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Top 5 School Backpacks

Here's our top 5 list of the best backpacks for school.  The packs are ranked according to our evaluation which is a combination of quality, utility, price, style, style options and popularity.  This is a rather non-scientific top ten list, however, it will provide you with five options worth checking out if you are in the market for a new school backpack for dragging books back and forth on the bus or across the campus.  The two biggest factors in our evaluation were price and style options.  Backpacks are every bit as much of a fashion accessory as they are a practical choice for carrying books and school work, so having lots of different styling options is a big plus for a pack.

#5 High Sierra Loop Backpack -- ~$40

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High Sierra Loop Backpack
This pack is seriously equipped for a day at school, a commute to the office or a visit to your favorite hiking trails.  This backpack is simply great, flexible and affordable  It can easily carry your gear, music player, mobile phone and a couple of cools drinks in its multi compartments.  This pack can get your stuff, anywhere you need to go.

The High Sierra Loop backpack is available for less than $40.00 at several online retailers.  You can view all of the options over at Bag Idiot, the bag specific comparison shopping site.

About High SierraFor over 30 years, High Sierra has worked hard providing the bags you need at a price you can afford. Specializing in adventure travel, High Sierra's undoubted dedication to function, design, and quality is clearly evident in each and every product they produce. From athletes and backpackers, to students, travelers, and professionals, High Sierra is certain to have a versatile bag or pack to fit your needs. High Sierra Sport Company is the official supplier of bags to the U.S. Ski and Snowboarding teams. High Sierra backpacks can be found at many online and brick and motar retailers and are used and loved by thousands and thousands of of people.

Founded in 1979 as H. Bernbaum Import & Export Company by Harry Bernbaum and Hank Bernbaum, High Sierra Sport Company has grown to become one of the largest outdoor companies in the United States.


#4  The JanSport Big Student Backpack  -- ~$40

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Coming in at about $40.00, the Big Student Backpack is an oversized version of JanSport's SuperBreak backpack, our number 1 pack, the JanSport Big Student Backpack takes storage to the extreme. If you've got a ton of books to haul around, this is the backpack you need. It's got the space to carry those massive chemistry, history, biology and law books. It also offers plenty of room for snack food, gym clothes, and all assorted pens, pencils, and markers. It's even equipped with an audio electronics sleeve and a quick-find cell phone pocket. The S-curve shape of the shoulder straps matches the contours of the body and the back panel is fully cushioned, providing comfort for the long trip across campus while lugging those heavy textbooks.


About JanSportJanSport began in 1967 when three friends who loved the outdoors created their very first framepack and their first panel loading daypack. Once climbers in the Northwest got a look at the pack for themselves, they wanted one and so JanSport was born. Today JanSport backpacks come in a huge variety of colors and styles to meet lots of needs from the hardcore hiker to school kids.

Color Options for the Big Student

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#3 The Volcom Purma Backpack -- ~$50

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The Volcom Purma Backpack offers great organization and storage for your everday needs.   It's a perfectly sized backpack, not too big but with plenty of space for text books and notebooks.   The embroidered Volcom stone logo on the front adds a touch of Volcom cool.

The Main compartment features roomy interior to accommodate your books, school supplies and all of your personal technology including phone and iPod. 

Its got padded shoulder straps and mesh back extra comfort.  Adjustable chest strap for a more secure fit. Two exterior side slip pockets. Interior lining with back wall zip pocket and multifunctional pockets.  

While this pack is at the top end of the price range for the school backpacks on our list, it also has some of the neatest styling of any pack.  The Volcom Purma is just plain cool that it just might be worth the extra $15 to $20.

About Volcom
Started on a snowboarding trip in the winter of 1991 by Richard Woolcott and Tucker Hall, the Volcom idea would incorporate a major philosophy of the times: "Youth Against Establishment". This energy was an enlightened state to support creativity. Volcom is a family of people unwilling to accept suppression of thought.

#2  The DaKine Cosmo Backpack -- ~$25

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You may have worldly style, but why stop there? Reach for the fashion stars with the Dakine Cosmos Backpack. 

These boldly printed compact backpacks include padded shoulder straps.   The Cosmo's main compartment is roomy enough for your books and notebooks plus a few magazines.  It also has a zippered pocket to organize your pens, pencils  and other accessories.   The front zip pocket includes zippered mesh compartments to keep stuff squared away and making it so you can find it quickly when you need it.

The sweet design options of the Cosmo combined with the under $30.00 price earned DaKine a spot on our list.

About DaKine
DaKine is an outdoor apparel company based in Oregon and specializing in sportswear and sports equipment for alternative sports including skate, snowboarding and surfing. The name of the company comes from the Hawaiian Pidgin word "da kine" (derived from "the kind" or "the best"). Dakine sells backpacks, apparel and accessories for men, women and children. DaKine backpacks are both durable and affordable. Whether planning a hiking adventure to the wilderness or simply a daily trek through the concrete jungle, DaKine has a backpack to meet your needs.

#1 The JanSport Superbreak -- ~$30

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You simply can't go wrong with the JanSport Superbreak.  It's got a multitude of different colors from pink to black and white tiger stripes.  It's priced reasonably.  JanSport sells these by the bushel each August, it is one very popular school backpack.

This bag has been around for a long time and there is a great reason for that. It is one tough and highly durable backpack. I'm not sure which is tougher duty for a pack, being used to scale mountains or being dragged to school on the bus each day and overstuffed with text books. Actually, the abuse that students heap upon their bags far exceeds how any climber would treat their gear. The great thing is that the Jansport Superbreak can take the abuse and actually survive more than a single school year.

Simple and practical, the large main compartment can easily contain plenty of books making it perfect for grade school, high school or even college students. A convenient front pocket delivers easy access to your cell phone, wallet or pens and pencils, while the padded shoulder straps and back panel provide comfort for lengthy hikes across campus or over a mountain trail. Plus you can find these for less than $30.00!  You can check out some more of the color options below, with so many to choose from, your bound to find one that meets your needs or the style needs of your student.

About JanSportJanSport began in 1967 when three friends who loved the outdoors created their very first framepack and their first panel loading daypack. Once climbers in the Northwest got a look at the pack for themselves, they wanted one and so JanSport was born. Today JanSport backpacks come in a huge variety of colors and styles to meet lots of needs from the hardcore hiker to school kids.

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Some Color Options for the SuperBreak:

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