If there’s a school item that works as hard as your kids do through the year, it’s their bags and backpacks. So naturally, it’s a purchase you want to get right.

School backpacks carry everything from pencil cases and lunch boxes to iPads, artwork and (very) expensive laptops, so getting your hands on a reliable one is critical. But we all know kids are fussy little creatures when it comes to their accessories, and balancing functionality and durability with the good looks kids want doesn’t always come easy.

Well, fret not, fellow parents. We’ve scoured the country and dug up the most practical and good-looking school bags and put them in one handy spot for you. You’re welcome.

How to choose a school backpack

• Comfort is key - For maximum comfort, you’ll want school backpacks to be the right size for your child, not too big or heavy when filled. Plus they should have padded, adjustable straps and multiple pockets for distributing the weight evenly.
• Look for adjustable straps - Not only do kids grow fast, but the contents of their school bags will vary from day to day. Adjustable straps give you the ability to loosen up overfilled bags and adapt to growth spurts.
• The right size is critical - While very young kids usually only need space to pack a lunch box and change of clothes, older kids carry a LOT of gear and need adequate room for it all. From the later stages of primary school and into high school, ensure school bags can fit A4 folders and a laptop, and look for options with multiple compartments including a holder for water bottles.
• Look for secure closures - For older kids, you’ll want to ensure their equipment and important schoolwork are secure; for young kids, you want to make sure nothing will fall out and wind up in the dreaded Lost Property bin.

14 Best School Bags & Backpacks In Australia For 2024

From colourful backpacks for younger kids to trending totes for high-school students, there’s a little bit of something for everyone in this lineup.

Bright Star Kids Personalised Backpacks, $59.95

Perfectly sized for kindy kids and preschoolers, these personalised bags come in hundreds of designs, colours and fonts. Each is equipped with easy-open, tough zippers, front pockets for essentials, a mesh drink bottle holder and comfy padded straps. But perhaps best of all – they are 100% machine washable, which explains why they’re loved by parents too!

The Somewhere Co Mini Adventure Backpacks, $68

Cute, colourful and practical, these adventure backpacks tick all the boxes. The central padded compartment has room for everything the day requires: a slot big enough for a 16″ laptop plus additional pockets for important work and papers. There are two open side pockets for drink bottles and a handy front pocket for lots of little treasures.

Fjällräven Kanken Mini Backpacks, $189.99

Designed decades ago especially to encourage straighter backs and better posture,  the hardwearing Kanken is tough enough to handle everything school throws at them. They have padded seat cushions that stop hard objects from hurting backs, convertible straps for carrying two ways, two side pockets and a zippered front pocket. Front reflective logos help keep little ones visible in low light and the address label inside keeps it out of the lost property. These beauties use Vinylon F fabric that withstands water and the odd exploding banana.

Banabae Back-To-School Backpack Bundle, $163

Scoring major points in the style stakes, Banabae backpacks are not just cool, but oh-so practical. Each uses organic cotton with recycled polyester lining and comes with a zip-up front pocket, a side pouch for drink bottles of all sizes and a super handy top handle for hanging on school hooks. But the goodness doesn’t end there! If you purchase one of these handy bundles, you also get a matching corduroy hat and organic cotton socks.

Penny Scallan Large School Backpacks, $69.95

BPA and Phthalate-free, these cuties from Penny Scallan are an adorable way to celebrate the start of a new school year. Available in a choice of styles, they feature a tough coated shell, three zip-up compartments, a drink bottle holder and a zip-up side pouch. Shoulder straps are fully adjustable and there’s even a chest clip to help secure the load.

Herschel Classic 20L Kids’ Backpacks, $100

Mini iterations of the classic Herschel design you know and love, these bags are perfect for active school-loving kids. They use 100% recycled EcoSystem™ fabrics and have room for a 13″ or 14″ laptop, A4 books and a drink bottle. The top handle is super handy for quick grabs when the bell goes and the padded shoulder straps mean easy carrying.

Stuck On You Large Backpacks, $49.95

There is so much to love about these school backpacks from Stuck On You, but what’s really stolen our hearts is the fact that they’re totally customisable. Simply choose your background colour, pick a gorgeous design (yes, there are dinos!), and select your font. We also love the padded shoulder straps, water-resistant lining to catch any spills and that spacious front zip picket.

Santa Cruz Dot Backpacks, from $44.99

Among active, skate-loving kids, these are hard to top when it comes to the coolest school backpacks. Classic styles (shown above) feature one central compartment and a zip-up front pocket, and each comes with padded adjustable straps, mesh drink bottle holders and classic branding that’s impossible to miss. One word: rad.

Montii Co Kids’ School Backpacks, $69.90

Big on colour and even bigger on durability, Montii Co water-resistant backpacks are ideal for older kids with a lot to tote. They’re ultra-lightweight, machine-washable and equipped with three roomy pockets that take care of everything. We’re especially loving the internal name label and carabiner hidden inside the front compartment, super handy for house keys.

Caribee Campus Backpacks, $24

Designed in Australia and loved all over the world, the Caribee Campus Backpack takes kids from school to weekends and holidays with ease. It boasts heavy-duty, reinforced handles a handy front zip-up pocket for valuables and it holds A4 school folders and books in the central compartment.

Tinyme Everyday School Backpacks, $50

Choose a bag colour, a sweet design, pop that special name on it et voilà: a first school bag they will never forget (and hopefully never lose!). Each has a padded back for comfy wearing, adjustable straps, an integrated hanger and two zippered compartments. They use 600-denier polyester fabric with contrasting piping for an extra touch of cuteness.

Alimasy Large Kids’ Backpacks, from $59.99

Purpose-built for school-aged kids with loads of gear, Alimasy school backpacks have room for everything – even a 15″ laptop. Waterproof lining keeps books and electronics safe from rain and the ergonomic, padded straps protect and nurture growing bodies. Every bag is BPA-free, lead-free, PVC-free and Phthalate-free.

Marmalade Lion Expect-a-Spill Backpacks, $74

As practical as they are precious, Marmalade Lion school bags are uniquely made with signature waterproof fabrics to keep everything inside dry all the time. From preschool through to the early years of school, these padded packs are ergonomically shaped and easy for little hands to use.

Arctic Fox Kids’ School Bags, from $59.99

In classic styles with a good splash of fun, these school bags from Artic Fox are built to go the distance. They come in a range of sizes to suit your child’s age and stage, with features including water-repellent fabric, padded shoulder straps, a rubbish pouch, quality zippers and a spot for absolutely everything – even that favourite pen.

What to pack in school bags?

Until your kids are older and more independent (which often doesn’t come until later in primary school), they’re likely to need a little help packing their school bags. Essentials include a drink bottle, a change of clothes in the younger years (because accidents DO happen), a lunch box and school books.

How heavy should a school backpack be?

According to current guidelines, a child’s school bag should not weigh more than 10-20% of a child’s body weight. Any heavier than this causes a great deal of strain on growing bodies. Always look for lightweight school backpacks with multiple pockets that help disperse the weight well.

Psst! Check out our ultimate back-to-school checklist to make sure you don’t miss a thing!