Best Backpacks for Students with Back Pain in 2022

Schools don’t usually have lockers, therefore carrying heavy backpacks has become a norm. School backpacks help carry books, stationary or project material. The school bags get heavier as students are promoted to higher grades and there is a need to cram in more things.

Unfortunately, the load results in back pain and mental stress as early as grade 4. Back pain can also lead to a curve in the backbone, a condition known as Scoliosis caused by carrying heavy backpacks.

It’s not just students who face this issue, travelers, hikers, new parents or anyone who has possession of a backpack may experience back pain. The back pain is usually caused by an incorrect posture of carrying the bag, uncomfortable design, and overloading. Taking care of these factors may relieve you of backache.

Many brands have introduced hundreds of backpacks but not all are capable of relieving back pain. Moreover, everyone has a different requirement for the backpack. Some might want it for school, some for traveling, some might want one for hiking and some might need a backpack for business. We have devised a list of the best backpacks for students with back pain that can also serve other needs.

Related Backpacks:
For Middle School Students
For Architecture Students

Best Backpacks for Students with Back Pain Reviewed

1. JanSport Odyssey Student Backpack

A smart-looking versatile bag with many features for your school necessities. A padded hydration sleeve that can also act as a laptop sleeve with a capacity of 39 liters. Odyssey measures to be 20x 14x 12 inches, it is the largest backpack available.

The bag is spacious and has a lot of pockets to cater to your supplies. It has two main compartments, a laptop sleeve, a loft pocket, a utility pocket, and two side pockets to hold your water bottle. Other than the pockets there is also a daisy chain webbing on the front of the backpack to attach anything along with a carabiner.

There is a lot of space in the bag but when it’s fully loaded carrying it on your back may be a problem. For this reason, a tuckaway hip belt and a sternum strap are given to distribute the weight evenly across your torso.

Also, the shoulder straps and the back panel is fully padded to keep you comfortable and easy. These features make Odyssey one of the best backpacks for back pain.

2. Ricky-style Ergonomic Backpack for Students

A backpack with a strong built, stylish design and many other attractive features is surely a keeper. Available in 29 exciting colors and designs that can be used for hiking, traveling, and school/university use.

A great backpack made up of superior quality polyester to withstand wear and tear even after months of usage. Fabric flaps are given over the zippers to keep water out of the bag and also provide a shield against theft. An ergonomic backpack with padded shoulder straps makes carrying this backpack easy.

The compression straps offer expandable capacity and you can adjust it the way you like. Double side pockets provide ample space to carry your essentials. A separate compartment to hold your tablets, laptops, and other devices that measure 15.6 inches. An elastic band is provided to keep the things intact in their respectable compartments. A large compartment to store basic stuff, big enough to stuff in a lot of things at one time.

3. Swiss Gear SA1923 Backpack

A bag with multiple features and many useful pockets to be used from travel to all kinds of everyday needs. Backpack with a practical yet simple design is one of our personal favorites. Separate space to provide easy access to some of the basic things such as sunglasses, laptop, and headphones.

Manufactured using 1200D ballistic polyester so that the backpack is weather resistant and damage proof to last for years. Contoured shoulder straps made up of mesh fabric so that they don’t irritate the skin when worn for long hours. Padded back panel and airflow technology ensure ultimate comfort especially for kids who experience back pain.

The backpack also has a separate compartment for the documents, files, and other important papers. Also, mesh pockets are given for small gadgets and other accessories.

4. JanSport Backpack for Student with Back Pain

The backpack is designed specifically for school and university-going students, giving preference to comfort and quality. JanSport has been a trusted brand that provides a lifetime warranty for all its bags.

A backpack with a simple design has a lot of room for your school gear. A 15 inch padded laptop compartment along with a front pocket that also has an organizer. Pleated stash pocket and a zippered stash pocket in the front to keep your things organized.

The back panel is padded and the S curve shoulder offers safety against back pain. Also, there are many color prints, and patterns to choose from and flaunt in. These features make it the best backpack for middle school. Long-lasting fabric is used for the production of the bag and the zipper to provide value for your money.

