If you’re reading this, hearty congratulations are in order.
You’ve survived thirteen years of compulsory education, emerged (mostly) unscathed, and are now preparing to launch yourself into the greener, caffeine-fuelled pastures of higher education. Whether you're headed to a redbrick university or settling into a brilliant vocational course, one thing's for certain: you’ll need a backpack. A really good one.
I’m not just talking about any old thing panic-bought the day before term starts. No, your bag is about to become your portable life support system – crammed with laptops, chargers, books you might read, snacks you’ll definitely need, and all the other bits that make student life tick.
But here’s the catch. Anything over £100, and you’re drifting into “fashion flex” or outdoor-adventure territory. Unless you’re planning to summit Ben Nevis between lectures, you probably don’t need that level of technical wizardry. Anything too far under, and you're in dangerous territory: zips that break before Reading Week, flimsy straps, and waterproofing that turns out to be wishful thinking.
So, where’s the sweet spot? Right here.
Best affordable backpacks for students at a glance
- Best for effortless style, longevity and function: Lululemon Everyday Backpack 21L - £88, Lululemon
- Best for a versatile pick for the outdoorsy student: Fjallraven Skule 20L - £80, Fjallraven
- Best for ultra-preparedness: Uniqlo Multi Pocket Backpack - £39.90, Uniqlo
- Best for collegiate-system universities: Rains MSN Bag - £79, Rains
- Best for active students with a penchant for colour: Cotopaxi Chiquillo 26L Backpack - £90, Cotopaxi
- Best for books, books and more books: Roka London Finchley A Carbon Recycled Canvas, Large - £84.95, Roka London
- Best for extra padding and a removable laptop case: Patagonia Atom Tote Pack 20L - £79.95, Alpine Trek
- Best for a campus classic for the student cyclist: Herschel Supply Co. Weather Resistant Survey Backpack 17.5L - £90, Selfridges
- Best for a shoe compartment for the student athlete: Under Armour Adult Hustle 5.0 Backpack - £44.97, UA
I’ve curated a selection of the best backpacks under £100 that deliver. They strike the elusive balance between affordability and durability — because let’s be honest, cheap winds up becoming pretty expensive if you have to replace it by Christmas.
Why you should trust me
My credentials, you ask? Four years of an English Literature MA at The University of Edinburgh, lugging around huge stacks of books, an outdated laptop with the weight and bulk of an anvil, extensive Tupperware and flasks full of hot water for surviving the Scottish elements. Plus, a year abroad. Trust me when I say I know exactly what you need to get you through to your degree, and then some.
Ultimately, choosing a sturdy and reliable backpack isn’t about hype; it’s about smart investment.
These bags are from brands that know what they’re doing — the ones that have figured out how to make something look good, feel good on your back, and last far longer than your fresher’s flu. Expect padded laptop compartments, practical storage, sturdy hardware, and just enough style to stand out without trying too hard.
Whether you're an over-preparer who packs for every possible scenario, or a minimalist who somehow survives with just a water bottle and vibes — there’s something here for you.
Let’s get into it
Lululemon Everyday Backpack 21L
Best for: effortless style, longevity and function
Refined and water-repellent, this Lululemon backpack is set to last you the entire three years of uni, and then some. You won’t tire of the sleek and functional aesthetic, and the adjustable padded straps, designed to evenly spread the load, will keep you comfortable whether you’re taking a leisurely stroll or sprinting to meet a tutor on time.
It has two side pockets for a water bottle and umbrella, a padded pocket that fits a 16-inch laptop, as well as interior zippered and mesh slip pockets for valuables and other essentials. Plus, there’s a luggage sleeve for comfortable travels back home or further afield.
Buy now £88.00, Lululemon
Fjallraven Skule 20L
Best for: a versatile pick for the outdoorsy student
Tired of the classic Kanken silhouette, and feel it doesn’t offer the space, compartments and additional features you require as an outdoorsy student?
I hear you, and I present you with this fantastic alternative from Fjallraven: the Skule 20 – designed for everyday outdoors adventures. It’s ultra-padded for maximum comfort and has a variety of clips in the form of adjustable chest straps, side clips for strapping in additional accessories, and a stretchy toggle strap for storing extra layers (think raincoat if you’re studying in the UK).
