The Best School Backpacks for Hiking
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I’ve been a student for many years. Too many, one might say. In that time, I’ve gone through nearly as many backpacks as I have changed my major. I’ve never been satisfied with just a plain old school backpack.
Instead, I’ve always sought backpacks that could accommodate my lifestyle as both a student, and a hiker. My ideal pack could make a seamless jump from the campus to the trails, and be just as useful in either capacity.
To help out outdoor adventuring college students in a similar pickle-to find the right backpack-I’ve put together a list of the best school backpacks for hiking. I believe that you will find this list to be useful.
The Ideal Hiking/School backpack will meet most of the following criteria:
- 20-30 Liter Capacity (1220-1830 cubic inches)
- Laptop/Tablet Sleeve
- Hydration Reservoir Sleeve
- Side Water Bottle Pockets
- Zippered Opening
- Multiple Pockets for Organization
- Some type of suspension system to help with heavy loads
Not all of the backpacks on this list will have all of these features, but I still believe them to be among the best hiking and school backpacks. It is my hope that I can help you decide on the right pack for your studying/hiking adventures.
Hiking Backpacks vs. Regular Backpack
You can get away with using a regular, run of the mill school backpack as a hiking pack. A more dedicated hiking backpack will help you be more comfortable on the trails, however.
A few key difference between hiking backpacks and regular backpacks are:
- Hiking Backpacks often use a back supportive suspension system.
- Hiking Backpacks are Designed to Fit a Hydration Sleeve
- Designed to be more durable than a regular backpack.
- Hiking Daypacks often have waist and sternum straps to help with supporting heavy loads.
My Top Backpack Picks
These three backpacks represent what I feel to be the best of the best. Pick whatever is right for you, but these packs have served me better than others.
Patagonia Refugio 28L/ Women’s 26L
The Patagonia Refugio has all of the features that you can ever need. It is perfectly engineered for both hikers, and students.
Patagonia Refugio at REI Coop Patagonia Refugio at Backcountry
Patagonia Refugio Womens at REI Coop Patagonia Refugio Womens at Backcountry
Osprey Daylite Plus
The Osprey Daylite Plus is small and lighter than the other packs here, but it packs a lot into it’s comfortable frame.
Osprey Daylite Plus at REI Coop Osprey Daylite Plus on Backcountry
REI Ruckpack 28
The REI Ruckpack 28 doesn’t care about what you’re carrying, so long as you’re getting after it. If that means getting straight A’s, or hiking the hardest trails, then the Ruckpack 28 will be there for you, every step of the way.
Patagonia Refugio 28 Liter/Women’s 26 Liter
- Capacity: 28 Liters (Mens) 26 Liters (Womens)
- 15 inch Padded Laptop Sleeve
- Front Organization Pocket
- Hydration Reservoir
- Removable Sternum Strap
- 2 Side water Bottle Pockets
For very good reasons, the Patagonia Refugio is probably my top pick for a school/hiking/lifestyle backpack. It offers plenty of room for any gear and school supplies. The large, main compartment can fit nearly anything.
Backed by the eco-conscious might of Patagonia, the Patagonia Refugio 28 Liter pack is the ultimate, do-it-all lifestyle backpack. It doesn’t matter if you’re hiking, or studying, the Patagonia Refugio will be able to fit all of your gear and books (and the Kitchen Sink).
The Patagonia Refugio is equipped with an air flow mesh back panel, ensuring that you’ll stay cool and comfortable on a long hike. Swap out your laptop for a hydration sleeve to keep away thirst.
I believe that the Patagonia Refugio to encompass all of the best qualities needed in a hiking and school backpack.
Patagonia Refugio at REI Coop Patagonia Refugio at Backcountry
Refugio Womens at REI Coop Refugio Womens at Backcountry
Osprey Daylite Plus-The Best Osprey Daypack for School
- Capacity: 20 Liters
- Laptop Sleeve/Hydration Reservoir Spot
- Front Shove-it Pocket
- 2 Side Water Bottle Pockets
- Attaches onto Larger Osprey Travel Packs
Built with a 20 Liter capacity, the Osprey Daylite Plus might not have the space of the other packs on the list, but it may just be the most comfortable. With a sturdy, yet lightweight suspension system, even the heftiest of loads will feel like a cloud. Featuring a hydration sleeve, laptop pocket, and plenty of pockets for organization, the Daylite Plus is well equipped to take you from the campus to the hiking trails.
