16 Affordable North Face Backpack Alternatives

Looking for some affordable alternatives to North Face backpacks? A backpack outlasts almost everything else in a closet: camping trips, work commutes, and weekend getaways all call for a carryall that holds everything from a laptop to a spare umbrella.

The North Face has long been synonymous with high-quality, long-lasting backpacks. While the North Face brand name comes with a higher price point, there are plenty of alternatives with a softer impact on your wallet.

Buyer’s Guide

Which bag is the “best” is a very personal decision, but there are some factors that can help narrow down the choice.

Usage:

• Are you looking for a tough camping backpack? Then you want plenty of capacity, a hip belt to take the weight, a tough, high-denier fabric, and a rain cover, because almost no backpack is truly waterproof

• Are you looking for a regular work commute backpack? Then you’ll be looking for compartments for all your gear so you can find everything quickly

• Does this need to fit under an airplane seat for travel? Several of the packs below will do the job nicely, but we wrote a whole article on that subject

There are many more backpacks below, but these are the four we think fit best for different buyers: VASCHY for school, SwissGear for organized laptop carry, Kelty for a bigger framed travel pack, and HuaChen for the canvas look.

VASCHY Classic School Backpack

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SwissGear 1900 ScanSmart

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Kelty Redwing Traveler 50

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HuaChen Canvas Backpack

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Want to see the full list? Here are the best North Face backpack alternatives that are reasonably priced, starting with the more traditional camping and outdoor versions.

Alternatives To North Face Backpacks: For the Great Outdoors

Airlab Rucksack Backpack

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Features:

• Drawstring closure

• Compression straps

• Large capacity

• 15-inch laptop pocket

Pros:

• Fits a ton of items - great as a travel bag

• There’s an anti-theft pocket at the back for your most valuable items

• Nice-looking, with a simple rucksack silhouette

Cons:

• The drawstring closure isn’t as secure as a zippered closure or magnetic closure

• The main pocket is deep, rather than wide, so your stuff might get jumbled up

The Airlab Rucksack Backpack is an inexpensive choice for day hikes and light outings, and it doubles nicely as a gym or travel bag.

Amazon Basics Travel Laptop Backpack

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Features:

• Padded compartment sized for a 17” laptop

• Water-resistant shell

• Multiple secondary pockets and compartments

• Padded shoulder straps

Pros:

• Takes a 17-inch laptop, about the biggest most people own

• Honest value: a fraction of the cost of a Tortuga or Aer

Cons:

• Water-resistant, not waterproof; a real downpour will get through

• Not a carry-on travel pack. This is a commute-and-day-trip bag

The Amazon Basics is the no-romance pick. If you need a laptop on your back a few times a week and don’t want to splurge, it’s hard to beat. Our Amazon Basics review covers the rest of the range.

Kelty Redwing Traveler 50 Backpack

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Features:

• Perimeter frame; Kelty lists steel and HDPE for the current Traveler

• 50-liter capacity and a ventilated back panel

• Side-access laptop storage

• 600D recycled ripstop polyester body

• Wide U-zip opening — loads from the panel, not just the top

• Signature wing pockets

• Stowable hip belt

Pros:

• The frame and hip belt help manage a larger travel load

• Wing pockets with pass-behind storage

• The front opening makes loading/unloading gear way easier

Cons:

• At about 3 lb 10 oz, this is much heavier than a simple school daypack

• Not waterproof, so pack a rain cover

• At 23 inches tall, it’s checked-bag territory on a lot of airlines

A classic, rugged travel pack for road trips and longer getaways. It’s a bit much for the office or classroom though.

Oakley Bathroom Sink Backpack

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Features:

• 23-liter capacity; nylon/polyester shell

• Padded laptop sleeve for devices up to 13 inches

• Mesh-lined straps for cooling

• Specialized compartments for your gear

Pros:

• The padded back and mesh-lined straps are useful for daily carry

• Abrasion-resistant fabric and substantial hardware

• Separate pockets keep small gear away from the laptop

Cons:

• All that hardware adds bulk compared with a basic daypack

The Oakley Bathroom Sink Backpack is a rough-and-tumble choice for those who need a backpack that can go on the road with them. Just note the laptop sleeve only takes a 13-inch machine.

