When you’re getting ready to go back to school or work, you’ll need to make sure you’ve got a backpack ready for your daily activities. Herschel Supply Co. makes some of the most common and best backpacks, and there’s a lot to choose from. With just a few pockets and laptop sleeves, as well as straightforward shoulder straps, the company’s backpacks are mainly focused on offering the basic necessities.
You’re not going to run into an overload of pockets with Herschel backpacks that you don’t need or a crazy number of straps that end up snagging loose on things when you don’t need them. All this is put together by Herschel in stylish backpacks at reasonable prices. However, the company makes essential considerations that you may not see in cheaper bags, such as the vivid interior lining in most of its backpacks, making it easier to see what’s inside.
In a Hurry? The test winners after 9 hrs of research
Herschel Pop Quiz Classic Backpack – Best for Uni
Why is it better?
- Sleek design so you don’t have a “freshmen” looking bag
- There’s a place for pens and pencils within the main compartment
- The organizer section is great for cables and adapters for your laptop
- Sunglass compartment is great for headphones, extra change, etc.
Herschel Classic X-Large Backpack – Best for Everyday
Why is it better?
- There is enough room for a binder, a few notebooks & a couple of books
- Material feels rough and tough which is great for durability and wear and tear factors
- Durable and great design
- Very spacious for camps or overnight stays
Best Herschel Backpacks – Overview
Herschel took the classic backpack just a few years ago and made it their own. Today, we detail the many types of Herschel backpack that have become classics on their own. You’ll want to know the subtle differences to pick the right one if you’re looking for a laid-back new backpack for work or school. So this little guide to the Herschel backpack range has been put together just for you. If you love these types of backpacks, then JanSport backpacks might also be another option for you.
Herschel Backpacks Reviews
1. Herschel Pop Quiz Classic Backpack – Best for Uni
The Herschel Pop Quiz Classic Backpack is clearly designed for students. It has a simple style and reasonable price, but it comes with no shortage of features to satisfy your everyday needs. In order to keep your computer secure, it has a lined laptop sleeve with fleece lining, and its front pocket has built-in organizers to keep all your school supplies in order.
The best part, you can find a design that fits your personality with a wide variety of styles. This bag gives you two additional compartments that you won’t find on other Herschel backpacks: a faux fur-lined sunglass pocket at the top and an extra compartment at the front. A weatherproof zip and lining cover the latter, making it the best place for electronic devices. You may also be interested in some of the best backpacks for grad school from our list, so check them out.
Key Features:
- Padded and fleece-lined 15″ laptop sleeve
- Front pocket with internal organizers and key clip
- Waterproof zipper detail
- Fleece-lined sunglasses compartment
- Internal media pocket with headphone port
Specifications:
- Brand: Herschel Supply Co.
- Capacity: 22L
- Dimensions: 17.5″ H x 11.75″ W x 6″ D
- Weight: 1.44 lbs
- Sleek design so you don’t have a “freshmen” looking bag
- There’s a place for pens and pencils within the main compartment
- The organizer section is great for cables and adapters for your laptop
- Sunglass compartment is great for headphones, extra change, etc.
- No space for holding a water bottle
2. Herschel Little America Backpack
Inspired by old-school mountaineering standards, the Herschel Little America Backpack elevates an iconic style with modern functionality.. This backpack features a close-up drawstring and additional magnetic straps. The lack of zips means that you can put a lot of things into Little America, without caring if you’ll be able to close it.
On the bottom and along with the ties, there is also plenty of padding. This means that when you place it on hard surfaces you don’t have to worry–your laptop is going to be nice and safe. This backpack at 25L provides you with plenty of room for your gym gear, university stuffs or other items. It also means that it’s tall and quite high. Generally speaking, if you’re less than 5 ft 7 in, you’re likely going to want to choose the smaller Little America Mid Size (17L).
Key Features:
- Padded and fleece-lined 15″ laptop sleeve
- Adjustable drawstring closure
- Magnetic strap closures with metal pin clips
- Front pocket with hidden zipper and key clip
- Internal media pocket with headphone port
- Contoured shoulder straps and air mesh back padding
Specifications:
- Brand: Herschel Supply Co.
