The Coolest Backpacks for Kids: Back-to-School Style 2025

If your kid loves bold prints, the Wildkin Monsters Backpack is an affordable, eye-catching option that we found charming but imperfect, reflected in its 5.5/10 score. The playful monster design and mesh side pocket for a water bottle make it an instant favorite with younger children, yet our experience shows the 13-liter size is smaller than standard and limits what it can carry. Durability concerns cropped up during our testing — users reported stitching and zipper issues over time — so it’s best for lighter daily use or preschool rather than a heavy-duty school bag.

If you want a reliable everyday school bag without breaking the bank, this School Backpack (score 7/10) is a solid pick — in our testing its durable construction and 24‑liter capacity handled textbooks, a laptop sleeve and gym gear with no fuss. We found the padding and classic styling make it comfortable and broadly appealing, though during our review the mesh water‑bottle pockets showed tearing over time and some color combos felt off. For $39.95 it's a practical, long‑lasting option if you can live with limited side‑pocket resilience.

For a budget‑friendly kids’ pack, the CAMTOP Kids Backpack (score 6.5/10) delivers durable, water‑resistant polyester and comfy padded shoulder straps with a chest strap that helps keep little ones supported. During our review we liked the roomy main compartment and extra pockets for school supplies, but our experience shows the side bottle pockets are pretty small and the included lunch box collapses easily, crushing contents. It’s a great value at about $19.69 if you prioritize rugged fabric and playful designs, just manage expectations on the accessories.

The Grom Backpack 13L is a thoughtfully made, eco‑minded kids’ pack with 600D recycled polyester that looks and feels premium, but during our review its small 13‑liter size limits usefulness for school — our experience shows it’s perfect for preschool or a light day but too tight for standard folders and full‑size textbooks. We liked the youthful styling and quality materials, yet the lack of at least one internal pocket in the main compartment was a missed opportunity. If you want sustainability and compact daily carry, it’s an attractive option, just not for heavy hauling.

For toddlers who want a bit of personality, the Skip Hop Cat Zoo Backpack (score 6/10) is durable and perfectly sized — in our testing the 5‑liter capacity fits snacks, a change of clothes and a small toy without weighing little ones down. We found the playful cat design is a hit, but during our review decorative bits like horns can detach over time and the single‑zip front pocket sometimes lets items spill if it isn’t fully closed. It's a cute, well‑made preschool pick if you accept its limited capacity.

The Mackenzie Blush Shimmer backpack looks fun and is built from rugged, water‑resistant 600‑denier polyester, which in our testing kept spills and light rain at bay. We found the 15‑liter size works well for younger kids and light school days, but our experience shows the top fabric handle is fragile and may not survive heavy tugging, which undercuts overall utility. At about $29.50 it's an appealing, shimmery choice for style‑minded kids — just be gentle with the handle to avoid early wear.

For younger kids drawn to bright patterns, The North Face Youth Mini Explorer looks great with its color-blocking, but in our testing it only earned a 5.5/10 because size limits its usefulness. We found the pack is well-made and water-resistant, yet the 10-liter capacity is too small for standard textbooks and the missing sternum strap adjustment lets shoulder straps pull inward and cause neck abrasion on wider-chested children. It's a charming, durable daypack for short outings or preschool, but not a dependable school bag.

We were impressed by the High Sierra Loop’s organization and toughness during our testing — it earned an 8/10 for durability and smart storage. The generous 35.7-liter capacity and multiple compartments make it great for organizing textbooks, notebooks, and gear, and padded shoulder straps help on long walks to school. Our review found the trade-offs are limited back padding that can make heavier loads uncomfortable and compression straps that feel fiddly. For busy students who prioritize organization and rugged fabric, this backpack is a solid, practical pick.

The Kane Double Pocket Backpack is a stylish, sustainability-minded choice that during our testing scored 6/10 thanks to eco-friendly materials and thoughtful design. We found the two large, zip-around compartments and a padded sleeve for a 15" laptop make daily organization straightforward, and the 23.6-liter size fits most school essentials. Our experience shows the fabric can feel stiff and smaller than expected, and some users reported interior tearing after months of light use. If recycled materials and a clean, modern look matter, it’s a fashionable pick — but don’t expect heavy-duty flexibility.

