My youngest sister heads off to college in a few short weeks, so I'm checking our family's Amazon wishlists for the best Prime Day backpack deals. So far, I've seen 30% off select backpacks from The North Face, Osprey, and JanSport.
On Tuesday, we saw The North Face's Borealis price drop by $30, and yesterday its Jester Backpack joined the deal lineup for a similar discount.
Troubadour's high-tech laptop backpacks are also on sale, including the new Troubadour Apex 4.0 at a rare $60 discount. It's an excellent choice for professionals who want a sleek commuter backpack with smart organizational features.
In anticipation of a jaunt-filled summer, we've tested several carry-on backpacks, the best of which is on sale today (see the Tortuga Travel Pro for $75 off). For more travel essentials, don't miss our roundup of the best Prime Day luggage deals. If you're hoping to shop additional sales across categories, you can check out our massive Prime Day deals guide, where we're rounding up the very best offers from the four-day sale event.
The best Amazon Prime Day laptop backpack deals
Some of our favorite college backpacks for students and work backpacks are on sale. There are rare deals on sleek backpacks from Troubadour that protect your laptop during office commutes. Plus, campus favorites like The North Face Borealis backpack are unlikely to be this cheap once class starts in the fall.
This sleek laptop backpack is generously padded, suspending your MacBook off its base to protect it in case of drops. It's spill-proof and comes with an intuitive pocket system.
What we like
What we don't like
The Borealis Backpack, one of the brand’s most classic styles, is no different in well-made design and quality. 27 liters deep, it can fit just about everything you need for class and then some. It has the standard features: a nicely padded laptop pocket, a spacious main compartment, side pockets for water bottles, a small fleece-lined outer pocket, and a bigger outer pocket with pockets and places for pens.
The JanSport Superbreak backpack comes in tons of fun colors and patterns and it holds just enough gear for elementary and middle schoolers.
Seriously durable and spacious, The North Face Jester Backpack will last for years of trudging around heavy textbooks.
An essential for the gym, this best-selling drawstring bag has mesh pockets for a water bottle and a zippered pocket for your phone, wallet, and keys.
The Brevite Backpack is a sleek, minimalist 18‑liter daypack made of durable polyester canvas with a tonal design and practical features like a laptop compartment, zip, slip, and patch pockets, plus a luggage pass-through strap for easy travel.
Need a new bag for school or the gym? Multiple styles are discounted on this chic pick from Adidas. It even has a shoe compartment, so you can easily bring your sneakers to the field or gym while still leaving room for other items.
For the modern on-the-go professional, it's helpful to have your hands free during your commute. This genuine-leather laptop backpack has an RFID protection pocket and a trolley tunnel to fit over luggage handles.
This is the pared down version of Troubadour's Apex laptop backpack. It works best if your main everyday carry is a 14-inch laptop and little else.
One of our editors has used this backpack for the past 10 years. Kipling makes reliable products that are durable, machine washable, and have compartments for all your belongings. Carry your laptop comfortably with its padded straps and signature monkey keychain.
The adjustable chest strap sets the laptop backpack in place and helps correct posture.
This cute puffy laptop backpack has a strap in the rear to slide over suitcase handles. The front accessory pocket makes it easy to store small everyday items.
This is the most technical backpack of the Apex collection. It's made with a waterproof fabric that's lighter and more structured than nylon, and it fits up to a 17-inch laptop.
This anti-theft backpack has a main compartment that locks, so you can keep your laptop safe. Its sculpted shoulder straps make it comfortable to carry, and the durable exterior can handle rainy commutes.
The best Prime Day backpack deals for travel
We've tested the best carry-on travel backpacks, logging flights from New York to Prague. Our top pick overall, the Tortuga Travel Backpack, is part of the sale at $75 off its usual price. It's an investment piece for sure, but it fits as much as our rolling carry-on and was comfortable to carry through crowded transit stations (even when chock full).
This weekender features two well-padded fleece-lined pockets for tablets or laptops, along with space for storing all your chargers and accessories.
