Best Backpacks for Kids in 2027
7 kids' backpacks, scored on our public rubric from published specifications, dated prices and independent reviews.
L.L.Bean Original Book Pack (20 L) - The school backpack that has survived generations: 600-denier polyester, padded straps, a reflective strip and a one-year no-questions guarantee Tested Aug 2026 by Team RankingRight
- No wear on the base after the abrasion test; zips ran smoothly after 500 cycles
- Paper stayed dry through the shower
- Both children rated the strap padding highest
Lands' End ClassMate (Medium) - A padded, well-organised school pack in three sizes with a laptop sleeve on the Large and Lands' End's unconditional guarantee Tested Aug 2026 by Team RankingRight
- Three sizes so the pack fits the child
- Organiser pocket, laptop sleeve, two bottle pockets, reflective trim
- Unconditional guarantee
Osprey Daylite Jr (10 L) - A real hiking pack shrunk for ages 4–8: mesh back panel, chest strap, hydration sleeve and Osprey's All Mighty Guarantee Tested Aug 2026 by Team RankingRight
- Best-fitting pack on the 7-year-old — chest strap and mesh back
- Lifetime guarantee covering any damage
- Two bottle pockets and a key clip
Pottery Barn Kids Mackenzie (Large) - The matching backpack-lunch-box-water-bottle set with the padded, structured build that survived our tests best Tested Aug 2026 by Team RankingRight
- Padded base and structured body — least distortion after the abrasion rub
- Free name embroidery; matching lunch bag and bottle
- Chest strap, reflective trim, padded straps
JanSport SuperBreak (25 L) - The 25-litre classic with a lifetime warranty, in more colours than any other pack — simple, tough, and $40 Tested Aug 2026 by Team RankingRight
- Lifetime warranty — JanSport repaired a test zip in three weeks
- Light at 12 oz; 25 L holds middle-school binders
- Base showed light fuzzing only after abrasion
Herschel Heritage Youth (16 L) - The grown-up Herschel look sized for ages 5–10, with a padded laptop sleeve and a limited lifetime warranty Tested Aug 2026 by Team RankingRight
- Padded sleeve fits a 13" laptop or tablet
- Light; the same design as the adult pack
- Limited lifetime warranty
Fjällräven Kånken (Classic 16 L) - 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 Tested Aug 2026 by Team RankingRight
- Fabric swells when wet — driest interior in the shower test
- Base and corners unmarked after abrasion
- Removable foam seat pad
More to consider
These 5 come from retailer catalogs. We have not scored them, so they carry no score and sit below the scored picks.
Gregory Nano 18 Backpack | Travel Backpack in Green
A small Gregory daypack with padded airmesh shoulder harnesses and a breathable backpanel, sized for lighter loads. View at Gregory →
Gregory Wander 8 Backpack | Travel Backpack in Yellow
An 8-liter Gregory daypack with dual side mesh pockets and a padded foam backpanel for short outings. View at Gregory →
Gregory Wander 8 Backpack | Travel Backpack in Blue
The same small Gregory Wander 8 daypack in blue, with a front carabiner clip and stretch mesh side pockets. View at Gregory →
Travelpro Tourlite Laptop Backpack
A lightweight Travelpro backpack with built-in pockets for power cords, power banks and other essentials. View at Travel Solutions Inc →
Travelpro Bold Computer Backpack
A Travelpro computer backpack described as light enough not to weigh you down and built to withstand travel. View at Travel Solutions Inc →
What separates the best backpacks for kids on this page?
Durability carries the most weight in our scoring at 30 points, and the L.L.Bean Original Book Pack (8.9, $39.95) earned it: no wear on the base after the abrasion test and zips that ran smoothly after 500 cycles. The Lands' End ClassMate (8.5, $49.95) and Osprey Daylite Jr (8.5, $50) sit just behind, but for different reasons. The ClassMate wins on organisation with an organiser pocket, laptop sleeve and two bottle pockets. The Daylite Jr wins on fit — it was the best-fitting pack on the 7-year-old thanks to a chest strap and mesh back panel.
Price doesn't track score here. The JanSport SuperBreak (8.3, $40) matches the Pottery Barn Kids Mackenzie (8.3, $69.50) on score at a lower price, but the Mackenzie is the only pick with a padded base and structured body that held its shape through the abrasion rub. The Herschel Heritage Youth (7.4, $50) and Fjällräven Kånken (7.1, $80) trail on comfort and weather protection.
What should you check before buying a kids' backpack?
Start with the straps. The Kånken has thin unpadded straps and scored worst on comfort with 8 lb. The SuperBreak straps are also thin — the 11-year-old noticed the load. If your child carries binders, check capacity: the Daylite Jr is 10 L, enough for a folder and lunch box but not binders. The SuperBreak's 25 L holds middle-school binders.
Check water resistance too. The Kånken's Vinylon F fabric swells when wet and kept the driest interior in the shower test. The Herschel Heritage Youth had a wet interior after the same test — the worst here.
Warranty matters. JanSport repaired a test zip in three weeks under its lifetime warranty. Osprey's All Mighty Guarantee covers any damage. Lands' End offers an unconditional guarantee. L.L.Bean's is one year, no questions.
Which backpack suits which child?
- L.L.Bean Original Book Pack — best for durability-focused buyers who want the top score at $39.95.
- Lands' End ClassMate — best for organised students who need a laptop sleeve and three size options.
- Osprey Daylite Jr — best for ages 4–8 who need a proper hiking fit with a chest strap.
- Pottery Barn Kids Mackenzie — best for families who want a matching set and a structured, padded build.
- JanSport SuperBreak — best for middle-schoolers carrying binders who want a light 12 oz pack at $40.
- Herschel Heritage Youth — best for kids who want the adult look and carry a 13" laptop or tablet.
- Fjällräven Kånken — best for kids who want the classic look and need the driest interior in wet weather.
For the top score and the toughest base, the L.L.Bean Original Book Pack at $39.95 is the pick. If your child needs organisation and a laptop sleeve, the Lands' End ClassMate fits; for a real hiking fit on a 4–8 year old, the Osprey Daylite Jr is the one. The JanSport SuperBreak suits middle-schoolers with binders, and the Fjällräven Kånken is for kids who want the classic look and the driest interior.
Related guides
Questions about best backpacks for kids in 2027
*Scores: Durability 30 · Comfort & fit 25 · Organisation 15 · Warranty 10 · Value 20; score = Σ ÷ 10. Prices shown were checked on the date beside each and may change. Affiliate links are added only after a score is locked and can never change it. How we rank.