HuaChen Vintage Canvas Backpack With Leather Trim

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Features:

• Front zip pocket and hidden back pocket

• Large main pocket

• Drawstring closure

• Leather trim

• Padded sleeve advertised for a 15-inch laptop

Pros:

• The vintage canvas and brass hardware look stylish

• The canvas gives it that old-school rucksack look

• The main compartment is large, and with the exterior pockets, you can fit all of your gear in this backpack

Cons:

• Single main compartment with no internal organization beyond the laptop sleeve

• Bottle pockets take up space on the sides

• Thin canvas won’t hold up to real rain without a cover

The HuaChen Vintage Canvas Backpack is a good choice for those who like an old-school, almost military look but still want a padded sleeve for a laptop or tablet.

Alternatives To North Face Backpacks: For the Traveler

Next up: alternatives that are less “go climb a mountain” and more “which is my departure gate again?”

MATEIN Travel Laptop Backpack

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Features:

• 17-inch laptop pocket

• 30-liter advertised capacity

• Padded shoulder straps

• Luggage strap

• Lay-flat laptop section for easier access at security

Pros:

• A separate section keeps the laptop away from the main packing space

• Water-resistant fabric

• Several compartments for separating clothes and tech

• Luggage strap lets it ride on a rolling suitcase

Cons:

• All those compartments make it bulkier than a simple daypack

The MATEIN Travel Laptop Backpack is not flashy, but it is highly functional, and it works as well for the daily commute as it does at the airport. The lay-flat laptop section is the reason to pick it: it opens out at security without unpacking the rest of your bag.

KAKA 35l Travel Backpack

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Features:

• Terylene oxford fabric

• Computer and tablet compartments

• Lock with combination

• Water bottle and key compartments

Pros:

• This versatile backpack can be carried as a duffle bag or shoulder bag

• There are several anti-theft mechanisms that come with the backpack

• 35-liter advertised capacity for a weekend packing list

Cons:

• This bag is NOT waterproof

• Smaller than it looks in photos

I’d recommend the KAKA 35l Travel Backpack for weekends away - as long as your travels don’t include the great outdoors. It’s stylish and functional enough to work as a daily backpack for students as well.

SwissGear 1900 Scansmart TSA Laptop Backpack

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Features:

• Made with weather-resistant 1200D ballistic polyester

• Padded media pocket with headphone cord port

• ScanSmart lay-flat technology for laptops up to 17 inches (made for airport security)

• 31-liter capacity

• RFID Pockets

• Easy access laptop and iPad compartment

• Front compartment with organizational pockets

• Two side pockets to accommodate water bottles, umbrellas, etc.

Pros:

• Comfortable shoulder straps

• Plenty of room

• The lay-flat laptop section opens right up at security

• At 18.5 × 13.25 × 9 inches, it’s sized for the overhead bin

• The heavy-duty grab handle makes it easy to pick up and move

Cons:

• Heavy for a laptop bag, at about 3.3 lb empty

• Fill the organizer section and it gets deep

Overall, the SwissGear 1900 Scansmart is a solid option if you fly a lot, but for regular work and school it’s more bag than you need.

Alternatives to North Face Backpacks: For Everyday Carry

Last stretch: alternatives built for everyday carry, whether that’s a laptop for work or textbooks for school.

Modoker Canvas Laptop Rucksack Backpack

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Features:

• Padded laptop sleeve

• Tablet sleeve

• USB pass-through port; power bank not included

• Front compartment

• Multiple interior and exterior pockets

• Canvas body with vegan-leather trim

Pros:

• The canvas and vegan-leather trim give it a vintage look

• Large enough for all your devices

• Several compartments help separate travel or college gear

Cons:

• The USB port is just a pass-through; you supply the power bank

• Canvas isn’t the thing for a downpour

This option is great for students and professionals who like the canvas-rucksack look.

