Secondary school and sixth form backpacks

A school backpack is judged on three points: a main compartment that holds a binder without bending it, a padded and suspended laptop pocket, and a carry system that distributes the weight over both shoulders. Our selection of high school backpacks features models with ventilated backs and wide straps.

A high school backpack that carries binders and a laptop

In high school, the load changes in nature: fewer textbooks, more soft binders, a laptop or tablet, a water bottle, and sometimes a sports kit. A school backpack for high school therefore requires a suspended laptop pocket that doesn’t touch the bottom when the bag is set down, and two separate compartments so the binder doesn’t bend over the electronics. The rest comes down to details: a double zipper that opens wide, a side pocket that holds a full water bottle, and reinforced stitching at the attachment point of the straps.

Middle school backpacks: the changes that come with sixth grade

The sixth grade marks the end of the school bag and the beginning of the locker. The bag is loaded in the morning for the entire day, with heavy textbooks and art or sports equipment when needed. A medium size, a structured back, and a chest strap are better than a large soft bag that the student fills to the top. Also, consider the height of the back: a backpack that’s too long hits the lower back and tips backwards as soon as it’s full.

Choosing a high school backpack based on size and material

The technical needs are the same, but the difference lies in the size and style. A high school backpack is often chosen in a compact format, with straps that don’t slip off the shoulders and either solid colours or printed materials. Larger sizes typically use darker fabrics, which show less wear from the floor and lockers. In both cases, the lasting criterion is the durability of the bottom and attachments, not the pattern.

• The back: ventilated foam, wide straps, chest strap for larger sizes
• The laptop: a closed and suspended pocket, never just a simple internal divider
• The bottom: a reinforced base, that's where high school backpacks give out first

A high school backpack that is sturdy is judged by its reinforced bottom and the stop point of the straps. Which backpack for high school? Look for 25 to 30 litres for a binder and a laptop.