Best Kids' Backpacks — every ranking, by use case and budget
Every backpack here was bought at retail and carried by real children. Scores are locked before any affiliate link is added; Amazon links carry our Associates tag.
Lands' End ClassMate
Very Good
8.5
L.L.Bean Original Book Pack
Very Good
8.9
Osprey Daylite Jr
Very Good
8.5
By use case indexed
By price page 1 indexedpage 2+ noindex
In-depth kids' backpacks reviews
L.L.Bean Original Book Pack
The school backpack that has survived generations: 600-denier polyester, padded straps, a reflective strip and a one-year no-questions guarantee
Read L.L.Bean Original Book Pack ReviewLands' End ClassMate
A padded, well-organised school pack in three sizes with a laptop sleeve on the Large and Lands' End's unconditional guarantee
Read Lands' End ClassMate ReviewOsprey Daylite Jr
A real hiking pack shrunk for ages 4–8: mesh back panel, chest strap, hydration sleeve and Osprey's All Mighty Guarantee
Read Osprey Daylite Jr ReviewPottery Barn Kids Mackenzie
The matching backpack-lunch-box-water-bottle set with the padded, structured build that survived our tests best
Read Pottery Barn Kids Mackenzie ReviewJanSport SuperBreak
The 25-litre classic with a lifetime warranty, in more colours than any other pack — simple, tough, and $40
Read JanSport SuperBreak ReviewHerschel Heritage Youth
The grown-up Herschel look sized for ages 5–10, with a padded laptop sleeve and a limited lifetime warranty
Read Herschel Heritage Youth ReviewFjällräven Kånken
The Swedish school bag from 1978: Vinylon F fabric that stiffens when wet, a seat pad in the back, and a look kids ask for by name
Read Fjällräven Kånken ReviewGuides that send readers to these rankings
How to Fit a School Backpack (and How Heavy Is Too Heavy)
The pediatrician's weight rule, the three fit checks, and which of the seven packs we tested fits each age.