What to Look for in a Good Backpack Under $100

Material

Most backpacks on this list are made of polyester or nylon, or in a few cases, a combination of the two.

These materials seem to create a strong, water-resistant surface. Some packs have a thicker, and even waterproof, material at the base of the back—this is a really good feature and very possible at under $100.

Aside from protecting belongings from an unanticipated puddle of water, the thicker material makes the pack less likely to break open when a lot of weight is added and cushions the blow on belongings when the pack is set down.

Warranty

Warranties generally involve receiving a complete product replacement or return of product’s complete value if the product is proven to be faulty.

Warranties generally only cover damage that is clearly due to poor manufacture—not damage from misuse or accidents. Also, most warranties are not for items stored in the backpack or other losses resulting in some way from faults in the backpack.

Straps

Multiple compartment system

Exactly which compartment you need depends a lot on your purpose for the backpack. Campers and hikers will generally want a high-volume main compartment and external straps to attach gear. 

Travellers benefit from a TSA-friendly laptop compartment that allows them to simply open the laptop compartment before it goes through the scanner. However, students may also especially like having a separate space especially designed and padded for their laptop and/or tablet.

Zippers

A moderately low price does not mean mediocre zippers. All of the backpacks in this article have zippers and only rarely do users report zippers handles breaking off; there are almost no reports of zippers becoming detached.

Quick access pockets

Travelers and everyday carry users will generally want dimensions suitable for carry-on and convenient pouches for personal items. Students and businesspeople will want pen/pencil slots, card slots, keychains, laptop and tablet sleeves, and water bottle pouches.

Campers and hikers may also like having quick access to smartphone and water bottle. You can find a pack with these and other types of specialized pockets at under $100.

Size

Everyday carry users are likely to prefer a small-medium pack. Students, depending on their body size and school activities, will normally like a small-medium to large-medium backpack.

Campers and hikers almost always need a large backpacks, although the person’s size always needs to be taken into consideration. Note that larger packs are not always pricier.

Weight capacity

Almost all of the backpacks on this list can take a lot of weight for their size. Campers, backpackers, and hunters need the most weight capacity—sometimes up to 60 lbs.

Most students need about 10 lbs. Everyday carry and camera bags generally would not need to have quite so much weight capacity. Weight capacity is not a feature you have to sacrifice at under $100.

Price Vs. Quality

All of the backpacks on this list are excellent in quality for their price. Also, some brands are known for great quality: Under Armour, Swiss Gear, JanSport, and others on this list.

Consider customer reviews

Generally, if a pack is under $100 but gets good Amazon ratings, it is a good sign. Prices under $100 are always low for an excellent backpack, and many users are quick to indicate fragility or cheap quality.

Travel, Laptop & Camera Bags

1. SwissGear Travel Gear 1900 Scansmart TSA Laptop Backpack

2. Outjoy Laptop Backpack

The Outjoy Laptop Backpack is perfect if carrying a laptop safely is the priority. It has a 17.3’’ laptop compartment that is airbag-padded and has a Velcro straps for security. Also important for electronics is the waterproof nature of the bag. Not only is the pack itself water resistant, but it also comes with a waterproof rain cover that can be stowed in a bottom pocket of the backpack.

The Outjoy Laptop also has a headphone jack and plenty of organizational element, including many car holders and a keychain. It has side pouches for water bottles and other belongings. This backpack has a sleeve to allow it to affix to luggage and it has ample padding and airflow passage at back, making it comfortable to wear.

It can hold 22 lbs (10 kg), though one reviewer indicated she would not recommend it over 17 lbs. Still, with this weight capacity, volume, and organization, this is a spacious technology backpack for students, travellers, and businesspeople.

3. Case Logic SLRC-206 SLR Camera and 15.4-Inch Laptop Backpack

Everyday Carry & Student Bags

4. Speedo Large Teamster Backpack

Speedo is one of those brands that always keeps the needs of the user in mind when designing fully practical, high-quality backpacks — and this model is no exception.

