19 Must-Have Backpacks For Teen Girls (High School)

Does your teenage girl need a new backpack? Shopping for backpacks for teenage girls for back-to-school is a time-honored tradition that can be time-consuming and overwhelming. This list of the BEST cool backpacks for teen girls will make it a breeze!

Best backpacks for teenage girls pin image

My teen son recently needed a new backpack, so I took to the internet to search for the perfect backpacks for teens.

Oh. My. Goodness. There are so many options for teen school backpacks available – how do you know which one is worth your hard-earned money?

Is your teenage girl needing a new backpack? A new school year is about to start, so it’s time to get the supplies ready – and one of the most important supplies is having a good school bag (read that as a cute backpack!).

I have 2 teens and a tween (almost teen). We have tried A LOT of backpacks over the years! Some school years involved backpacks that fell apart within the first weeks, and we’ve had some years where the backpack lasted for multiple years.

With a new school season just around the corner, it’s time to start looking for girls’ backpacks.

Essential Criteria For Backpacks For Teen Girls

My criteria for a cool new backpack for teen girls (and high school students in general) are different than what little kids need in a backpack. I was looking for:

Looks great (more for her than for me)
Is comfortable
Holds heavy textbooks, laptop, water bottle, and extras
Special place for laptop/Chromebook
Can keep her organized
Will last (ideally the whole school year)

Backpacks these days need to hold much more than just school books and lunch. Even though most schools are stepping away from textbooks, today’s backpacks need to be able to hold lunch, cell phones, books, laptops/Chromebooks, sunglasses, headphones/AirPods, and more. Unfortunately, small backpacks just don’t cut it for high school students.

And I won’t even consider a backpack that can’t keep all that stuff organized.

teenage girl with skateboard and backpack

NOTE: In full disclosure, my favorite brands for backpacks are Jansport, LL Bean, and The North Face. I have just had SUPER good experiences with them being VERY well-made and durable. They aren’t the cheapest, but since I can buy one in the time I would have to buy 2 or 3 others, they’re TOTALLY worth it to me.

But if you’re dealing with a tight budget, this list will include other brands of great backpacks with low prices too!

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19 Top Teen Girl Backpacks

After TONS of researching, reading reviews, and testing packs ourselves, here is our list of finalists: the BEST backpacks for teenage girls! There’s something for everyone (and their budget) on this list!

NOTE: Prices are current as of publication, but are subject to change at ANY time. So, use them simply as a reference point.

ANOTHER NOTE: You won’t find backpacks costing just $20 or $30 on this list because (in my experience) they just don’t last long enough to make it worth it. Even if they last half the year (the ones we tried DIDN’T), you’re still buying it twice through the year and spending the same amount of money. Once you factor in the hassle and time of going through the process twice, it’s a losing strategy, IMO.

1. JanSport Cool Student Backpack

Basic. Classic. Awesome. This pack caught the eye of my middle child (who doesn’t actually need a new pack at the moment). It looks like a classic backpack and features one big main compartment, an organizer compartment, a designated laptop compartment, two front organizer compartments, and a water bottle pocket on the side.

Pros: affordable, classic design, and durable.
Cons: has a leather-reinforced bottom that’s great for durability, but requires hand washing. If you want a similar design that can be machine washed, check out the Big Student Backpack.
My fav feature: no bells and whistles that can fall apart, yet it holds a LOT, and the huge color selection.
Cost: $50

2. High Sierra Access 2.0 Laptop Backpack

This adaptive backpack is similar to my son’s backpack that recently broke (but he used it for 3 years through middle school). Considering the size, price, and how well it lasted, I WOULD buy this version without thinking twice!

Pros: has tons of storage, including a padded laptop sleeve, media pocket (cell phone holder), and a headphone port. All the built-in pockets keep everything organized.
Cons: It’s a bit of a stretch for me because I’m a HUGE High Sierra fan, but this bag is slightly large, so it might not be ideal for smaller kids
My fav feature: the padded laptop sleeve – keep those laptops safe!
Cost: $54

3. SwissGear 5977 ScanSmart Laptop Backpack

I had this same backpack several years ago, and it lasted for about 7 years with heavy use. That thing took a lot of abuse! SwissGear makes high-quality bags and luggage, so I confidently recommend them.

