20 Best Backpacks You Can Shop on Amazon

At just $21, this children's backpack is a good find for the next school season. It's made with nylon, which is generally durable against wear and tear. Keep kiddo organized thanks to its variety of interior and exterior pockets — including a mesh water bottle pocket, a laptop sleeve and a pair of zippered outer pockets. Kids will love the colorful geometric design. It comes in two sizes: a small for kindergarten and early elementary school and a large for ages 8 and up.

If you're looking for a backpack that'll keep up with busy days, look no further than the brand known for its outdoor adventure gear. The North Face's Borealis Backpack is our go-to recommendation for college students. It can carry everything you need for a full day of classes, like laptops, textbooks and calculators. Our Lab evaluations revealed it held up well during water resistance and abrasion tests, making it a worthy choice for hiking and travel, too. We also appreciate that it offers ample padding on the shoulder straps and even has a detachable waist strap for added security.

Seasoned explorers and casual travelers alike will appreciate the generous capacity and ergonomic padding of our best travel backpack pick. Outperforming several carry-on suitcases we tested, the Cotopaxi Allpa wowed our experts with its roomy interior. We also like that it has hip and sternum straps for added stability. Like other top-rated travel backpacks, this option zips open completely for easier packing access and offers many compartments for organization. If you're planning on pairing it with your rolling luggage, note that it does not have a trolley sleeve.

A timeless pick for students, the Herschel Classic XL Backpack is outfitted with a large main compartment to hold anything from lunch boxes to a pair of clothing. There's also a handy zippered outer pocket for easy access to loose items like house keys and lip balm. Thoughtful features like an unpadded laptop sleeve and cushioned straps complete the bag. Our testing panel was impressed by its durability, with some saying that their Herschel backpacks have stayed in great condition for years. Students can take their pick of more than 20 colors and patterns.

Another favorite among our pros for its great value, this Amazon backpack makes an excellent travel companion thanks to its compact, TSA-friendly size. It unzips like a suitcase for easy packing, and you can store clothes or shoes in its plethora of mesh pockets (including a water-resistant compartment for swimwear). One staffer notes that this backpack could fit up to a week's (!) worth of clothing with proper rolling. Plus, it comes in pretty pastels and versatile neutrals to suit your own personal style.

We can't get over how adorable this butterfly backpack is. Named GH's best backpack for toddlers, this playful pick has oversized zipper tabs that make it easier for small hands to grasp. Our testing panel agrees that the backpack holds up well over time and loves its adjustable water bottle pocket, so little ones won't have to go without their favorite beverage. That said, some Amazon reviewers wished the backpack were larger. If your child isn't drawn to butterflies, the charming bag also comes in dinosaur, narwhal, alpaca and shark prints.

Constructed from genuine leather, this Samsonite backpack adds a touch of sophistication to workplace 'fits. Pack up to two laptops inside its main compartment or separate back sleeve. It's even equipped with a myriad of interior slip pockets for work badges, as well as zippered and mesh pockets to help you stay organized between meetings and business lunches. It's only missing a water bottle holder. Sleek and comfortable, the bag also has a padded back and cushioned straps.

A JanSport is the quintessential backpack. This classic option sports a reinforced suede bottom for additional support. The brand also adds cushion to its shoulder straps for more comfortable wear. And while devices can be slid into its laptop sleeve, it's not padded. Our testers enjoyed its roomy front pocket for safekeeping valuables. What's more, it has a built-in key ring to keep your keys handy. A great option for students, the bag also comes in more than 20 colors and patterns to match their aesthetic.

Fans of bento-style lunchboxes are likely to love this brand's clever two-in-one backpack for kids. An insulated lunchbox compartment is zippered to the bottom of this charming backpack, while a mesh water bottle pocket stashes beverages. While some shoppers felt like its main compartment was too small, this backpack boasts padded shoulder straps and a chest clip help keep it secure and comfortable on your little tike.

This backpack impressed our pros with its thoughtful storage features. Its three packing cubes help you stay organized on the go, while compression straps help keep everything in place. Notably, testers appreciate its clamshell opening for easier packing — though a few Amazon reviewers complained about its zipper breaking. Keep umbrellas at the ready thanks to the bag's discreet outer pocket. Commuters will appreciate its padded laptop sleeve.

Trust that this backpack will last you years to come. Our favorite long-lasting backpack for college, Fjällräven's Kanken canvas backpack comes with a laptop pocket, so you can tote devices. Our testers like how it unzips fully around the sides for easy packing and unloading. It also has two top handles that snap together if you need a break from carrying it on your back. Other than that, there's only one extra pocket, located on the outside.

Some parents may not want to splurge on a backpack their child will quickly outgrow. Enter this affordable mini backpack. It's one of our favorites for its price alone. Don't be deceived by its pint size: It's decked out with everything your kiddo might need, like a mesh water bottle sleeve, a zippered main compartment and lightly padded shoulder straps. Plus, it comes in four cute designs to match your child's personality.

All ages can enjoy the rugged aesthetic and roomy 25L compartment of this Carhartt Classic Backpack. Shoppers online raved that its water-repellent fabric kept their supplies dry in all kinds of weather, making it a great option for travel. This pick comes complete with a laptop sleeve (though, it's not padded), two water bottle pockets and a zippered front compartment, including interior slip pockets.

If style is a priority, look no further than this sleek leather option from Coach. We love how its cross-grain texture looks chic and is designed to help minimize visible scratches. Its rounded silhouette works great for carrying items large and small, while interior and exterior zippered pockets keep cosmetics and devices organized.

Middle school can be a challenging time for kids. You can make their days a little easier with this top-rated backpack on Amazon. The Columbia Zigzag earned high marks from our testers for its numerous compartments, durable fabric and comfortable padded straps. Its streamlined design makes it a great option for indecisive teens, too. Shoppers should keep it mind that it doesn't have chest or waist straps, which can help distribute weight more evenly.

A properly organized gym bag is a crucial component of sticking to a fitness routine. Fitness enthusiasts will appreciate the Daylite's mesh straps and ventilated back panel post-workout. And its roomy interior allots space for athletic clothes, gym accessories, a water bottle and more — although this backpack does have to be washed by hand once it gets dirty. We particularly like the exterior compression strap for holding your sneakers or a sweatshirt. Best of all, it doubles as a hiking backpack thanks to its supportive chest and hip straps.

JanSport has plenty of great backpacks for kids, like the best-selling SuperBreak style. Featuring an understated silhouette with one main compartment, plus a zippered front pocket for storing charging cables and more, it comes in more than 20 colors and patterns. Just note that while our testers appreciate its lightweight design and variety of colors to choose from, it wasn't as durable in Lab tests compared to other tested styles.

If you have a hard time keeping track of your books and other essentials with a traditional backpack, then we recommend the Baggallini Chelsea laptop backpack. It has a wide frame opening that allows you to access the bag's interior more easily — making it simpler to find and unpack what you need. What's more, its padded laptop sleeve fits up to a 16-inch device, and expandable side pockets help accommodate larger water bottles.