The best place to buy backpacks depends on the job. Hiking packs that need a real fit belong at REI Co-op or Dick’s Sporting Goods, where you can try one on loaded. School and everyday bags are easiest at Target, Walmart, outlets, and off-price stores, and Amazon or Zappos carry the widest online selection. Two measurements decide what to buy first: torso length and the loaded weight the wearer can safely carry.
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Measure First: A Worked Fit Example
Torso length, not height, sets the frame size of any pack with a hip belt. It runs from the C7 vertebra (the bony bump at the base of your neck when you tilt your head forward) down to the top of the hip bones, the iliac crest. Two people of the same height can be a full size apart.
- Tilt your head forward and have a friend find C7 with a fingertip.
- Rest your hands on the top of your hip bones, thumbs pointing back. The line between your thumbs is the bottom mark.
- Run a soft tape along the spine between the two marks. Say it reads 18.5 inches: on REI’s general sizing guide that is a medium or regular, but ranges differ by brand, so check the chart for the exact model.
Now the weight math for kids. The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), the professional body for occupational therapists, recommends that a loaded school bag weigh no more than 10 percent of the child’s body weight. For a 70-pound fourth grader, that is 7 pounds. Keep the load under 15 percent of body weight at the outside, the ceiling the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends, or 10.5 pounds for the same child. Weigh a typical day’s load on a luggage scale; if it lands between those numbers, move something out.
When trying backpacks on, tighten the hip belt first, then the shoulder straps, then the sternum strap. The bottom should sit at your lower back, not on your rear.
Which Size Fits Which Job
A backpack is a bag carried on both shoulders by two straps, so the weight sits along your spine and hips. Capacity in liters is the first filter.
| Use case | Capacity | Spec that matters most |
|---|---|---|
| Elementary school | 15 to 18 liters | Loaded weight, not volume |
| High school and college | 25 to 30 liters | 15 or 17 inch laptop sleeve |
| Work commute | 18 to 25 liters | Slim profile, luggage pass-through |
| Day hike | 18 to 28 liters | Padded hip belt, torso length |
| Travel carry-on | 35 to 45 liters | Airline size limits, lockable zippers |
Liter capacity. Volume is stated in liters because backpacks are soft, irregular shapes. A 15-liter model holds a tablet computer, a folder, and lunch.
Laptop sleeve size. Check your machine’s actual width, not the stated screen size. A sleeve labeled 15 inches will not always close around a 16-inch MacBook Pro. Better designs suspend the sleeve above the base panel, away from a drop.
Water resistance. Waterproofing is the coating or laminate that keeps moisture out. Most everyday bags carry a light, water-resistant DWR finish that sheds drizzle and gives up in real rain, so bike commuters should buy a waterproof roll-top or pack a rain cover.
Extras. A USB charge port is just a pass-through cable to a power bank you supply; a top grab handle and a water bottle pocket matter more. Carrying only a phone, keys, and a wallet? A fanny pack handles those essentials without the bulk.
Hiking backpacks also carry a paper map; see our guide to topographic and road maps.
Warranty and Return Terms That Change the Math
Warranty is the most underrated spec, and the three best-known policies work very differently. One bag you can get repaired for years beats three disposable ones.
| Brand | Policy | What it covers | Main limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| JanSport | Limited lifetime warranty | Defects in materials and workmanship (zippers, buckles, seams) | Original owner only; wear, rips, and abrasion excluded; you pay inbound shipping |
| Osprey | All Mighty Guarantee | Any damage or defect, for any reason, on a pack bought in 1974 or yesterday | Repair first; replacement only if a functional repair is not possible |
| L.L. Bean | 1-year return policy (since 2018) | Returns for any reason within one year with proof of purchase | After a year, only defects in materials or craftsmanship are considered |
In practice, Osprey will fix a strap you tore on a fence and JanSport will not. For school backpacks that get abused daily, Osprey’s terms are the most forgiving; for a durable zipper that simply should not fail, JanSport’s defect coverage is enough.
Where to Buy Backpacks in Store
Trying one on beats guessing, and loaded weight is the only honest test. Back-to-school displays peak in July and August; by fall what remains is marked down.
REI Co-op
REI is the specialist for hiking and travel backpacks, with real torso sizing, frames sized for a woman rather than scaled-down unisex, and Osprey, Gregory, Deuter, Cotopaxi, and Patagonia on one floor. Staff at most stores will measure your torso and add weight to a pack so you can walk around in it. Backcountry covers the same tier online.
Target
Target runs the broadest general selection across kids, adult, and sport categories. Check the luggage and travel accessories aisle year-round, and the seasonal endcaps near the school supplies section in summer. View their store listing.
Dick’s Sporting Goods
Dick’s carries the outdoor and athletic names: The North Face, Nike, Columbia, and Osprey. Go here for a hiking daypack or a school bag rated for heavy loads; it pairs with a trip for running shoes. Academy Sports covers similar ground across the South. Check their inventory.
Outlets and Off-Price Stores
Vera Bradley Outlet, Coach Outlet, and L.L. Bean outlet stores stock past-season backpacks, and L.L. Bean takes returns at any retail store or outlet. Marshalls, Ross, and Burlington rotate brand-name stock with no promise of size or model.