Pros: extremely comfortable and very durable.
Cons: designed more for travel or professional life than school, but will work well for school, especially if she likes things a little more “grown-up” looking.
My fav feature: lay-flat tech compartment equipped with a padded 17” laptop sleeve and floating tablet pocket
Cost: $79.99

4. Adidas Prime 6 Backpack

This backpack has it all: looks, price, storage, organization, and more. Plus, if your kids are into sports or care about brand names, this backpack covers that too.

Pros: color selection, price, lifetime warranty, shoulder padding, amazing reviews, and the list goes on.
Cons: not waterproof, but can be wiped off.
My fav feature: made with recycled materials to reduce plastic use.
Cost: $52.00

5. Under Armour Adult Hustle 5.0 Backpack

Built for your athlete, this pack is highly water-resistant, made with wicking, breathable fabric, has special water-resistant pockets for valuables like a phone and headphones, and a 15” laptop sleeve.

Pros: well-made and branded with a brand that middle school athletes like, plus available in tons of colors, and has a place for water bottles.
Cons: not expandable and not as large as some bags so storage might be an issue depending on what your son needs to carry.
My fav feature: the separate laundry/shoe pocket at the bottom of the bag.
Cost: $39.99 – $55 (depending on color)

6. UGRACE Vintage Laptop Backpack

If your child likes the retro look, this chic student book bag wraps up modern convenience (like a USB charging port!) in an adorable vintage package. This is one great backpack for teen girls!

Pros: cost – this is the rare exception to my “no backpacks under $40 rule.” Plus, excellent reviews!
Cons: may not be large enough for some teens.
My fav feature: classic vintage design
Cost: $29.99

7. KROSER TSA Friendly Travel Laptop Backpack

In today’s world, cute backpacks need to be tough enough to handle the burden of school. But they also need to be ready to pick and “go” on adventures in a safe and secure way. You can trust this backpack to stand up to the task.

Pros: plenty of pockets to keep your student organized, including built-in USB PORT and RFID protection pockets.
Cons: no selection of colors. Black is neutral and many teen girls like it, but this design doesn’t offer brighter colors.
My fav feature: air-flow back padding system, and a secret pocket that ensures great comfort and safety in your journey. Plus, RFID protection – thieves will stop at nothing to steal from others – don’t let them do it to you.
Cost: $53.99

8. Yorepek Large Travel Laptop Backpack

This is an extra large backpack for teen girls that can hold a 17-inch laptop. It will keep your student organized and stand up to whatever your girl demands of it. It’s TSA-friendly and has a convenient USB port. This backpack has some cool features, which makes it a perfect backpack for teen girls!

Pros: heavy-duty, durable material that works for both school and travel.
Cons: small color selection – but there are colors to choose from!
My fav feature: All the pockets – I am a major sucker for pockets.
Cost: $45.99

9. TAK 17-Inch Laptop Backpack

This large capacity urban-style, clean-looking backpack is perfect for the student who wants a stylish non-traditional-looking backpack. I love the flap design and zippered pockets for keeping belongings safe and organized.

Pros: durable material.
Cons: not a large selection of colors.
My fav feature: the interesting zipper design allows for quick and easy access while still keeping belongings safe.
Cost: $58.99

10. AMA DABLAM Canvas Laptop Backpack

Here is a perfect all-purpose backpack for teen girls. It has a padded laptop sleeve, padded shoulder straps, and a mesh ventilated back. I love the cute design with smart and stylish accents.

Pros: spacious main compartment as well as many storage pockets.
Cons: dry clean only
My fav feature: heavy-duty canvas with a breathable back.
Cost: $89.95

11. Cafele Travel Laptop Backpack

This backpack is impressive. Four spacious main multi-compartments with many hidden pockets can accommodate lots of stuff AND keep it organized! An RFID pocket keeps personal data encoded on your credit card, ID card and passport safe. Here’s a different version if you want something that looks a little different.

Pros: Padded laptop sleeve, external USB port with set-in charging cable, and headphones port.
Cons: not many colors to choose from (but they are fun).
My fav feature: all the pockets! (I love pockets)
Cost: $49.99

12. SwissGear 6752 TSA Friendly ScanSmart Laptop Backpack

This backpack is solid, large, and built to handle a load. I think if you are looking for affordable backpacks for teen girls, this one will work well. I love the accordion file holder and crush-resistant fleece-lined sunglasses holder.

