When it comes to organization, we were disappointed to see that this backpack doesn't have a device sleeve or compartment. If your child is approaching their later middle school years, though, it would be a good idea to take a look at our high school pick instead. Since younger kids may not be carrying as many items to and from school, the L.L.Bean Original Book Pack is a good option for this crowd. It provides just enough room for middle-schoolers to bring what they need without giving them so much room that they'll pack too much. The backpack has a roomy main compartment that's perfect for notebooks, folders, and lunch boxes, while the small front pocket is handy for pencils and other small items. The L.L.Bean Original Book Pack has been a go-to for tons of school kids for decades. Pros: Machine washable, reflective strip, ideal size and organization Like most other backpacks, you won't be able to throw this one in the washer. This backpack also has a chest clip, which is ideal for distributing the weight of the backpack. We found the straps to be thinly padded, while the back had a nice thick padding. The Cat & Jack Backpack has a reflective strip to help keep them safe at the bus stop. Many elementary-schoolers spend time waiting at the bus stop, sometimes in the dark. There is a nice device sleeve for kids who need to bring iPads, laptops, or other devices to and from school. In our testing, we found this backpack to be very comparable to other, more expensive, kids backpacks.Įlementary school covers a wide range of ages, and although this backpack is small enough for little backs, it's still big enough to fit standard-size folders, notebooks, a laptop, and anything else they might need.

The Cat & Jack 17 Inch Kids Backpack combines ergonomics, affordability, and the cuteness factor for the perfect backpack for your young scholar. Pros: Affordable, unique pattern options, chest clip, reflective strip However, preschoolers don't typically need to load up their backpacks with heavy books, so this isn't a deal breaker. The Wildkin Backpack has padded straps and a padded back, though we found them to be a bit thin. You can wash the interior of the insulated pouch with mild soap and a damp washcloth. If you clean spills shortly after they happen, you should be able to keep this backpack in good shape. However, when we spilled water on the bag for our water-resistance test, none made it through to the main compartment. One drawback of this bag, particularly for the preschool crowd, is that it's spot clean only. Despite its simplicity, we were able to pack all of our preschool items described in our methodology in this backpack with room to spare. The smaller front pocket is insulated to hold food and snacks, so you could forgo a lunch box with this bag. It simply has a main pocket, a front pocket, and a water bottle holder, making it easy for little kids to pack and unpack themselves. We were impressed by this backpack for the preschool age range because it's uncomplicated. Plus, it comes in fun colors and designs like Horses in Pink or Dinomite Dinosaurs, helping kids get excited for their first-ever day of school.

This Wildkin 12-Inch Backpack is the ideal size for young kids going to preschool. Pros: Size appropriate, many pattern options, simple for young kids, includes an insulated food pocket The North Face Recon Backpack looks sleek and professional, but it's still large and durable enough to carry all the essentials. The iconic Jester Backpack is ergonomically designed, and it comes with a lifetime warranty.īest backpack for college students: The North Face Recon Backpack - See at The North Face The L.L.Bean Original Book Pack is well-organized, just the right size for middle school kids, and machine washable.īest backpack for high school:The North Face Jester Backpack - See at The North Face Target's 17-Inch Cat & Jack Kids Backpack includes a reflective strip for bus-stop safety, and it meets all the needs of an elementary-schooler at an affordable price.īest backpack for middle school: L.L.Bean Original Book Pack - See at L.L.Bean The Wildkin 12-Inch Backpack is just the right size for the littlest of school-goers, and it comes in tons of fun patterns young children will gravitate toward.īest backpack for elementary school: Cat & Jack Kids 17-Inch Backpack - See at Target Our top picks for the best backpacks for students in 2023īest backpack for preschool: Wildkin 12-Inch Backpack - See at Amazon

Backpack with many pockets