The North Face Jester Pro is a stylish revamp of the original Jester model, featuring a redesigned corduroy fabric and a stand-up design. After using the pack on campus, at downtown cafes or hanging with friends, our California-based tester found the Jester Pro to be comfortable even when fully loaded with a 16-inch laptop, books, notebooks, a water bottle and other essentials.

Simple layout: The 28-liter Jester Pro is divided into two primary compartments: a spacious main compartment with a 16-inch laptop sleeve and a compact outer quick-stash section for smaller everyday items. The layout of the exterior pocket was a big hit with our tester, Andrew P., who liked the zippered pouch and four organizational sleeves, with dedicated storage for notebooks, pens, sunglasses and chargers. It's also easy to pack—the heavier, more rigid rectangular base panel means the pack can stand up on its own, making it convenient to load on the go.

All-day comfort: Like many packs from The North Face, the shoulder straps are made of injection-molded foam construction and easy to adjust to find a comfortable fit. “The shoulder straps are thick and well cushioned, which helped distribute the weight evenly and reduced strain during long days of use,” said Andrew. Two plush foam pads running the length of the pack’s back provide extra support and create a channel for airflow.

Redesigned outer shell: The Jester Pro’s exterior got a makeover from the base model. With the addition of a corduroy outer shell, our tester said, “it was unique and unlike any other backpack I had seen before, which made it stand out immediately.” The front of the pack also features a bungee system, ideal for stowing jackets and extra layers on hikes. 

Drawbacks: Though the corduroy is eye-catching, our tester worried that the ribbing could attract extra dirt over time. “While it looks great and adds a unique aesthetic, I could see it attracting dirt more easily and potentially requiring occasional cleaning to maintain its appearance.” Buy the Jester Pro Pack.

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.”

As the smallest pack in our lineup, the Cotapaxi Tasra 16 backpack is designed for students or commuters who need to carry the essentials but still want key features like a dedicated laptop sleeve. “Despite its slim profile, it could still hold a surprising number of items,” says Andrew P., an architecture major at Cal Poly Pomona who tested the pack’s comfort, durability, organization and features during daily college commutes, multiple study sessions, weekend jaunts and day hikes.

Streamlined organization: Our tester appreciated the pack’s functional layout to organize both school and travel essentials. The main compartment includes a 13-inch padded laptop sleeve, tablet sleeve and an additional row for accessories and pens. Two spacious front zippered compartments and dual mesh water bottle holders keep items handy. “The two front pockets were especially convenient during hikes and classes because they allowed me to quickly grab things I needed without having to open the main compartment,” says Andrew. One downside: When fully packed with bulkier items, the bag could feel tight.

Travel perks: The colorful Tasra looks good around town, and our tester liked having the option to use it for travel too. Unlike some packs that remain bulky even when empty, this one compresses to a packable size. During weekend trips, our tester liked “how flat and compact it became when empty, making it easy to pack and saving a lot of space.” 

Drawbacks: While the Tasra is comfortable for daily campus trips and shorter outdoor excursions, it lacks a hipbelt or mesh panel like the Osprey Nebula for extra support on longer excursions. “The padding was not the most breathable, so my back would get a little sweaty during hikes or in warmer weather,” Andrew says. 

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.

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.

Cotopaxi is synonymous with colors as eye-catching as their sustainability credentials. True to form, their Allpa 26 backpack comes in striking colorways—each with a sleek, smart appearance and made from 100% recycled polyester and nylon.

Durable materials: Students on the move will appreciate the durable, 450-denier polyester front of the pack, which is topped with a water-resistant finish. “The color and quality of the material is so great, and this backpack has held up perfectly to a lot of use,” says one customer-reviewer. No fancy bungee system here; the Allpa 26 sports only a couple of modest daisy chains along each side. But thanks to its minimalist outer surface, the Allpa performed well on a steep 7-mile hike in the Cascades, effectively dodging potential snags and hang-ups on low-hanging branches. We’re confident it’ll stand up to daily classes and commuting too.

Though not out of place in the mountains, the pack truly shined when tasked with more studious pursuits. The Allpa has dedicated slots for a 16-inch laptop and a 13-inch tablet, plus tiered interior pockets for pencils, chargers and other supplies. The ability to stash everything—small and large—in one place set the Allpa apart from other packs. The bag’s interior is divided into two separate zip-up compartments, and two moderately sized exterior pockets allow quick access to larger items like notebooks.

Travel-ready: This 26-liter version is a takedown of the bestselling Cotopaxi Allpa 35, a staff-favorite travel pack, with some of the same features like extensive internal storage. When Thanksgiving break comes around, a clever luggage strap on the back panel allows the bag to sit upright on a roller bag.

Drawbacks: This pack’s subdivided interior means that it’s tough to fit large, bulky items. In that sense, the Allpa is geared more toward the classroom. On the flip side, smaller compartments mean that the Allpa remains low-profile no matter how full it gets. One customer-reviewer summed it up well: “[The bag] can expand a bit if you pack it full but remain compact if you're traveling light.”