As trends in men’s bags rise and fall, the humble backpack remains deeply wedged as a functional staple accessory. Logically, it makes sense that people revert to backpacks over a messenger bag or a recently popular sling bag because of a backpack’s ability to evenly distribute weight, not mess up shoulder alignment (when worn properly), and compete with carry-on suitcases for storage capacity.
For those coming back to the two-strap life, the name of the game, today, is “options.” Guys have more style choices right now than ever when choosing the best backpack for their needs and their personal style. The backpacks of today combine style and comfort while offering convenience for travelers, college students, city commuters needing a good work bag, and more.
Sure, the JanSport canvas sacks some may recognize from lugging 20-pound history books were cool. But there’s a whole modern ecosystem of materials, sizes, and dress code-sensitive men’s backpacks to choose from with brands focusing not just on containing items, but the setting in which the wearer will be taking those items.
The Best Men’s Backpacks At a Glance
Patagonia Black Hole Pack 25L
Patagonia is not only the maker of fine outdoor clothing, but they make some seriously fantastic gear too. Case-in-point: the brand’s Black Hole product line, which lives up to its namesake by providing a considerable amount of interior space (25 liters-worth, to be exact, although there is a 32-liter version if you need to size up).
Strong enough to handle a full-day hike or tote work essentials to and from the office (thanks to an interior padded laptop sleeve), the recycled fabric outer is made from a water-resistant and recycled material. Furthermore, the padded back ensures you can comfortably carry the bag all day long without much strain on your back. So, go ahead, pack up this bag. It’s basically a black hole.
Nike Utility Speed Training Backpack
If you’re looking for a backpack just as durable as an outdoor backpack but at a lower price, you’ll find this Nike Utility Speed Training Backpack suitable to your needs.
The backpack is a great carrying bag to store your electronics and personal items. It comes with one large compartment for clothes, your laptop, and textbooks as well as cargo pockets for whatever else you need to bring. The backpack comes in two colors: black and blue.
Frye Logan Backpack
Frye makes some of the best men’s boots thanks to their incredible leather and their men’s leather accessories are just as awesome. Frye leather is thick, durable, and smells fantastic, which makes the cost easier to swallow. The Logan Backpack encompasses these qualities with the rich craftsmanship the brand is widely known for, resulting in a pretty diesel accessory.
The Logan Backpack is a simple backpack design, featuring a large main compartment, a back-facing laptop compartment, a front zipper pouch, and two side holsters. It can be carried either with the classic harness-style handle or with its adjustable shoulder straps.
A leather backpack like this is perfect for a smart-casual office dress code. It’s the best men’s backpack to wear for those who feel too childish in a JanSport backpack but dislike the single-shoulder bag style and need dexterity in place of a briefcase.
Topo Designs Rover Backpack
The Colorado-based Topo Designs has its roots in outdoor gear, which makes all of its packs ready-made to hit the mountain, slope, airport, and classroom in equal measure.
The Rover is the brand’s classic day bag that’s constructed with versatility in mind, featuring a tough nylon exterior for extended use, an internal laptop sleeve, a spacious interior compartment, and a zipper front pocket for quick access.
Various visually striking patterns allow all sorts of options to fit your style. You’ll happily reach for the Rover time and time again, knowing you can count on it to satisfy all of your needs.
Carhartt Legacy Classic Work Backpack
This classic backpack from Carhartt is at the intersection of affordability and elegance. It’s constructed from a rugged, water-repellent canvas that will come in handy if you ever find yourself stuck in a rainstorm.
The backpack is comfortable to wear as it comes with adjustable padded straps allowing you to distribute its weight. It can fit whatever you need to bring, too, like your laptop, a change of clothes, shoes, and more.
Monos Metro Backpack
“This backpack changed how I carry my things for the better,” says SPY Editor, Tyler Schoeber.
Since receiving this backpack from Monos, he’s been obsessing over the quality and convenience of having an included external pack for toiletries or small gadgets.
