Reviewed by our gear Geeks:
BEST BACKPACKS FOR EVERYDAY USE IN 2021
Our experts at work
We gave our Gear lovers one job:
Test 34 different Backpacks and write reviews of the best.
The result is 25 of the best Backpacks on the market today.
Joao Paulo Carvalho
Journalist
A journalist with a passion for gear, photography, traveling and writing.
Bradley Axmith
Editor at DIVEIN.com
Vikingship building gear enthusiast and waterworld fanatic.
From the daily urban commute to the great outdoors, backpacks help us carry all the stuff we need to get through the day. It’s a crowded field with big brands like North Face and JanSport making quality backpacks, joined by disruptors like Heimplanet and plenty of cheaper alternatives with different designs.
With that in mind and after a thorough review process, we’ve listed the 25 best backpacks for everyday use.
To help you find the right options for your style and budget, we’ve also divided our list into different price ranges.
Here are the best backpacks for every budget.
Budget Backpacks
From the college student to the busy professional, the North Face Jester Backpack was designed for those who value organization, simplicity, and above all, comfort. It features two main compartments, two mesh water bottle pockets that can double as multi-use pockets, and a front elastic bungee system for external storage. The large compartment has a 15” padded laptop sleeve and enough room for your books. The second compartment comes with a zip, as well as mesh pockets for small items – depending on the color of your Jester, there’s also an iPad sleeve. The FlexVent suspension system, which The North Face is known for, features flexible shoulder straps, a padded mesh back panel, and a breathable lumbar panel ensuring comfortable and ventilated support. Fit for both outdoor adventures and everyday use, the Venture Pal Backpack is roomy, lightweight, and best of all, it only costs 20 bucks. Aside from being one of the most lightweight backpacks on the market, weighing just 0.7lbs, it’s one of the most compact packs as well. You can easily fold it into the included zipped pouch for storage, which makes it ideal for traveling. It features one large compartment, two zipped front pockets for small items, and two side pockets for your water bottle. Also, a double-layer bottom for extra strength, adjustable and breathable mesh shoulder straps with sponge padding for comfort, and a chest strap with a whistle buckle to lock it in place securely. A good quality carry-on backpack is a must-have for most travelers, but this can cost you a pretty penny. That’s where the AmazonBasics line comes to the rescue! They offer a good quality range that gets the job done at a low price point. While some travel carry-on backpacks are stylish and sleek they lack functionality or space. While other bags with a lot of internal space lack comfort and end up damaging your posture and your back due to the heavyweight being carried wrong. In our quest to review the AmazonBasics Carry-on Travel Backpack, we focused on Construction, External Specs, and Features, and Capacity. Whether you’re a fitness center rat, a high-school student, or a young professional, the Under Armour Hustle 4.0 Backpack will suit all your basic needs. The UA Storm technology keeps all your stuff dry in any wet weather situation while the adjustable HeatGear shoulder straps offer both breathability and comfort. The Hustle 4.0 has enough room for all your daily essentials, including a laptop sleeve that can house a 15” laptop, two side water bottle pockets, a spacious bottom compartment for your gym or PE shoes as well as a D-Ring for additional attachment points. The ultimate backpack for athletes features a zippered bottom ball pocket that can hold a size 5 soccer ball, dual water bottle pockets, a tricot-lined soft pocket to store your valuables, and enough room to fit all your gear. The Stadium II Backpack has a clean look and you can take it to the gym or the field without any worries as the bottom of the bag is made with water-resistant material, which will keep your stuff safe and dry. Not the most versatile or feature-packed backpack in the market, but if all you require is a sturdy and affordable pack to load it with your everyday necessities, then the JanSport SuperBreak is the one for you. This classic backpack comes with one large main compartment, a side water bottle pocket, and a front pocket with an organizer for accessories and small items. Despite its basic look, there are a few cool prints to choose from. The Carhartt Legacy Classic Work Backpack is another functionally-minded pack designed to keep all your everyday carry essentials organized. Both comfortable and rugged, it is designed for tools and office goods alike The main compartment comes with a padded laptop pocket, a tablet sleeve, and enough room for a few books. The front pocket is great for storing small items. Its design is as basic as it gets but if there’s one thing Carhartt is known for is its durability. Functionality combined with a casual design makes this the perfect everyday backpack for school, work, as well as leisure. Similar to JanSport, this backpack shines as in its simplicity–even though it does have a laptop compartment. It’s spacious without being too big or bulky. It comes with a padded section for your laptop, a netted compartment great for storing your valuables, and a front pocket for easy-to-access items. From the city to the trails and anywhere in between, the Osprey Daylite Travel Daypack is versatile, comfortable, and full of features. Not the classic boxey bag, this backpack has a more rounded profile you’ll be happy to have when treading through dense forests. The large main compartment has different sections to help you keep things organized. It features a mesh organization panel, a laptop sleeve, a zipper pocket for important items, as well as plenty of room for your daily essentials. There are also dual stretch mesh side pockets and side compression straps, a scratch-free pocket for your sunglasses or your phone, and one of the cool features of this backpack is that it can expand from 18L to a total volume of 24L. 
