How do we decide on the best backpacks for law school? We look at backpacks that provide maximum durability and security for your laptop as well as ergonomic designs to keep your spine supported while carrying those law school textbooks. Here we share our top 7 backpacks that made the cut.
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Description: Keeps up to a 17-inch laptop protected in its padded sleeve! |
Description: Keep your laptop safe with this padded laptop backpack that features reflective details to keep you safe while biking. |
Description: One of the best designed sports backpacks is now ready to hit the campus. |
Keeps up to a 17-inch laptop protected in its padded sleeve!
Keep your laptop safe with this padded laptop backpack that features reflective details to keep you safe while biking.
One of the best designed sports backpacks is now ready to hit the campus.
7 Best Backpacks for Law School
Timbuk2 Division Laptop Backpack
This dressed-up backpack is travel-friendly, with lots of reflective details to keep you safe while out at night. The front zip pocket allows you to keep your small items organized and a special key pocket makes it quick and easy to find your keys when you get home. The internal slip pocket fits laptops and tablets up to 15 inches and can be rear accessed.
Also on the market for a new laptop? Here’s the 4 best LSAT laptops for law school to choose from.
- Lifetime warranty
- Padded laptop compartment can be accessed in the rear of the backpack
- Vista loop for attaching blinky bike lights
- Ventilated back panel keeps your back cool
TIMBUK2 Division Laptop Backpack
Keep your laptop safe with this padded laptop backpack that features reflective details to keep you safe while biking.
SwissGear 1900 ScanSmart Backpack
This utilitarian backpack comes in seven colors, from gray to red to black. You can fit all of your essentials in the organizer compartment, ensuring you never need to hunt for a pencil again.
The padded 17-inch laptop compartment is TSA friendly, and an additional sleeve for tablets protects your electronic devices. The ergonomic shoulder straps are made from mesh fabric that conforms to your shoulders. Finally, the back panels are designed to keep you from sweating by providing airy comfort.
- Padded 17-inch compartment and TabletSafe sleeve
- Maximum comfort with contoured shoulder straps
- Breathable back panels
- Organizational space to keep large and small items separate
SwissGear 1900 Scansmart TSA Laptop Backpack
Keeps up to a 17-inch laptop protected in its padded sleeve!
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The North Face Recon
This stylish backpack is available in a whopping 34 colors and styles. The mini-ripstop is made from Cordura nylon, which is durable and easily cleaned. A newly-designed FlexVent suspension system comes with a flexible yoke, injection-molded custom shoulder straps, a padded mesh panel, and a breathable lumbar panel. The woman-specific shoulder straps are designed to conform to a variety of body types.
The large main compartment suits your books and binders, while the front compartment comes with internal organizational space for your smaller objects. There’s also an extendable pocket with attached daisy chains, as well as a fleece-lined external pocket to hold objects like your phone, keys, and sunglasses. Two mesh pockets for water bottles can also be multi-use pockets.
- Breathable paneling and conforming shoulder straps ensure comfort that lasts all day
- Multiple organizational pockets, including external pockets that allow quick cell phone and sunglasses withdrawal
- Padded laptop sleeve and tablet pocket help protect a variety of electronic devices
The North Face Recon
One of the best designed sports backpacks can now be used for school - features two water bottle pockets, a fleece lined pocket for sunglasses, and a padded laptop sleeve.
Related: Dress the Part – What to Wear to Law School
Burton Kilo Backpack
This is another backpack for the style-conscious, with many colors and unique prints to choose from. The fabric is 100% polyester, with front webbing that can carry a skateboard.
The spacious main compartment comes with an internal organizer. There’s a tablet sleeve and padded laptop compartment to fit your electronics, while the external zippered pockets hold your accessories. The internal zippered pocket has a key clip and slip pocket secured by Velcro.
Two stowable straps on the front mean you can easily carry a jacket, skateboard, or tripod without a hassle.
- Padded laptop compartment and tablet sleeve
- Comfortable shoulder straps and harness for long-distance, all-day carrying
- Lifetime warranty
Burton Kilo 2.0 Backpack
The Burton Kilo 2.0 27L is ready for anything - classes, a quick skateboard ride, and photoshoot with tripod.
