Do you need a compartment for your computer? Do you need a place to put your lunch? Do you need places to put pens, keys, or other small objects? Do you want water bottle holders or mobile phone pockets? How many binders, notebooks, and books will you need to carry at once?
New synthetic fabrics will last longest, but leather ages with more character. Synthetic fabrics are lighter-weight than leather. If you choose a leather bag it will be much heavier even before you begin to load it. [1] X Research source Synthetic fabrics like polyester and nylon are more water-resistant than natural fibers like cotton. [2] X Research source Natural fibers like hemp are more environmentally sustainable than synthetics. If you care about having an eco-friendly bag choose a natural fiber. [3] X Research source
Choose double-headed zippers for easiest access. Look for heavy-duty zippers that will hold up over time.
Prints are fashionable right now, but consider solid colors too because you will wear the bag every day and it has to match a lot of outfits. [4] X Research source About half of the backpacks sold by one of the biggest companies, Jansport, are black. If you want a sleek, timeless bag that will fit in with the crowd you can’t go wrong with a black backpack. Try an eco-friendly bag. Backpacks made from recycled or sustainable materials are very trendy.
Choose a bag with wide, padded straps to properly support weight on your shoulders.
Full-zipper bags allow for easy insertion and extraction of large items or a lot of items at once. Top loading bags may give a little extra space because the top flap can be fastened over large or protruding items such as a jacket.
Keep in mind that a wheeled bag will be much heavier even before it is loaded because of the added frame, handle, and wheels. If the bag is for a child, make sure they can lift it: when you do have to pick it up it will weigh more than a regular bag. [9] X Research source Wheeled bags can be more difficult to move around in crowded areas such as a busy hallway between classes. Wheeled bags are great for carrying very heavy items like lots of textbooks that you don’t want to lift and wear on your back. Some schools have rules about wheeled bags and some schools do not allow them so check before buying.
Buying online may offer you more choices and a lower price. Shopping in person will enable you to try on the backpack, make sure it fits well, and examine the inside of the bag to see additional features.
Try on the bag you want to buy to make sure it feels comfortable and can be adjusted to fit well. When viewing bags in person, open the bag to look at inside pockets and features. Often these are not visible in photos on online shopping sites.
