The Best 5 Backpacks for College and High School Students of 2026

The Fjällräven Kånken Laptop is a vintage-influenced pack, beloved by many a hip kid. It’s the knapsack that you (or your parents!) might have carried in elementary school, only more sensible and grown-up with the welcome addition of lightly padded straps and a protective laptop compartment.

It has an iconic look, with clever updates. The original Kånken pack was designed for Swedish schoolchildren back in 1977 and continues to draw a devoted following among kids and adults alike. The updated Kånken Laptop retains the youthful, stylish charm of its predecessor — available in the familiar Fjällräven array of colors, from muted grays to splashier shades of orange, blue, and mustard — while adding useful features such as a padded laptop compartment and cushioning on the straps. (The first iteration has just plain webbing.)

It’s ideal for midsize loads. I carried the Kånken Laptop — loaded up with a laptop, a change of clothes, a toiletry bag, a notebook, a water bottle, chargers, and other odds and ends—for a full 12-hour day on my feet, and it was so comfortable that I nearly forgot I was wearing it. But the lightly padded straps aren’t meant for shouldering heavier gear (think multiple large textbooks).

With an 18-liter capacity, this is the smallest backpack we recommend. But thanks to its deep, boxy shape and clamshell opening, it somehow manages to feel bigger on the inside (could this be the Tardis of backpacks?).

It provides easy access to your essentials. The Kånken Laptop’s main compartment is roomy and deep, with one slip pocket for stowing a notebook or textbook. A zipper runs around three sides of the backpack, allowing the pack to open like a suitcase — a feature that one tester appreciated when using the Kånken Laptop as an overnight travel bag.

The laptop compartment fits computers up to 15 inches and has a separate zipper, so you don’t have to dig through the main compartment to grab your laptop. (The Kånken Laptop also comes in versions made for 13- and 17-inch laptops, so you can choose the size that best suits your needs.) A zippered pouch on the front is the perfect spot for smaller items you need to access quickly, such as a wallet, keys, or a phone charger.

Its double top handles come in handy for carrying and hanging the pack. This is the only bag we tested with this extra-versatile feature. One Wirecutter staffer who owns the Kånken Laptop told us that being able to comfortably switch between wearing the bag on her back and carrying it by its top handles makes navigating buses and other crowded spaces much easier. Plus, the handles help the bag stay securely put on the hook of a bathroom stall.

Its material is strong and water resistant and ages uniquely. The Kånken Laptop is constructed from Vinylon F, a durable synthetic fabric that’s water resistant without the use of any chemical coating. I was caught in a downpour with this backpack and am happy to report that its contents remained dry.

One long-term tester says that after five years of regular use, the Kånken Laptop is still sturdy, without any ripping at the seams. Although its material can feel a bit stiff straight out of the box, it softens up after a few months of wear and develops a unique weathered patina over time.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

• The Kånken Laptop’s lightly padded straps are comfortable for carrying light to medium loads, but less than ideal for toting multiple textbooks and other heavy gear.
• The pockets lack internal organization features (save for a simple slip pocket in the main compartment).
• The non-elasticized twin bottle pockets (one on either side of the bag) are a bit narrow — a 27-fluid-ounce water bottle fits, but a 1-liter bottle doesn’t.

Dimensions: 15.7 by 11 by 6.3 inches

Weight: 1 pound

Warranty: The Kånken Laptop is covered by a limited lifetime warranty that offers repair or replacement for products purchased from authorized sellers. The warranty does not cover normal wear and tear.