Budget-friendly tech gadgets for going back to school
'The Cyberguy' Kurt Knuttson shares the latest technology for kids going back to school.
Whether you’re a college student or are browsing backpacks for a young child headed to kindergarten, there's a smart product worth considering.
Read on for a roundup of backpacks for students of all ages and design preferences.
There's enough variety here for everyone — and plenty of interesting options.
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Check out this array of 13 options.
JCPenney Fuel Deluxe Lunch Combo Backpack, from $19.99
This JCPenney backpack comes with a matching lunch box. (JCPenney)
Have a kiddo in your household who brings lunch to school?
This backpack and matching lunch bag comes in a variety of colors and patterns, including Deep Cobalt with a flower design and Fog Blue Pearl (pictured above) with unicorns, cupcakes, stars, hearts and more.
The backpack has two main storage compartments and an inner tech sleeve, as well as two side hydration pockets. The lunch bag is insulated and detachable.
ChampsSports.com Nike Youth Brasilia JDI Mini Backpack, $25
This Nike backpack is easy for kids to carry with its padded shoulder straps. (Champs Sports)
A solid selection for a pre-schooler, The Nike Youth Brasilia JDI Mini Backpac features a nice spotted animal print design and is easy for tiny kiddos to carry, thanks to padded shoulder straps.
It’s also got zippered pockets and an exterior pocket to store a water bottle.
PersonalizationMall.com Construction Embroidered Kid’s Backpack, $29.99
This personalized backpack is machine washable and 100% cotton/poly quilted twill. (personalizationmall.com)
Young builders may be delighted with this construction-theme backpack complete with the name of choice on the front flap.
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Best for kids between the ages of five and eight, this bag is made with nylon lining that’s machine washable and an 100% cotton/poly quilted twill outer shell.
Use it for a youngster at school — or stash it away with belongings for a sleepover at Grandma and Grandpa's house.
STM Goods Myth Backpack, $119.95
This backpack suspends a laptop away from the edge of the pack, so it doesn’t bump around while you’re on the go. (STM Goods)
The smartly designed SlingTech technology in this bag suspends your laptop away from the edge of the pack; that way, it doesn’t bump around while you’re on the go.
The organized interior pockets appear ideal for pens, calculators, glasses cases and more.
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Additionally, the back-panel-and-yoke system helps distribute the weight of your haul to spare you from back pain and tension in your neck and shoulders.
It also has a water-repellent coating.
Bespoke Post United by Blue EcoTransit Backpack, Alpine Blue, $98
The BeSpoke Post backpack is crafted from recycled materials that keep plastic out of the ocean. (Bespoke Post)
This find on Bespoke Post and made by United by Blue may be ideal for the eco-conscious student.
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It’s crafted from recycled materials that keep plastic out of the ocean. United by Blue cleans one pound of trash from the oceans for each piece sold.
Storage-wise, there’s room for a full-size laptop (in a designated sleeve) and an exterior pocket for a water bottle, as well as a zippered pocket. The heavy, water-resistant poly canvas is built to last for many seasons to come.
Topo Designs Rover Pack Classic, $99
The Topo Designs backpack is made with durable recycled nylon. (Topo Designs)
For the student who appreciates both fashion and function, consider this sturdy model from Topo Designs.
Made with durable recycled nylon, the water-resistant pack cloth upper with a cinch-top closure has expandable side pockets, an internal laptop sleeve and a large zippered front pocket.
Choose from a wide range of colorways, from solid olive to a blue-and-khaki combination.
minted. Backpacks, from $68
This backpack can be personalized with a leather name tag. (minted.)
For art and design connoisseurs, there's minted.’s new line of backpacks, which can be personalized with a leather tag with a name or monogram for an additional $15.
Shoppers can choose from a small size for grades kindergarten to second, or classic sizes with a leather base geared toward third to ninth-graders.
Some picks include the Go Bananas print by Baumbirdy and the Pink Flight print by Tati Abaurre.
All patterns are designed by independent artists to meet any student's taste or style.
BJ’s Wholesale Club Kenneth Cole Reaction Pack-of-All-Trades Multi-Pocket 17" Laptop and Tablet Backpack, $99.99
This backpack is ideal for students looking for a stylish way to lug around their laptop. (BJ’s Wholesale Club)
Ideal for students looking for a stylish way to lug around their laptop, this bag holds most laptops with up to a 17-inch screen in a padded pocket, offers many zippered accessory pockets and comes with padded, ergonomic shoulder straps.
Bonus: There’s an upright trolley tunnel that fits over most luggage for easy, hands-free carrying during travel.
namuk Eon 14L Backpack, $129
This waterproof backpack is designed for kids age two to 12. (namuk)
For those looking to splurge on a young outdoors enthusiast, this pick for ages two to 12 might be worth considering.
The waterproof backpack is made with textile fibers that are up to 15 times stronger than steel, according to the brand's website.
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It also has reflective draw cords for visibility in the twilight that also compress the bag when the load is lighter. The inner lining can be pulled out easily for cleaning or to use as a sit pad on the next adventure on the trails.
Some more specs: Removable waist straps, a bottle holder and OEKO-TEX 100 certification, which indicates that it was tested for harmful substances.
JCPenney Adidas Excel 6 Backpack, $39.99
This JCPenney backpack can fit up to two 32-ounce bottles in it. (JCPenney)
Another option from JCPenney is for the pupil who’s sporty.
It’s got two mesh side water bottle pockets that fit up to two 32-ounce bottles to keep kids hydrated throughout practice; a laptop protecting sleeve for computers up to 15-inches; and four exterior zip pockets to keep kids organized.
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In addition, there are padded straps, 100% recycled polyester and a lower price point for a name brand.
Hanna Andersson Classic Backpack, $40
This Hanna Andersson backpack is a fun choice for school. (Hanna Andersson)
For the backpack, choose from bold designs such as the space-themed Interstellar or Blue Checkerboard.
This heavy-duty backpack has plenty of room to hold all of your little one’s essentials. Plus, the ergonomic straps make this bag extra comfortable on children’s small frames.
Buy it with the Hanna Andersson Classic Lunch Bag ($20.80) for a complete back-to-school set.
R. Riveter Corbin Backpack, $298
The R. Riveter Corbin backpacks are handcrafted in America by military spouses. (R. Riveter)
Another splurge item: For the fashion-forward college or grad student, there's the Corbin Backpack, which is handcrafted in America by military spouses.
It’s made with premium leather and water-resistant canvas. It comes in black, fatigue green, liberty green and riveter camo — and has several handy zippered and open pockets.
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The bag can be worn as a backpack or converted into a messenger-style bag. The bag’s namesake? Margaret Corbin, an American soldier who fought in the American Revolutionary War.
Lola + The Boys Backpacks, from $36
These backpacks are geared toward children of sizes 2-14. (Lola + The Boys)
Order one of these great backpacks from LolaAndTheBoys.com, Nordstrom, Kitson and Maisonette (they’re also coming soon to Amazon).
With fanciful designs such as the Holographic Mini Rainbow Backpack ($48), Bunny Pop-It Fidget Backpack ($36) and the Navy Space Adventure Backpack ($40), there’s a solid lineup of options from which to choose.
Worth noting: The brand is geared for children sizes 2-14.
Fun stories about food, relationships, the great outdoors and more.