Our Favorite JanSport Backpacks

Regardless of whether you are a student who has to lug textbooks, sheets and laptops, or an avid traveler out to visit different locations around the world, a backpack is one of those necessities that can sometimes get overlooked when fancier back-to-school equipment or travel bags are being considered. Doing this, however, can be one of the biggest mistakes of your life.

Getting your hands on the right backpack can change the way you study, work or travel and there are very few companies that make a better backpack than JanSport. As one of the most popular companies in the world when it comes to school bags, travel packs and backpacks, JanSport has built its reputation on the basis of hard-earned trust that people across the world have in the products manufactured by the company. The next section delves deeper into the company and what it has to offer!

Our Picks for the Best JanSport Backpacks

While quantity is a great thing, it can often end up confusing the target audience even more. With JanSport, you can be assured of a large range of backpacks and bags for you to choose from, but this process can become a little tiresome if you don’t know what you are looking for.

After considering all the factors mentioned in the section above, you would have already ascertained what your primary requirements are from the backpack that you are looking to purchase. Keeping those in mind, here are some broad popular categories and the best JanSport backpacks that fit in each of these.

Best for Laptops - Envoy Laptop Backpack

As the internet bridges all communication gaps across the world, most people are entirely dependent on their laptops for any kind of work that they may have to complete. Despite lighter versions of the older laptops being manufactured now, carrying this device around all the time can be a little inconvenient if you don’t have access to the right tools. In this case, your go-to backpack should be ​JanSport’s Envoy Laptop backpack, which has been designed to suit the requirements of people who travel with a ton of wires and technology on a regular basis.

Features

The main features of the Envoy backpack are discussed in some detail below:

Pros

Cons

Our Verdict

If you are looking for a durable backpack to carry all your tech - laptop, tablet, cameras, cables, and chargers - this is a fantastic option to consider. Not only is it a great way to stay organized, everything you want will stay in its designated space and be more accessible when you need it. The material is great and if there is any damage during the years that you own the backpack, the lifetime warranty offered by JanSport makes for a great deal.

Best for School - Big Student

School isn’t easy. As a student, there are tons of books that you need to carry with you on any given day, your laptop, a water bottle, possibly a packed lunch and also a change for gym. The perfect JanSport backpack for students is very aptly named the Big Student backpack. With tons of space and attractive styles available for you to choose from, there will surely be a color and style that suits everyone’s fancy. The price of the backpack is also very affordable, making it a steal for students across the board.

Features

The Big Student backpack has a bunch of features that separate it from a lot of the other JanSport backpacks. Some of them are listed below:

Pros

Cons

Our Verdict

If you are looking for a basic backpack that gives you tons of space - 34 liters - the Big Student backpack works exceedingly well. For people who have to traverse the lengths of campuses with tons of books, a laptop and almost everything else under the sun, the sturdy construction of this backpack makes it one of the popular bags on campuses for decades. There are tons of pockets, including one for your water bottle so that you can stay hydrated while you are at it.

Best for Commuting - Hatchet Backpack

Many people think that backpacks are only meant for students and cannot be carried beyond that to a work environment but they couldn’t be more wrong about that. With stylish and sophisticated backpacks like the Hatchet variant being produced by companies like JanSport, it is easy to take the backpack to a work meeting, an adventurous day out with friends or a short holiday out of the city.

Features

Here are some of the major distinguishing features of the Hatchet backpack that may help you in deciding whether it works for you:

Pros

Cons

Our Verdict

Built using the signature 600 denier polyester used for most other JanSport backpacks on this list, the Hatchet backpack is a great option for people who have a ton of commuting to do and many different things to carry with them. The 15-inch padded laptop compartment and the tablet pocket will ensure that your tech is safe, while the internal organizer helps in sorting out the rest of your life.

As you will be using this backpack for all your adventures out in the city, the pockets designated for water bottles are a great add-on.

Best for Active Men - Odyssey

JanSport was born with the aim of providing backpack solutions to hikers and adventure enthusiasts that like to spend a good chunk of their time in the outdoors. In line with the company’s, the Odyssey backpack really outshines all others when it comes to the best backpacks for men who are fairly active in their everyday lives. This is a sporty backpack that will not exactly be light on your pocket but when looked at with the lens of the lifetime warranty that the company offers, one can feel compelled to get on board with it.

