Looking for a bag that’s just as capable for keeping your books organized as it is for cruising down steep singletrack? Look no further than the Nebula 32 from Osprey for ultimate organization. 

Large capacity: Tech-savvy students will find peace of mind in the bag’s surplus of compartments (seven total!). Stretchy mesh pockets on the sides and front panel hold two water bottles and items you want to stash quickly. Inside, a TSA-approved sleeve streamlines security checkpoints; the main zipper opens all the way, allowing electronics to lie flat for screening. One customer-reviewer, an engineering college student, found the laptop area super handy: “It was the only bag I could find where I was able to fit my engineering laptop and gear in one pocket, separated from my other work and school gear.” 

Great ergonomics and breathability. We found the Nebula 32 works just as well safeguarding precious tech as taking a knock on the trail. On a technical 10-mile mountain bike ride in the foothills east of Seattle, the bag felt comfortable and streamlined even when filled with camera gear, tools and a hydration bladder. Thanks to a breathable foam back panel (a signature of Osprey packs), the Nebula minimizes sweatiness and keeps its shape under load. Removable hip and sternum straps offer a snug fit for hiking or commuting.

The pack’s exterior is simultaneously functional and sleek—420 denier nylon with a honeycomb pattern adds a touch of modest artistry and durability. 

Drawbacks: Customers were mixed on the cinch-straps on each side of the pack. While they efficiently reduce volume when the bag isn’t at full capacity, one customer-reviewer notes that “you have to unbuckle them both every time you want to open the laptop compartment more than about 8 inches.”

The REI Co-op Ruckpack 30 is a hiking pack that easily doubles as a great on-campus bag or a travel pack. It’s a staff favorite for value, versatility and comfort. We liked it for other reasons, too.

Right from the get-go, the Ruckpack is ready to hit the trails. The pack comes with features we didn’t find in other packs on our list, like a rain cover that stows in the side pocket. In addition, a hardy nylon shell deflects tree branches when trails get tight, while a versatile laptop sleeve doubles as a hydration reservoir. What’s more, the bag sits on a lightweight chassis that we never found burdensome when we tested it under load on a 5-mile hike. 

The Ruckpack makes packing simple: One large compartment stowed layers, food and a camera on a long day trip. Though perfect for hiking, the Ruckpack also performed well on campus. “Tons of space for my books, and I love the padded laptop sleeve,” raved one customer-reviewer. In addition to a large central compartment, the bag’s small, zippered pocket on the main compartment and easy-access side pocket made it convenient to stash valuables. Students with long treks across campus will appreciate breathable, corrugated foam padding that provides ample support for the shoulder blades. The Ruckpack’s waist straps can be easily removed when off trail or packing light. 

Travel features: For weekend getaways or trips back home, the bag sports lockable zippers (lock not included) and meets carry-on size specifications for most airlines. “I’ve used it on flights and it holds everything I need and fits nicely underneath the seat in front of me,” says one reviewer. A side zipper provides easy access to the main compartment. 

Drawbacks: Some found it had too many straps, zippers and compartments and that either the waist strap or chest strap sat too high for comfort. Others wanted more organization for pens in the side pocket. It’s a bit over-engineered for purely academic use, but that’s part of what makes it a versatile option.

For days with unpredictable weather, the Patagonia Black Hole is ready. The commuter-friendly benefits of the 25-liter bag boil down to two main features: a weather-resistant coating to keep electronics and textbooks dry and a single main compartment for simplicity. 

Ample storage: The Black Hole—as the name implies—swallows whatever items you might need to carry. We shoved books and extra layers into the main compartment accessed via a big zipper and slid a laptop into the sleeve and smaller items like keys in the inner mesh zippered pocket. An outer pouch on the top of the bag was perfect for our everyday essentials like a phone, wallet and pens and never felt too small. Smaller tech like charging chords fit nicely in the slim front stash pocket.

Strong side pockets: The two stretchy side pockets, which accommodated a range of bottle sizes, always snapped back to their original size. That might seem arbitrary, but we always felt secure when stashing smaller items like sunglasses, knowing they wouldn’t slip out of saggy side pockets.

Weather-resistant: At the end of the day, the bag’s slick shell steals the show. The bag’s 100% recycled polyester exterior trades the traditional Black Hole glossy sheen for a modern matte finish, which reviewers liked for “a more mature, sleek look.” Polyurethane-coated ripstop nylon keeps water out and resists abrasion. And that means anyone battling inclement weather and other indelicate conditions will love the Black Hole. Like this customer-reviewer: “I commute every day on bike in Seattle—this backpack keeps my stuff and laptop dry!”

The classic Borealis from The North Face pack is a longtime student favorite, winning points for spaciousness and all-day carrying comfort. The Borealis Trail builds on those benefits with hiking-friendly twists like a secure cellphone pocket on the shoulder strap, elastic trekking pole attachments and multiple webbing loops. 

Versatile organization: When put through its paces in urban settings and mountain trails, the pack’s organization hit the mark—a spacious main compartment and two dedicated outer zip pockets make space for everyday essentials. “I had no problem fitting a backup raincoat, lunch, long pants/shirts and sandals,” says one customer-reviewer. Unlike the original Borealis, the Borealis Trail includes a vertical center zipper on the front for quick access, and the bungee system incorporates daisy chains, good for securely clipping carabiners and other external gear attachments. Bonus: The laptop sleeve doubles as a compartment for a hydration bladder, with routing on the shoulder straps to secure the drink tube.

Drawbacks: The back of the pack felt stiff at first. The rigidity comes from the FlexVent™ suspension system, an extra-supportive design endorsed by the American Chiropractic Association and intended to reduce back pain. It can take time to adjust to this feature of the pack, but most reviewers ultimately found that it grew on them: “It helps the pack stay flat on your back and distribute weight more evenly,” says one reviewer.