Whether you’re a student or off to the office, there’s nothing quite like a backpack to carry all of your essentials in a comfortable, stylish manner.
Much like men’s backpacks and messenger bags, options fit for women typically boast exterior zipper pockets, an embossed design of some kind — perhaps gold hardware, tassels or a pebbled leather shell — and come in a catalog of classic styles.
To help you enjoy your shoulder carry-all more and stress less, the Post Wanted team hand-picked our favorite women’s backpacks for you to enjoy and recommend to everyone you know, too.
RELATED: Best travel backpacks
Not to mention, you may want to also browse our edits of the best adult lunch boxes and best crossbody bags to complete your online shopping haul of must-have accessories.
Pros:
- Less than $100 and incredibly durable
- Comes in a roster of neutral colors
- Made of recycled plastic water bottles and comes with a laptop sleeve, key leash and a water bottle pocket
Cons:
- Some may find the canvas material needs to be cleaned and maintained more than some other fabrics
Take a page from Shay Mitchell’s playbook with her brand Béis. Its Expandable Backpack has ample storage, is 100% sustainable (made of recycled plastic water bottles) and has the luxury of perfectly compartmentalizing everything, from your smaller tech items to your laptop.
Pros:
- Affordable, appealing to a variety of shoppers
- Comes with an integrated USB charging port
- Has a comfortable and practical design
Cons:
- Some reviewers say the backpack is somewhat smaller than it appears online, though not a dealbreaker
The UGRACE Vintage Laptop Backpack with USB Charging Port is an excellent value for the price. Clad with nearly 12,000 glimmering reviews, this carry-all is made with premium lightweight tear-resistant oxford fabric that’s comfortable to wear and durable enough to last for years.
What’s more, it’s also water-resistant, securely fits your laptop or tablet and comes in a few shades to choose from.
Pros:
- Elegant, stylish appeal
- Premium-grade gold cable chain
- Comes with an elegant envelop flap pouch to store your belongings
Cons:
- Price point may be unreachable for some
- Smaller design may not be the most practical
For a sweet splurge that’s not quite a designer clutch and not quite a crossbody, the Saint Laurent Joe Mini YSL Bucket Bag is a style we can’t stop glossing over. With a premium-grade gold chain, you’ll want to pick it up in any of its three dreamy neutral shades.
Its front envelope flap pouch makes its style even more elegant, allowing it to serve well in the daytime or evening alike.
Pros:
- One of the best brands for traveling and securing your belongings
- Comes with a variety of integrated storage pouches
- Includes a five-year warranty upon purchase
Cons:
- Price point may be unreachable for some
This guide would be incomplete without a mention of Tumi, the unbeatable travel brand with exceptional on-the-go items. Notably, its Voyageur Celina Backpack is a splurge worth making as it features a laptop pocket, interior multifunction pockets and exterior zip pockets.
Pros:
- Comfortable on the back and shoulders
- Well-made pockets that won’t weigh down once filled
- Water-repellent design that’s ideal for any type of use
Cons:
- Some may find the canvas material needs to be cleaned and maintained more than some other fabrics
We all love lululemon, and its Everywhere Backpack 22L Tech Canvas is a quality shoulder bag to pick up. For less than $100, it’s spacious with a front zippered pocket and also comes with side pockets to stash smaller items and your water bottle. For that reason, it’s a prime option for students, athletes and simply for everyday use.
Even better, its interior padded pocket fits a 16-inch laptop, so it’s a fantastic score for airport travelers to double as a carry-on pack.
Pros:
- One of the best backpacks we reviewed
- Best quality for a travel brand, based on personal testing and experience
- Available in a suite of colors, all made in alluring leather exterior
Cons:
- Price point may be unreachable for some
- While spacious, the structured design may not allow it to have much “give,” like some other backpacks
Structured and equipped for all of your on-the-go travels, the Monos Metro Backpack is an investment worth making, much ado to its sleek profile, water-resistant nylon and vegan leather details. It also features the brand’s patented QuickSnap Modular Kit System, allowing for interchangeable, streamlined packing.
