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As an adult gear tester, I have one major problem with looking for the best kids’ backpacks: Ultimately, the decision is not up to me. My 8-year-old and 10-year-old are the ones who have to carry their backpacks to school, camp, and beyond. The bag has to protect iPads and Chromebooks; fit lunch boxes and water bottles; and endure getting kicked around cars, bikes, and school gyms. Most importantly, it has to be comfortable. Less important but still crucial, it has to be a good fashion accessory. And you have to be able to find it quickly when you hang it on a hook next to 50 virtually identical backpacks.

To find the best kids’ backpacks, children of WIRED’s Reviews team tested the following for weeks, if not years, by stuffing them into lockers and under plane seats. Don’t forget to check out the rest of our parenting coverage, which includes the Best Laptops for College Students, the Best Paper Planners, and the Best Subscription Boxes for Kids.

Updated August 2026: I’ve added new backpacks from The North Face, Simple Modern, Kindred Bravely, and Go Ruck, and ensured up-to-date links and prices.

Compare the Top 11 Kids Backpacks

| Backpack | Age range | Capacity | Material | Water resistant? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| L.L.Bean Deluxe Book Pack | 10 and up | 37 L | 420D nylon | Yes |
| State Bags Kane Double Pocket Backpack | 2 and up | 8 L and up | Recycled polyester | Yes |
| Go Ruck KR1 | 4-11 | 13 L | 1000D Cordura | Yes |
| Storq Cool Kid Backpack | 2 and up | N/A | Nylon | No |
| REI Co-op Tarn 18 | 6 and up | 18 L | Interior: recycled nylon; main: nylon ripstop | Yes |
| The North Face Recon | 12 and up | 30 L | 210D recycled nylon ripstop with non-PFC durable water-repellent (non-PFC DWR) finish | Yes |
| Herschel Heritage Backpack | 12 and up | 24 L | 600D polyester with faux leather trim | No |
| Fjällräven Kånken 13-inch Laptop Backpack | 12 and up | 16 L | 100 percent vinyl | Yes |
| Calpak Kids Medium Backpack | 3 and up | 10.5 L and up | Interior: antimicrobial-treated polyester; exterior: recycled polyester | Yes |
| Pottery Barn McKenzie Backpack | 2 and up | N/A | Interior: 150D recycled polyester; exterior: 600D recycled polyester | Yes |
| Simple Modern Fletcher Backpack | 4 to 7 | 18 L | 300D polyester | Yes |

FAQs

How do you size kids’ backpacks?

Just like an adult, a child can comfortably carry a pack that is no broader than their shoulders and no longer than their torso. Also, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that no kid carry a backpack that's more than 15 percent of their body weight.

We do not live in a fantasyland, however, and kids regularly have to carry insanely heavy backpacks, so my guideline is to check your school’s requirements about backpacks to make sure yours complies. Then have your kid put on the bag and see if it dangles to their knees, and see if a folder fits inside. Don’t forget to adjust the straps!

How can I make the bag last the whole school year?

It is incredibly annoying to have a backpack break midyear, which is why we only recommend bags that we’ve thoroughly tested ourselves. We also gave more consideration to brands like L.L.Bean, which offer good warranties for replacements or repairs.

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