5.  ProEtrade School Backpack

If you are looking for an economical bag to accompany you to school as well as other outdoor trips, then ProEtrade is the bag for you. Attractive design and available in many exciting colors make this one of the best backpacks for middle school students.

ProEtrade has a large capacity and has 7 pockets to hold all your essential gears such as water bottles, books, umbrellas, keys, pens, etc. A separate space is provided to keep your laptop protected from scratches. The bag weighs only 1.8lb so that kids with back pain can easily carry their backpacks without any trouble.

A comfortable bag that has enough padding on its shoulder straps so that they don’t plunge into the skin. Moreover, the fabric of the backpack is waterproof and sturdy enough to withstand scraping. The product ticks all boxes in terms of comfort, space, and durability.

6. High Sierra Swerve Ergonomic Backpack

Swerve is an ergonomic backpack that is fashionable and highly functional. The bag has a large storage capacity which makes it ideal for schools as well as for traveling or hiking trips. 4 storage pockets are given which include one main compartment with a pocket, a media pocket, and a beverage pocket.

Polyethylene base makes it waterproof and tear-resistant. The buckle and zipper design are also water-resistant for durability. Ample color options available so that you can choose your child’s favorite. The bottom of the pad protects any fragile item from breaking.

Shoulder straps are adjustable and padded for ease of carrying. Shoulder pads are anti-slippery to distribute the weight and safeguard against back pain. A USB port is also present in the media pocket which gives you easy access when needed.

7. High Sierra Student Laptop Backpack

Student laptop backpack is one of the best backpacks for middle school kids. The bag has just the right size, lots of room for your school essentials, and is extremely comfortable to carry.

The bag is faithful to its name as it provides various large pockets along with a side pocket for your school supplies. An accessory pocket is present in the front panel along with a monster clip to store your valuables and a side beverage pocket is given for your bottles or other beverages.

 The student backpack is made from Duralite which makes the bag water-resistant and strong enough to withstand everyday pressure. The suspension system and adjustable side straps make it easier for the students to carry their backpacks. The ergonomically designed bag has s-curved shoulder straps that are lined with anti-slip shoulder pads to avoid back pain. A fully padded zone is also given for your laptop or tablets.

8. JanSport Big Student Backpack

If you are looking for a big school bag for your kids then the big student backpack is an ideal option for you by a globally recognized brand. The backpack has adequate capacity, you will never be short of space for your school gear if you buy it.

2 large main components to store your books and stationery. A separate 15-inch compartment to hold your laptop in place. It also has a stash pocket, a side pocket for bottles, and a utility pocket with an organizer.

Ergonomic shoulder straps don’t dig in the skin while you carry your bag. The padded back panel stops the pressure to pass on to your back which makes this a back support backpack. You can carry this sack for long hours without feeling tired irrespective of the weight inside it.

Available in many colors and designs for your little man to choose the one that pleases him. The bag is made up of polyester which is heat and water-resistant. Also, the fabric is proven to be more durable as can efficiently withstand wear and tear.

9. ProEtrade Backpack for School College Student

A well-built bag with a fashionable design and a lot of storage capacity to be convenient for school or college students. It’s a lightweight carrier that weighs 1.5lb only and has 8 pockets for your supplies. 2 main compartments to hold big things, 1 padded laptop pocket, 2 front pockets with zipper, 2 side pockets for water bottles, and 1 inner pocket for keys or pens.

Ergonomically designed to be a comfortable backpack for students who face back pain. S-Cure shoulder straps make it easy to bear the load of the school supplies. Adjustable straps that can be used to change the height of the bag. The back panel and shoulder straps are made up of padded breathable mesh so that students don’t feel the pressure on their back.

It’s a superior quality backpack made of a fabric that is anti-scratch and tear-resistant to last for years. A cool feature is the night light-reflective design which will allow you to be safe in the dark.

