Secondary school and sixth form backpacks

A school backpack for secondary school or high school is judged on three points: a main compartment that fits a folder without bending, a padded and suspended laptop pocket, and a carrying system that distributes the weight across both shoulders. Our selection of high school backpacks features models with ventilated backs and wide straps.

A high school backpack that holds folders and a laptop

In high school, the load changes in nature: fewer textbooks, more soft folders, a laptop or a tablet, a water bottle, and sometimes sports gear. A class backpack for high school therefore requires a suspend laptop pocket that doesn't touch the bottom when the bag is set down, and two separate compartments to prevent the folder from bending over the electronics. The rest comes down to details: a double zipper closure that opens wide, a side pocket that holds a full bottle, reinforced stitching at the point where the straps attach.

College backpacks: what changes with starting Year 7

Year 7 marks the end of the satchel and the beginning of the locker. The bag is packed in the morning for the entire day, carrying heavy textbooks and materials for art or sports on the relevant days. A medium size, a structured back, and a chest strap are better than a large soft bag that the student fills to the brim. Also consider the height of the back: a bag that's too long hits the lower back and tilts backwards when full.

Choosing a high school backpack based on size and material

The technical needs are the same; the difference lies in size and style. A high school backpack is often chosen in a compact format, with straps that don’t slip off the shoulders and available in solid colours or printed materials. Larger volumes tend to come in darker fabrics, which show less wear from the ground and lockers. In both cases, the enduring criteria are the durability of the bottom and attachments, not the pattern.

• The back: ventilated foam, wide straps, chest strap for large volumes
• The laptop: a closed and suspended pocket, never just a simple internal divider
• The bottom: a reinforced base, as this is where high school backpacks fail first

A high school backpack that is sturdy is assessed by its reinforced bottom and the point where the straps stop. What bag to use for high school? Aim for 25 to 30 litres for a folder and a laptop.