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Mid-Range Backpacks
If you’re a bike commuter who needs a bag for your high-tech gear as well as your EDC essentials, then the Timbuk2 Spire Backpack was made for you. Think urban office warfare in a top-loading design and this is what you get. It features a front zip pocket with an organization panel, a large main compartment with an internal slip pocket for a 15” laptop, a side stretch pocket for a water bottle or an umbrella, as well as a Napoleon pocket under the front flap. Some cool features worth mentioning are the side zipper that allows easy access to your laptop, a bottle opener on one of the shoulder straps, and of course the daisy chain for attaching a bike lock, carabiners, or lights. Perfect for traveling and commuting, the Swissgear 1900 Backpack is just like a Swiss army knife, it offers superior quality and comes with lots of compartments. This was chosen because it just feels solidly built. Despite the pockets galore, everything is well divided. It even features quick-access padded compartments for both your laptop and iPad ensuring a hassle-free airport security experience. Besides, an organization front pocket for all of your writing utensils and small items, a U-zip pocket for easy-to-access essentials, as well as two breathable side compartments great for holding water bottles and umbrellas. The adjustable shoulder straps are contoured with mesh fabric and the back is a padded panel with Airflow ventilation technology for added support and comfort. Its timeless design is what draws most people to the Herschel Little America Backpack, but its modern functionality and quality are what turn them into loyal fans. The Herschel backpack is one of the most recognizable brands, pretty impressive given they’ve only been around since 2009. Inspired by a classic mountaineering style, this backpack offers enough room to fit all your necessities whether you’re a student, a professional, or a traveler. This list would not be complete without the iconic Kånken from Fjällräven. This classic Swedish backpack is a great example of a product that is both stylish and functional. Like JanSport this doesn’t have many features, it just has a simple usefulness. It features a large main pocket, a back pocket with seat pad, a padded 15” laptop pocket, two side pockets deep enough to fit a water bottle and an umbrella, as well as a front zippered pocket where you can store all your quick-to-access items. Its design distributes the weight evenly on your back while its padded adjustable straps won’t leave your shoulders sore after a long haul. Plus, a top tote handle for quick carry and a reflective patch for your safety. The Bellroy Classic is a 20L all-purpose backpack with quality construction, simple styling, and practical features that you can take from the office to the coffee shop and the gym without looking out of place in either environment. This is a premium backpack with good design and construction. It features a spacious main compartment with specific places for both a 15-inch laptop and a tablet, a pen slip, as well as an internal mesh zip pocket for your valuables. At the top, you’ll find a water-resistant soft-lined pouch ideal for your sunglasses. And the updated version now comes with a hidden vertical front pocket for quick-to-access items. The Patagonia Refugio Backpack is the perfect companion for the urban commute, a weekend away, or any other adventure you may come across in-between. It features a spacious main compartment with separate places for both a tablet and a laptop, a front vertical storage pocket, as well as another front pocket great for storing cables, accessories, and easy-to-access items. In addition, two large elasticated side pockets, breathable mesh on the back for all-day comfort, and a durable water-repellent coating to keep rain and moisture away. This sleek streamlined pack is the perfect combination of sport and elegance. It brings you the best of both worlds whether you need a professional mini backpack during the week at work or a day trip hiking backpack over the weekend this bag has got you covered. The Motion Arc 20L will appeal to hikers that demand quality and expect comfort to be foremost on the offing. Trail runners, including orienteering athletes will be satisfied too. Though it’s marketed as a daypack, it works very well as a backpack for work too. When looking for a low-profile backpack that could be used for office as much as for outdoor activities, the one by Mountaintop hits the sweet spot just right. It looks like your typical college/office-friendly backpack but with the features of a hiking pack that make it so versatile. You might think it won’t hold a lot of things, but let us prove you wrong. This model is able to fit your water bottle, 2 outfits, sunscreen and similar hygiene products, electronic gadgets and a few snacks. Not bad for a 28-liter backpack, right? If you choose the 40-liter one, then you’re in for even more space – the zippered pockets are literally everywhere. The straps of the backpack have a breathable mesh fabric incorporated into them, which means that your back won’t be hurting after a long day of hiking trails in the woods. The YKK metal zippers across the entire backpack are easy to unzip regardless of which compartment you