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A couple of our favorite backpack brands include Dagne Dover and Caraa. You'll find several of their high-quality designs on our list.
Dagne Dover; Caraa; Fjallraven/Insider
If you've ever noticed that one shoulder aches more than the other, it's likely because you've been carrying too much in your tote. Switching to a backpack might feel like a style compromise, but in this guide, you'll find sleek designs with a more sophisticated look than the ones you remember from grade school. The best backpacks evenly distribute the weight of your everyday carry with two straps, all while leaving your hands free for smooth commuting.
Our top pick is the Patagonia Refugio, which is durable enough for your next outdoor adventure and spacious enough for long-haul travel. And if you're looking for a backpack to gift to the student in your life, The North Face Jester Backpack is a trendy choice with a suspension system certified by the American Chiropractic Association. Our top choice for commuters, Dagne Dover's Dakota Neoprene Backpack, is a bit of a splurge that's well worth it thanks to its durable neoprene fabric and comfortable straps.
Our top picks for the best backpacks
Best overall: Patagonia Refugio - See at Patagonia The Patagonia Refugio Daypack is highly durable and has special features to help balance heavy cargo and ease shoulder pain on long travel days.
Best for commuters: Dagne Dover Dakota Neoprene Backpack - See at Dagne Dover The Dagne Dover Neoprene Backpack is water-resistant and hand-washable, perfect for when you're on the go.
Best for college students: The North Face Jester Backpack - See at North Face This backpack from North Face can hold everything you need for a day on campus with its large laptop compartment and water bottle holders.
Best for work-to-gym: Caraa Stratus Backpack - See at Caraa The Caraa Stratus Backpack has vents on the bottom to keep your gym clothes ventilated and is made of super lightweight nylon.
Best customizable backpack: Fjallraven Kanken Backpack - See at Nordstrom This popular backpack from Fjallraven comes in over 50 colors and multiple sizes, so you can customize it to your needs and aesthetic.
Best beach backpack: The Carhartt Medium Pack - See at Amazon The Carhartt Medium Pack comes with a three-can cooler and ample storage for any outdoor adventure.
Best overall: Patagonia Refugio Daypack
Andrea Bossi/Business Insider
The Patagonia Refugio Daypack is one of the best backpacks for both outdoor adventures and daily commuting because it's noticably lightweight and comfortable to carry.
The shell is made from 100% recycled polyester, which proved to be durable and water-resistant. The bag itself won't weigh you down when it's fully packed, and it has a breathable padding in the back. The interior has a removable 15-inch laptop sleeve, and ample storage space with extra organizational compartments. There's even a side strap to keep your water bottle secure.
With 26 liters of space, there's plenty of room for all of your belongings, but if you need to really pack things in tightly, the pliable material makes it easy. You can feel good about investing in a Patagonia product, as they're one of our most consistent favorites among the top B Corp retail companies.
Best for commuters: Dagne Dover Dakota Neoprene Backpack
Dagne Dover
The Dagne Dover Dakota Neoprene Backpack is one of the best backpacks among members of the Insider Reviews team. It's a wonderful carrier because of its eight-color and three-size options. The backpack's quick-dry neoprene material is water-resistant, hand-washable, and perfect for gym trips, work commutes, and day hikes alike.
There's an interior pocket to store your laptop and even a pouch to hold an extra pair of shoes. This work-life balance bag, as Dagne Dover describes it, is also insulated and evenly distributes weight to add comfort to its sophisticated design.
Best for college students: The North Face Jester Backpack
The North Face
For a backpack apt for carrying books, your laptop, and other study essentials, look no further than The North Face Jester Backpack. We've selected North Face backpacks as top carriers for college in our best backpacks for students guide, notably for its bags with large laptop compartments.
Whether you're commuting to class or en route to the library, the backpack's durably-padded design features a large main compartment, two mesh water bottle pockets, and even a reflective bike-light loop for evening campus walking.
Best for work-to-gym: Caraa Stratus Backpack
Caraa
Caraa is an up-and-coming indie brand that makes thoughtful considerations for the wearers of their designs. The Stratus backpack is no exception, with its mesh netting interior compartments and removable pouch. Its exterior features clever details, such as with an inconspicuous pocket placed strategically on the flat back panel, and its exterior is constructed with a weatherproof cloudlike nylon.
"Starting with the material, you'll find that it's incredibly lightweight (we're talking nearly unnoticeable), like a handful of feathers," says Insider Reviews Executive Editor Sally Kaplan. What's more, there are vents at the bottom that air out any damp workout clothes so the inside always stays fresh.
Best customizable backpack: Fjallraven Kanken Backpack
Andrea Bossi/Business Insider
The Kanken backpack is another Fjallraven favorite, and it's also the brand's signature style. It's offered in more than 50 colors and multiple sizes to best fit your storage and laptop needs. Along with its cool Scandinavian design, what makes this backpack special is a built-in sitting pad you can pull out at a moment's notice. Former senior story producer Emily Hein counts this bag as her go-to, and says that "The included sitting pad is especially useful in the summer — a saving grace at parks and beaches."