Recently, I tested out the Daylite Plus. I loved how easy it was to store and organize books, papers, and laptops, as well as the easy access pockets. The Daylite Plus is the perfect daypack for school, work, and travelling, but it’s comfort and durability will blaze down any hiking trail. In my opinion, the Daylite Plus is the best Osprey Backpack for College.
Osprey Daylite Plus at REI Coop Osprey Daylite Plus on Backcountry Osprey Daylite Plus on Amazon
Timbuk2 The Authority-The Best Backpack for College Commuters
- 28 Liter Capacity
- 15” Laptop Sleeve
- Weight: 2.4 lbs.
- Side Pocket for Water Bottle
- Rear Access to Laptop
Timbuk2’s The Authority is a sleek, versatile pack that will get you from the lecture hall to the chemistry lab, to the mountains, all while looking good. And what is more important than looking good? Not much, honestly.
The Authority truly is designed for the on the go, urban jetsetter. But don’t be fooled by it’s cosmopolitan stylings. Timbuk2’s The Authority will handle itself well on the trails. Built with durable materials, and a comfortable back panel that promotes air flow, The Authority will keep you cool and comfortable on warm, afternoon hiking adventures.
The Authority’s minimal aesthetic is great for bike commuting, or squeezing into crowded campus busses.
In my opinion, The Authority is the best looking pack on this list. It’s not out of place in a coffee shop, just as it is not out of place on a scenic alpine hike.
Timbuk2 The Authority at REI Coop Timbuk2 The Authority at walmart.com Timbuk2 The Authority at Moosejaw
REI Ruckpack 28
- Capacity: 28 Liters
- Weight: 2lb 11 oz.
- 15” Laptop Compartment
- Rigid Foam Frame
- Included Raincover
- Exterior Daisy Chain
- Hydration Reservoir Compatible
- Dual External Water Bottle Pockets
- Trekking Pole Attachments
The REI Co-op Ruckpack 28 is truly an all around workhorse of a pack. Even with it’s clean lines, and minimalist look, the Rucksack 28 is made to do anything.
The Ruckpack 28’s internal storage space is big enough for books, binders, a laptop, extra layers, or anything you could possibly need for a big day on campus. This is the ultimate pack for all of your curriculars, both regular and extra.
On those beautiful days when you NEED to go for a hike, the Ruckpack 28 will be able to store all of your hiking gear. I’m talking water bottles, snacks, jackets, sunglasses, a first aid kit, and all the other gear that you could possibly need for an after school hike. With it’s suspension system, and waist belt, you’ll be able to carry all you need with no problem.
Studying abroad? The REI Rucksack 28 has your back, literally. Travelling is the Ruckpack’s main game. Study hard, and explore the streets of Paris. The Rucksack works hard, and plays hard.
Along with the Osprey Daylite Plus, the REI Ruckpack is the best value backpack on this list. It has the capacity, features, and design to make it a great backpack, at an amazing price point.
Fjallraven Kanken
- Convertible between Backpack, and Bag
- Front Access to Main Storage Compartment
- Convertible Seat Pad
- Available in Many Colors and Patterns
The Fjallraven Kanken may have a square shape, but make no mistake, there is nothing square about this pack. Taking a note from classic Scandinavian design aesthetics, the Fjallraven is simple, minimalist, and functional. Built for utility, there is no seam out of place on the Kanken.
By far, the Fjallraven Kanken may just be the most common backpack I see worn around college campuses. It looks better than your average school backpack, and is the perfect size for any college student. No more, no less.
Granted, the Fjallraven Kanken may have fewer features than other packs on this list, but I caution you not to disregard it as a hiking and school backpack. In my opinion, it’s simplicity is exactly why the Kanken is great.
For one, the Kanken uses a front zipper, opening up the pack to allow easy access to any gear, books, or supplies that you need. With careful storage, students and hikers can fit anything, be it a tablet, lab goggles, or a headlamp.
If you feel that the Kanken is too small, Fjallraven offers packs designed to better fit laptops. The Kanken No.2, and Kanken Laptop Models are large enough to fit your electronics.
In my opinion, the Fjallraven Kanken series is a better school and urban pack than it is a hiking pack, but it’s slim shape will allow the perfect amount of comfort for short day hikes, and bike rides.
