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Shop Backpacks for Every Lifestyle at DSW

Backpacks cover more ground than almost any other bag in your closet, moving from morning commutes to weekend errands to actual weekends away without missing a beat. The best fit depends entirely on how you plan to use it: a kid heading back to homeroom needs something built for notebooks and a lunch bag, which is why a kids' backpack option is worth a look if you're shopping for a student. DSW also carries a full range of women's backpacks and men's backpacksfor everything from daily commutes to weekend trips. The right style usually comes down to who's wearing it and where the day is headed.

Backpack Features That Matter Most

A backpack works harder when its construction matches its job, and small details make a real difference over months of daily use. Since these features trade off against each other, it helps to know which ones actually solve your carrying problem:

• A padded, structured back panel supports a laptop or heavy textbooks and stays supportive whether the bag is packed full or nearly empty
• One large main pocket packs and unpacks faster, while multiple smaller pockets keep cords, pens, or a water bottle from tangling together
• Wide, padded straps distribute weight better under a heavier daily load
• A water-resistant exterior helps with rain and spills, as long as the zippers are treated to match

Backpacks for School, Work, Travel, and Everyday Use

Use case changes everything when it comes to backpacks, and it's worth matching the bag to the day before you match it to the outfit. A student's list looks different every August, which is why our back-to-school shop is a good starting point for anyone stocking up on the season's essentials, from first-day-of-school backpacks to the shoes to go with them. Travelers, meanwhile, tend to prioritize structure and organization over style, and a backpack designed for travel usually trades a few extra pockets for easier packing through security lines and overhead bins. For a workday that's more about laptops and files than gym gear, a cleaner build with fewer exterior straps tends to work best. Whatever the day looks like, the right choice usually comes down to matching structure and pocket count to how often you're actually in and out of the bag.

FAQs

How do I choose the right backpack for school?
Look for a size that fits your child's frame without hanging too low, since an oversized backpack can throw off posture over a full school day. A padded back panel and adjustable straps help distribute weight from books and folders, and a few smaller pockets keep pencils and small items from getting lost in one big compartment.

What size backpack do I need for a laptop or a trip?
For daily laptop use, look for a dedicated padded sleeve sized to your device, usually 13 to 17 inches depending on the model. For travel, check airline carry-on dimensions before you buy, since backpacks built for travel are often sized to fit under a seat or in an overhead bin without extra squeezing.

What's the difference between a school backpack and a regular everyday backpack?
A school backpack is usually built lighter and more compact, sized to clear a locker or the back of a chair without extra bulk. It also tends to lean on smaller, dedicated pockets for things like pencils, a calculator, or a phone, since those get grabbed and put away multiple times a day in a way an everyday commuter bag doesn't need to account for.