Best School Backpacks for Kids

Kids carry a huge amount of weight in their school bags so investing in a great backpack is vital to prevent back issues further down the track (they’ll thank you later).

It’s no secret that lugging heavy textbooks, packed lunches and sports gear can take their toll on those young joints. So why do we meticulously research our hiking backpacks to ensure even weight distribution with hip belts and shoulder padding but leave the kids to lug around kilos of school books with poorly designed backpacks?

It’s some serious food for thought which got us thinking about our favourite back-friendly backpack designs that are perfect for school. Use this list to help you choose the perfect back-to-school backpack knowing that every suggestion on here is roomy enough to handle textbooks, strong enough to handle everyday wear and most importantly as back-friendly as they come.

 

Best Backpacks for School 

1. THE NORTH FACE BOREALIS 28L DAYPACK

 

 

The North Face Borealis Backpack is one of our most popular packs for school and it’s easy to see why. Featuring easy-access organisation with handy interior and exterior storage (there’s even a fleece-lined pocket for sunglasses, phone or keys). The FlexVent suspension system comes with a removable waist belt, articulated shoulder straps, a rounded back panel, comfortable stitch lines and soft-touch chemise fabric makes for super-comfy wear - it also comes highly recommended by the American Chiropractic Association. 

 

2. FJALLRAVEN KANKEN BAG

 

 

This iconic backpack was first designed in 1978, with the main goal to help prevent back problems among Swedish school children. It quickly became a common sight at schools throughout the country. 35 years later, the Kanken bag, with its padded shoulder straps, handle and removable seat pad that also protects the back from sharp school books digging in is still saving backs all over the world from the trails to the classroom. There’s a reflector in the logo and front/side pockets along with a name and address label on the inside of the pack. It comes in a variety of fun colours too that are perfect to add some style to the school run!

 

3. CARIBEE PATRIOT SLIM LINE 18L DAYPACK 

 

 

The Patriot Backpack by Caribee is an 18L slim-line design that comes with a detachable Action Back Extreme padded harness system that features a detachable webbing hip belt and sternum chest strap for improved harness stability on the go! Its heavy-duty & reinforced construction also features a surprisingly roomy front pocket with an internal organiser panel and side accessory/bottle pockets.

 
4. PATAGONIA ARBOR LID 28L DAYPACK

 

 

The Patagonia Arbour Lid 28L Daypack is an ideal candidate for a school backpack. Its retro lightweight design features top-loading, a variety of inside pockets to keep storage simple and a padded laptop sleeve to keep electronics safe. The bag is also super durable and made from recycled materials. Fair Trade Certified sewn, as to be expected from Patagonia.
 

5. GREGORY NANO 20L DAYPACK

The Gregory Nano 20 is a simple and sleek backpack with a breathable foam back panel, a padded air mesh shoulder harness, a removable hip belt and a stretch exterior pocket. The 20-litre capacity can handle a surprising amount of gear, from textbooks to laptops this thing will have your kids covered.

6. CARIBEE RUSH DAYPACK

 

 

The Caribee Rush Daypack comes in at a great price point. It has a variety of organiser compartments with an A4 compatible main pocket, and a padded tablet sleeve in the main compartment of the bag. The bag is a nice aesthetic design and also features an action back harness system with padded straps.

 

7. MYSTERY RANCH URBAN ASSAULT 21L TACTICAL BACKPACK

 

 

Inspired by military assault rucksacks, this Mystery Ranch Urban Assault Daypack is the epitome of clean, functional design. Featuring their unique 3-ZIP closure system, it makes accessing pack contents and storage super easy. The URBAN ASSAULT is a great everyday, go-to backpack for work, school, and life in general. Oh, and it works great in the mountains, too. The pack comes with a built-in laptop and tablet sleeves for optimal carry comfort and protection.

 

8. THE NORTH FACE BERKELEY 16L DAYPACK

 

The newly updated, minimalist The North Face Berkeley Daypack sports a trendy retro look with vintage feel (which ages really well!), water repellent fabric and features a padded back panel, shoulder straps for comfortable carrying, side water bottle pockets to keep valuables dry and your kids hydrated.

Other ways to lighten the load:

• Make sure the backpack is fitted properly (it should sit around two inches above the waist)
• Encourage kids to take regular trips from their locker to the classroom
• Try and convince them to use both shoulder straps as one strap means all the weight is on the one side and this is a surefire way to backache, shoulder pain and muscle spasms
• Educate them to bend their knees and use their legs when picking the pack up
• Make sure the backpack weight remains under 15% of their body weight 
• Consider purchasing an extra set of school books for home

 
 
Not sure what the best backpack for you is? Chat with our friendly team of Gear Specialists in-store or online today and don’t forget to share your adventures with us on Instagram by tagging @wildearthaustralia and #mywildearth in your next post.
 
 

About the contributor:

Lauren Clark is the social media manager for Wild Earth. An obsessive gram counter who's always on the hunt for the lightest and most compact gear for hiking and travel. You'll find her overseas in one country or another attempting digital nomad life. When she's not working she's taking in as much culture as she can, eating all of the foods, hiking all of the trails and trying to find people to belay for her. Follow her adventures on Instagram.