The Speedo Large Teamster Backpack has a roomy 15’’laptop sleeve, tablet sleeve, deep organizational pockets, and a well-padded back— all of which make this an excellent school back, especially for an athlete. It comes with a “dirt bag” to contain wet or soiled items so that they are totally separate from devices or books. Could they be any more thoughtful?

This backpack also comes with a foam bleacher seat that can be stored in a compartment at the back of the pack, as well as mesh side pockets for carrying drink bottles. It is durable, abrasion-resistant, and has a water-resistant base.

Reviewers emphatically state that this is the best swim bag. Student-athletes also enjoy the extensive color selection that Speedo offers.

5. Adidas Prime LV Backpack

Size is a major strong point of the Adidas Prime IV Backpack: it can hold a 17’’ laptop in its padded laptop sleeve, which is a pretty unique feature if you consider that most backpacks are designed to carry smaller devices. It also has a huge volume capacity, so this is a great backpack for students who carry lots of supplies to school, or for those who like to benefit from larger screens.

Note that its spacious design also makes it ideal for active adolescents and adults, not for middle school or younger children. It has five exterior zippered pockets and mesh pouches on each side for storing beverages or umbrellas.

The back exterior is padded and the shoulder straps have LoadSpring suspension— all making a comfortable carry. For the active student, the Adidas Prime LV also has reflective panels at each side for night travel safety. All in all, Adidas is one of those brands which you can't go wrong by choosing them, so this is a pretty reliable option under $100.

6. Dakine Mission Backpack

The Dakine Mission Backpack might be the best pack ever for college students, as it has the versatility to match the unpredictability of college life. It is a perfect size to be a carry-on bag. It has a broad top handle so it can be carried like a purse or briefcase.

This backpack is water resistant. It has a 17’’ laptop sleeve and a padded iPad sleeve in main compartment, along with interior zip pockets. The front pouch has a keychain, smartphone pouch, and card and pencil slots. Another pouch is fleece-lined and originally intended for sunglasses or goggles.

In addition, the Dakine Mission has a zippered pouch at each side and exterior straps to hold a skateboard or snowboard. This pack has waist and chest straps—another feature allowing it to double as an outdoor pack. To go back into student or office mode, the user can just tuck the waist straps into the slits on each side.

7. Osprey Packs Parsec Daypack

8. JanSport Right Pack Laptop Backpack

The JanSport Right Pack Laptop Backpack is the perfect backpack for almost all students—from upper middle to graduate school. Its size, which might make it too big for children, makes it ideal for the older student who needs a lot of volume and weight capacity.

To make large loads easy to carry, the JanSport Right Pack has padded, adjustable shoulder straps and back padding. Also beneficial is the 15’’ laptop sleeve and the front pockets with organizational pouches. 

The body of the pack is made of Cordura, a waterproof, flame retardant, and abrasion proof material; the base is made of suede. Despite being made of these protective materials, this backpack receives mixed durability reviews. Therefore, perhaps it is best for active students who are likely to want to change packs within 2 years or so anyway.

Here is Jansports own youtube review of this popular product.

9. The North Face Unisex Haystack Backpack

10. Under Armour Storm Hustle II Backpack

Camping, Hiking, Hunting & Military bags

11. Teton Sports Scout 3400 Internal Frame Backpack

12. Mardingtop 50L/60L Hiking Backpack

13. Gelindo Military Tactical Backpack

Always Consider Why You Want a Backpack?

Is It For a Laptop or Tech Equipment?

As you can see in the list above, many backpacks have sleeves specially sized and padded for a laptop; some even have a similar structure for a tablet, too. If you intend to carry such devices in your backpack, you should only consider packs with this very common feature.

Realize that laptops vary in thickness and width, so the length measurements used to measure laptop sleeves do not guarantee a fit. Fortunately, most laptop sleeves seem to be a little bit oversized, so it is rare to find that a laptop of the listed maximum length does not fit.