HFSX Laptop Backpack

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Features:

• Polyester fabric

• USB pass-through port; power bank not included

• Headphone jack

• Large side pockets

• 15.6-inch laptop compartment

Pros:

• Separate laptop and main compartments.

• Many compartments, which makes organization easier.

Cons:

• Not waterproof

With its simple look, HFSX Laptop Backpack is a great option for students who want organized laptop storage without a bulky travel pack.

AmazonBasics Classic Backpack

See on AmazonSee on Amazon Basics

Features:

• Large main compartment

• Two exterior water bottle compartments

• Small front pocket

Pros:

• Plain black styling is easy to pair with school or work gear.

• Truly has the “classic” backpack look

• Lightweight but roomy

Cons:

• No padded laptop sleeve

This simple, no-frills basic backpack is ideal for students or overnight travelers who know what they like.

Vaschy Classic Water-resistant Backpack

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Our Editor’s Pick for school. It’s a simple, light polyester daypack with a main compartment, a front pocket and bottle pockets on both sides, in water-resistant fabric. It’s a plain, light school bag, made to be thrown in lockers and dumped on floors.

VASCHY makes a few lookalikes, and not all of them have a padded laptop sleeve, so pick one that does if you need it.

JanSport Right Pack Backpack

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Features:

• Laptop sleeve that fits up to 15-inch devices

• Suede bottom

• Web haul handle

• Padded shoulder straps

Pros:

• The Jansport brand is reliable for quality backpacks

• Many color options

• Roomy interior that can fit enough clothes for a short trip

Cons:

• This backpack can only be washed by hand

• Only one water-bottle pocket

• Just one main compartment, so smaller things end up at the bottom

The JanSport Right Pack keeps the classic suede-bottom look you probably remember from high school, with a padded 15-inch laptop sleeve and a side bottle pocket. It would be appropriate for professionals and older students who want that simple layout.

Carhartt Triple Compartment Work Backpack

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Features:

• Durable 1200D material

• Padded pocket to hold a laptop up to 17 in

• Front compartment with organized divisions

• Water-resistant

• Padded Air Mesh back panel that wicks away sweat

Pros:

• Contoured, padded shoulder straps

• The back mesh allows air to get through and cool you

• Reinforced base for setting the bag down on rough surfaces.

Cons:

• 35 liters is a lot of bag for a light commute

Carhartt is known for tough workwear, and the 35L Triple-Compartment Backpack is built the same way: heavy fabric, a reinforced base, and enough room for a laptop and the rest of the day’s gear.

BOPAI Slim Laptop Backpack

Features:

• Concealed main zipper and a hidden back pocket

• Flannel laptop compartment

• Luggage strap

Pros:

• Slim 16.5 × 11 × 2.7-inch body for a compact daily load

• Lightweight and breathable

• Professional appearance

Cons:

• May be too thin for some tastes

• Too small if you need to carry a big load

• The slim silhouette leaves less room for bulky clothes

This ultra-slim backpack is best for career individuals or graduate students who want a more polished look in their backpack. It is not right for you if you like to use your pack like a duffel bag.

Tzowla Business Laptop Backpack

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Features:

• Laptop Compartment for laptops under 15.6 inches

• Luggage strap to secure the backpack to a rolling suitcase

• Anti-theft pocket hidden at the back

• Two mesh umbrella/water bottle pockets

• USB port

• Breathable material that keeps air moving on your back

• Wide, padded shoulder straps

Pros:

• Comes in various colors and patterns

• Combination lock for the zipper pulls

• USB pass-through port; power bank not included

• A hidden back pocket for your phone and wallet

• Good value for the money

Cons:

• Smaller than it looks

• Water-resistant, not waterproof

The Tzowla Business Laptop Backpack is perfect for students and commuters who want laptop storage and a luggage strap.

Before You Go…

Side note: If you’ve been looking for alternatives because your existing North Face backpack needs a lot of TLC… we’ve got you covered! Check out our next article and see if you can breathe some new life into an old faithful: How To Wash a Backpack (North Face included)