Pros:
- Best commuter backpack we’ve been using for four years
- Soft fabric and design allows you to store a variety of items while not weighing you down
- Comes in three different size options to meet your preferences
Cons:
- Side water bottle pocket can be bigger to accommodate tumblers of different sizes
Meet the backpack we personally use and can’t stop recommending IRL: the Dagne Dover Dakota Neoprene Backpack. Price will depend on your preferred size and you should certainly snag it if your main objective is carrying everything comfortably.
As the option we resort to for commuting to the office in NYC, we haven’t met a more comfortable backpack. Its soft exterior lends itself to a roomy interior that’s filled with plenty of space to store all of your essentials. Plus, it’s entirely well-made and has lasted for years of good use.
Pros:
- Top-rated for its on-the-go purpose
- Boasts a water-resistant design
- Includes a rain cover with a clear silver reflective logo that makes it more long-lasting and good for evening travels
Cons:
- May not be the most stylish of all backpacks
The Maelstrom Waterproof Hiking Backpack is one of the best for bringing with you to the mountains or the trail. More than 1,000 Amazons shoppers have purchased it this month alone as it’s lightweight, tear resistant, anti-scratch and wear-resistant. Not to mention, the rain cover with a clear silver reflective logo makes it great for the evening time.
Pros:
- Fairly priced for the quality
- Comes in a variety of colors
- Sustainable with plenty of space to store your belongings
Cons:
- Exterior may not be the most versatile, though it’s great for traveling and outdoor activities
Meet one of the best brands for luggage, backpacks and travel items. The CALPAK Terra Laptop Backpack is a tried-and-true Post Wanted favorite, featuring a span of colors. It also has a back slip pocket that’s designed to accommodate up to a 14-inch laptop.
Additionally, we love how it’s crafted from durable recycled ripstop nylon coated with TPU laminate coating, so it’s both trusty and sustainable.
Pros:
- Glossy, smooth vegan leather exterior
- Comes with a padded laptop sleeve, making it great for students and commuters
- Chic and stylish
Cons:
- Price point may be unreachable for some
- While spacious, the structured design may not allow it to have much “give,” like some other backpacks
We also love the Modern Picnic’s The Backpack — coming in multiple colors, smooth to the touch and great for storing your laptop, an umbrella and other odds and ends. Its vegan leather straps give it that ultra-designer feel, too. And when you want to use it like a tote, take the sturdy handle on this women’s backpack purse in hand. From the front, no one will even suspect it doubles as a backpack!
Pros:
- One of the most spacious backpacks on this list, clad with a ton of compartments
- One of the widest color selections
- Excellent for travel, based on our testing
Cons:
- The front zipper can be a bit more spacious, though not a dealbreaker
The CALPAK Luka 15-Inch Laptop Backpack is a Post Wanted favorite, serving as a great travel companion that’s easy to sport on your body when you’re maneuvering through airports and subways. It has one of the widest color varieties we’ve seen, with its exterior material easy to clean as well.
“I’ve tried what feels like an endless amount of backpacks during my travels (and I’ve been to almost 40 countries!) and I must say, this is the one that I keep going back to,” Camryn La Sala, commerce editor, shared after testing this model. “It fits so much without feeling like you’re stuffing your personal item, it’s durable against rain and looks sleek too.”
Expandable and with a great array of compartments, you can practically fit your life inside. Oh, and there’s a matching belt bag ($58) that’s worth picking up to round out your purchase.
Pros:
- Sporty yet academic look
- Excellent for carrying supplies and athletic essentials for school sports
- Simple to wipe clean
Cons:
- May become heavier than most when filled due to its dimensions, though not a dealbreaker
The adidas Weekender Backpack is an excellent option for traveling from school to work to play. It has a sporty look without looking too much like a gym bag, and certainly doesn’t compromise the storage space.
With plenty of zip options, it’s the ideal carrier for supplies and all of your athletic essentials, too. With a sportier look, you’ll be glad that it’s easy to clean; simply wipe down the lining and be on your way.
Pros:
- Easy-to-carry design
- Features water-resistant neoprene
- Versatile and practical
Cons:
- Price point may be unreachable for some
With great durability comes great reward, and it’s called the Alo Yoga Stow Backpack. Back in stock and ready for all of your on-the-move activities, it holds with it that easy-to-carry style that isn’t as big as your average-sized backpacks. Plus, its water-resistant neoprene is easy to clean.