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Herschel Retreat
Make your way to class with the cool, minimalist designed backpack by Herschel.
The laptop sleeve will fit 15-inch laptops, and the spacious main compartment can hold a number of different textbooks and binders. There are also specially-engineered straps to offer shoulder support, dispersing the weight of the bag for maximum comfort.
- Synthetic leather adds a sophisticated touch
- Limited lifetime warranty to replace any damage
- Specially-engineered straps and harness help disperse weight for easy all-day carrying
Herschel Heritage Backpack
A cool minimalist designed backpack that's just large enough to carry what you need for class!
High Sierra Swerve
This polyethylene backpack has large main compartments along with multiple pockets that help you stay organized. The CushionZone laptop compartment has full padding and the capability of accommodating most 17-inch models. Meanwhile, the TechSpot sleeve gives you a secure spot for your tablet.
The strap suspension system helps to dampen the shock from weight transfer, so it’s easier to carry heavy loads. Specific pockets include a key fob hook, lidded media pocket, pockets for pens, and a zippered mesh pocket.
- Deep air channels in the mesh material help maximize airflow to keep your back sweat-free
- Multiple organizational pockets including pen pockets, a zippered mesh pocket, and a key fob hook
- Safe, padded spaces for both your tablet and your laptop
High Sierra Swerve Laptop Backpack
A more affordable laptop backpack model that safely fits up to a 17-inch laptop.
Mancro School Backpack
This lightweight backpack boasts a huge number of organizational features. The three roomy main pockets are perfect to store your textbooks and binders. There are nine small inner pockets that can organize your keys, wallet, pens, and cell phone. The two sealed side pockets will hold easy-access objects like your sunglasses or umbrella.
The bag comes with a USB port design. The charger interface is positioned outside the bag, while a built-in charging cable inside helps you charge your electronics on the way to school. Overall, the construction is durable nylon fabric, with padded shoulder straps that encourage maximum comfort.
- USB charging port helps you charge electronics like your phone, tablet, or laptop
- Durable, breathable material disperses weight for maximum comfort
- Over a dozen organizational pockets to help hold your things together
Mancro Laptop Backpack
Super budget-friendly and waterproof backpack that fits up to 15-inch laptops.
What Makes a Good Law School Backpack?
Large Amount of Storage
Heavy textbooks are just the beginning. You also need to keep track of your electronics, like your tablet, phone, and laptop. If you take physical notes, you need space for those notebooks.
You also need space for the binders that organize your classes. Without ample storage space, you might not be able to carry everything you need.
Durability
The aforementioned large amount of items (both big and small) can also get super heavy. Textbooks in particular weigh about the same as bricks. Your ideal backpack needs to stand up to the weight test.
You should look for durable packs made from tear-resistant fabrics. It’s also helpful to invest in a pack whose zippers are made for durability and spill-resistance.
Organization
Everything should have its own spot within your bag. Your backpack basically functions as a portable home office. You need all of your information inside, but you also need items like pencils, pens, erasers, post-it notes, highlighters, and other helpful pieces.
When these have their own pockets, they won’t get lost at the bottom of your pack. It’s also helpful to have external pockets for the items you want to grab easily, like your sunglasses and phone.
Design
There are two main components of a backpack’s design: the comfort, and the visual aesthetic. Comfort should be the first priority. Look for backpacks that disperse their weight and offer low-impact results when you walk.
The shoulder straps should have padding and, ideally, conform to suit your body shape. The visual aesthetic is the next important component: You want a backpack that matches your personal style. You should feel good about it, whether you pick something with a bold print, bright color, or sleek professional neutrality.
Final Thoughts:
The best backpacks for law school will protect and organize your things well enough that you don’t have to worry. Look for backpacks that meet all of your requirements. If you use a tablet and laptop, find one that accommodates both. If you need on-the-go charging, pick one with a USB port. There are a huge number of different factors and features to choose from. Just make sure your backpack does everything you need it to, so you can focus on studying.
