When you buy through our links, Business Insider may earn an affiliate commission. Learn moreOur favorite college backpacks we tested are sturdily-built classics, including the posture-correcting North Face Recon.Patagonia; The North Face; Fjällräven/Business InsiderA new semester is upon us, and a college student's most important piece of gear will likely be their backpack. Beyond being a protective way to carry a laptop, it has to keep the rest of your school belongings organized and feel natural to daily campus life.Our team has tested the best backpacks for college students on their ability to hold a day's worth essentials neatly and comfortably. Naturally, we also looked for the best-looking, ergonomic designs. Our favorites look sleek and polished, even when filled to their brim. Our top pick: The North Face Recon Backpack. Former men's style editor Amir Ismael especially liked its ultra-supportive straps, chest and back clips that distribute weight evenly, and defined pockets for a laptop, books, water bottle, and phone. If you're looking for something to take on study abroad trips, I also love the popular Dagne Dover Dakota for its luggage sleeve, luxe look, and neat removable compartments. Below are more of our favorite backpacks that contain all the features for a smooth return back to school.The top college backpacks:How we tested college backpacksLes Shu, Gabrielle Chase/Business InsiderLaptop protection: A padded laptop compartment is of utmost importance for college backpacks. We checked our MacBooks for dents or scratches after dropping our backpacks from a standing height. The most protective laptop backpacks suspended our laptop off the bottom of the bag, thereby absorbing the bulk of the shock.Comfort and ergonomic design: The most comfortable backpacks were those with wide shoulder straps and padded, ventilated back panels to relieve sweat stains. Our tall testers ensured the adjustable straps were long enough so the backpack rested comfortably in the center of their torsos. Backpacks with with sternum straps (such as our top pick, the North Face Recon) worked especially well to correct slumped posture during long walks with heavy loads.Storage features: An average size of 26 liters was the most-agreed-upon size for campus life. Even when your main learning tool is your laptop, you need little pockets for the odds and ends. We looked for backpacks with separate compartments to prevent tangled charging cords. Some nice-to-have features included a key leash and mesh sleeves that let us easily see what's inside.Hardware and fabric quality: We checked that backpacks had smooth, quiet zippers that glide over bulky contents. For any water-resistant backpacks we tested, such as the Cotopaxi Allpa, we did a simple pour test to examine whether they effectively sealed out moisture. Sleek design: Our team's style preferences range from minimalistic modern to gorpy, but we all agreed that the less bulk, the better. We tested backpacks that maintain a slim silhouette, even when they're full to the brim. Learn more about how the Reviews team tests bags and accessories at BI.Best overall: The North Face Recon BackpackAlicia Betz/Business InsiderThe North Face Recon Backpack stands out as the perfect combination of our top three criteria: it's durable enough to last years, highly functional with tons of storage, and felt comfortable to wear for hours. A glance at our favorite backpacks from The North Face:Recon (30 liters): It has more front panel pockets for small tech with a utilitarian aesthetic.Borealis (28 liters): The sporty design has outer bungee cords that let you easily stash bulky items. It has a posture-correcting design. We tested its suspension system (including a sternum strap, back clips, and removable waist belt) which helped balance the weight of a full backpack evenly. This in turn alleviates chronic back pain students get from carrying heavy loads over time. We also liked that the rear is padded with a ventilated cushion, and its wide shoulder straps for easier lifting. The pockets are intuitively placed. Its medium-size main compartment has a laptop sleeve, a front mesh pocket filled with practical separations for all of your charging cords, smaller devices, and writing utensils. Plus, it has two water bottle pockets on its sides.Safety features are a nice bonus. The chest buckle has a whistle, and the backpack has a reflective outer layer that stays illuminated in low light. Plus, the sleeves are plush enough to protect your tech from breaking on impact. Overall, the Recon makes a great confidence-boosting gift for students heading off to a new school. In terms of style, its minimal design and vast array of colorways create a versatile choice for those commuting to class.Most comfortable: Patagonia Refugio Backpack 28LAndrea Bossi/Business InsiderPatagonia is one of our favorite B-corp retail companies and we appreciate it'
Don't miss out on breaking stories and in-depth articles.