The SuperBreak Black is a classic, no-frills backpack that our experience shows is durable and simple, scoring 6/10 overall for everyday use. We found the 600-denier polyester construction and padded shoulder straps make it a dependable choice for carrying books, and the roomy 26-liter main compartment swallows school supplies with ease. During our review the lack of a laptop sleeve and side bottle pockets felt like missed opportunities, and some users reported sticky zippers. If you want a rugged, straightforward pack without extra bells and built-in protection for laptops, this is a reliable budget option.

If your kid favors a sleek, sporty look, the PUMA Meridian Backpack (score 6.5/10) offers a modern silhouette and multiple compartments — we found the interior laptop pocket especially handy for devices. During our review the 20‑liter capacity kept small textbooks and a tablet organized, but our experience shows it’s smaller than many shoppers expect, so larger binders or art projects may not fit. It’s a good style-forward choice for lighter loads and casual school days, just check dimensions before buying.

If organization and comfort are priorities, the SHRRADOO 50L Travel Laptop Backpack is a standout — in our testing it earned an 8/10 for its cavernous 50‑liter capacity, 20 independent pockets and three main compartments that make packing a breeze. We found the breathable mesh shoulder straps and U‑shaped ventilation keep kids comfortable on long walks, and the built‑in USB charging port is a real on‑the‑go convenience. Our experience shows the size can be overkill for everyday school use and some users reported durability concerns after months of heavy use, but for travel and tech storage it’s very functional.

The Cool Student from JanSport scored a solid 7.5/10 in our testing thanks to roomy 34‑liter capacity and durable build that swallows a laptop, books and lunch with ease. We found the pack comfortable over long days and appreciate the modern styling and synthetic‑leather accents, but during our review zipper problems — including sticking and occasional splitting — cropped up for some users, and the leather bottom may show wear over time. If you want roomy, dependable daily performance at $60, it’s a strong choice with a few durability caveats.

The Herschel Little America blends modern styling with a roomy interior, and during our review it scored 7/10 for looks and capacity but lost points on value. We found the 25-liter main compartment easily swallows a 16" MacBook Pro and several textbooks, while the contoured shoulder straps and padded back panel keep kids comfortable all day. Our experience shows the leather straps feel less durable than expected and the drawstring closure makes quick access a bit awkward, plus internal organization is lacking. If style and a classic silhouette matter most, it’s a fashionable choice — just be mindful of the higher price and potential wear.

During our review the adidas Prime Backpack impressed with roomy storage and comfort, earning a solid 7/10 for its functionality and sporty style. The generous 41-liter capacity and multiple compartments make it easy to stash textbooks, a laptop, and gear, while LoadSpring shoulder straps help carry heavier loads more comfortably. We found durability issues with zippers and stitching in some units, and mesh side pockets have limited stretch for larger bottles. If you want a modern, athletic-looking bag with top-tier capacity, this one delivers — just watch for long-term durability.

The Youth Court Jester by The North Face blends durability and comfort — in our testing the padded back panel and shoulder straps made it a cozy choice for younger kids, and the 600D recycled polyester feels robust. We found the front bungee handy for stashing a jacket, but our experience shows the internal organization is limited and the pack can run smaller than expected, which is a bummer given the $100 price. If you want a tough, youth‑centric look, it’s dependable, but don’t expect lots of pockets for organizational pros.

The Under Armour Hustle 5.0 earned one of our higher marks (8.5/10) by combining sporty style with practical tech features — we found the UA Storm water‑resistant fabric and HeatGear® padded straps keep contents dry and shoulders comfortable, and the soft‑lined laptop sleeve fits up to a 15" MacBook Pro. During our review the bottom shoe compartment was clever for cleats, but our experience shows it eats into main capacity when used, and the lack of a chest strap or waist belt may make heavier loads feel unstable. Overall it's a performance‑minded, reliable everyday option.