- Capacity: 25L
- Dimensions: 19.25″ H x 11.25″ W x 7″ D
- Weight: 2.25 lbs
- Material feels very thick & well-made; the striped lining is a nice design touch
- The faux leather straps also are a nice design touch and they open/close easily with the magnetic clasp
- Straps are comfortable and even when filled with a lot of stuff it doesn’t feel bulky or too heavy
- Vintage/stylish look
- No water bottle pocket pouch on the side
3. Herschel Supply Co. Settlement Mid-Volume Backpack
The Herschel Supply Co. Settlement Mid-Volume Backpack modernizes a classic vintage style with functional design features and quality construction. This is for people who don’t care about bells and whistles. It has a straightforward layout with a single main compartment and a smaller front compartment.
The Settlement is one of Herschel’s sturdier backpacks, making it a great daily choice. When fully loaded, it also stretches a little. So there’s plenty of space to suit your gym equipment or even a DSLR camera, even if you have your laptop. One thing to keep an eye out for is that the main compartment only has 1 zipper pull.
Key Features:
- 13″ laptop sleeve
- Exposed zippers with pebbled leather pulls
- Front storage pocket with key clip
- Internal media pocket with headphone port
Specifications:
- Brand: Herschel Supply Co.
- Capacity: 17L
- Dimensions: 16.25″ H x 11″ W x 4.5″ D
- Weight: 1.2 lbs
- Padding is thin inside but there to separate things
- Great sturdy comfortable straps
- Hole at the top of backpack for your earphone cable
- Large laptop pocket up to a 13″ Macbook
- It’s a one way zipper to open and close
4. Herschel Heritage Backpack
Featuring a timeless diamond shaped accent, the Herschel Heritage Backpack offers a functional design and Herschel Supply’s fine regard for detail. This is for people who like to fly a little lighter and don’t want to get in the way of extra bulk. It does not come with extra padding on the back panel and laptop sleeve. Yet it can still fit your laptop, water bottle, lunch and a sweater.
Inside the main compartment, the bag has a document compartment. It is elasticated, thus helping to keep important notes and documents upright and in keeping with the bag’s back padding. In the front compartment, there is also an internal key clip. The straps are adjustable and have a comfortable ventilated-mesh cushioned lining.
Key Features:
- 15″ laptop sleeve
- Pebbled leather zipper pulls
- Single front pocket with key clip
- Internal media pocket with headphone port
Specifications:
- Brand: Herschel Supply Co.
- Capacity: 21.5L
- Dimensions: 18″ H x 12.25″ W x 5.5″ D
- Weight: 1.38 lbs
- Fabric feels strong
- It is a durable bag that has a classic style that works well for most students
- Has a useful top pocket with fleece lining that works well for storing a cell phone
- Divider pocket on the interior that can hold a small laptop a bit more securely than the main compartment
- Not a lot of organizational pockets
5. Herschel Retreat Backpack
Based on Herschel’s Little America Backpack, The Herschel Retreat Backpack is a streamlined rendition of a timeless mountaineering style, featuring a drawcord cinch closure and a strap detailed top flap. The Retreat is an ode to Little America with a cylinder shape and cinch top, but a little bit more pared down in its aesthetic.
It is suitable for a variety of situations to provide plenty of storage space for things like textbooks and a jumper. The 15 “laptop sleeve, padded and fleece-lined, protects your laptop on the go. Always be with your music when using the internal media pocket with a headphone port.
Key Features:
- Padded and fleece-lined 13″ laptop sleeve
- Adjustable drawcord closure
- Magnetic strap closures with metal pin clips
- Front storage sleeve
- Internal media pocket with headphone port
- Contoured shoulder straps
Specifications:
- Brand: Herschel Supply Co.
- Capacity: 19.5L
- Dimensions: 17″ H x 12″ W x 6″ D
- Weight: 1.75 lbs
- Great padding on the shoulder straps and laptop partition
- Convenient magnetic straps, still manually adjustable if needed
- Drawstring at the top for quick and easy access
- Very sturdy
- Tiny front pocket can’t be secured
6. Herschel Classic X-Large Backpack – Best for Everyday
Offering enhanced storage volume and water bottle pockets, the cleanly designed Herschel Classic X-Large Backpack is a versatile and timeless style with functional details. A simple style and affordable price is the definition of this classic backpack, it also offers extra space in the XL size. You can pack your books, your lunch, and more with 30L of space.
