Best Backpack For Medical School

TIMBUK2 Authority Laptop Backpack

If you mostly want a laptop backpack and you’re not worried about fitting too many books in it, the Timbuk2 Authority backpack is easily the best option. It’s designed to fit most 15” to 17” laptops, so your device should easily fit in the bag. There are also internal organizer pockets for charging bricks, cables, power banks, and other small items.

The Authority backpack has two main compartments – one features an extra laptop sleeve, and the other one an organizer panel. The bag also has other smaller compartments, but it’s worth noting that they are all quite slim. This backpack is not made to carry books, so just keep that in mind.

You also get a water bottle pocket on this bag, but there’s just one. The back panel is padded with lots of air channels for good ventilation. Additionally, the Authority backpack has a convenient sternum strap but no hip belt.

And that’s fine – it’s a slim bag that’s not designed for very heavy loads, so it doesn’t need a hip belt to make you comfortable. Other features of the backpack included compression straps at the bottom of the front panel and a padded grab handle.

Another thing worth mentioning is that Timbuk2 offers a lifetime warranty on their bags. All their products are made from high-quality materials (hence the high price points), and the brand stands behind every single item they make.

Osprey Nebula Men's Laptop Backpack

If you want an extremely versatile backpack, Osprey Nebula is easily the best option for you. It’s a beast of a backpack with a total capacity of 34 liters, so it can easily fit everything you will need for med school.

The bag has a very spacious main compartment, a dedicated laptop compartment with an extra tablet sleeve, and a front compartment with an organizer panel. There are also lots of smaller pockets on the backpack, for all those items you always want easily accessible.

The back panel is heavily padded, ventilated, and very comfortable. The same goes for the shoulder straps, and with the addition of a hip belt and a sternum strap, you won’t ever feel the load of this backpack on your shoulders.

Also, the pack is made from water-resistant nylon and it’s great at protecting your belongings from the elements. This backpack can work for school, hiking, travel, and even every day. It is a very big backpack though, so keep that in mind. Luckily, there are compression straps on the sides that you can use to cinch it in, which will help with stability when the bag is not full.

It is a pricey backpack, but it’s worth it. Osprey covers their bags with an extensive warranty, so it will be easy to replace any broken parts or even the entire bag. But I doubt it will come to that- Osprey bags are made with high-quality materials and they are built to last.

High Sierra Swerve Laptop Backpack

High Sierra backpacks are great for medical students because they’re spacious, affordable, and comfortable to wear. The Swerve backpack is all of the above, plus it has excellent organizational features. It has two large main compartments, a dedicated laptop compartment that is padded throughout, and an organizer panel in the front compartment.

This pack also features stretchy side pockets, an additional zippered pocket in the front, and adjustable side compression straps. The zippered pocket has a USB port that lets you charge your devices on the go, which can be helpful on long days in class.

The back panel and shoulder straps are both heavily padded and covered with breathable mesh. However, the bag doesn’t have a sternum strap or a hip belt, so it won’t be too comfortable if you fill it up with heavy books. The Swerve backpack does feature a suspension system that helps with carrying heavier loads, but it’s not quite as efficient as a plain hip belt.

But it’s an affordable backpack at least. The High Sierra Swerve laptop backpack retails for around $50, which is a great deal for most students. If you’re not going to fill this up with some extremely heavy books, it’s certainly worth trying it out.

SWISSGEAR 5358 ScanSmart Laptop Backpack

The SwissGear backpack is a great option that works for school and travel. It has a dedicated laptop compartment that can fit 15” devices. This compartment is TSA friendly, it features a storage pocket for a power pack and an extra sleeve for your tablet.

The main compartment of the bag is very spacious, so you’ll be able to fit plenty of books in this bag. This compartment also features several smaller pockets for easy organization of your other necessities. In addition to that, there’s also a front compartment with an organizer panel, a collapsible shoe pocket on one side, and a stretchy water bottle pocket on the other side.

The bag also features a crush-proof hidden phone pocket, an insulated pocket for snacks, and a USB charging port. It has a heavily padded back panel with airflow channels and breathable mesh for excellent ventilation, as well as adjustable and comfortable shoulder straps. A sternum strap is included, but a hip belt is not.

SwissGear backpacks are known for their excellent durability. This bag is made from polyester ripstop and it has good water resistance. The side compression straps help keep everything in place, and they’re even more useful when the bag is half/empty. Also, the grab handle is reinforced with wire, for improved durability.