Pros:
- One of the most spacious to take with you at the airport
- Several functional pockets to easily organize your belongings during travel
- Features a pass-through strap that attaches to rolling luggage
Cons:
- Not a huge, stylish color variety to choose from, though not a dealbreaker; there are five moody neutrals to choose from
Everlane’s The ReNew Transit Backpack is a feel-good carrier that you’ll be glad you took with you on your next flight. Though great for a variety of occasions, it’s especially perfect to take with you before you’re flying in the sky.
What’s the hype? It features a 15-inch exterior laptop pocket for easy TSA access, catch-all zip pockets for passports and tickets, interior slip pockets for magazines and notebooks, two water bottle holders and a convenient magnetic closure. There’s even a pass-through strap that attaches to rolling luggage. Yes, it’s that good.
Pros:
- Stylish and well-made
- Available in a bunch of shades to choose from
- Durable straps that are lightweight when worn
Cons:
- Price point may be unreachable for some
- Not as spacious as some other options on this list
A chic backpack, found. The Longchamp Le Pliage Nylon Canvas Backpack is the petite backpack du jour, available in a catalog of colors to choose from. Though smaller than most, it’s quite roomy thanks to its canvas material and is great for every day use. Consider it the micro backpack to take with you everywhere.
Can backpacks be stylish?
Absolutely. In fact, the right backpack can even enhance your outfit in the same way the wrong one can take away from it.
Think about it? How often have you taken an hour to plan the perfect ensemble for work, only to have it ruined by a giant, clunky backpack?
While we love a tote or purse, backpacks are often the most practical choice, especially when you have multiple things to carry. The good news is that there are a variety of fashionable backpacks for women to choose from.
Modern Picnic’s Picnic Backpack ($210) is a minimalist dream. From the front it looks like a slim and sleek tote, but if you check out the back, there are handy straps to carry on your back. An insulated compartment inside works perfectly for your lunch, and there’s also a laptop sleeve. Made of vegan leather and available in three colors, it’s as stylish as they come.
If you’re looking for a gorgeous women’s commuter backpack, go for the Tumi Voyageur Celina Backpack ($475). It has adjustable straps, a laptop sleeve and multifunctional pockets for every lipstick, tube of SPF and notebook you need. More important, it has lovely metal detail.
Another one worth checking out? The Mancio Vintage Laptop Backpack($20). Besides being slim and compact, it has a USB charging port, is made with tear resistant Oxford fabric and is available in six different colors.
Are backpacks still in fashion?
Certain items never go out of style and backpacks are one of them. They’re an accessory staple that’s not only a necessity for back to school but many adults who rely on them for work. Unlike a purse, they can hold a laptop, an extra set of clothes, snacks and other things you can’t leave behind.
In terms of fashion, not all backpacks are made with style in mind. However, the ones on this list are.
For over 200 years, the New York Post has been America’s go-to source for bold news, engaging stories, in-depth reporting, and now, insightful shopping guidance. We’re not just thorough reporters – we sift through mountains of information, test and compare products, and consult experts on any topics we aren’t already schooled specialists in to deliver useful, realistic product recommendations based on our extensive and hands-on analysis. Here at The Post, we’re known for being brutally honest – we clearly label partnership content, and whether we receive anything from affiliate links, so you always know where we stand. We routinely update content to reflect current research and expert advice, provide context (and wit) and ensure our links work. Please note that deals can expire, and all prices are subject to change.
For over 200 years, the New York Post has been America’s go-to source for bold news, engaging stories, in-depth reporting, and now, insightful shopping guidance. We’re not just thorough reporters – we sift through mountains of information, test and compare products, and consult experts on any topics we aren’t already schooled specialists in to deliver useful, realistic product recommendations based on our extensive and hands-on analysis. Here at The Post, we’re known for being brutally honest – we clearly label partnership content, and whether we receive anything from affiliate links, so you always know where we stand. We routinely update content to reflect current research and expert advice, provide context (and wit) and ensure our links work. Please note that deals can expire, and all prices are subject to change.
Hunting for a headline-worthy haul? Keep shopping with Post Wanted.
Hunting for a headline-worthy haul? Keep shopping with Post Wanted.