In our testing the High Sierra Swerve Pro earned its high 9.5/10 rating by being an incredibly roomy, durable school workhorse — it’s our top-rated choice for organization. We found the 27-liter capacity with multiple compartments and a padded laptop sleeve swallows books, projects and tech with ease, and the build has held up to heavy daily use. The trade-offs are stiffer, wide shoulder straps that can feel uncomfortable on long hauls and zippers that sometimes snag behind material flaps; it's great if you prioritize space and toughness.

The Modoker Laptop Backpack was one of our favorites for value, scoring 8.5/10 in our testing thanks to durable nylon construction and smart tech features. We found the integrated USB charging port handy for busy kids on the go, and the roomy main compartment fits a 15.6" laptop along with books and supplies — ideal for students who need a workhorse bag. During our review the small side pockets and occasional zipper stickiness were minor annoyances, and the Velcro laptop strap can slow quick access. Overall it’s a high-functioning, water-resistant pick if you want durability and modern conveniences without splurging.

If security is a priority, the Oscaurt Anti Theft Backpack stands out with hidden zippers and secret pockets, and in our testing it scored 6.5/10 for those clever features. We found the built-in USB charging port and multiple compartments helpful for organizing electronics and everyday essentials, but our experience shows the 12-liter capacity is tight for bigger laptops or lots of textbooks. Comfort suffered in our review because the straps and back lack padding, and there are some material quality concerns like weak stitching. It’s a sleek, water-resistant option when theft protection matters more than hauling capacity.

The MATEIN Laptop Backpack is a budget-friendly star — in our testing it scored 8/10 for value and organization. We found the roomy 25-liter layout, multiple compartments and integrated USB charging port make it perfect for students who need smart storage without breaking the bank, and the build offers mild water resistance for light weather. Downsides we noticed include lightly padded shoulder straps that can tire with heavy loads and some zipper longevity concerns, but for around $38.99 it's a dependable, modern pick.

If you like a classic, no-fuss bag, the Nike Heritage Backpack is a reliable pick — in our testing it earned a respectable 7.5/10 thanks to comfort and simple style. We found the padded shoulder straps and back make long school days easy on little shoulders, and the roomy 25-liter main compartment includes a sleeve that fits up to a 15" laptop. During our review the thin material and sparse internal organization stood out as drawbacks, and the side bottle pockets are smaller than ideal for big water bottles. Overall it’s a comfortable, versatile daily bag if you don’t need heavy-duty water resistance or lots of internal pockets.

In our testing the Kipling Sanaa Rolling Backpack was a standout, earning a 9/10 for versatility and durability despite its premium price. We found the crinkle nylon holds up to daily wear and the tuck-away padded straps make it simple to switch between rolling and carrying, while the 23-liter capacity manages several textbooks and personal items with ease. During our review some users did report zipper failures after months and side mesh pockets that won’t fit large bottles, and there’s no dedicated laptop sleeve. If you want a long-lasting, multipurpose bag and can accept a few quirks, this is our top-rated versatile choice.

If your kid wants that iconic, on-trend look the Kånken delivers, it's a solid casual pick — in our testing it scored 7/10. We found the tough, water-resistant fabric protects supplies and will last for seasons, and the 16-liter size suits light days, but the thin shoulder straps make heavier loads uncomfortable and the tiny side pockets won’t fit larger water bottles. For everyday style and durability it's a fan favorite, just not our top choice for heavy school hauling.

If you want a designer, eco-minded statement, the Falabella Backpack makes a bold case — during our review we liked that it's made from vegan materials and has water-resistant durability, though it scored 6.5/10 overall. We found the signature diamond-cut chain hardware gives it fashion-forward flair but also adds loudness and weight, and the lack of an external zip pocket makes quick access to keys or snacks awkward. That combination means it's a stylish, ethical pick for short days or light carrying, rather than a practical heavy-duty school bag.