Fjallraven Kanken at REI Coop Fjallraven Kanken on Amazon
The North Face Borealis
- Padded Laptop Sleeve
- Front Tablet Pocket
- Breathable Mesh Back Panel
- Sternum Strap with Whistle
- Removable Waist Belt
- External Bungee System for Expanded Storage
The North Face Borealis is a great hiking backpack for the busiest of students. Designed with a huge internal storage area, a 15” laptop compartment, and a whole squad of pockets, there is no gear that the Borealis can’t handle.
The North Face has been around for a while, crafting high quality outdoor gear. With the Borealis, the North Face has created a pack that bridges the gap between busy student life, and the freedom of the trails.
This pack has everything, and anything that a hiker/student could possibly need or want. The Borealis may be frameless, but this pack is no less comfortable. Just look around any college campus, and you’ll see plenty of students commuting to and fro with a Borealis.
The North Face Borealis on Amazon North Face Borealis at Moosejaw North Face Borealis at REI Coop
Mystery Ranch Urban Assault 24
- 24 Liter Capacity
- Weight: 2lb 11oz.
- 3 Zip Design
- 15” Laptop Compartment
- Carry-On Compatible for Most Airlines
- 2 Water Bottle Side Pockets
- Unisex
Bozeman, Montana based Mystery Ranch has earned a strong reputation as a maker of high quality outdoor backpacks. Taking a cue from military style ruck packs, most of Mystery Ranch’s packs have a distinctly rugged, tactical feel to them.
Now with the 24 Liter Urban Assault pack, Mystery Ranch is building packs for day hikers, students, travelers, and/or all of the above (that’s probably you, if you’re reading this). The Urban Assault does away with many of the aesthetic hallmarks of other Mystery Ranch packs, instead opting for a more streamlined, urban look.
Rather than a standard, two way zipper, the Urban Assault uses a triple zipping design. In the front of the pack, three zippers come together. When opened, the interior of the Urban Assault is put on full display. Some may find it lewd, but I think it’s very useful. This unique design may be incredibly helpful. It saves you the trouble of digging blindly into the depths of your backpack in search of a small item. You
Built in are all of the standard features you’ll need, including a laptop sleeve, several organizational pockets, and a tablet pocket. Two external water bottle pockets turn the Urban Assault 24 into a real workhorse of a pack.
With durability, utility, and outdoor performance in mind, I think you’ll enjoy how Mystery Ranch has designed the Ruck Pack philosophy into a high quality daypack. The Urban Assault 24 is one rugged pack that fits into a lecture hall as well as it would in the mountains.
MR Urban Assault 24 at REI Coop MR Urban Assault 24 at Backcountry MR Urban Assault 24 on Amazon
Jansport Hatchet
- 28 Liter Capacity
- Dual Side Water Bottle Pockets
- Side Compression Straps
- 15” Laptop Sleeve
- Tablet Pocket
- Adjustable Sternum Strap
If you’ve made your way through the gauntlet that is the American public school system, then you are probably familiar with Jansport Backpacks. Most kids owned a Jansport, hauling around heavy, spine grinding loads of textbooks and pencil cases. I used one throughout high school, the pack holding up to the abuse of school, hiking, and biking.
There wasn’t much to a Jansport backpack. Just a big sack that hung low off of your back. Jansport was the opposite of a modern, supportive Daypack. But for years, it worked as a hardy hiking pack, when it really should have stayed in the classroom.
These days, Jansport is doing things differently. With the Hatchet, Jansport has crafted a reliable, highly versatile backpack that will serve any hiker, student, and commuter well. A padded laptop sleeve, healthy 28 Liter Capacity, and side water bottle pockets makes the Hatchet a clear step up from the basic Jansport backpacks of the past. Designed with a sternum strap, and a compact storage area that keeps your books and gear close to your back, the Jansport Hatchet will have you traveling comfortably, and stylishly.
Conclusion-tl;dr
If you’ve come here looking for the best hiking backpack for school, then the daypacks listed here represent the best of the best. I believe that each of these packs will fulfill your needs and desires. Finding the best one for you honestly comes down to fit, and comfort.
If I had to choose just one backpack, though, I’d go with the Osprey Daylite Plus. It has the best price to feature ratio of the packs listed here, and I think that Osprey designed it with the best of intentions and care. With just the right amount of capacity to pack along all of your books, electronics, and hiking gear, and a very supportive suspension system, the Osprey Daylite Plus will meet your every desire for a backpack.
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