at a glance: our top 5 picks for backpacks:
- matein backpack – our top pick
- mancro backpack
- moker vintage backpack
- herschel heritage book bag
- kroser book bag
Backpacks have come a long way since they began as a pair of straps that you tie around books and sling over your shoulder.
You are reading: Best bags for carrying books
Even more, today’s backpacks have drastically evolved from the ones you used to carry to school. And that wasn’t that long ago!
In this article, I’ll review 9 of the best backpacks available, highlighting the good, the bad, and the great.
top 9 backpack reviews
Book bags now work on a much broader scale than just carrying books. they are an essential part of your daily life, whether you are a student or a professional.
We have become fundamentally more demanding with our backpacks!
I prepared my list with that in mind, putting together what I think is best for your individual needs and demands.
1. matein backpack – best for organization
this matein bag is, in my opinion, simply amazing. Like I said, backpacks have come a long way, and this one from Matein shows just how much.
For starters, this versatile bag is extremely durable with over 20 separate compartments, including one for your laptop. this particular style can accommodate up to a 17” device.
There is also a slightly smaller, but equally excellent model that can accommodate up to a 15″ device.
This bag comes in many colors and has an external usb charging port. it’s your perfect companion on a trip: the multiple compartments make it easy to organize and fit all your belongings, notes and, yes, books.
The bag has a breathable padded back panel and shoulder straps, making it relatively comfortable to carry. In addition, its size makes it suitable as hand luggage, so it is ideal if you are going to take a plane trip.
The only downside to this backpack is the fact that it lacks theft protection, which is a bit disappointing given the relatively high price tag.
specifications
dimensions: 19″ x 13.8″ x 7.8″
weight: 2.05 lbs
capacity: 50 liters
advantages
● external usb port
● resistant
● several compartments
● Padded and breathable straps and back
cons
● no anti-theft protection technology
2. mancro backpack – best budget
This high-tech model from Mancro comes equipped with a built-in USB port and an anti-theft lock.
It is designed with multiple compartments, including one for your laptop. this model can fit a 15.6″ laptop, but there is also a larger model that can fit a 17.3″ laptop.
It’s a durable, water-resistant bag perfect for school, work, or travel. This reasonably priced bag could become an indispensable part of your wardrobe.
Please note that there are some reviews of broken or malfunctioning zippers. In addition, although the straps are padded, they are not designed to withstand heavy loads.
specifications
dimensions: 20″ x 12.2″ x 5.7″
weight: 1.5 pounds
capacity: 40 liters
advantages
● integrated usb port
● anti-theft lock
● more than 12 compartments
cons
● poor zipper quality
● the straps are not padded enough
3. modoker vintage book bag – best design
the modoker bag has a vintage design that gives you the nostalgic feel of old book bags along with the advantages of the latest technology.
That’s why I always recommend it to students and travelers who are interested in making a fashion statement.
This backpack comes with an external USB charging port with six large compartments.
it is made of high quality 600d nylon material which makes it durable and lightweight, perfect for on the go.
It’s big enough to comfortably fit a couple of books, an e-reader or a laptop, without being too bulky.
The downside is the fact that the shoulder straps are a bit short, so it may be too tight a fit for some.
specifications
dimensions: 11.8″ x 16.5″ x 5.1″
weight: n/a
capacity: 25 liters
advantages
● elegant vintage design
See Also: 9780394800813: If I Ran the Zoo (Classic Seuss) – AbeBooks – Dr Seuss:
● usb charging port
● robust fabric
cons
● tight straps
4. herschel heritage backpack – the best classic
herschel heritage is a classic from herschel supply co. Available in a seemingly endless variety of color and pattern combinations, this bag is the minimalist’s choice. you can choose from 4 different sizes to perfectly fit your needs.
It has an internal compartment to store your books or laptop, along with an external zippered pocket. Please note that compared to others, this is quite a small bag.
This bag is made from Herschel Supply’s signature quality coated polyester fabric with padded shoulder straps.
however, the laptop compartment is not padded. make sure you get a protective cover for your device.
specifications
dimensions: 17.75″ x 11.75″ x 5″
weight: 1.1 lbs
capacity: 21.5 liters
advantages
● comfortable shoulder straps
● resistant materials
● wide variety of colors
cons
● the laptop compartment is not padded
5. kroser backpack – the lightest
This uniquely designed bag from kroser comes in 2 sizes and is available in 8 color options. This “doctor-style” bag design also has a built-in USB port.
It’s a fairly large bag with room for your books, a laptop, and a tablet/e-reader. It doesn’t have many separate compartments, but the ones it does include are enough to organize and easily access your belongings.
This canvas bag is made with an ecological fabric that also repels water. the edges are reinforced, which makes it quite durable.
This bag is designed in a way that it opens completely, which gives you the advantage of allowing easy access to all the items in your bag. As a result, this multi-purpose bag is ideal for school, work, or even travel thanks to the additional luggage strap.
make sure you don’t overload it. this can make closing difficult and can cause zippers to break.
specifications
dimensions: 16.9″ x 11.15″ x 7.5″
weight: 1.82 pounds
capacity: n/a
advantages
See Also: 9780394800813: If I Ran the Zoo (Classic Seuss) – AbeBooks – Dr Seuss:
● usb charging port
● the wide opening allows easy access
● reinforced edges
cons
● the zipper may break
6. volher backpack – greater capacity
the volher bag is available in one size and 4 color options. It comes equipped with a USB charging port and an anti-theft back pocket.
