Back-to-school shopping is top of mind for many consumers. And it isn’t cheap! Families of K-12 students are spending $890 on back-to-school shopping this year. Back-to-college costs are even higher at $1,367 per student.

The North Face, Madewell, and Herschel backpacks can all run upwards of $70 each. As more and more of us are tightening our budgets and looking for ways to save, we’ve put together some of our favorite alternatives to expensive backpacks for this year’s back-to-school shopping. Send your child to school with a quality backpack for less with some of these affordable options.

 

High Sierra

High Sierra backpacks are known for their quality backpacks and luggage at affordable prices. They also have budget-friendly hiking backpacks, hydration packs, and cooler bags. Shop directly through their website for the best deals. At the time of publication, they were offering 30% off most styles.

For students, we recommend the Curve Backpack ($29.99) or the Joel Lunch Kit Backpack ($39.99). The Curve is great for older students with a USB port, multi-pocket organizer compartment, and padded back and shoulder straps. The Joel Lunch Kit comes with a lunch pack sleeve as well as an insulated lunch pack. It’s worth noting that this Lunch Kit fits the Bentgo Box perfectly.

Matein

Matein is a lesser-known brand that offers more bells and whistles at a lower price. We recommend the Matein Mlassic Backpack ($39.99). It has a 15.6” laptop compartment, a built-in USB port, plus a padded back and shoulder straps. It is currently the #1 best-selling backpack on Amazon. 

You can shop Matein backpacks on the Matein website or on Amazon. They often offer coupon codes on their website as well as free shipping on all orders, which will make the total price lower than Amazon’s price!

 

Everest

Everest, like Matein, is another lesser-known backpack brand with great price points. Their bags are basic, affordable (most under $20!), and come in a variety of styles and colors. Some have backpack sleeves, while others offer a single compartment for simplicity.

The Everest Luggage Backpack ($13-$19) is a mid-size backpack available in over 10 color options. It has padded shoulder straps, a spacious main compartment, a zippered front pocket, and mesh side pockets.

JanSport

JanSport is a well-known and customer-loved brand. While they offer some models for up to $80, they also offer many budget-friendly styles. The more basic bags come with a smaller price tag, so if your student needs upgrades like a laptop sleeve, you may have to spend more.

We recommend shopping within the $30–$40 range for JanSport backpacks. A best bet is the JanSport SuperBreak Backpack ($38). It has a 15” storage compartment, padded shoulder straps, and a padded back panel. The best JanSport deals can be found at Kohl’s, Amazon, and Walmart.

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Gifts For You Now

We love the look of the personalized Pottery Barn backpacks, but at $55 they’re not cheap. Gifts For You Now has affordable personalized backpacks at a lower price. We love the Personalized Princess Backpack ($43.99, on sale for $26 at time of publication). It has adjustable padded shoulder straps and mesh side pockets for extra storage.

If you’re uncomfortable with your child’s name on their backpack, monogram options are also available.

woman wearing hat and backpack

Where to Find Cheap Backpack Deals Online

If you're looking to find a budget-friendly alternative to expensive backpacks this year, our favorite stores that usually offer back-to-school deals and coupons are:

Price compare multiple stores, set deal alerts, and keep an eye on our Back-to-School page for the latest tips and hottest deals for Back to School 2023.

Top Back to School Sales and Deals for 2023