need to dive into. Besides, they are water-resistant. Inspired by military assault rucksacks, the Mystery Ranch Urban Assault Backpack is ideal for both the outdoors and the urban jungle. It’s comfortable and functional. It features a unique three-zipper system so you can conveniently access all contents of your backpack, a plethora of pockets to help you stay organized, along padded sleeves for both an iPad and a laptop. While the iconic Moleskine notebooks carry all your ideas, their line of bags will carry all the things you need to move through the day. With a clean and refined look resembling a Moleskine notebook, this backpack was designed with the everyday commuter in mind, but perhaps one that is more at home in more posh surroundings. Starting outside, it features two external side pockets for easy-to-access essentials as well as adjustable, padded backpack straps with sliding buckles. The main compartment has enough room for a 15” laptop and a couple of books. There’s also an organizer for cards and pens, and of course, a My Moleskine notes pocket so you can easily access your notebook. Designed with your busy life in mind, the Barrage Cargo Backpack from Chrome Industries checks all the boxes in terms of functionality, ruggedness, and versatility. This rucksack is equally for camping as for the concrete jungle. The main compartment is basically a large watertight roll-top sack with a laptop pocket. On the front of the backpack, there’s an expandable cargo net that works well for carrying things like shoes, groceries, and even a bicycle helmet. Also, a side, vertical pocket for easy-to-access items as well as two side pockets with a drainage channel for your water bottle and U-lock. Lastly, shoulder straps with EVA foam back panel for breathability, a sternum strap with quick release for weight distribution, and daisy chain loops and D-rings on the shoulder straps for extra accessories. With the ideal of “make it simple” (MIS) in mind, this Californian-based company that specializes in manufacturing military goods has designed a bag to help you tackle the demands of the daily grind. Albeit in a fairly tone-down, simple design. It features a dual-pocket format, a padded laptop pouch, a small inner mesh zipper pocket for valuables and quick-to-access items, as well as PALS webbing for expandable options. The MIS backpack has a simple but appealing design, it’s coated with water-resistant urethane, and last but certainly not least its YKK zipper is also self-repairing. Oakley is best known for outfitting world-class athletes who like to innovate and push the envelope and its Men’s Kitchen Sink Backpack is on-brand. They’ve thrown the kitchen sink of features at the backpack segment here. Pockets abound in this versatile, sturdy, and water-resistant backpack that comes with enough room to fit just about everything – from your 17” laptop in the padded side-access sleeve to your sneakers in the bottom shoe compartment. Comfort is ensured by the compression-molded back panel, padded shoulder straps, and waist and chest straps. 
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High-end Backpacks
Melding beautiful form and function, the Nomatic Everyday Backpack listened to their customers’ needs and created one of the most functional backpacks in the market. Streamlined to look like the business executive’s backpack, this bag is quite nice. All the compartments are very well thought-out and it contains numerous smaller pockets, nooks, and crannies for keeping all your work and travel necessities well organized. So, both nice looking and functionally impressive. It features a full perimeter zipper which gives you a full view for easy packing, magnetic water bottle pockets that snap back into place when not in use, a removable sunglass hard shell, cord pass-through holes, and a versatile strap design that allows you to switch between backpack and briefcase in just a few seconds. On top of that, its exterior is strong, water-resistant, and it’s made with reflective ink to keep you visible in the dark. And when you need to pack a bit more, the bag will expand from 20 liters to 24 liters by using the expansion zipper on the bottom. Whether you’re an amateur/professional photographer or an everyday commuter, the Peak Design Everyday Backpack Zip will work great to accommodate everything you need to navigate your day. Everything has a place in this bag thanks to the FlexFold dividers which allow you to organize all your bag’s contents effectively. Another great feature is the 270-degree wrap-around zipper which gives you access to different parts of the bag without having to unload everything to get to the bottom of it. In case you need to pack more, two hidden straps allow you to carry items on the bag exterior. Plus, three padded grab handles for a briefcase-style hand carry, a padded 15” laptop sleeve, and many pockets for small items. If you’re style-conscious and appreciate a minimalistic design then the Brooks England Pickwick Day Pack will be your ideal daily companion. It will stick out on the street for its European flavor. Handmade in Italy and designed with a water-resistant canvas exterior, a roll-top closure, and vegetable-tanned leather details, this bag is both visually striking and functional. There aren’t many compartments, but it’s big enough