There is a 15-inch cover for the laptop and a front storage compartment to help separate items. Plus, the two water bottle pockets can help you out if you want to keep a drink handy on long class days. It’s lightweight and not heavily bulky, making it more ideal for days for errands. It’s also a good choice if you’re hunting for comfortable gym gear. Our guide to the best edc (everyday carry) backpacks offers more great products like this.
Key Features:
- 15″ laptop sleeve
- Front storage pocket with key clip
- Prusik cord zipper pulls
- Dual water bottle pockets
Specifications:
- Brand: Herschel Supply Co.
- Capacity: 30L
- Dimensions: 17.5″ H x 12.5″ W x 6″ D
- Weight: 1.13 lbs
- There is enough room for a binder, a few notebooks & a couple of books
- Material feels rough and tough which is great for durability and wear and tear factors
- Durable and great design
- Very spacious for camps or overnight stays
- Not a lot of padding on the laptop sleeve
7. Herschel Supply Co. Nova Mid-volume Backpack
Designed for urban adventures, the Herschel Supply Co. Nova Mid-volume Backpack features dual top carrying handles, convenient external water bottle pockets, and slender shoulder straps. Stow your 13 “MacBook inside a secure laptop sleeve and place requires inside a zip pocket on the front.
Designed with flexibility in mind, choose to put on their slim, adjustable sleeves or carry their large handles. The virtues behind this street-smart bag are its trademark striped fabric, exposed metal zippers, and ample zip compartments.
Key Features:
- 13″ laptop sleeve
- Dual top carrying handles
- Dual water bottle pockets
- Slim shoulder straps with webbing adjusters
Specifications:
- Brand: Herschel Supply Co.
- Capacity: 18L
- Dimensions: 16″ H x 12″ W x 5.5″ D
- Weight: 1.25 lbs
- The canvas material is very sturdy
- The curve at the top makes it appear snug and much smaller
- The top unzips with two zippers
- The side pockets are handy
- Not a lot of padding on the shoulder strap
8. Herschel Dawson Backpack
Crafted for everyday exploration, the Herschel Dawson Backpack features a hidden drawcord cinch closure and additional storage with distinctive strap details. It features a laptop sleeve perfect for your 13″ MacBook as well as magnetic strap closures with metal pin buckles.
This pack is loaded with functional details, from the front pockets for easy access to essentials to back padding that provides extra comfort. Just like all other Herschel backpacks, this pack has the signature striped fabric liner.
Key Features:
- 13″ laptop sleeve
- Adjustable drawcord closure
- Magnetic strap closures with metal pin buckles
- External storage compartments
Specifications:
- Brand: Herschel Supply Co.
- Capacity: 20.5L
- Dimensions: 15.75″ H x 11.25″ W x 6″ D
- Weight: 1.13 lbs
- The canvas seems sturdy and durable
- Thick layer of padding on the back
- The drawstring closure under the flap w/magnetic snap closure ensures security
- The zippered outer pocket along the backside of the pack is great for holding maps or a thin notebook or other flat objects
- No inside pockets or clips for keys
9. Herschel Buckingham Backpack
Upgrade your daily storage with the Herschel Buckingham Backpack in both volume and style. The top features a combination of drawstring and flap closure to keep it safe, while the pocket with zip closure on the flap itself provides room for your smaller items. It also has an additional pocket with zip closure on top of the top flap.
A laptop sleeve inside the main pocket keeps things organized while the two front pockets and two side sleeve pockets give you more space. Finished with a Herschel logo patch detailing and a traditional red and white striped inside, this pack remains true to the timeless look of the brand.
Key Features:
- 15″ laptop sleeve
- Drawstring closure main compartment.
- Magnet fastened webbing straps with metal slide buckles
- Zippered lid pocket
- Additional pocket with zip closure on top of the top flap
Specifications:
- Brand: Herschel Supply Co.