This multi-pocket bag is roomy and can fit a 15.6″ laptop in the designated compartment. However, some customers found the pocket to be too tight.
The padded mesh back is breathable which is very comfortable and provides great back support. It also has a luggage strap that can be a useful tool on a trip.
specifications
dimensions: 18″ x 13″ x 8″
weight: 2.2 pounds
capacity: n/a
advantages
● robust and resistant
● back anti-theft pocket
● spacious
cons
● Narrow laptop compartment
● the usb charging port does not always work properly
7. kroser xl backpack – best with protected padlocks
This kroser bag is a truly ingenious product. For starters, it’s equipped with RFID-protected pockets that protect your credit cards and IDs from being virtually scanned or stolen. it also comes with a built in usb port.
This bag is designed for heavy duty use with a protective hard shell pocket to protect encased items from any bumps in the bag.
This is ideal to take on a trip due to its large size. it can accommodate all your essentials, and more, with its 3 large zippered compartments and multiple pockets.
The bag’s back panel and shoulder straps are heavily padded for comfort. This bag also comes with a chest and luggage strap.
however, please note that the seams and zippers have been reported to be not as durable as expected.
specifications
dimensions: 18.6″ x 13.5″ x 10.8″
See Also: T. Davis Bunn – Book Series In Order
weight: 3.08 pounds
capacity: n/a
advantages
● built for heavy duty
● rfid protection
● large capacity
cons
● poor quality seams and zippers
8. soldierknife book bag: ideal for intensive outdoor use
This waterproof bag comes in 6 color variations. this one is great for use in any weather as the waterproof material protects your books and other contents of the bag from getting wet or ruined.
It also has a fixed password protected lock, an anti-theft pocket, a built-in usb charging port and multiple pockets and compartments to organize and easily access all your belongings.
In addition, the back panel and shoulder straps are padded so you can comfortably carry the bag on your back.
Not only that, but this backpack has a luggage strap and a sturdy top handle, so you have multiple ways to carry it to suit different situations.
one of the main drawbacks of this bag is the quality. it has multiple reports of not being the best, with complaints that the zippers can break.
specifications
dimensions: 13.6″ x 9.3″ x 2.7″
weight: 1.8 lbs
capacity: n/a
advantages
● waterproof construction
● anti-theft lock
● integrated usb charging port
cons
● poor quality zippers
9. hfsx backpack – the most versatile
This trendy bag from hfsx comes in 6 color variations. but don’t think it’s pretty to look at. it is made of high quality nylon material which makes it scratch, water and tear resistant.
Also, it comes with a headphone port, which is ideal if you want to listen to your music while reading a book. this bag also comes with a built in usb charging port which will make your life easier.
In terms of comfort, the padded shoulder straps are adjustable to fit you perfectly. it is also lightweight and very comfortable to wear.
It has multiple compartments to store your books and other belongings, including 2 side pockets where you can store your water bottle or even a mini umbrella.
It’s worth mentioning that putting too much stress on our bag can cause the shoulder straps to break or snap.
specifications
dimensions: 17.7″ x 13.8″ x 7.1″
weight: 1.65 pounds
capacity: n/a
advantages
● headphone port
● integrated usb port
● adjustable shoulder straps
cons
● Shoulder straps can rip or break
main factors to consider when choosing your backpack
When deciding which book to buy again, the myriad of products available can be a bit overwhelming. To help you choose, here are the main factors to consider.
size
many brands offer more than one size for the same model. for example, matein has two: one for a 15” laptop and one for a 17” laptop.
Always check the specifications of the bag to avoid being disappointed by receiving something too big or too small.
material quality
It’s important to consider the quality and type of material used in the bag’s construction if you’re concerned about durability.
affects the robustness of the bag, its weight and its level of protection. for example, you will find that the soldier’s knife is made of a special waterproof material to protect your belongings.
security features
many of the models available offer some form of security. Depending on your own preferences, you can decide the level of security you need.
some brands, like mancro, come with an anti-theft lock. Others, including Kroser, offer RFID protection.
price
how much you are really willing to spend on the bag will influence your choice. backpacks typically cost around $15, but some can exceed the $100 mark.
then maybe it’s a good idea to set your budget beforehand and look at suitable options within that estimate.
additional features
You may also want to consider additional perks offered by some bag manufacturers. things like a usb port and multiple specialized compartments will definitely make your bag more valuable.
final thoughts
book bags work as a useful accessory that not only carries your books, but also keeps your belongings protected from theft.
Today, despite being blessed with compact devices, we still have plenty of accessories to carry around. surely, we are always looking for a means to charge those devices on the go. and that’s where the usb ports on these bags come in handy.
Although the perfect choice of book bag will probably differ from person to person, I think the vintage modoker is my first choice overall.
brings the best of both worlds; It has a sleek and rugged design, along with up-to-date technology with a built-in USB port. The best part is that this bag is quite reasonably priced compared to its competitors.
See Also: The Bestselling Books of 2012