15 Cool Backpacks for Teens That Are Both Trendy and Practical
.jpg)
Looking for cool backpacks for teens? Then you've stumbled upon the right article. During the school year, backpacks do a lot of heavy lifting, both literally and figuratively! A good backpack not only holds your textbooks, tech, and daily must-haves as you head from class to class, but it is also another way to express your personal style on the first day of school and beyond.
Think of your backpack as an extension of your back-to-school outfits and aesthetics. If you're into the coquette look, a pastel or floral bag feels like the perfect fit. If you're more of a minimalist, a sleek black backpack is a timeless pick with a sophisticated vibe. Love bright colors? Go bold with neon green! You can also add charms, pins, and patches to your bag for a truly custom creation; teens have been customizing simple JanSport backpacks for generations!
Of course, your daily backpack also has to be functional and comfortable, too, since you'll be toting it around from the bus or parking lot to your locker to after-school activities. The goal is to find a bag that fits your vibe and supports you as you schlep. (If you are already past after-school activities and looking for some of the best backpacks for college, we did all the heavy lifting, so you don't have to.)
Just in time for back-to-school season, we've rounded up cool, trendy backpacks for teens, including picks from popular brands like the North Face, Fjallraven, Vera Bradley, and Lululemon. We looked for bags that felt unique and interesting but not overly trendy, as you'll probably be using your backpack for a few years, as well as bags that were functional and versatile, with lots of space for laptops, notebooks, and textbooks, water bottles, and whatever else you need from day to day.
Our Top Picks
- Best Colorful Backpack: Fjallraven Kånken Backpack, $89
- Best Backpack for High School: North Face Borealis Backpack, $99
- Best Budget Backpack: Vintage Laptop Backpack, $24
- Best Organization Backpack: Gear-Up LoveShackFancy Blue Damask Backpack, $75
- Best Multitasker Backpack: Cotopaxi Allpa Daypack, $145
Shop all cool backpacks for teens:
Best Colorful: Fjallraven Kånken Backpack
Brighten up your morning commute to class with this cheerful classic. Outdoorsy brand Fjallraven's beloved Kånken bag is built to stand up to the elements, but it's stylish too — not to mention built to support your back and help you stand up straighter! We love the trendy butter yellow color — or the shade “Corn” — but there are tons of shades to choose from, including blue, orange, and brown.
_
- Pros: Comfortable to wear, convertible straps
- Cons: Smaller pockets
- Dimensions: 14.96 x 10.63 x 5.12 inches
- Weight: 0.7 pounds
Best Multitasker: Cotopaxi Allpa Daypack
Cotopaxi has gotten super popular in recent years due to its unique bags, which are practical, durable, and fun. While the brand is best known for its hiking and camping bags, the Allpa Daypack is an excellent option for busy teens who go from class to practice to other after-school activities. The price is more of an investment, but you'll definitely be using this backpack for years to come for school, college, travel, and hiking trips.
_
- Pros: Tons of pockets for organization, laptop sleeve, pass-through back for travel
- Cons: None to note
- Dimensions: 20.5 x 13 x 9 in
- Weight: 1.87 pounds
Vera Bradley Bancroft Backpack
Cottagecore, anyone? This cute and colorful floral print backpack will definitely stand out in a sea of solid-colored black bags. Vera Bradley is known for its soft yet durable cotton backpacks, totes, and duffels in sweet prints like paisley and florals. Because it's made from mostly cotton, the Bancroft can easily squish into small spaces if needed.
_
- Pros: Adorable print
- Cons: Higher price point
- Dimensions: 12.0 x 16.5 x 9.0 inches
- Fabric: Cotton
Best for High School: North Face Borealis Backpack
Pair your North Face parka with a matching backpack this school year. The modern white-and-black color palette of the Borealis Backpack is instantly striking, but it comes in a wide range of colors. The American Chiropractic Association-certified bag will hold all your school supplies while supporting your back, and we love the small fleece-lined pocket for more delicate items like glasses. Genius! There's a reason this is one of the most popular backpacks in both high schools and colleges.
_
- Pros: Cool, sporty look, lots of colors, quality design
- Cons: None to note
- Dimensions: 11' x 5.75' x 18.75 inches
- Fabric: Recycled nylon
Lululemon Everywhere Backpack
It's all in the name! This cute pastel bag is meant to be taken anywhere and everywhere: to class, work, or on a weekend sleepover or trip. It's water repellent and made with 100% recycled nylon for functionality and durability, and has just enough storage for all your must-haves, including a water bottle and laptop. If purple's not your thing, it comes in a few shades, including black.
_
- Pros: Simple silhouette, water repellent fabric, spacious
- Cons: None to note
- Dimensions: 11.4 x 5.9 x 16.9 inches
- Fabric: Nylon
BAGGU Medium Nylon Backpack
BAGGU makes some of our favorite totes and laptop sleeves, so we obviously love their backpacks too! The Medium Nylon Backpack is a classic style with a front zip pouch, side pocket for a water bottle, and an interior laptop sleeve. The Candy Apple red shade is unexpected and can be sporty or glamorous depending on your personal style, but the bag also comes in black, green, sky blue, and even a Snoopy design.