Hein also says there's a good reason you'll spot these so often on the streets of New York City. "It's spacious enough to fit all my necessities for the day (including my 13" laptop, albeit tightly), but not bulky or noticeably heavy."
The Carhartt Medium Pack comes bundled with a three-can insulated cooler, making it an excellent beach backpack for taking on hikes, seaside, fishing, or anywhere you might want to enjoy a cold drink while on the go. It's made from Cordura, a super durable and water-repellent material, and has plush padded mesh panels on the back and shoulder straps for comfort.
Features like a fleece-lined eyewear compartment, 15-inch laptop sleeve, and an elastic pocket for a tablet also make the Carhartt Medium Pack one of the best backpacks for school or work.
Best travel backpack: Tortuga Outbreaker
Jen Gushue/Insider
Editor's note: The Outbreaker has since been phased out, but Tortuga's new-and-improved Travel Backpack Pro is a worthy upgrade with near-identical features.
The weather-resistant Tortuga Outbreaker was tested by former editor Jen Gushue, along with eight other top travel backpacks on the market, and it was a top-performer for its convenient storage options — enough to house four-to-five days of travel necessities. Aside from the zipper-bordered main compartment, there are two large mesh compartments on the opposite side, as well as impressive organization pouches throughout.
The adjustable harness system features a wide hip belt that makes traveling customizable and comfortable. It's a splurge for sure, but after testing it in person, it's clear how Tortuga's designs and quality materials are worth the investment.
Best diaper backpack: Dagne Dover Indi Diaper Backpack
Jacqueline Saguin/Insider
Dagne Dover's Dakota backpack may be more well known, but the brand's Indi diaper backpack is also worth checking out. Even if you're not using it for storing nappies, it has features for neatly carrying a day trip's worth of essentials.
The bag is overflowing with organizational pockets that keep everything in its place, so you don't have to go digging for toiletries or your ID as you pass through airport security. You'd never know the Indi is a diaper bag because of its clean design, and as another travel hack, Saguin uses the fold-up changing mat as a portable work-from-home station. Currently, only the small size is available, but it's typically offered in medium and large sizes too.
Caraa takes care in making thoughtfully designed bags. The Studio Tote is a multi-use bag that changes from tote to backpack seamlessly. Made from bespoke Italian leather, this is one of the best backpacks as chic as it is functional. It has a 17-inch laptop sleeve, removable straps, and anti-microbial lining.
Best closet backpack: Solgaard Lifepack Endeavor (with closet)
Solgaard
Solgaard is primarily a luggage retailer, but their best-selling Endeavor backpack incorporates everything they specialize in regarding travel into a compact backpack. The Endeavor holds up to 5-7 days of necessities based on which size suits your needs. Its genius closet system organizes clothing and has storage compartments for a laptop, glasses, papers, and cords. The optional hip strap addition makes it secure to carry everywhere and has plush shoulder straps.
Solgaard's fabrics are made with upcycled ocean-bound plastics and the Endeavor comes with a 30 day warranty should you not love it (most unlikely).
Best hiking backpack: Mountaintop 40L Hiking Backpack
Amazon
The long-form, buckled Mountaintop 40L Hiking Backpack is a multi-use carrier that's exclusive to hiking. Though former Personal Finance reporter Liz Knueven has taken it on trails before, she finds it best for traveling and said she was never questioned by airline companies if it will fit in a bin or under the seat. If you are planning on hitting the trails and want to brace for inclement weather, we suggest a compact rain cover that will slide easily into the Mountaintop backpack's many compartments.
The polyester pack has many built-in compartments that are easy to store small items. Kneuven said it has held up, it's affordable at less than $50, and comes in a variety of colors.
Best backpack for tailgating: Fanatics Colorblock Cooler Backpack
Fanatics
Fanatics' range of game day essentials includes a backpack that's practical for all the social events that come with being a die-hard fan. The Fanatics cooler backpack has exterior pockets for your personal belongings, while its interior is like a portable mini-fridge.
Instead of lugging along a bulky hard shell cooler, the Cooler Backpack frees your hands and comes embossed with your favorite team's logo.
Best eco-friendly backpack: Green Terra Thread Earth Backpack
Terra Thread
The Terra Thread Earth backpack is likely best suited for students, but its sturdy Certified Fairtrade Organic cotton canvas makes it durable enough for the outdoors as well. It features designated pockets for a laptop, two water bottles, and small items like keys or writing utensils.
The Earth backpack is handmade in a factory upheld to the Global Organic Textile Standard and is shipped without excessive packaging to reduce impact on the environment. Finally, each purchase helps Terra Thread send funds to Feeding America, who in turn donates meals to children and families in need.
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