backpacks, it comes with a lifetime warranty and has a large reflective strip across the front. Four colors are available. According to user reviews at LLBean.com, most parents are pleased with the Rolling Deluxe and 96 percent of the roughly 145 reviewers would recommend it. Many owners say they've had an L.L.Bean Rolling Deluxe for 5 years or more and the bag, wheels and handle are still holding up well. The pack is useful for people of all ages, whether an elementary or college student or a professional who needs to transport a lot of gear to work each day.  "I have no more sore shoulders or spilled coffee from holding on to everything while trying to open doors and find my way to my office," one owner writes on LLBean.com. Users especially appreciate the large capacity, although they caution that the backpack can become very heavy when fully loaded. In addition, the shoulder strap adjustment belts can drag when the pack is rolled along, some reviewers say.