9 Best Patagonia Backpacks for School - 2021 Buying Guide for High School and College
Patagonia is a brand known for their high-performance outdoor products and focus on sustainability and environmental advocacy. While many of their technical packs are designed with outdoor activities in mind, Patagonia also makes some great backpacks for high school, college and daily carry.
In this buying guide we review the best Patagonia school backpack options based on size and features so that you can find the right one based on your needs.
How these backpacks made the list:
Designed for daily wear
Laptop sleeve or compartment
Main compartment large enough for binders, books and notebooks
Pockets for organizing small essentials
Best Patagonia Backpacks for School
Patagonia Refugio 26L Backpack
The Patagonia Refugio 26L makes a great school backpack thanks to its roomy main compartment and plenty of smaller pockets for school essentials. The main compartment is equipped with both a removable 15” laptop sleeve with a mesh pocket so that all of your tech is easily accessible. Stretchy mesh side pockets and a vertical zippered pocket on the front also give you extra room for important creature comforts like drinks and snacks.
Midsized Patagonia school backpack with lots of pockets
Capacity: 28L or 26L
Padded laptop and tablet sleeves in main compartment
Organizer pockets for smaller items
Vertical front zippered pocket for quick access to items
Patagonia Refugio 30L Backpack
The Patagonia Refugio 30L is a versatile backpack for both school and the trail thanks to its clever pockets and ergonomic design. Along with a removable 15” laptop compartment, the Refugio 30L has plenty of pockets for items like charging cables, pens and other small school essentials. You’ll also love the Refugio 30L if you are looking for a versatile Patagonia school backpack that can also be used on weekend hikes. The shoulder straps and back panel are made with heat-venting airflow mesh to keep you cool as a cucumber and the laptop compartment can double as a hydration compartment when needed.
Versatile Patagonia backpack for school, travel and outdoor activities
Capacity: 30L
Separate laptop compartments
Organizer compartment for smaller items
Front bungee cord system to attach large items (jacket, bike helmet)
Patagonia Black Hole Pack
The Black Hole Pack is one of the Patagonia’s most popular bags due to its versatile design for both work and play. Each Black Hole Pack is made with extremely durable weather-resistant recycled fabric to protect your gear inside. The main compartment also features both a padded laptop sleeve and a tablet sleeve for easy access to your tech. We recommend the Black Hole Pack to any student looking for a tough and reliable backpack for school and beyond.
The Patagonia Black Hole is available in two sizes - the large 32L Black Hole and smaller 25L Black Hole. Make sure to check out Patagonia Black Hole 25L vs 32L comparison to find out the difference.
Highly water resistant backpack with plenty of pockets
Capacity: 32L, 25L or 23L
Padded laptop and tablet sleeves
One of our favorite water resistant backpacks for college
Patagonia Paxat Backpack
The Paxat is the perfect pack for students looking for a large Patagonia backpack for school with lots of pockets. The large 32 liter main compartment is perfect for multiple large binders and folders while the open-flat laptop compartment gives you easy access to your tech. Other awesome features include zippered side pockets for smaller items and a separate compartment with pockets to keep all your school accessories nice and organized.
Large Patagonia school backpack with lots of pockets.
Capacity: 32L
Separate padded tablet and laptop compartments
Organizer compartment for smaller items
Quick stash pocket on the front
Patagonia Arbor Roll-Top Pack
The Patagonia Arbor Roll-Top Pack is a great option for students who want a simple large capacity backpack for school. What makes the Arbor Roll-Top Pack special is its main-compartment expanding ability when you unroll the top. This allows you to adjust the size of the Arbor Roll-Top when you need more packing room and decrease the bag’s footprint on light carry days.
Roomy backpack with large main compartment and exterior access to laptop sleeve
Capacity: 30L
Adjustable capacity - Unroll the top for more packing room
Roll top design gives great weatherproof protection
Patagonia Tres Pack
The Patagonia Tres Pack is a 3-way commuter bag that converts from a backpack to a messenger bag or briefcase in seconds. We like the Tres Pack as a college or grad school backpack for students who need a versatile bag for both work and school.
One of our favorite features is the main compartment which gives you a clamshell opening for easy packing and unpacking of books, notebooks and a laptop. An internal pocket panel also allows for great organization of smaller items.
Best Patagonia college and grad school backpack
Capacity: 25L
Lots of internal pockets for organization
3-Way Convertible Carry: Backpack, messenger bag, Briefcase
Patagonia Women’s Tamangito Pack
The Patagonia Tamangito is a backpack designed with a women’s specific fit in mind. As a school backpack, the Patagonia Tamangito features a roomy 20 liter main compartment that can fit folders, books and notebooks. The padded compartment is great for protecting your a laptop or tablet and an organizer panel with smaller pockets line the inside of the bag to make sure you keep everything nice and organized.
Women’s fit Patagonia backpack with laptop sleeve and lots of organization
Capacity: 20L
Organizer pockets inside the main compartment
Women’s specific shoulder straps and breathable mesh back panel for a more comfortable fi
Planing Divider Pack 30L
Made to carry gear in wet conditions, the Planing Diver Pack is one of Patagonia’s most water resistant backpacks thanks to its TPU laminated fabric, polyurethane coated zippers and seam taping on the inside to keep water from penetrating into the bag.
As a school backpack, the Patagonia Planing Divider Pack offers a large 30 liter main compartment for books, binders and extra clothes. The 15” padded laptop sleeve also allows for secure carry of a laptop or tablet.
Large backpack with extra waterproof protection
Capacity: 30L
Special mesh pocket on the front for wet items
Water resistant zippers and TPU coated exterior
Patagonia Arbor Zip Pack
The Arbor Zip Pack is Patagonia’s take on the classic bookbag design. Equipped with a 15-inch laptop sleeve and 22 liter main compartment - the Arbor Zip Pack is perfect for students who need a modest backpack for daily school carry without the bulk. While the main compartment is great for books, binders and folders the smaller front zipper pocket can keep keys, chargers and accessories within easy reach.
Smaller Patagonia backpack for school
Capacity: 22L
15” padded laptop sleeve
Unisex design