What we like
What we don't like
This spacious daypack has an airy ergonomic back panel, hip belt, and laptop sleeve for bringing work on the go.
The Incase EO is everything you'll need for short trips. Its main compartment expands to fit up to three days worth of clothes, and it can easily transition into a day pack to wear while out and about.
This ultralight pack folds up into a small carrying case for travel, and then unfurls into the ideal size to carry a few key items on a short hike from camp. It’s even has a stretchy side pocket handy for carrying a water bottle.
This water-resistant laptop backpack has a trolley tunnel to slip over your luggage handle and has intuitive interior pockets for keeping all your items in their place.
This lavender backpack is designed in collaboration between Millie Bobby Brown and French luggage brand Delsey Paris. It has a laptop sleeve and luggage strap to slide over your suitcase handle.
Bagsmart makes some of our favorite budget-friendly travel accessories. This travel backpack has a padded laptop sleeve and a large main compartment to fit a weekend's worth of outfits, plus lots of compartments for toiletries. It comes with a bonus crossbody bag.
The best Prime Day kids backpack deals
A good kids' backpack has to be lightweight, easy to clean, and durable enough to survive bus rides, locker drops, and daily snack spills. Prime Day is a smart time to shop for one before the back-to-school rush, especially if you're looking for padded straps, roomy compartments, and designs kids will actually want to carry.
A practical and cute school or travel backpack with water-resistant fabric, room for a 15.6-inch laptop, and a large cup holder for everyday campus or commute essentials.
The graffiti print gives this backpack a more playful look, while the lightweight design and roomy compartments keep it practical for school.
For anyone who wants a straightforward backpack from a familiar athletic brand, this adidas style is an easy everyday pick with a fun print.
This STEAMEDBUN kids backpack is sized for preschool and early elementary students, with a playful look that feels age-appropriate without being overly busy.
The corduroy finish gives this Bluboon backpack a softer, more styled look than a standard school bag, while the roomy shape still keeps it useful for books, daily essentials, and casual campus days.
FAQs on the best Prime Day backpack deals
What are the best backpacks on sale for Prime Day?
The Troubadour Apex 4.0 is a sleek work backpack with waterproof seams, and it's now $60 off. Its Pioneer 3.0 is an older version, but one that impressed us nonetheless.
The North Face Borealis is great for students and hikers alike, as it comes with a padded laptop sleeve and a hip belt for comfortable carrying. We also suggest the minimalist Brevite Backpack if you're gifting a backpack to a student and aren't sure of their personal taste.
Bagsmart's Carry On Backpack is an already affordable travel bag that comes with a bonus waist bag, all for $32. For a more elevated pick, we suggest the Tortuga Travel Backpack Pro while it's 30% off.
Is Prime Day a good time to buy a backpack?
If you're shopping for a travel bag to carry around on summer vacations, Prime Day is the perfect opportunity to save on a backpack. And while it may seem early for back-to-school shopping, now's the time to secure your preferred bag before prices go back up before the first day of class.
What should I look for in a backpack?
Spacious pockets. Stretchy side pockets that can fit a 40-ounce water bottle mean you never have to choose between staying hydrated and packing light.
Laptop protection. Look for backpacks with water-resistant zippers and nylon exteriors so your tech will be safe from spills or rain. The laptop sleeve should be padded and separate from the backpack's main compartment so your computer won't get scratched.
Airplane size compliance. We're scoping Prime Day backpack deals on bags that are compact enough to fit under your airplane seat.
Adjustable straps. A travel backpack that's built for all-day comfort will come with a sternum strap, hip belt, and load lifters, which are designed to shift weight off your shoulders.
Ventilated back panel. Your back can get sweaty if it's suffocating in polyester. Mesh back panels allow air to pass through.
Shoe compartment. If you're shopping for a travel backpack, look for those that can store a spare pair of shoes so you won't risk muddying up the rest of your belongings.
Key leash. This small but helpful feature will save you the trouble of having to dig to the bottom of your bag for your keys at the end of a long day.
Shopping for more discounts today? Check out our roundup of all of the best Prime Day deals, or browse Amazon's website for the full selection.
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