A high-quality and practical backpack is a smart purchase, whether you’re a student, commuter, or regular traveler. But choosing the correct one can be a difficult decision, with too many brands available. Fortunately, any time you need a great pack, there are a host of labels available that can be trusted. These top backpack brands offer feature and fashion in one easy-to-carry kit by developing bags that are high-quality, functional, and seriously fashionable.
However, finding the backpack of your dreams will take some time. You want to make sure that the style suits both your use case and your body easily (even a perfect commuting bag obviously won’t succeed when climbing a mountain). You will want to search for sturdy seam and zipper quality and a decent warranty in case of any damage. Sometimes, even the best brands will struggle, but manufacturers usually have ample pride in their bags to believe that it won’t happen frequently.
Additional features such as compartments for holding headphones, smartphones, tablets, and compartments for small EDC goods you are likely to use on a trip or to work for the day are offered by the best backpack brands. They are often made of a material that is much more durable than average backpack brands. Best of all backpack companies often appear to deliver on their backpacks a much larger variety of colors and styles than on most pieces of luggage.
Here are our top picks for the best backpack brands for every style and budget you may have.
- Osprey – Best for Backpacking
- Timbuk2 – Best for Commuters
- The North Face – Best for Utility
- Tortuga – Best for Travel
- JanSport – Best for School
- Herschel – Best for College
- SwissGear – Best for Heavy Items
- Tumi – Best for Luxury
- Thule – Best Backpack Brand in USA
- Deuter – Best for Hiking
Best Backpack Brands
Osprey
Osprey Porter 46 Travel Backpack
It’s no surprise they’re the best of the best when it comes to backpacking backpacks, considering that Osprey has been making packs exclusively for the last 40 years. The business was founded by Mike Pfotenhauer in 1974 in Santa Cruz, Calif., and remains a small, privately owned venture, despite making some of the most well made packs in the industry. An Osprey pack is guaranteed to become your best hiking and backpacking partner, whether you are warming up for a long-distance hike or a short jaunt around the trail.
Timbuk2
TIMBUK2 Parkside Laptop Backpack
Well-known for creating high-quality laptop bags, whether you’re looking for a sturdy, practical bag to house your device, Timbuk2 is the go-to brand. All types of unique features are available in the backpacks, briefcases, laptop sleeves and other work-friendly bags: a clean exterior, a fitted laptop pocket, open storage compartments, and beautiful, sturdy base cloth with supportive belts.
The North Face
The North Face Borealis Backpack
For both regular use and adventure travel, the North Face provides excellent backpacks. In 1966, this widely successful outdoor company launched, and since then they have specialized in top-notch accessories such as backpacks, tents, and sleeping gear, as well as outerwear, and boots. And, if you’re only searching for a reliable, daily carry bag everywhere you go, the option of the brand’s backpack is fantastic. Their bags have a staggering range of user-friendly features, such as their FlexVent suspension system, large storage compartments, and a bevy of revolutionary, lightweight styles (with custom injection-molded shoulder belts and a padded mesh back panel).
Tortuga
Tortuga manufactures attractive traveler-friendly backpacks, investing in useful features such as premium buckles and zippers to make bags that can hold up to how you really use them on the trip. Most of their backpacks open like a suitcase which is a really important functionality for travel backpacks. Despite their high price point compared to other bags, this is easily justified by the quality they produce.
JanSport
JanSport SuperBreak One Backpack
JanSport must be doing something good, considering it’s been around since 1967. The label is synonymous with backpacks themselves, and in rap songs they’re undoubtedly the leading backpack company to be label-dropped. Most of the bags are pretty simple: one color, two or three pockets and the middle portion of the JanSport name. This bag popular among students from middle school to high school and even college.
Herschel
If badly designed backpacks just aren’t going to work for you, take a look at Herschel Supply Co. Herschel, which was founded in 2009, is a lifestyle bag brand that focuses on designing chic, practical fashion that is less technical and more comprehensive. They also invest extensively in creativity and environmental practices, such as their branded product, ApexKnit, which is a woven fabric that greatly reduces the waste and energy needed to make a bag. And when it comes to oversized bags and luggage, with ample storage, Herschel delivers the finest roomy styles, but don’t look or feel bulky. Dual external pockets for the water bottle, an internal suspended pocket, a pocket for front storage, and a tidy, clear silhouette.
SwissGear
SWISSGEAR 1900 ScanSmart Laptop Backpack
Backpacks from the SwissGear are targeted at young adults, business commuters, students and travelers on weekends. They’re not intended for hunters, campers or explorers who are intrepid. The bulk of their backpacks are medium sized and have dedicated tech compartments. They are the sort of backpacks you expect to see on teenagers from high school or college, employees on an urban commute, individuals on a short weekend trip or overnight stay.
Tumi
TUMI - Voyageur Carson Laptop Backpack
TUMI has market value because it is known for making fashionable, high-quality bags that satisfy the needs of anybody who does not want to compromise on style, from a business owner to a tourist. TUMI bags and accessories are made from top-notch fabrics and thorough quality testing means that the production process is outstanding. For each part of the pack, including the zippers and handles, each TUMI product is placed through 30 tests, including four distinct colorfastness tests and also a range of strength tests.
Thule
In 1942, the Thule brand came into being. The business in Hillerstorp, southern Sweden, which began small, is now a global pioneer in the backpack industry. Thule’s products are produced in the USA and solar power is used to produce them. If you think for the climate, then the brand would surely be embraced by you. Thule bags are targeting the luxury category of labels for the spot. The backpacks, though, are designed for everyday customers and not fans of fashion as most of the bags are minimalist.
Deuter
Deuter Speed Lite 20 Athletic Daypack
The business was founded in 1898 by Germany’s Hans Deuter, who supplied mailbags to the Bavarian Mail. They extended their line to include military backpacks in 1910. Today, Deuter is known for making some of the highest-quality backpacks for mountaineering and hiking, and trekkers can select which pack style better fits their needs for a completely customized experience with their four-part hiking collection, Speed Lite, Futura, Classic, and Trail.