Also worth a walk-in: L.L. Bean, the durability pick with monogramming (see our L.L. Bean shopping guide); JCPenney for budget styles; Staples and Office Depot for commuter bags; Walmart for low everyday prices; Kohl’s and Nordstrom for fashion labels. Call ahead at smaller locations.
Ordering Online: Amazon, Zappos, and the Rest
Online is the better channel once you know your torso size and liter range.
Amazon
Amazon, the largest online retailer in the United States, carries the widest range anywhere: school bags, travel gear, laptop cases, sling styles, and outdoor equipment from hundreds of brands. Filter by rating or by a feature such as a USB port or a water bottle pocket. Its best sellers list is a decent shortcut, and review volume flags durability problems early. Browse the selection on Amazon.
Zappos
Zappos stocks premium labels including The North Face, JanSport, and Herschel Supply Co. Its published policy (updated September 2026) allows free returns within 60 days on unworn items in original packaging, so order two sizes when torso fit is the variable. See their category page.
Past those two: Overstock discounts recognizable brands, Lands’ End adds monogramming to its school lines, and buying direct keeps warranty paperwork simple. Our guide to JanSport bags covers that route.
Signs a Bag Is Worn Out
Well-built everyday backpacks run three to five years of daily school or commuter duty. Four signs one is finished: strap padding compressed flat, a main zipper that separates behind the slider, fraying where the fabric meets the base panel, and any tear in the back panel foam. Only the last is urgent, because collapsed foam puts book edges against your spine. Check the warranty table before replacing it.
Mistakes That Cost the Most
The costliest mistake is buying on looks, then finding the straps are thin webbing with no padding. Three more to avoid:
Ignoring the weight rating. A bag built for light daily use blows its zippers under textbooks plus a laptop. Match the rating to your real load, not your average.
Chasing a marketplace bargain on a designer name. Fjallraven Kanken and Herschel backpacks are heavily counterfeited, and third-party listings far under retail are the usual source. Buy from the brand, an authorized seller, or a store you can walk into.
Skipping the return window. Fit problems only show up under load. Order from a retailer with a long return policy so you can walk around with your real books, keys, and wallets inside first.
Top Backpacks Worth Buying
These five were picked on volume, published warranty terms, and long-run review consensus rather than launch-year hype. Prices move weekly, so check the current listing.
Best overall: JanSport SuperBreak Plus. A 26-liter classic with a padded 15-inch laptop compartment, front utility pocket, and lifetime defect coverage. Check price on Amazon
Best for travel: Osprey Farpoint 40. A 40-liter carry-on with lockable zippers, a stowable harness, and a mesh back panel, sized for most airline limits and backed by the All Mighty Guarantee. Check price on Amazon
Best budget: Amazon Basics Classic School Backpack. Roomy and no-frills, with a side water bottle pocket and a front zip. Fine for younger students. Thin padding is the tradeoff. Check price on Amazon
Best for laptops: The North Face Borealis. A 28-liter commuter bag with a fleece-lined 15-inch sleeve, FlexVent suspended shoulder straps, and reflective trim. Check price on Amazon
Best for hiking: Deuter Speed Lite 21. A 21-liter lightweight daypack with a ventilated back system, a real hip belt, and trekking pole loops. Light on organization by design. Check price on Amazon
Start with a tape measure and a scale, not a store: write down torso length, liter range, and laptop width, plus the 10 percent cap for a child. Try two candidates at REI, Dick’s, or Target loaded with real weight, then order the winner wherever the warranty and return terms are strongest. For backpacks meant to outlast a school year, weight the warranty over the sticker price.
FAQ: Buying Backpacks
Why are backpacks measured in liters?
Liters describe interior volume, a more accurate measure of usable space than height and width on a soft, irregular shape. Ratings are not standardized, so one company’s 30-liter model can hold noticeably more than another’s. Compare against a bag you already own.
Does a daypack count as a personal item or a carry-on?
It counts as a personal item if it fits under the seat in front of you; several airlines use a limit around 18 by 14 by 8 inches, but sizes vary by carrier. Bags of 35 liters and up are usually carry-on size. A stuffed 25-liter bag can fail a gate sizer an empty one passes.
Do you have to take your laptop out at airport security?
It depends on the lane. Standard TSA lanes with older X-ray machines usually require it, while TSA PreCheck and lanes with newer CT scanners generally let it stay in. Some travel models open flat so the machine is screened in place, but TSA officers make the final call.
Can a heavy school bag cause shoulder or back pain?
Yes. The American Occupational Therapy Association links overloaded and improperly worn bags to neck, shoulder, and back pain. Keep the load near 10 percent of body weight, use both shoulder straps, and fasten the hip or chest strap.
Is it safe to machine wash a pack?
Usually not. Agitation delaminates back-panel foam and strips the water-repellent coating, and any model with an internal frame sheet can warp. Empty the main compartment and every pocket, spot clean with cold water and mild soap, and hang it upside down. Never use a dryer.
When are school bags cheapest?
Late August into September, once retailers clear back-to-school inventory. Black Friday brings a second round on outdoor and travel models. The tradeoff is selection: shop the clearance window and you take whatever size and color is left.
About This Guide
Editorial review: wheretobuyguides.com team. Warranty and return terms summarize each brand’s published policy; confirm current terms with the retailer before you buy.