to fit everything you need to get through your day. Its main compartment is deep and comes with an inner pocket for your valuables as well as a dedicated place for your laptop. Also, a rear side pocket for easy-to-access items and a bottom pocket for your bike lock. Designed with the urban traveler in mind, the Transit Line Backpack from Heimplanet is functional, eco-friendly, and long-lasting. Use this for a day, and it’s quite hard to switch over to other products on account of its functionality comfort. Its tough, water-resistant and sustainable exterior is made with Dyecoshell fabric. Unlike traditional fabric production, they dope dye their fabric and this process consumes significantly less water, CO2, energy, and chemicals. The clamshell opening with an internal divider makes packing and unpacking a breeze while handy small pockets help you stay organized. This is great for traveling, being able to open up the whole bag as well as for keeping shirts folded. It also comes with a 15” laptop compartment, an elastic pocket for bottles, and a side handle so you can carry it like a suitcase. Thanks to the unique design of the Osprey Farpoint 40L travel backpack, you can carry it as a duffel bag, a backpack and even as a messenger bag. Whether you have arranged a weekend hiking trip or a 3-day long rock climbing and camping adventure, a spacious backpack like this one will serve your purpose well. The inner storage includes a laptop and a tablet sleeve, which enables you to bring your backpack on a work trip, while the outer storage features two mesh pockets and a zippered stash pocket that allow you to store your water bottle and other small-scale essentials that are quick and easy to grab in a hurry. The 2 internal compression straps are there to keep your load safe, whereas the zippers have sliders that can be locked with a locker for additional security. Sophistication meets functionality in this timeless piece from the Swedish brand Sandqvist. Like Brooks’ offering, this has a distinctly European feel to it. Made from sustainable organic cotton canvas and detailed with high-quality leather trims, the Hege Backpack can carry up to 18 liters. Inside the main compartment, you’ll find an iPad and 15” laptop sleeve, two inner slip pockets, and one inner zipper pocket for small items. The adjustable shoulder straps along with the double roller buckle closure ensure the refined look. If you’re familiar with the Filson brand, you know they’re dedicated to crafting apparel and bags that last for many generations. That’s exactly the case with the Journeyman Backpack. Made of oil finish Tin Cloth and Rugged Twill, the Journeyman offers the perfect combination of beauty, functionality, and durability. Plus, its rugged look gets even better as it ages! The main compartment is roomy and it’s divided into three sections including a padded laptop sleeve. You’ll also find an inner zipper pocket to store your valuables as well as a front pocket that is great for small things you want to keep close at hand. The North Face Borealis backpack is a 28L backpack made with durable and high-quality material that won’t let you down. It features a padded laptop compartment, enough space for an extra set of clothing, a notebook, or anything you might need to tag along with you. It’s well-engineered to store more than your average backpack while also being comfortable and easy to use. This classic backpack offers great performance at a low price tag making it ideal for everyday users on a budget. The Harbor London Classic Rucksack has a premium feel to it, one that compliments the elegant aesthetic. It’s a sustainable backpack for the urban commute. One that brings an outback or cowboy design into a modern setting. It’s a bag that projects a professional style, and it’s size and top handle means that it can also be used as a valise. But beyond the appearance of this higher-end backpack for everyday use, does it also provide a functional quality that the price tag demands? Read our review to find out for yourself.
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Everyday Use Backpacks | Buyer’s Guide
Having the right backpack for everyday use can make any commuter’s life so much easier. Backpacks are also more than this. They are almost a personal expression of the person who wears them.
But with the huge variety of backpacks available, choosing the right one can be a bit overwhelming — the last thing any buyer wants is to invest in a bag just to find out later that it doesn’t necessarily meet their needs.
So we’ve prepared a guide to help with this important decision.
Here are the main things you should consider before buying an everyday use backpack:
Intended Use (Size & Design)
As the name says, an everyday use backpack should be able to accommodate all the things you need on a daily basis.
But once you decide on the main purpose of your backpack, in other words, what sort of things you will need to carry in it, you will have a clear picture regarding the size — or capacity in liters — as well as the design of your bag.
Different designs and sizes will serve different purposes.
If carrying books, for example, is your main priority, then basic backpacks like the Eastpak Men’s Out Of Office Backpack or the Carhartt Legacy, or the JanSport SuperBreak Backpack will suit your needs.