_
- Pros: Simple, classic look
- Cons: None to note
- Dimensions: 14 x 12 x 5 inches
- Fabric: Nylon
JanSport SuperBreak Plus
JanSport has been a mainstay in the back-to-school game for decades for a reason: the brand makes great bags! This easy, everyday style is begging to be customized with pins, beads… You name it! It's got everything you need from a backpack, including a laptop sleeve, adjustable straps, and lots of storage.
_
- Pros: Simple, spacious, available in lots of colors and prints
- Cons: None to note
- Dimensions: 16.5 x 12.5 x 5.5 inches
- Fabric: Polyester
BÉIS The Backpack
If a backpack can be chic, this one is! BÉIS, Shay Mitchell's travel company, nailed it with this sleek, simple cotton bag in light beige tones. While it's marketed as a travel backpack, it's ideal for school use too; we love all the pockets and the clever “key leash” to prevent losing your car and house keys in a pile of papers.
_
- Pros: Lots of organization, lightweight, tear-resistant, USB charger
- Cons: Drink pockets are small
- Dimensions: 13 x 19 x 5.5
- Fabric: Cotton
JanSport SuperBreak Plus Cherry Backpack
We had to include this cherry-print backpack because it's just so cute! You want your backpack to make you happy, and this one definitely does the job. It's got all the hallmarks of a classic JanSport bag paired with those cheeky red cherries for a Sabrina Carpenter vibe.
_
- Pros: Adorable cherry print, lots of storage
- Cons: White fabric can show stains faster
- Dimensions: 16.5 x 12.5 x 5.5 inches
- Fabric: Polyester
Baboon to the Moon City Backpack
Baboon to the Moon has become one of the most popular “IYKYK” luggage brands for its spacious yet lightweight bags that you can carry via a handle or on your back, and their City Backpack continues the brand's mission to put the “fun” in functional. This simple but cool bag will easily take you from high school to your freshman year of college, and the lime green color definitely stands out. It's also a great carry-on bag for quick airplane trips.
_
- Pros: Lots of pockets, two water bottle holders, fun colors, great for travel
- Cons: Higher price point
- Dimensions: 18.9 x 12.2 x 7.1 inches
- Fabric: Nylon
Best Budget: Vintage Laptop Backpack
- Photo courtesy of Brigitt Earley
- Photo courtesy of Brigitt Earley
- Photo courtesy of Brigitt Earley
We love the vintage vibes of this aqua backpack, especially if you're looking for something a little different from the rest of your class. It's also super practical, with a lightweight, tear-resistant fabric and a polyester lining that’s easy to wipe clean. It’s equipped with all of the organization you could need, too, including a USB charger!
_
- Pros: Lightweight, budget-friendly price point
- Cons: Drink pockets are small
- Dimensions: 13.7 x 29.5 x 43.7 inches
- Fabric: Oxford
Everlane ReNew Transit Backpack
The cool design of this backpack, which is made from 100% recycled polyester, separates it from the rest of the pack. (Pun intended.) Instead of the standard oval shape, this bag features a rectangular design and has a fold-over pocket closure on the top. It only comes in a few colors, but the look is undeniably cool and sophisticated. You can’t beat the water-resistant finish, either, since you don’t have to stress when you inevitably spill your coffee on it or get stuck in the rain.
_
- Pros: Water-resistant finish, sophisticated design, great organization
- Cons: Comes in limited colors
- Dimensions: 17.5" x 7.25" x 12"
- Fabric: Recycled polyester
Dakota Backpack
This durable neoprene backpack is one of the most stylish options on the list. It's on the smaller side, but if you don't tote a ton of stuff around on a daily basis, it might be the perfect size for you! The neoprene fabric looks and feels more elevated and is comfortably cushy against your back.
_
- Pros: Two-way zipper, comfortable padded straps, interior drink pocket
- Cons: Not as roomy as other options
- Dimensions: 14 x 11 ½ x 4 ½ inches
- Fabric: Neoprene
Best Organization: Gear-Up LoveShackFancy Blue Damask Backpack
- Photo courtesy of Brigitt Earley
- Photo courtesy of Brigitt Earley
For teens who want a pretty pattern, it’s hard to go wrong with Pottery Barn’s LoveShackFancy collab. The ultra-feminine blue-and-white print — flowers and bows, oh my! — makes for a book bag that stands out in a crowd in the best of ways. But it’s not just a pretty little thing — this backpack features three separate compartments, plus a padded laptop sleeve and two water bottle pockets. We especially love that the smallest pocket contains dedicated pen holders and a key clip.
_
- Pros: Very durable, excellent organization, comes in other sizes and styles, can be personalized
- Cons: Light colors get dirty easily
- Dimensions: 12 x 7.5 x 17 inches
- Fabric: Nylon
.JPG)
.JPG)
High Density Canvas Backpack
This utilitarian rucksack is made of thick, durable canvas. It features a drawstring closure under the flap, dual side pockets, inner zippered compartments, and a front pocket for easy access to frequently used items. Seen here in khaki, the bag also comes in other neutral shades.
_
- Pros: Very durable, great organization, comes in other sizes and styles, can be personalized
- Cons: Light colors get dirty easily
- Dimensions: 12 x 7.5 x 17 inches
- Fabric: Canvas
