12 best school bags 2023 UK; including options for primary and secondary school
BACK TO SCHOOL, when you're a kid, is all about the accessories, and so we've rounded up the best school bags for kids from 6 to 16.
With school uniforms being the same simple designs and colours, an opportunity for self-expression in what your child wears to school can feel a bit limited. So we found the best school bags as they offer an opportunity for a little self-expression during school time.
School bags are part of a child's everyday wardrobe from nursery onwards—after all, they're going to want to bring a favourite toy, snack and book along for the day.
As children get older, school bags need to be spacious enough to house packed lunches, books, homework folders and pencil cases, as well as water bottles, hand sanitiser and sunscreen in the warmer months.
Undoubtedly, backpacks are the most popular style of school bag for kids—they provide ample room for stuff as well as being comfortable.
Some brands are continual favourites when it comes to finding the best school bags.
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For primary school kids, Smiggle, with its gamified backpacks, is always a winner. Fjällräven, Hype and Vans are all uber-popular with the older crowd.
Best school bags for kids at a glance:
- Best school bag for teens: Fjällräven Kånken Mini Backpack
- Best school backpack: Nike Varie Mod
- Best children's school bag: Pink Pineapple Retro Satchel
- Best backpack for secondary school: New Balance Unisex Essentials Performance Backpack
- Best big school bag: Funtlend Large Corduroy Tote Bag
New Balance Unisex Essentials Performance Backpack
- New Balance, Unisex Essentials Performance Backpack, £28 at Amazon - buy here
A backpack that is suitable for school and extra-curricular activities no matter the weather.
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It's sure to be a comfortable fit with its dual shoulder straps to provide support while your young ones run around the playground.
With a rain guard and 22-litre back pocket, this backpack will come in handy carry-all for any books, clothes or gadgets required for school or sports.
We spoke about backpacks being a way to provide a little bit of expression while at school; this bag handles that well as well since it comes in a variety of colours like gunmetal, black, blue and green.
Holding a perfect 5-star rating on Amazon is no easy feat for any product, and one shopper was extremely happy that their purchase was 'holding strong.'
Dimensions: 17x13x2 Material: Fabric
Nike school bag: Nike Varie Mod
- Nike Varie Mod £34.99 at Amazon - buy here
You can never go wrong with a black backpack for school, and this design from Nike is perfect for getting all of your child's bits and bobs in.
You're guaranteed safe storage of your important school possessions as it's cut from a 100% polyester fabric.
The main storage compartment is extremely spacious, so you should be able to fit everything you need for school as well as extra-curricular activities or after-school sports.
If, for any reason, it's not enough space, you have an extra front compartment for any extra bits and bobs. They haven't forgotten about hydration either since there's a mesh pouch for any water bottles.
The main concern will always be school. Nike has covered that, too, with a detachable pencil case for all your stationery needs.
It isn't just us impressed with this backpack since customers on Amazon have left impressive reviews on the 4.4-star rated product.
One reviewer praises it as a 'great bag, lightweight and strong' in design, while another calls it an 'excellent backpack.'
Material: Polyester Dimensions: 45x30x12.5cm
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Fjällräven Kånken Mini Backpack
- Fjällräven Kånken Mini backpack, £71.48 at Amazon - buy here
The Swedish brand has been crafting some of the world's most popular backpacks for the past 50 years, and the Kånken Mini has the same qualities you love in the signature Kånken, on a smaller scale.
It can be held as a bag or worn as a rucksack, is made from hardwearing nylon fabric and has adjustable straps (that can fit kids or adults).
Backpacks are not particularly known for having useful gimmicks, but the Swedish brand has found a way to add one to their backpack. It comes with a removable seat cushion for those hard plastic chairs, and better yet, when it's placed back inside the bag, it functions as a back cushion.
It should come as no surprise that this 4.5-star reviewed backpack has customers raving about how 'brilliant' it is or that the product is simply a 'lovely little backpack.'
Dimensions: 29x20x13 Material: lightweight Vinylon F fabric
Funtlend Large Corduroy Tote Bag
- Funtlend Large Corduroy Tote Bag, £13 at Amazon - buy here
Tote bags are a stylish way for anyone to bring their sports gear, books or stationary with them to the classroom.
This tote bag by Funtlend is a great accessory for anyone looking for a bag they don't have to strap over their shoulders.