Features

If you are considering the Odyssey backpack, here is a list of some of its main features, which may help you to decide:

Pros

Cons

Our Verdict

If you are looking for a versatile backpack that can fit a 15-inch laptop when the occasion demands it but also a 3-liter hydration sleeve when you head out for an adventure, the Odyssey backpack by JanSport is something that you must consider with an open mind. For hikes and longer treks, the sternum straps and the hip belt give you good support, while the 420 polyester dobby material works with the sturdy zippers and straps to give you a backpack that every active man can really use in his life.

Best for Active Women - Women's Agave

Available in two variants - one for men and another for women, the Agave backpack is built keeping your active lifestyle in mind. While they are more or less the same, there are some key differences like shoulder straps and size. The Odyssey backpack has a tendency of being too tall for many women, which makes the Women’s Agave backpack a much better design that fits women better. If you are looking for a sturdy backpack that will hold all your supplies and equipment when you step out for a hike or trek, this is a backpack that you need to look at!

Features

The main features of the Women’s Agave backpack have been discussed briefly in the section below:

Pros

Cons

Our Verdict

This laptop shares most of the features of the Odyssey backpack discussed in an earlier section but the main difference is that this variant is designed to suit the female body in a better manner. Built using polyester, nylon, and mesh, the Women’s Agave backpack has a ton of pockets, including a padded compartment for your hydration sleeve. If you aren’t going for a trek, the same compartment can be used for fitting in a 15-inch laptop.

Best for Travel - Driver 8 Core Series

Finally, it is time to delve deeper into one of the most popular backpacks designed and manufactured by JanSport - the Driver 8 Core Series backpack. If you travel a lot and want a backpack that will not just accompany you on your trips but also add value to them, this is hands down the best JanSport backpack for travel. The one thing that keeps people from buying this product is the price, which is relatively higher than most JanSport backpacks that you can buy online or in stores. This, however, is quickly offset by the years of use you will be able to get out of the backpack once it is in your hands!

Features

The main features of the Driver 8 Core Series backpack are discussed in some detail below:

Pros

Cons

Our Verdict

The Driver 8 Core Series backpack may be a little expensive, but you must remember that the backpack is going to last you many years. This means that you don’t have to worry about purchasing another travel backpack even after subjecting the JanSport variant to tons of wear and tear. The wheels used on the pack are of very high quality and the retractable handle that opens up in two stages makes it exceptionally easy to handle the backpack when wheeled. 

With the many different color variants available to choose from, this is a fantastic backpack that could suit travelers of all ages and builds.

About JanSport

JanSport was founded in 1967 by Skip Yowell, Murray Pletz, and Janis Lewis. After Pletz won an award for designing an adjustable aluminum backpack frame, his then-girlfriend (and later, wife) Jan was tasked with creating a backpack pattern for the frame. After everything worked out well enough for the trio - as is evident - the company was named JanSport, after Lewis. 

While the first products launched by the company were hiking packs inspired by the founders’ love for the mountains and hiking, there was a shift in priorities after 1972, when it was found that a bunch of students are the University of Washington were using these hiking packs to lug around their books so that they were kept a safe distance from the rain. At this moment, JanSport decided to venture into the realm of daypacks, which were produced by bolstering the backpacks first with vinyl and then leather. 

From here, it didn’t take long before students on campuses across the country were stuffing their books, gym equipment, water bottles, packed lunches and more in these sturdy, well-built packs that were seen to combine quality with style. 

Many years later, the backpacks designed and manufactured by JanSport are still considered one of the most durable packs available in the market, offering students, office goers and travelers with impressive functionality and versatility that makes JanSport their go-to company for bags. The company truly believes in its products, which is easily showcased by the lifetime warranty that comes with the backpacks and other products put out by them.  

Things to Consider While Picking a Jansport Backpack

Picking the right backpack for your needs can get a little tricky if you want a product that gives you a stylish edge without compromising on the functional aspects of things. Here are some of the most important things to keep in mind while choosing a backpack

Final Thoughts