Second, in our backpack series, The Best Backpacks for Teens features bags to suit a teenager’s busy lifestyle. From school to sports, to friends, outdoors, and travel, a teen needs a backpack that can go anywhere and carry everything. A teenager’s bag should be roomy enough to carry books and electronics, and still, be comfortable to carry. Constant use requires that these backpacks have sturdy, durable designs and materials.
When purchasing a backpack for your teenager, consider your teen’s lifestyle and activities. Does your teen need smaller pockets for organizing or is a laptop sleeve a necessity? Consider whether water-resistance is preferred and if packability is a factor. Finally, but certainly not unimportant, does the bag look cool? Your teenager probably wants a bag that is not only useful but reflects their unique personality through fun colors and stylish details.
Best Backpacks for Teens
 | Fjallraven-Kanken Classic Backpack | Check price at |
 | JanSport Big Student Classics Series Daypack | Check price at |
 | UA Unisex Storm Hustle II Backpack | Check price at |
 | ECEEN® Solar Powered Hiking Daypacks | Check price at |
 | World Traveler Multipurpose Backpack | Check price at |
 | Fuel Active Backpack | Check price at |
 | High Sierra Fatboy Backpack | Check price at |
 | Bolang Fashionable Lightweight Water Resistant Nylon Backpack | Check price at |
1. Fjallraven-Kanken Classic Backpack
Your teenager will be delighted with the timeless Fjallraven– Kanken Backpack with its classic design. Fjallraven bags have a heritage that goes back to 1960, and it’s still trendy today.
The Vinylon F material is one of the unique features of the Fjallraven backpack. It’s durable, sturdy, water-resistant and easily wipes clean. A rain flap protects the two-way zipper. Other authentic features are the reflective logo, straps with an H-pattern, and ‘WASA 6′ is written on the fox buttons.
The main compartment is large enough for notebooks and a tablet. Stash smaller items for quick access in the front zippered pouch and the two open side pockets. The sitting pad is for those occasions when your teen is looking for something soft to sit on.
The Fjallraven-Kanken backpacks are available in various colors and sizes. Three sizes, 13″, 15″, and 17″ accommodate laptops and tablets. The Fjallraven-Kanken mini backpacks are smaller versions with all the features of the larger bags. Its dimensions are 11 x 8 x 5 inches whereas the classic bag is 15 x 11 x 5 inches.
2. JanSport Big Student Classics Series Daypack
The JanSport Big Student Classics Series Daypack is a cooler, updated, and more functional version of the classic JanSport backpack I carried with me every day. It got me through middle school and high school, and I believe I only replaced it one time. This backpack has two large main compartments and two zippered stash pockets in front. It features a padded back and ergonomically designed shoulder straps for extra comfort. There’s also a utility pocket that works great for storing and organizing electronics. Available in everything from basic black to bright patterns, this backpack is sturdy, stylish, and versatile.
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3. BeautyWill School Backpack Vintage Canvas Rucksack
Not only is the BautyWill School Backpack Vintage Canvas Rucksack useful, it just plain looks cool. That’s an essential factor when choosing backpacks for teens. This bag will hold all your teen’s essentials.
It’s constructed of durable, high-quality canvas and accented with leather in the closures and shoulder straps to keep the contents secure. The padding ensures comfortable daily use. Leather straps conveniently close with magnetic buckles and the adjustable closure drawstring safely close the backpack.
There’s plenty of room for books and a tablet. The multi-pockets design practically organizes your teen’s bag. The front utility zipper pouch is big enough for a tablet, and side zipper pockets will store smaller electronics for easy access. The two inner organizer pockets and an inner security zipper pocket are useful for storing pens, phones, and other items separate from the books in the main compartment.
Teens will love this backpack for school, outings, and travel.
4. UA Unisex Storm Hustle II Backpack
Versatile and sporty, the UA Unisex Storm Hustle II Backpack is excellent for teens on the go. It comes in several fun, bright colors and boasts three interior slip pockets to help keep everything neatly organized. It even includes a laptop sleeve. The materials are water-resistant to keep electronics and valuables safe from wet weather, and the rugged, reinforced bottom panel extends the life of the backpack.
