The North Face Recon

The North Face Recon may be on the expensive side, but reviewers say it's a tough, durable and versatile backpack. With 2,000 cubic inches of capacity, and numerous pockets and compartments, The North Face Recon provides good organization. It also boasts a matching 15-inch laptop sleeve and comes in 13 color choices. The Recon uses BackSaver technology to ease the strain of heavy textbooks on shoulders and backs, and it has two mesh water-bottle pockets. The North Face Recon performs very well in comparative tests, especially for convenience and durability. Kid testers like the pack overall, but some think the back pad is a little too stiff. As a result, it receives lower scores for comfort. Owner-written reviews are also very positive, and the majority of reviewers say The North Face Recon is strong and durable, and can hold up to heavy use at school or work. If this backpack is beyond your budget, the JanSport Big Student (*Est. $40) is also rated highly for durability. It has fewer bells and whistles -- no laptop sleeve or water-bottle pockets -- but it's much more affordable.

The best comparative review of The North Face Recon comes from Good Housekeeping magazine, which tests nearly 30 backpacks for durability and water resistance in an older review. Kid testers also weigh in on comfort and style. Unfortunately, this review is no longer available online. Owner-written reviews are plentiful at sites such as eBags.com and Buzzillions.com.