Do You Need a Tactical Backpack?

Unless one is truly in the military, a tactical backpack probably is not needed. However, tactical packs have features that are wonderful for hunters, campers, and backpackers—especially the MOLLE (Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment) exterior lining that allows auxiliary elements to be affixed to the backpack. Also, most tactical backpacks are highly water resistant, if not waterproof, and they can balance very high volume and weight in a way that is comfortable to the wearer.

To Store & Carry a Camera

There are backpacks that are especially made to store and carry a camera, so if that is the purpose in buying a backpack, there is no reason to consider any other sort of pack. The Case Logic SLRC-206 on the above list is an excellent example. It has organizational features in the main compartment that allow it to support cameras of various sizes and camera accessories, all visible and convenient. It also has a waterproof, abrasion-proof bottom and foam padding around the camera storage area.

For School or College

The ideal backpack for a student—whether high school, college, or graduate—depends on the student’s activities. Most students really want or need to have a laptop sleeve and probably a good place to put a tablet, too. Having their smartphone in a convenient location is also a plus. Many students, perhaps especially college students, like having a headphone port so that they can listen to audible media as they go. Also, despite the movement to reduce textbooks, most students still need a medium-volume pack that can hold 10-15 lbs.

Planning on Hiking or Camping?

The biggest difference between a hiking/camping backpack and others is the size, because campers need room for sleeping bag, clothing, food, water, portable stove, and more. Usually a camping pack is at least 50L, whereas other types of backpacks are 20-30L. Non-camping expeditioners, such hunters or hikers, might not need quite as much volume. However, they would still need many of the same supplies as a camper, and they might need attachment places for gear, such as hiking poles.

Everyday Carry

Everyday carry (EDC) backpack features should match your individual daily life. Most people like having a convenient smartphone space, card slots, general organization pockets of various sizes, and at least one keychain. Many prefer a laptop sleeve and/or tablet pocket, too. Most EDC bags are small-medium or medium, depending on how many other belongings the user must carry.

People Also Ask (FAQs)

Where are backpacks made?

It depends on the brand, but in general, they could be made anywhere. Many brands, including Under Armour® and JanSport®, have headquarters and sales locations all over the world; exact manufacture locations are harder to find. However, different locations of manufacture do not seem to impact product quality.

Is a backpack a personal item when traveling?

Most backpacks, even large ones, are small enough to keep with you as a personal bag in a car or carry-on in an airplane. Most will fit under airline seats. If not, they will certainly fit in the overhead compartment. Also, all the backpacks on this list have a top loop or handle so that you can carry them more like a handbag if it is easier.

Can you clean or wash a backpack?

All backpacks are best washed with a spot clean or lightly moist wipe down—this will not damage them at all. Some can tolerate washing machine just fine, but to be safe, it is probably better to stick with hand washing in the sink with hand soap. Generally, harsher cleansers, such as bleach or even detergent, should not be used.

How long can I expect a backpack to last?

It depends on how you are using it, but usually 2-3 years of heavy use, 10 years of moderate use, and probably 20 or more years of light or periodic use.

Do all backpacks come with a warranty?

The majority do—usually a lifetime warranty. However, many just come with the company’s policy to accept returns within a certain period of time. In instances of obvious manufacturing error, these two approaches are almost equivalent, because clear cases of poor make are clear within a few weeks, which normally is within a return period.

Where is a good place to buy cheap backpacks?

Amazon gives great deals on these backpacks. However, depending on the backpack, EBay, Walmart, B&H Photo Video (for camera packs), and 2DayDeliver also offer good deals.

Conclusion

No matter what you are—outdoorsman, professional photographer, business traveller, or textbook-laden student-athlete—there is a moderately priced backpack that can meet your needs. So many great backpacks have features you might not have considered that make them highly versatile.

If you think about what you really want and do some research, you probably will find a backpack that is an amazing value for its price and exceeds your expectations.