- Capacity: 33L
- Dimensions: 18.5″ H x 12.25″ W x 8″ D
- Weight: 1.94 lbs
- Fits perfectly underneath the seat of planes
- You can pack all your essentials from clothes, and laptop and still have room to spare
- Adjustable ergonomic air mesh padded shoulder straps
- Top handle for easy carry
- Might be too large if you don’t have much items
10. Herschel Supply Co. Thompson Backpack
Uniting everyday practicality with a modern contoured design, store all your daily goodies with the Herschel Supply Co. Thompson Backpack in a clean and convenient fashion. This bag features a large main compartment with plastic clip closure for maximized and protected storage space, supplemented by two side pockets for even more room.
Featuring an internal media pocket with headphone port at the top as well as an adjustable ergonomic air mesh padded shoulder straps. This backpack is a must-have for any daily commute, finished with a 15″ laptop sleeve and Herschel’s classic red striped interior lining.
Key Features:
- Dual water bottle pockets
- 15″ laptop sleeve and internal key clip
- Adjustable drawcord closure
- Clip-fastened adjustable webbing strap
- Hidden zippered lid pocket
Specifications:
- Brand: Herschel Supply Co.
- Capacity: 17L
- Dimensions: 17.25″ H x 10.5″ W x 6″ D
- Weight: 1.31 lbs
- Can surprisingly fit a lot of items
- Lightweight
- Very clean design
- The top handle is useful for when you don’t want to carry it around your back
- The shoulder straps are a bit abrasive
Buying Guide
Quality
Herschel backpacks are designed to be highly functional and user-friendly. The backpacks are also very durable, so you don’t have to worry about the elements that even if you take one on a camping trip.
Size
You want to be sure that when you purchase a backpack, it has the right capacity for the things you expect to bring in it. Herschel backpacks range from small, capable of holding 14.5 liters to extra large, capable of holding up to 27 liters. Backpacks measuring 14.5 to 19.5 liters in size are usually ideal for school, work, or everyday errands. Models of 19.5 to 27 liters are usually large enough for hiking or camping trips of one or two days.
Style
There are two main styles for Herschel backpacks: those with a zipper closure and those with a drawcord closure. Zipper closures are ideal for daily use as you can easily take out books and other items in and out of your bag. The bags with a drawcord closure work well for hiking and camping as they have greater capacity and are more suited for larger supplies or equipment.
Materials
Most Herschel backpacks are made of ripstop nylon, a highly durable fabric that can handle wear and tear and is widely used for camping and hiking backpacks. It also has an extremely tight weave, so when it is punctured, it does not break or unravel. There are some Herschel backpacks made of a nylon and polyester combination that is not as durable as nylon ripstop bags. These backpacks are generally less expensive, however. The most affordable Herschel backpacks are those made of woven cotton canvas, which is fairly durable but does not hold as much as to water exposure.
Straps
The straps on a backpack may not seem to be an important feature, but they play an important role in how comfortable a bag is to carry, particularly when filled with your belongings. Herschel backpacks come fitted with staps that can be adjusted to get the perfect fit. Many of the larger backpacks also have shoulder straps that are contoured, padded to help spread the weight evenly across your shoulders and back.
Compartments
Herschel backpacks are generally minimalist with a few compartments. Some models, however, have as many as five. Nearly all of them have a section for a laptop and a mobile pouch with a port for headphones. Most have some kind of smaller front compartment, but with the layout, the size and interior can differ.
Water Resistance
If you are planning to use your Herschel backpack for camping or hiking trips, it may occasionally be exposed to water. Some of the backpacks are made of waterproof fabric rated as 1500 mm, ideal for outdoor activities. Materials over 800 mm are generally considered waterproof, so you can be confident that even if your backpack gets wet, your supplies and equipment will remain dry.
Frequently Ask Questions
What is the best Herschel backpack for school?
The Herschel Pop Quiz Classic Backpack is our top pick if you’re looking for a backpack for your next class. It has a sleek design that doesn’t yell “I’m a freshman”. Features such as a padded laptop sleeve and organizer for your notebooks, pens, and a sunglass compartment makes this bag perfect for school.
Conclusion
We hope this guide was helpful for finding the best Herschel backpacks as well as our guide on features to look for in a Herschel backpack. If you have any questions or concerns regarding this guide, feel free to let us know in the comments section.