It's made with an ultra-soft outer corduroy with an inner lining of cotton fabric, meaning it's both durable and softer for a lighter way to pack your school belongings.
Being made out of lightweight soft materials also means that this bag can easily be folded or rolled up for convenient storage when not in use.
You don't miss out on capacity for style either since it's 45x40x10cm, so can store laptops of around 15 inches and A4 folders for art class plus the essentials.
The focus on style hasn't dampened its practicality, as shown by the positive reviews on the 4.4-star product.
One customer called it 'amazing for the price' while another highlights that it's 'durable, strong and comfortable.'
Dimensions: 44.96 x 9.98 x 34.98 cm Material: Ultra-soft outer corduroy+
Havaianas Backpack
- Havaianas Backpack, £30 at Havaianas - buy here
Popular brand Havaianas has created this stylish backpack. It's entirely monochromatic and comes in black, yellow or pink.
It also has plenty of external and internal compartments, so you can easily sort out your belongings without having to cram them all into one space.
Should you require a backpack for the more adventurous, then this might be the option for you since it's easy to wash and easy to dry, as well as being slightly dirt resistant to make your job just that little bit easier.
Dimensions: 44x30cm Material: polyester
Pink Pineapple Retro Satchel
- Pink Pineapple Retro Satchel, £20 at Not On The High Street - buy here
Not every child wants a backpack, which is where this messenger bag style comes in. For an added bit of personalisation, you can get a name or initials printed onto the bag.
Choose from three colours - red, royal blue and black - and get it personalised for an extra-special touch.
The roomy bag can fit a large laptop of around 17 inches or works well for younger kids who need to carry their lunch and a couple of phonics books around since the capacity of the bag is around 12 litres.
This incredibly personable bag clearly goes down a treat, with its perfect 5-star rating. No wonder reviews call it 'just perfect' and an 'excellent product.'
Bubblegum Fizz backpack
- HYPE RAINBOW HEART TIE DYE, £29.99 at Hype - buy here
Hype is known for its wonderful array of printed rucksacks, to suit all styles and personalities.
This tie-dye backpack features the colours of the rainbow and is sure to be a winner, especially among the Junior school/early secondary school crowd.
The adjustable straps are super comfy with just the right amount of padding - and the backpack has a front zip pocket and signature embroidered Hype logo crest.
Space isn't an issue since it can comfortably fit a 15-inch laptop if need be, and the total capacity is 18 litres.
The bag is wipe clean only, but when a bag is as stylish as this, it's more likely to be looked after.
Dimensions: 42x30x12cm Material: Fabric
American Tourister Urban Groove Backpack
- American Tourister Urban Groove Backpack, £32 at Amazon - buy here
Making a statement with a school bag isn't just about brand, print and colour - it's about how durable and reliable the bag will be over extended periods of time.
This American Tourister backpack is exactly about that, reliability.
The bag is able to comfortably hold a 15.6-inch laptop, you don't need to worry too much about what else is in there since it comes with its own laptop compartment to keep it separated.
Models also have a rain cover to add a little bit of protection so any electronics won't get ruined should the UK decide to chuck down a torrent of rain.
Customers seem to agree with the reliability of this backpack since it has a 4.6-star rating calling it 'just perfect' and 'lightweight and stylish.'
Dimensions: 7.68x12.01x18.11 cm Material: Fabric
Vans New Skool backpack
- Vans New Skool backpack, £32 at Schuh - buy here
This backpack has that incredible gift of being rather lightweight (to the point that purchasers worry it's too flimsy at first) yet having impressive durability: not only do people use it as a school bag year after year, but it's also a gym kit holder and travelling companion on long journeys.
There are also padded straps and organisational features in the front zip compartment, as well as a laptop sleeve.
Will work well for secondary school and beyond.
Vans often provides stylish alternatives for those that want a reliable backpack with a little bit extra in the looks department.
The backpack goes down more than a treat with those that purchased it as it holds a perfect 5-star rating and reviews calling it a 'lovely roomy backpack' and others that it was a 'perfect fit.'
Dimensions: 39,4 L x 27,9 W x 12,7 Material: Fabric
Classic Batchel in Oxblood
- 15" Classic Batchel in Oxblood, £225 at The Cambridge Satchel Company - buy here
This is much a pricier investment piece, sure, but for sixth-formers or those en route to uni, it's well worth it because this is one of those great quality, bag-for-life purchases.
