The best school bags for 2025
After their uniform, your kid’s school bag is probably their most important piece of gear. They’ll wear it literally every day and it will be in near-constant use as they travel to school, between lessons, at lunch break and beyond.
The best school bags need to be incredibly durable since they get used so intensively. They should carry everything your kid needs (plus space for a bit more). And they have to keep all their books, papers, electronics, food and clothes safe and secure.
In this playbook, you’ll get the lowdown on key elements your kid’s school bag needs. The best backpacks for college and the best backpacks for university share the same features.
We’ve also showcased our best backpacks for school in 2025.
Here’s what the best school bags should give you
Not all school bags are built the same.
While basic kids bags might look OK at first glance, they’re usually built with low quality fabrics and poor designs. This means:
- The bag’s main structure can tear
- Coatings may blister or warp
- Rainwater can get in and soak kids’ gear
- Lack of organisation makes finding stuff hard
- Poor strap design causes shoulder/back pain
- There’s not enough space for everything kids need
- Lack of breathability causes unwanted odours
To avoid these problems, the best school bags for secondary school include the following features.
Extreme toughness and durability
No one uses their bags as much as school kids, college and university students. This is gear that gets worn constantly throughout the day for travel, moving between classes, packing and unpacking for each lesson and at break time. The best school bags need to be able to withstand this continual use.
Spacious and expandable
Kids need large school bags for secondary school. Their bags carry papers, books, lunchboxes, phones, laptops/tablets, sportswear, trainers and more. Choose school bags that can expand, and which allow your kid to adjust the size depending on what they’re carrying each day. They should also include space to carry water bottles, so your kid stays hydrated.
Security
Most kids today will be carrying a range of electronics and other personal gear to school. The best school bags have firm padding to keep laptops/tablets cushioned and in place (even when the bag gets turned upside down), plus secure internal zip-pockets for phones, cash, cards, earbuds and other personal effects.
Water resistant
A waterproof school bag is essential. By using water-resistant materials on the outer fabric, your kids’ electronics, papers and sports clothes stay dry and don’t get damaged.
Ergonomically designed
The best backpacks for school, college and university should be lightweight and ergonomically-designed. Poor strap layout and padding can cause significant strain on a growing body and affect posture - so design is critical. It also needs to be breathable - no kid or student wants to start their day with a sweaty back.
Smart internal organisation
The best school bags come with smart internal organisation - pockets, zips and sections that let them keep things separate. This makes it easy to keep their football boots separate from their maths workbooks. It means they can quickly find their calculator, without having to rummage around their lunchbox and history homework.
Other considerations for back to school bag ideas
Besides these key features, it’s also important to consider some of the following things when choosing bags for secondary school, college or uni. They don’t apply to every kid, but could be important for some:
Bag colour: Some schools have strict rules about school bag colour. Check if you’re unsure - but you're usually safe with black, navy and grey.
Sports ready: If your kid plays a lot of sport - perhaps they’re on a couple of teams - then it might be worth choosing a larger backpack or convertible duffle for sports days.
Beyond school: Many kids will also wear their bag outside of school at weekends and on holidays. Choose a bag with space for overnight stays, sports equipment and other things they need.
Our best school bags for secondary school, college and uni
Under Armour bags are built to last. They give you uniquely durable features. They’re ergonomically designed. And they give you access to game-changing materials and tech.
Here are our best bags for university students, college students and school kids.
UA Hustle 6.0
We made it water-resistant with UA Storm technology. It’s got an insanely tough top coat for added durability. You get tons of space for electronics, water bottles and a secondary compartment for shoes and sports clothes.
UA Hustle 6.0 Pro
Similar specs to the UA Hustle 6.0, but it’s even more ergonomic, thanks to our use of the LEVELED™ strap system. This guides the wearer to adjust the straps for even weight distribution - which is critical for growing bodies.
UA Hustle Sport 6.0
This one’s ideal for kids who play on the school team. It’s got bungee strapping on the front, which means they can securely carry warm-up jackets, bibs and other sports gear.
UA Hustle Lite
This is one of our most popular backpacks for school, college and uni. It’s super tough, It’s lightweight. And the rain rolls right off. It’s got space for a 15” laptop and a spacious 26.5l internal volume.
UA Studio Campus
It comes with adjustable, ergonomically-shaped shoulder straps for the perfect fit. It gives you extra organisation with a front valuables pocket and a slip pocket, plus two water bottle pockets. Like all our gear, this waterproof school bag uses UA Storm technology for fluorine-free water resistance (meaning it’s more environmentally friendly).
UA Triumph Sport
This one’s ideal for school kids, college and uni students who need to carry more. It has expandable webbing to carry more stuff, plus a large laundry/shoe pocket at the bottom of the bag which keeps their gear separate. It’s also super lightweight and durable, thanks to the use of CORDURA® fabric.
UA Triumph Backpack Duffle
The UA Triumph is one of the best backpacks for school kids who also play sports. It can convert easily from a regular school bag to a duffle thanks to its adjustable shoulder straps. It’s got tons of room - with enough space for basketballs or footballs and a change of clothes, as well as all your kid’s school books and equipment.
UA Undeniable 5.0 Medium Duffle
This one’s for sports days. It’s lightweight, durable, and has a removable UA HeatGear® shoulder strap for comfortable over-the-shoulder wear. With a massive internal volume of 58l, it can carry all your kids’ performancewear, shoes and equipment, as well as their books for other lessons. Large vented pockets keep gear fresh.
UA No Weigh
Probably the best backpack for university or college, the UA No Weigh uses our game-changing UA Suspension™ Straps. They suspend weight, instead of it being dragged down by gravity. That absorbs impact, reduces shoulder pressure and balances your load - which equals all-day comfort.
The best school bags set them up right
Choosing a high quality, tough, ergonomically-designed and waterproof school bag sets kids up right. With the right bag, they can carry everything they need, avoid discomfort, and can set their mind to studying, playing and traveling with complete confidence in their gear.