The backpack has several pockets to keep stuff safe and properly placed. There are so many pockets, in fact, that it might require a little extra thinking about where to place your laptop.
Read More: SPY Best of 2022 Awards
Calpak Luka Laptop Backpack
If you’re someone who loves to travel and you need a good backpack on your back, this Calpak Luka Laptop Backpack may be calling your name.
This backpack is designed with utilitarian details, making it durable and long-lasting. It also comes equipped with a laptop compartment, the main compartment, and tons of pocket organization, which is more than enough space for travel or everyday needs. Topped off with hidden zippers and a luggage trolley sleeve for stress-free travel.
YETI Crossroads 27L Backpack
The YETI Crossroads line remains a fantastic option from the widely popular cooler brand for those looking to ensure the same rugged craftsmanship the brand applies to its coolers is present in their bags.
To wit, the Crossroads backpack is made from water and abrasion-resistant nylon to ensure your stuff is safe and sound, whether it’s at camp or in the overhead bin, while the interior provides more than enough room for all of your much-needed essentials. Naturally, its water bottle pockets are big enough to fit a massive YETI bottle, and there’s even a pass-through luggage sleeve to make going through the airport a breeze.
Away The Everywhere Zip Backpack
Sometimes the best men’s backpacks are the no-frills options. If you’re in the mood for something that’s streamlined that still manages to look sleek, Away’s The Everywhere backpack sits at the perfect intersection of form and functionality, just like all of their other products.
Made with water-resistant nylon, the backpack has a mesh back to provide a breezy and comfortable wearing experience with good storage (a padded 15″ laptop sleeve helps to keep your computer in place and safe), along with a magnetic locking zipper and even a removable key clip. In short, it’s everything you love about Away’s luggage but in a backpack.
Maxtop Deep Storage Laptop Backpack
For those continuously searching for the ultimate laptop backpack, the Maxtop Deep Storage Backpack packs both cushion and storage into one bag. At under $40, the affordably priced bag will carry around your tech gadgets with ease and style. The bag is designed to hold a laptop up to 15.6 inches and still has space to store your books, clothes, etc.
What makes the bag even better is that it comes equipped with a USB charging port to charge your phone, tablet, or computer in times of need.
JanSport Superbreak Backpack
For the number of jokes made about the JanSport backpacks, they deserve praise for preventing many of us from getting scoliosis… possibly. Back in the ’90s, toting those textbooks around was like carrying rocks up a hill. JanSport was there for us with its durable canvas design, helping to prevent tears, with conveniently adjustable straps to keep us standing upright.
Flash forward, this is still one of the best men’s backpacks for guys in need of a simple, casual bag. JanSport’s classic style backpack — otherwise known as the Superbreak — comes in 14 different colors and has extra padded shoulder straps for a day’s long comfort. Thankfully, most of those terrible books are out of print and available digitally to boot.
Matein Travel Backpack
Whether you’re heading to the office on a bike, bus, or public transport, you will want a backpack that will protect and safely carry your essentials.
Luckily, the Matein Travel Backpack does just that. The carrying bag has several anti-theft features, like a separate laptop compartment close to your back. It also has anti-theft pockets to store valuable personal items while on your commute.
Rains Rucksack
For those living in the Pacific Northwest, bad weather is a backpack’s worst nightmare — unless it’s waterproof. The Rains Rucksack is the best men’s backpack for drippy days thanks to its smooth, waterproof polyurethane fabric. This bag was crafted to specifically keep contents safe, with a separate laptop compartment and its fold-over design.
But this bag offers more than just function. The design is a minimalist’s dream. Sporting clean lines, with adjustable buckle straps and nine colors to match any minimal color story.
Fjallraven Kanken Water Resistant Backpack
Featuring a Scandinavian design, the Fjallraven Kanken Backpack is the ultimate carrying bag for trendy teens and adults.
The classic backpack is known for its style and durability. The bag has a contemporary silhouette and is made with nylon material to stay dry against water. There are also adjustable straps that come with the bag for max comfort.