Called a "batchel," it's a satchel-backpack hybrid which can be personalised with initials or a symbol and can house the older-student essentials: a laptop, headphones and a smartphone.
With over 262 reviews and 243 of them being 5-star ratings, this bag is the perfect investment for anyone looking for a long-term backpack.
Those that purchased the bag leave high praise as well, calling it a 'timeless piece' or that it 'adds a touch of class.'
Dimensions: 23x36x10 Material: Leather
Minecraft Creeper Backpack
- Minecraft Creeper Backpack Rucksack School Bag (Silver), £31.95 at Amazon — buy now
Perfect for Minecraft lovers—this backpack has enough room for the average school day and looks fantastic.
Going slightly further into the design that any Minecraft enthusiast will appreciate it also has an awesome blue pickaxe-inspired interior design.
It has a secure zipped compartment, adjustable straps and a handy zip front pocket. A great bag for carrying school books and a lunchbox.
Fans of Minecraft are clearly keen about the bag since it holds a fantastic 4.8-star rating on Amazon
One reviewer said: "These bags are very sturdy and can accommodate a lot." with another whos 'son loves it.'
Dimensions: 45x35x 9.65 cm Material: Fabric
DJ Marshmallow Music Rucksack
- DJ Marshmallow Music Rucksack, £17.99 from Amazon — buy now
Imagine having a rucksack that does everything you need it to. Well, meet the DJ Marshmallow Music rucksack.
The bag is big enough to hold a laptop, put your iPad, clothes, books and daily belongings. It comes with a charging port, headphone jack, and built-in USB cable, allowing you to connect your phone or power bank. The headphone jack means you can listen to music on the go.
It is made from durable polyester fabric with smooth metal zippers. It has a breathable mesh design on the back with comfortable straps.
At a more than respectable 4.2-star rating it comes as no surprise to us that customers are raving about how 'great' the product is or that the bag is more than 'excellent'
Dimensions: 45x31x16 cm Material: Polyester
What to put in your school bag
Ensuring that you have the right equipment in a school bag is important — you never want to be without your pen when you have a test.
As well as a backpack, packing pencils, pens, coloured pencils/pens, erasers and a pencil case is essential. Make sure to have a spare of everything in case something goes missing.
A drink bottle is also important to stay hydrated during the day, especially in the summer months.
Other things you can pack, but are not necessary, are gel pens, highlighters, notebooks, a maths set and a lunchbox.
Where to buy school bags in the UK?
Nowadays, school bags are available from most major supermarkets and high street stores. Brands such as Vans have their own stores, while places such as JD Sports sell brands such as Adidas and Nike.
Some schools have their own book bags, which you will have to buy directly from them or at school supplier stores.
Everyone's kid is a bit different and wants to express themselves in a way that best suits them, so we understand that you may want to shop around yourselves and have come up with a few places you should start.
How much do school bags cost?
As seen in our roundup of the best school bags, there is a large range price-wise, similar to how every child expresses themselves differently.
However, most school bags will set you back around the £30 mark for any reasonable quality, but if you're looking for a bag that will survive all the bumps and knocks it's bound to go through, you can splash out on the premium leather bags that come in at around £200 but are likely to last a lot longer, when in the hands of teenagers.
What to look for in a school bag
School bags are used all day, five days a week. When buying a backpack for school, make sure it's comfortable on your shoulders and back. Look at the straps to see if there is any padding.
You also want a school bag that has plenty of room and organisation. Check for pockets for laptops, sleeves for iPads, front pockets for smaller items and a drinks holder. A bag should be able to hold an A4-sized book without bending it.
Are Hype bags good for school?
Hype bags are a great option for a school bag. They have plenty of room, pockets to keep things organised and have great designs.
The price tag is also nothing to be sniffed at — around the £20 to £30 mark; these bags are great value for money.
How to clean a school bag
It's probably best not to chuck your backpack into the washing machine—some materials might fray, and the quality of the bag could decrease. Many, if not all, brands advise on how to clean their own bags.
One of the easiest to clean a plastic backpack is to use a damp cloth and run it over the material.
Leather bags will need a special polish that keeps the leather looking good as new.
What school bag should I get?
When there are so many to choose from, it's hard to know which bag is best for your child.
In terms of the best value for money, the Smiggle school bundle is great for kids who need all the essentials for going back to school in September. You can also get some great designs, meaning there is something for every child.
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We also like the Adidas Power 5 backpack for children who do extra-curricular activities.