The Best Kids’ Backpacks, Tested by Actual Kids

I know what you’re thinking, a GoRuck for kids—how much is that going to set me back? Version 2.0 of GoRuc’s KR1 kids pack is actually not that expensive at $65. Yes, that’s more than some on this page, but this is also an extremely tough backpack made of 1000D cordura (except the part against the back, which 200D to be easier on clothes) just like the GoRuck packs for adults. My son has had version one of the KR1 for almost four years now and it looks like it did the day he got it. Version two looks even better, with more fun colors and a larger, easier to access kangaroo pocket. There’s a good balance of organization versus one big compartment here, with a front pocket, two side water bottle pockets, and an internal pocket that’s big enough for pencils, pens, and other small items.

As with any GoRuck, the Shoulder straps are extra padded and won’t cut into your kids’ shoulders when they load it up with books. There’s an internal sleeve to separate out a tablet, but the space there is a little small for a laptop. The top loop handle is sturdy and makes it easy to carry it around without throwing it over a shoulder, and there’s plenty of velcro for patches if your kid is into those. “Kids pack” is a vague term, but I’d say for most this will do well up to about the 10- to 11-year-old age range at which point it’ll likely be a bit small. —Scott Gilbertson

My son is headed into transitional kindergarten this fall, and after years at a day care that only allowed bedding in a labeled pillowcase, it’s finally time for his first backpack. I wanted something that would feel timeless so that he could wear it for as many years as possible. My son also isn’t really into the classic characters available on a lot of kids’ backpacks. Storq’s new line immediately caught my eye for the colorful designs that feel fun for kids and easy to recognize as their own. My son is excited to wear the navy-and-green striped option.

Storq, a subsidiary of the Kindred Bravely maternity brand, launched an entire collection for back-to-school gear for younger kids, including the Cool Kid backpack. The Cool Kid has a nice large front pouch, two side pockets for water bottles (they’re slim but easily fit my son’s 16-inch Owala water bottle), and a main zippered pouch with one large pocket plus a spot for their name. You can also personalize the backpack with your kid’s name for an extra $15 when ordering. The backpack uses heavyweight nylon that you can wipe clean. —Nena Farrell

My 8-year-old loves this backpack, which he has been using for camp all summer. That’s not surprising, as this bag is optimized for hiking, not for carrying standard-sized folders to school. It fits better than most of the other backpacks here, being narrow enough to sit comfortably between his shoulders and short enough to fit his back. It has a chest strap and a waist belt so that it doesn't swing wildly around when he starts sprinting randomly around. The waist belt even has a pocket big enough to fit a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup.

The pack’s 18 liters isn't quite big enough for a weekend trip, but it’s plenty big for a sweatshirt, Omie lunch box, and Nalgene for camp. There are six exterior pockets (which are all inexplicably filled with rocks right now) and a mesh back panel to keep his back cool. He can also crucially manage all the buckles and adjust the straps himself. The shell is DWR-treated to repel water, but it’s still best to not throw it into a lake with an iPad inside.

It’s hard to find a more durable backpack, especially at this price, than a Herschel Heritage Backpack. Former WIRED reviewer Medea Giordano used this bag all through college. It fits a 15-inch laptop in a dedicated laptop sleeve and only began to show signs of wear after years of use. It doesn’t have many organizational pockets, however, and it has no water bottle pocket, so it may not be the best elementary-school backpack.

I would classify the Fjällräven Kånken as the backpack that most parents wish their kids would love. I bought a Kånken for my daughter when she started kindergarten; however, she quickly rejected it because the straps were too thin and cut into her tiny shoulders. Nevertheless, it is probably the most stylish option here for older kids, especially if your kid wants to customize the colors and straps. Former reviewer Medea Giordano fit a 13-inch laptop in the padded laptop sleeve, along with a Kindle, planner, notebook, and change of clothes. It also comes in a 17-inch version.

The North Face’s legendarily sturdy Recon may not scream “school backpack,” but for my middle schooler, it’s already lasted a full year of being thrown into a locker and chucked on the ground at club soccer practices, and endured a general rough-and-tumble summer of sleepovers, camps, and tournaments. It still looks good as new for the upcoming school year, with nary a rip or a scuff. You can see the progression in the photos above, from August 2025 (with tag) to August 2026 (without tag).

It’s big, water-resistant, and indestructible enough to last my son through high school and for as long as he needs it, with multiple compartments, dual water bottle holders, and a padded sleeve for his Chromebook. If your older kid or teen is tough on their backpack, this is the “buy nice” option that will save you from having to spring for a $50 backpack (or more) year after year. —Kat Merck

Matching sets are not only aesthetically pleasing but also genuinely helpful for staying organized—especially if you have multiple kids. My daughter’s things are purple, and my son’s are green, and knowing this helps me to never mix up who likes turkey sandwiches and peaches versus who likes PB&J and plums. If you like the idea of matching sets but are looking for a more affordable version than the State pack, consider Calpak, which offers a kid essentials bundle that includes a lunch box, pencil case, and ice packs.

It’s not quite as nice as the State bag above. The fabric is noticeably a coarser weave, and the patterns are not as striking. There are fewer features—there are no internal pen pockets, for example (it has a big mesh pocket instead), and there is no exterior key-holder chain. Overall, the bag is just a little less sleek and appealing. However, it does have the separated laptop compartment (a tablet pocket on the smallest edition). Also, my 10-year-old carried it to day camp for a few weeks this summer without complaint and without it showing visible signs of wear.

When my first kid entered kindergarten, there was only one option for kid backpacks, and it was this one from Pottery Barn Kids. (My kids have the glow-in-the-dark medium dinosaur version, and so did everyone in their class.) Like most of the backpacks here, it has adjustable shoulder straps and comes in many sizes, price points, and patterns.

My one complaint is that these backpacks are not nearly as durable as some of the other choices listed above. The exterior straps shredded after a year, and I cut them off with a razor. The glow-in-the-dark paint fades after a few months of weathering. The side pockets stretched out almost immediately and let water bottles land on exposed toes. Still, a lot of people really love the patterns, optional monograms, and size range.

When my now-teen son was in preschool, I bought him the ubiquitous Pottery Barn Kids Mackenzie backpack, in that beloved glow-in-the-dark dino bones print. Our family is not big on licensed characters, so I loved Pottery Barn’s print selection, but my son beat the life out of that backpack in only a year. It was so covered in rips and scuffs that it was unusable for kindergarten. (Former WIRED editor Adrienne So had a similar experience with her kids’ Mackenzies, above.)

I wish Simple Modern had been around back then, as the brand’s Fletcher backpack is similar in size to the large Mackenzie, comes with tons of print options (though most are licensed characters) and padded straps. It’s also clearly of a more durable construction, with thicker wipe-clean fabric and a lifetime warranty. Note, however, that it may be too small for kids older than preschool or kinder age. —Kat Merck