10. Mancro Student Backpack

A backpack with a sleek and classy design to impress your classmates. The bag has a perfect size to store your school essentials such as books, binders, etc. 2 big compartments to keep larger things intact, a front pocket for quick finds such as keys, and two side pockets for water bottles. A separate 15-inch laptop compartment to hold your laptop.

There is a built-in USB charger outside the bag and a built-in charging cable inside so that you easily charge your media devices anywhere anytime. The nylon fabric used for the manufacturing of the bag is waterproof and weather resistant for durability. The padded shoulder straps relieve your shoulder and back stress which makes Mancro one of the best backpacks for the back pan.

The design includes an anti-theft lock so you never have to worry about losing your valuables. The backpack is great for schools as well as for traveling.

Best Backpacks for Students With Back Pain – Ultimate Buying Guide

A poorly designed bag is always a burden to carry around and leads to pain in your back and neck. In short, your whole body suffers as you feel sore and fatigue as discussed above. I am sure by now you will be intrigued to get your hands on the most comfortable backpack so that you can indulge in your favorite activities. An ergonomically designed bag will not only relieve your pain but also improve your posture. Many other features should be considered to have a good experience of buying a backpack.

Comfort

This is perhaps the most important factor to search for when you are buying a bag for back pain. Features like padded shoulder straps or back panels and compression straps are some of the few things you should look for in the product details for a comfortable backpack. All of the bags in our list have features that make them the most comfortable options available.

Durability:

For a backpack to last for many years it should have strong built to withstand everyday wear and tear. School bags go through a lot every day so they must be made up of a strong fabric that is waterproof and weatherproof. Also, the zippers should be strong as getting the zippers changed is a hassle. Most of the products we picked for our list have at least one or most of these features to provide durability.

Features:

Having a separate pocket in your backpack for most of the supplies makes life so easy. You can easily reach out to the respectable compartment and use the thing that is needed without having to turn your bag upside down. Usually, small things like id cards, pens, or keys are almost impossible to find with so much stuff crammed into single compartments. Bags with lots of storage capacity and many pockets allow you to organize your essentials easily. Bags with separate laptop compartments, bottle pockets, and small pockets for accessories are an ideal choice for students.

Purpose:

We have listed down many bags that are versatile and can be used for school as well as for traveling purposes. Therefore, analyze your purpose of buying a backpack and buy accordingly. If you wish to buy a bag that can be used for school as well as for traveling then make sure to look for the options that have built-in USB ports to make your life easy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an ergonomic backpack?

An ergonomic backpack has features to support and protect your body against possible injury or pain. It will have a cushioned back panel and straps so that the pressure is not transferred to the body.

Is Wearing a Backpack bad for Your Back?

Your backpack should not weigh more than 10% of your weight. If a backpack weighs more, then it’s definitely bad for your back and may result in back pain or other back-related problems as discussed earlier.

On the other hand, if your bag is the right size and has the appropriate weight then you can carry it without harming your back. Also, if above-mentioned features are present in a bag then it’s less likely to be bad for your back.

Why Backpack Causes Back Pain and Shoulder Pain?

There are several causes as to why a backpack may cause back pain and shoulder pain. They are as follows:

Overloading: If you overload your backpack with excessive stuff it will become heavy, lifting it on your back will put pressure on your back causing back or shoulder pain.

Incorrect posture: Carrying a backpack on one shoulder leads to uneven distribution of weight causing immense pressure on one shoulder. This eventually leads to shoulder pain.

Inappropriate size: Carrying a bag that is too big for your size may also cause pain. Make sure to buy a bag that is just the right size for you.

Insider Advice:

We are sure by now you must be eagerly waiting to find out our pick as one of the best backpacks for back pain. No surprises here as JanSport Big Student is our favorite backpack and an all-rounder in terms of comfort, durability, and size. Furthermore, JanSport is a recognized brand that offers a warranty for its bags so that you can get your bag fixed if there is an issue. The brand uses premium quality fabric in the manufacturing of its bags to ensure durability. Big Student bag is spacious enough to hold your essentials. Padded shoulder straps and back panels make the design comfortable for students with back pain. Our verdict is that JanSport Big Student provides value for money and a comforting experience.