The North Face Borealis Backpack

The North Face Borealis is one of the most popular backpacks ever made. It is very tough and durable, comfortable to wear, and has a large capacity with multiple pockets and compartments for easy organization. In other words, it’s one of the best backpacks for medical school you can buy.

This is a medium-sized bag, so it’s best for all of you who don’t have to carry a dozen different books to class every day. It has a 28-liter capacity divided across three large compartments and several smaller pockets.  The laptop compartment is in the back and it can easily fit any 15” device. The main compartment is roomy and designed to fit books and binders, while the front compartment features an organization panel and a tablet sleeve.

Other pockets of the bag are stretchy water bottle pockets and a fleece-lined pocket for smartphones. On top of all that, the Borealis backpack also features bungee cords on the front panel, which let you stash bulkier items like hoodies and jackets.

The back panel is heavily padded, ergonomic, and covered with breathable mesh for ultimate carrying comfort. This bag also features a sternum strap and a hip belt, for excellent load distribution and pain-free life. And if you’re still not convinced, you can get it in 25+ different colors!

Amazon Basics Laptop Computer Backpack

Students are usually on a tighter budget and if that’s the case with you, consider getting the Amazon Basics computer backpack. It’s the best bag under $50 and it’s surprisingly well made for such an affordable pack.

The backpack has two large compartments – one is best for books and binders, and the other one has a padded sleeve for your laptop. The best thing about this backpack is that it can fit even bulky 17” devices, so most laptops will fit inside.

There are also two smaller pockets on the front of the bag, and they’re best for organizing all the small stuff. The lower pocket features a mini organization panel inside with a key clip and open pockets. The bag also features side water bottle pockets, a scratch-free zippered pocket for phone and sunglasses, and compression straps on the sides.

The back panel is heavily padded, covered with breathable mesh, and features channels for airflow. However, this back doesn’t have a sternum strap or a hip belt, so it’s probably not the best option if you’re going to be carrying some really heavy books in it.

But, if you mostly rely on your laptop, you should definitely consider getting this bag. It’s great value for money, it’s surprisingly durable for such an affordable bag, and it’s comfortable enough if you’re not filling it with massive books.

XD Design Bobby Original Anti-Theft

If you’re into minimalist design and anti-theft bags, consider getting the XD Design Bobby backpack. It’s the original anti-theft backpack that has inspired countless copies. The bag features just one main compartment with a hidden zipper and a total capacity of 13 liters. This is a small backpack and it’s best for medical students who rely on their laptops for the most part.

The main compartment is divided and it has multiple pockets for easier organization. The laptop sleeve can hold standard 15.6” devices, plus there’s an additional tablet sleeve for 9.7” devices. You also get lots of smaller pockets inside the main compartment so you can organize all those tiny items. And you might even fit a book or two inside, but not much else.

The back panel is padded and ventilated for premium carrying comfort. The bag doesn’t have a sternum strap or a hip belt, but it doesn’t really need those because of the 13-liter capacity.

Additionally, it’s worth noting that this backpack features a USB port for charging on the go, as well as a hidden pocket in the back panel. There’s also a luggage strap in the back, in case you ever want to use the pack as a carry-on.

If you’re a medical student looking for a laptop backpack that will guarantee the safety of your device, this is easily the best option out there. But if you also want to have books and notebooks in your bag, you’ll need to look for something more spacious.

JanSport Big Student Backpack

JanSport makes great backpacks for students and their Big Student pack is certainly one of the best options. It is a large capacity bag with multiple spacious compartments, pockets for easy organization, and a 15” padded laptop compartment.

The bag has two main compartments that are large enough to hold books, as well as a smaller front compartment with a utility organizer. Also, it’s worth noting that the laptop compartment is separate from the other two main compartments. This pack also features a stretchy mesh pocket on the side for water bottles.

The back panel is heavily padded, but it is not covered with breathable mesh. It’s the same with shoulder straps – they feature an ergonomic S-curve, but they lack any ventilation. The pack will be somewhat comfortable to wear, but it’s not the best option if you’re going to spend hours wearing it every day.

It doesn’t have a hip belt or a sternum strap, and that’s the biggest downside. There’s nothing to transfer the load away from your shoulders and that’s an issue, considering that the bag was made for bulky and heavy books.

On the other hand, it’s certainly good value for money. This pack is quite affordable and it’s a great deal for the amount of stuff you can fit inside it.