5. ECEEN® Solar Powered Hiking Daypacks
ECEEN® Solar Powered Hiking Daypacks will certainly carry everything you teen needs for school, but it’s the perfect backpack for teens that love the outdoors. This super cool backpack includes a solar panel and storage battery for charging phones and electronics on the go! As far as solar charging backpacks go, this one is relatively low in price, and the solar panel is small and unobtrusive. Also, the solar panel is completely removable, so the backpack can be used on its own without charging capabilities. This pack is designed to be super light while still maintaining durability. The entire pack folds up small to fit entirely inside its pocket, so it’s easy to travel with. This backpack is definitely on my wishlist!
6. World Traveler Multipurpose Backpack
Many backpacks for teens offer the wearer the opportunity to express their unique personality and style, and the World Traveler Multipurpose Backpack does just that. This versatile pack comes in more than 50 fun and stylish patterns and designs. There’s bound to be a style that your teen loves. It’s a little bit smaller than some of the other packs and has two large pockets and two mesh pockets on the side.
7. Fuel Active Backpack
The Fuel Active Backpack has large easy to access pockets, including a dedicated tech pocket that is felt-lined and fits up to a 15″ laptop. In all, there are two large main compartment pockets, an interior organization pocket, a front zippered storage pocket, and two side mesh pockets. The back and straps are designed for comfort and to keep the wearer cool. It comes in several unique patterns and designs, making this pack both useful and stylish.
8. High Sierra Fatboy Backpack
The High Sierra Fatboy Backpack is sure to fit all of your teen’s gear, electronics, and accessories in a durable, conveniently designed pack. It is the backpack to help your teen get organized. It has several compartments including a tablet sleeve, premium multiple pocket organizer, a large main compartment, and a dedicated media pocket with a headphone port.
The premium organizer includes a zippered mesh pocket for a smartphone; a key fob hook so your teen won’t lose the house keys; and pen pockets. The front accessory pocket gives quick access to sunglasses or a notebook.
A mesh beverage pocket is conveniently on the side to access the water bottle when thirsty without unzipping the backpack. At the front is a clip on the outside for extra gear like a cap.
The padded back panel won’t chafe the back, and the padded shoulder straps adjust, ensuring even dispensing of weight across the shoulders. The heavy-duty webbing grab handle is a comfortable grip. Adjustable side compression straps for safety prohibits easy access to the backpack contents.
It’s available in 25 fun and vibrant design patterns and colors and is an excellent choice for school, travel, or a daypack. The durable ripstop fabric is lightweight and has a water-resistant coating.
9. Bolang Fashionable Lightweight Water Resistant Nylon Backpack
The Bolang Fashionable Lightweight Water Resistant Nylon Backpack boasts a cool, minimalist design, and high-quality, sturdy construction. It has a large main compartment with a padded computer sleeve and three front pockets for organization. There are also mesh side pockets. All of the materials are water-resistant, including the zipper lines. Users and reviewers agree that this durable, high-end, and stylish pack is comfortable to wear and fantastic value for the price.
10. Bag Wizard Vintage Travel School Laptop Backpacks
Bag Wizard Vintage Travel School Laptop Backpacks for teens look cool and are utilitarian. Even though the look feels a bit vintage, they are constructed of modern, durable, and high-tech materials. The bags are soft and lightweight and roomy enough for all of your teen’s gear. The back and straps are comfortable and breathable. There are two interior pockets (including an interior laptop/tablet section) and two exterior side pockets. These bags come in versions of the stylish bag above and in solid colors as well.
11. Outlander Packable Handy Lightweight Travel Backpack Daypack
The Outlander Packable Handy Lightweight Travel Backpack Daypack extraordinarily lightweight and roomy at the same time. This light yet durable bag folds in on itself and fits inside its pocket. It’s the perfect packable bag for travel. It has lots of pockets for organization and is available in several bright colors. As a bonus, this backpack comes with a lifetime replacement warranty.
12. The North Face Unisex Borealis Backpack
The North Face Unisex Borealis Backpack is a quality, sturdy pack from a trusted manufacturer. Users describe this pack as “not too big, and not too small.” The molded shoulder straps and padded back are specifically designed to be extra comfortable for the wearer. It has plenty of pockets including two main compartments and a front compartment for smaller items. This ruggedly designed pack is excellent for school or travel. It has a few extras (a stowable hip belt and hydration port) that make it perfect for hiking, as well.
Backpacks for teens are a necessity to organize and transport all of their gear; it is also an excellent way they can express their style. Tell us about your favorite backpacks for teens in the comments below!
Feature image courtesy of Flickr, Do8y.