Pros: SwissGear is a brand that focuses on durability and is one I trust based on experience, and it has plenty of room to hold everything your teen girl needs to carry.
Cons: there’s really nothing to not love!
My fav feature: a dedicated laptop sleeve with a lay-flat design to make access easy and travel a breeze.
Cost: $69.95

13. The North Face Vault Backpack

Simply put, I love the look of this backpack for teen girls. It’s available in a wide variety of colors, simple but fashionable, and has a terrific unisex design that appeals to both teenage girls and boys. If your student doesn’t want a ton of pockets to keep track of, this is the backpack she’ll want!

Pros: laptop sleeve + plenty of storage.
Cons: no small front pocket for keys, phone, sunglasses, etc and the front pocket is only the top half of the pack.
My fav feature: the organizer pocket with zippered pocket to keep valuables safe.
Cost: $58.95

14. Cafele School Backpack for Teens

I think it’s one of the best backpacks for teen girls because it has everything they could possibly need: a padded laptop sleeve, a USB charging port, a headphones port, and tons of storage to easily flex between school and life.

Pros: price.
Cons: doesn’t have RFID protection.
My fav feature: it’s a versatile backpack that seamlessly goes between school and travel.
Cost: $49.99

15. LL Bean Comfort Carry Portable Locker Pack

After checking out SO many amazing options, my 14-year old finally chose this backpack. I purchased 2 LL Bean backpacks almost 10 years ago, and they are still going STRONG.

So, I’m a huge fan of LL Bean backpacks for teen girls (or boys)! They really withstand the test of time! This pack is huge, has tons of storage, pockets, and great features – and a ton of color options.

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Pros: rugged versatile design that’s built for performance and comfort.
Cons: cost – it’s at the top of the range I’ve shared, but it’s 100% worth it if it lasts 4 years like I hope it will. (we’re a year into it and it’s perfect)
My fav feature: LL Bean’s reputation for high quality (which has proven true for me).
Cost: $99

16. High Sierra Loop Backpack

I love the design of this bag. Since I’m all about staying organized and helping my kids learn how to get themselves organized, this backpack really appeals to me. It’s available in a wide selection of SUPER FUN colors so that it appeals to teen girls!

Pros: adjustable straps that are also padded for comfort, and room for a lunch bag and pencil case.
Cons: slightly on the narrow side (although that could be a plus for girls). Some reviewers said they have 2 of these for their kids’ A/B school schedules. For the price, that’s a possibility.
My fav feature: the suspension system to absorb shock when carrying heavier loads – great for kids who walk to or home from school (like my kiddo).
Cost: $35 – $50 (depending on the color)

17. The North Face Recon School Laptop Backpack

Great-looking backpacks for teen girls look like this. This slick backpack is large and in charge with the adventurer in mind. It has plenty of storage, multiple pockets for organization, and a padded laptop sleeve. I love the color selection – something for everyone!

Pros: built to last.
Cons: expensive (but SO worth it)
My fav feature: lifetime guarantee from The North Face.
Cost: $98.95

18. SwissGear 5358 USB ScanSmart Laptop Backpack

Here’s another backpack that sits at the top of my price range for this post. But I’m including it because you just can’t beat the quality – and almost 2,000 reviews saying the same thing don’t lie. This is one of my favorite backpacks for teen girls because it has everything there is to love about SwissGear PLUS some.

Pros: has everything a teenage girl needs to go to school or on a trip.
Cons: cost.
My fav feature: it’s a versatile backpack that seamlessly goes between school and travel.
Cost: $101

19. High Sierra Swerve Laptop Backpack

Here is a basic, durable, dependable backpack that won’t break the bank but will keep your teen girl covered for years. It’s basic, practical design is exactly why I think it’s one of the best backpacks for teen girls.

Pros: has everything a teenage girl needs to go to school or on a trip.
Cons: slightly heavier than some others on this list
My fav feature: it’s a versatile backpack that seamlessly goes between school and travel. Plus, it’s affordable.
Cost: $49.99

Final Thoughts On Shopping For Backpacks For Teen Girls

Backpack shopping can be a challenge, but it’s not as bad as clothes shopping! For the most cost savings, try to find a backpack for your teen girl that includes free shipping (Amazon is GREAT for this, but you can also find it at other sites occasionally).

Take it from a mom who has put in the time and work to find the best backpacks for teen girls and check out this list – because there’s something for everyone.

Need a backpack for a teen boy? Check out 15 Insanely Perfect Backpacks For Teen Boys!

Good luck and happy new school year!

19 Must-Have Backpacks For Teen Girls (High School)

Essential Criteria For Backpacks For Teen Girls