OutdoorGearLab

The Speed packs from Black Diamond are another series of packs that we love &mdash; one for all of your moods or objectives. We think this 40-liter version of the Speed hits the sweet spot for versatility and carrying comfort. This is as close to an all-star pack-of-all-trades as we have ever found and for an excellent price. The features are simple but complete and will handle any of the tools you need in the mountains. The materials are durable yet lightweight.
There are just a couple of troubling features, though they aren't deal-breakers. The top strap slides through to either side, presumably to allow you to extend one side more than the other for bulky, light items. However, the bottom strap doesn't extend similarly, so we didn't find this feature useful. And the ice tool attachment secures both tools at once, another feature we don't like. We prefer being able to deploy one tool at a time without messing with the other one. But all said, this is an excellent, durable, versatile, simple, and very affordable mountaineering pack that we highly recommend.

The Speed packs from Black Diamond are another series of packs that we love &mdash; one for all of your moods or objectives. We think this 40-liter version of the Speed hits the sweet spot for versatility and carrying comfort. This is as close to an all-star pack-of-all-trades as we have ever found and for an excellent price. The features are simple but complete and will handle any of the tools you need in the mountains. The materials are durable yet lightweight.
There are just a couple of troubling features, though they aren't deal-breakers. The top strap slides through to either side, presumably to allow you to extend one side more than the other for bulky, light items. However, the bottom strap doesn't extend similarly, so we didn't find this feature useful. And the ice tool attachment secures both tools at once, another feature we don't like. We prefer being able to deploy one tool at a time without messing with the other one. But all said, this is an excellent, durable, versatile, simple, and very affordable mountaineering pack that we highly recommend.
Read more: Black Diamond Speed 40 review

bazaarvoice

amazon.com

expert-review

Black Diamond Speed 40 Review | Gear Institute

Consumer Reports

What we like: Smart design, loads of capacity, and equally suited to business or leisure travel.

What we don't like: Packed to capacity, it probably won’t fit under the seat.

walmart

stamped

Thule Crossover Backpack 32L Review

What we like: The flat bottom, small size, and decent capacity makes it very flier-friendly.

What we don't like: It’s not comfortable to lug when crammed to capacity.

yotpo

Away The Backpack Travel Backpack Review

Away Backpack Review (The Backpack) | Pack Hacker

target

Wirecutter

You can wear this bag multiple ways and convert it with a pull of the straps. It has fewer pockets and is harder to clean than our other picks, however.

BabyGearLab

The Everest Basic Backpack is minimal, with no bells or whistles. It offers one spacious main compartment for books and folders, plus a front pocket that is easy to access for smaller items like a snack, calculator, or writing utensil. With a selection of available colors, kids can choose one that fits their style. 
The product's low price point is applause-worthy, especially for those on a budget, but the bag's design and quality are minimal, making us question the bag's durability and longevity. The shoulder straps have minimal padding, but the bag's backside does not. When carrying heavier loads, decent padding on both the back of the pack and shoulder straps can make the task more comfortable, so this may be a no-go for older kids with a heavier load. Also, the fabric is thin, increasing the chance of holes, and the bag has no side pockets for a water bottle. However, if the product's cost and bare minimum design meet your needs, we think this option is worth considering if your budget is tight. 

shopify

The Everest 1045K Basic is about as simple as a pack can be. With only one large compartment and a small front utility pouch, this bag doesn't have a lot going on. That being said, sometimes a small, lightweight bag is all you really want or need. Big enough to fit a laptop, a few notebooks, pens, pencils, and your phone, this bare-bones option has room for all your essentials but not much else. We were surprised by how well this pack could shoulder heavier weight with no back padding and narrow shoulder straps. That being said, we wouldn't want to carry heavy loads for extended periods.
When it comes down to it, this is a small bag with minimal padding. If that's what you are looking for, this bag is great, especially for the price. If you want something that can hold every last thing you may or may not need, this bag might be underwhelming. It's ideal for a first school budget backpack for young children and would also serve adults in carrying their essentials for a trip to the coffee shop. 

The Everest Basic is about as simple as it gets. With only one large compartment and a small front utility pouch, this bag doesn't have a lot going on. That being said, sometimes a small, lightweight bag is all you really want or need. Big enough to fit a laptop, a few notebooks, pens, pencils, and your phone, this bare-bones option has room for all your essentials but not much else. We were surprised by how well this pack could shoulder heavier weight with no back padding and narrow shoulder straps. That being said, we wouldn't want to carry heavy loads for extended periods.
When it comes down to it, this is a small bag with minimal padding. If that's what you are looking for, this bag is great, especially for the price. If you want something that can hold every last thing you may or may not need, this bag might be underwhelming. It's ideal for a first school budget backpack for young children and would also serve adults in carrying their essentials for a trip to the coffee shop. 

theverge.com

An Everest expedition abandons base camp after several climbers test positive for the coronavirus. (Published 2021)

trustpilot

This striking bag’s pocket design allows you to separate your work essentials from the books and beverages you use during your commute.

Topo Designs Rover Pack Review (Classic) | Pack Hacker

TechGearLab

Simply put, the Peak Design Everyday Backpack 20L is a sleekly designed bag. Its great options include dual side access for your camera and top access for additional storage needs and additional ways to pack your gear. The attention to detail in this bag is one of the reasons we liked it so much. Magnets hold the pockets closed and attach the shoulder straps to the back of the bag when they're not in use. Speaking of pockets, we counted 18 total, including water bottle pockets. A lot of those pockets are of the stretchy, internal variety with magnetic closures. We appreciate the multiple travel-friendly attributes, like a luggage pass-through on the back panel for easy integration with a rolling bag, as well as zipper pulls that can be latched together to deter pickpockets. The addition of the pivoting shoulder straps ensures comfort on long days. With its durable and weather-resistant textiles, the Everyday Backpack holds off the elements well when fully closed. An adjustable laptop sleeve keeps your computer positioned towards the top of the compartment, which is great for two reasons. First, it's simply easier to access. Second, since it doesn't fully rest at the bottom of the bag, the laptop is protected if you drop your bag a little too hard.
Although we think the laptop sleeve design is clever, it's a little tight when loaded with a 16-inch MacBook Pro and a tablet, making them both harder to take out of the bag. In addition to that small downside, when all the pockets in the bag are loaded up, the overall fit was pretty cramped. And as you fill this bag and open its lid to accommodate larger loads, it becomes less and less weather-resistant in the top closure.

techradar.com

dpreview.com

Stylish materials combine with minimalist design and utilitarian features to bring you a 19-liter backpack that’s equally at home in the classroom and in the city.

The Best Backpacks for College and High School Students

What we like: It’s sturdy and stylish.

What we don't like: It has limited capacity and is not the most comfortable to carry.

Backpack Comparison