However, if you’re looking for a backpack with designated compartments for your sweaty gym clothes or shoes, you might want to check out the adidas Stadium II Backpack, the Under Armour Hustle 4.0, and the Oakley Men’s Kitchen Sink Backpack.
Likewise, if you’re an executive or a young professional who needs a backpack that can also double as a suitcase for your occasional business trips, then both the SWISSGEAR 1900 Backpack and the NOMATIC Backpack should serve you well.
When it comes to capacity, an everyday use backpack that can hold 20 to 24 liters should be enough for most people.
Some bags are stiff, whereas others hang loosely behind one’s back.
Lastly, when deciding on the design (color or print) of your bag, you should obviously choose the one that matches your personality, but that also can transition seamlessly from one place to another.
Comfort
When it comes to comfort, make sure you check for padded straps together with a padded, contoured, and breathable back panel to ensure you’ll have not only a comfortable but dry haul.
Also, look for chest and waist straps. These will distribute your bag’s weight and help prevent back pain.
In addition, anatomical hand straps can make quite a difference for those moments when the subway or the bus is too full and you have to hold your backpack in your hand.
Durability
The durability of your backpack will primarily depend on its material but also how you pack it and take care of it.
There is a relationship between the size of your backpack (measured in liters) as well as the comfort load (weight that it can carry, which is measured in kilograms).
For example:
Backpacks that can hold from 15 to 25 liters can carry up to 6 kilos, while backpacks that can hold from 30 to 45 liters can carry from 7 to 10 kilos.
When it comes to the material, sturdy backpacks are usually made with a combination of heavy-duty nylon and YKK zippers, which are water-repellent. So stay away from plastic zippers!
Other materials such as polyester and canvas are also quite tough and water-resistant.
Useful Features
- Laptop Sleeve: As most students and workers nowadays carry their laptops everywhere they go, it’s important that your backpack comes with a section where you can keep your device safe and secured. Most backpacks will come with a padded laptop sleeve, but most of them will only fit a 15-inch laptop.
- Pockets: If you like to keep all your stuff organized and easy to find, then the more pockets, the better. Side pockets are quite handy to store your water bottle and your umbrella, hidden inner pockets are great for housing your valuables, while small front pockets or organization panels are useful for quick-to-access items. Some backpacks like the Osprey Daylite Travel Daypack will even come with a scratch-free pocket for your shades or your phone.
Now over to you! What’s your favorite backpack brand and why?
Let us know in the comments below, we’d love to hear your thoughts!
FAQ – Frequently asked questions about backpacks
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What is the best backpack for everyday use?
The answer to this question depends on a combination of factors such as your budget, style, and features required for your everyday necessities. It’s not easy to pick one specific backpack and that is why we’ve created this thorough guide on the best backpacks for everyday use.
However, at this very moment, these are our favorites:
- Swissgear 1900 Backpack
- Kånken from Fjällräven
- Under Armour Hustle 4.0 Backpack
- Chrome Industries Barrage Cargo
- NOMATIC Everyday Backpack
- Peak Design Everyday Backpack Zip
- HEIMPLANET Original | Transit Line
(read full reviews of each one on DIVEIN.com – click the links above)
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Is it unprofessional to carry a backpack?
Not at all!
Backpacks are an efficient and convenient way to carry all the stuff we need on a daily basis. The secret is to choose one whose style matches your work environment.
A clean and professional looking backpack like the HEIMPLANET Original | Transit Line, the Bellroy Classic Backpack or The North Face Jester Backpack will fit well in most professional environments.
And since you’re here, you might also want to check out our guides on the best travel, waterproof, hiking, as well as mini backpacks.
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What are the best backpack brands?
In no particular order, these are some of the best backpack brands on the market right now: JanSport, Under Armour, The North Face, Patagonia, Osprey, Swissgear, and Fjällräven.
What backpack do you guys use? The last one I had was a North Face model that seemed alright, but I missed smarter pockets when I had to travel on bus or plane. Is there a backpack on this list that’s the best for both studying and traveling?
I have an Osprey backpack for simple things like shopping and I use it for hiking because it has enough volume and it’s comfortable. But it doesn’t have that many pockets.
For traveling and for when I have a presentation I have really enjoyed using both an Outdoor Master that will join this guide as well as the Heimplanet Transit Line backpack. The latter has a nice rigid body, room for laptop and clamshell opening for my clothes on one side and other items on the other.
Hope that helps.