It's also crafted from a hard-wearing and water-repellent, recycled Oxford fabric, has a padded internal laptop sleeve, and a variety of zippered and mesh pockets for all your storage needs.
Buy now £80.00, Fjallraven
Uniqlo Multi Pocket Backpack
Best for: ultra-preparedness
Love to compartmentalise in your backpacks? Available in just two neutral hues, olive and black, this backpack is a classic piece of utilitarian but stylish kit from the Japanese expert in functional basics. With a total of six pockets on the flap, front and sides to keep your bits and pieces organised, a laptop sleeve fit for a 15-inch screen, a water-repellent finish and a slide-fastener on the back for quick access to gear when you’re already late to a lecture and don’t want to loudly unclip the top, it’s a perfect fit for students.
Buy now £39.90, Uniqlo
Rains MSN Bag
Best for: collegiate-system universities
Re-imagined for the latest, style-conscious generation, this classic messenger bag from Rains is perfect for small-campus, college-system universities where cycling between lectures and tutorials is the norm, and where you’re never more than a few pedals away from your halls. The brand’s signature PU fabric is soft to the touch and ultra-durable, designed to endure British rain with ease.
This rucksack has a 15-inch laptop sleeve, a spacious main compartment, snap pockets on either side, and a chic carabiner closure system.
Buy now £79.00, Rains
Cotopaxi Chiquillo 26L Backpack
Best for: active students with a penchant for colour
Available in a selection of kaleidoscopic colourways, lightweight and immensely durable, Cotopaxi’s Chiquillo 26L backpack is built for every situation – commuting, studying, trekking, travelling and more.
It has dual water bottle pockets, a myriad of internal organisation pockets including pen and wallet sleeves, a 16-inch padded laptop sleeve and webbing attachment loops. I love the fact that the front-zippered pocket is equipped with a key-clip, which means no more rummaging around for house keys after a long day at the library.
Buy now £90.00, Cotopaxi
Roka London Finchley A Carbon Recycled Canvas, Large
Best for: books, books and more books
There’s so much to love about this extra-large, roll-top rucksack from Roka. First and foremost, it comes with a free umbrella in a colour of your choosing. It’s weather-resistant, too, and has a spacious capacity of 20 litres – made all the easier to use up thanks to the roll-top closure.
It’s weather-resistant, has a padded laptop or tablet sleeve, two deep side-pockets and is made using recycled plastic. Plus, students get 15 per cent off. The back of the rucksack is extra padded, and the adjustable cotton webbing straps are comfortable to slip on and off.
Buy now £84.95, Roka London
Patagonia Atom Tote Pack 20L
Best for: extra padding and an included, removable laptop case
A classic top loader with plenty of space for the essentials, this comfortable and stylish backpack from the sustainable design experts over at Patagonia is easy to carry even when packed to the brim.
It’s ultra lightweight and made from Fair Trade certified recycled materials, has a large inner compartment and two elastic side pockets. Our favourite part? The included, removable laptop sleeve, which itself comes equipped with mesh pockets for your cables, smaller notebooks and pens.
The design is weather-resistant too, thanks to a PU coating and a PFC-free DWR finish.
Buy now £79.95, Alpine Trek
Herschel Supply Co. Weather Resistant Survey Backpack 17.5L
Best for: a campus classic for the student cyclist
Designed for commuters, perfect for campus-dwellers. Complete with a 16-inch laptop sleeve and a variety of internal mesh organisers, it’s also equipped with a reinforced base and a matte, TPE weather-resistant coating. It’s nicely spacious with magnetic closure and additional buckles, as well as spacious side pockets. The shoulder straps are thin but padded, and there’s a hidden zippered storage sleeve featuring a rubber pull chain.
Buy now £90.00, Selfridges
Under Armour Adult Hustle 5.0 Backpack
Best for: a shoe compartment for the student athlete
There’s nothing worse than trying to squeeze in a gym or training session before the library and having to slot mucky shoes into an additional, tatty tote bag – or worse – in between books. That’s where shoe compartments come in, and this value-for-money option from Under Armour is a winner. It’s water-resistant and has a 15-inch laptop compartment, a wear-resistant base and of course, has two handy side pockets for water, coffee and protein shakes.
Was: £150
Buy now £44.97, UA
