15 Best Women’s Backpacks for Fresh, Functional Style

Published March 23, 2021
Close-up of elegant women's backpack

The best women's backpack has multiple storage options and style. A few best backpacks for women include unique features, such as detachable pouches that can be worn crossbody style. You can explore the best women's backpack options for each bag to determine if it has all the bells and whistles important to you. A backpack should give you several options, such as carry handles, versatile look options, and excellent storage choices.

1. Best Women's Backpack for Travel Carry-on: Timbuk2 Jet Set

The Timbuk2 Jet Set Convertible Travel Backpack has some very convenient features to make your daily life and travel easier. The backpack can be worn as a shoulder bag or purse. The top handle allows you to carry it as a tote or plane carry-on. The backpack has a passport cover that can be used to store a passport or accessories. The front zip pouch can be detached to use with the included seatbelt style web strap and used as a crossbody bag. You can slip the passport cover over the web strap for easy access or use it for additional storage.

  • Size: 13"Lx4.75"Dx15"H
  • Color: 2 available
  • Price: Around $300
Timbuk2 Jet Set Convertible Travel Backpack, Bright Blue
Timbuk2 Jet Set Convertible Travel Backpack, Bright Blue

4. Best Women's Backpack for Hiking: Dagne Dover Dakota Neoprene

The medium-size Dagne Dover Dakota Neoprene Backpack is water resistant and features a 13" laptop sleeve and convenient luggage sleeve. The backpack gives you lots of store on the outside with a slip pocket on each end, two zip size pockets, and a zip pocket on the front.

  • Size: 11.5"Lx5"Wx17"H
  • Color: 8 available
  • Price: Around $175

5. Best Backpack for All Your Devices: Fossil Tess Laptop Backpack

The Fossil Tess Laptop Backpack has a top handle. The backpack interior features one zip pocket, four elastic loops, two slide pockets. The back compartment features one padded laptop pocket, and a front zip compartment. The backpack also has a back luggage strap and two backpack straps. The exterior features a back slide pocket, a zip side pocket, a packable mesh water bottle holder, two front zip pockets, and one magnetic snap closure front slide pocket.

  • Top handle drop: 2"
  • Shoulder strap drop: 33"
  • Size: 11.5"Lx4"Wx15.5"H
  • Color: 2 available
  • Price: Around $300

6. Best Laptop Backpack: Calpack Kaya Laptop Backpack

The Calpack Kaya Laptop Backpack is made of faux leather. The main compartment is located in the front with a zip around closure. Inside you'll find a front wall zip pocket, one back wall slip pocket and two slip pockets. The back compartment houses a laptop zip compartment and accommodates up to a 15" laptop.

  • Size: 11.5"Lx4.5"Dx15.5"H
  • Color: 12 available
  • Price: Around $105

7. Best Women's Backpack for Work: Cole Haan Grand Ambition

The Cole Haan Best Seller Grand Ambition Backpack is made of pebbled leather that has a Corolla snake pattern embossed on it. The top full zip opening has a magnetic closure. There are four interior slit pockets. You will also find two zip compartments, one front wall zip pocket, and one back wall zip pocket. There is also a padded sleeve that will accommodate up to a 15" laptop. The exterior features a luggage sleeve, one front zip pocket, and one back zip pocket. The backpack straps are adjustable to use as a crossbody bag or shoulder bag.

  • Size: 14"Lx15"Hx5"D
  • Colors: 5 available
  • Price: Around $328

8. Best Saffiano Leather Backpack: Ted Baker Kryshia Backpack

The fully lined Ted Baker Kryshia top handle backpack is made of Saffiano leather. The thin style backpack features a top zip, one exterior side zip pocket, and one front zip pocket.

  • Size: 13.75"Hx12.25"Wx4"D
  • Color: Black
  • Price: Around $275

9. Best Women's Backpack for University: Vera Bradley Commuter

The Vera Bradley Commuter Backpack is padded and quilted with polyester fabric that is water-repellent. The back padded panel is covered with mesh to wick away heat. The exterior features front zip pocket with one slip pocket, one mesh pocket, two pen slips, and a keyring dog clip. The backpack features a luggage sleeve, and a hidden phone pocket. Inside you'll find one gusseted pocket, a water bottle pocket, one zip pocket, two mesh slip pockets, and a laptop compartment for a 15" laptop.

  • Adjustable strap: 24"
  • Handle drop: 2.5"
  • Size: 12.0"Wx17.0"Hx6.25"D
  • Color: 4 available
  • Price: Around $150

10. Best Medium-Sized Backpack: Rebecca Minkoff Julian Backpack

The bestseller Rebecca Minkoff Julian Backpack is made of ultra-luxe pebbled leather. The light tan backpack features cool dog-clips and zip tassels for the main zip closure and two exterior pockets.

  • Size: 9"Wx12"Hx6"D
  • Color: Tan
  • Price: Around $300

11. Best Designer Backpack: Gucci Ophidia GG Small Backpack

The leather trimmed Ophidia GG Small Backpack is made of beige and ebony GG Supreme canvas with the iconic green/red webbing stripe. The exterior back features a wicking black mesh back. The top closure is secured with a double to zipper, the backpack features an exterior front wall zip pocket.

  • Size: 8.5"Wx11.5"Hx6"D
  • Color: GG Supreme Canvas
  • Price: Around $1,800

12. Best Small Backpack: Herschel Small Nova Backpack

The Herschel Small Nova Backpack is a compact design with dual top carry handles. The interior features a laptop sleeve and two pockets ideal for water bottles. The exterior features a front wall zip pocket.

  • Size: 14.25"Hx10.25"Wx5"D
  • Colors: 8 available
  • Price: Around $65

13. Best Magnetic Closure Backpack: The Cuyana Leather Backpack

The Cuyana Leather Backpack is made of pebbled leather. The backpack features a magnetic flap closure. The interior has a back wall zip pocket with card slot. The exterior features two front wall slip pockets.

  • Handle drop: 8"
  • Size: 10.5"Lx7.75"Dx12.75"H
  • Colors: 6 available
  • Price: Around $365

14. Best Classic Backpack: Nisolo Cordoba Backpack

The handmade Nisolo Cordoba Backpack is made of vegetable tanned leather. The top opening is secured with double zippers. The interior features a cotton canvas lining. The open compartment has an interior pocket for your laptop. Outside you'll find a front wall zip compartment.

  • Color: Chestnut
  • Price: Around $270
  • Size: 11"Lx5"Hx5"D

15. Best Canvas Backpack: Coach Carrie Backpack 23 In Signature Canvas

The petite, top handle Coach Carrie Backpack 23 In Signature Canvas is made of the classic Coach Signature canvas with leather trim. The backpack features two interior compartments secured with zip closures. The interior compartments have a zip pocket and several slip pockets. The exterior front has a zip pocket that is the perfect size for a phone or wallet.

  • Top handle drop: 1.75"
  • Size: 9"Lx10.75"Hx4"W
  • Price: Around $300

Exciting Choices for Best Backpacks for Women

There are some exciting style choices when it comes to the best women's backpack designs. Whether you're shopping for a petite, small, medium, or large backpack, you're certain to find one to fit your everyday needs.

15 Best Women’s Backpacks for Fresh, Functional Style