Best Waterproof Backpacks For College (Keep Your Tech Dry)

Pacsafe Metrosafe LS450 Backpack

This is a great combination of a water-resistant and anti-theft backpack. It’s small but large enough for all your college necessities, and it has a lot of different compartments and pockets so you can organize everything neatly. But more on that later.

First, let’s talk about the technical things – the Metrosafe LS450 backpack is made from a soft, durable, water-resistant, and easy to wipe clean polyester. It’s obviously very water-resistant, but it is also great for keeping it clean. So, you can expect this backpack to last you for years to come.

As you can see in the photo below, this Pacsafe backpack has three separate compartments and several different pockets. The laptop and tablet sleeve is completely padded and suspended, and it’s hidden in the main compartment. It can comfortably fit most 15.6″ laptops and protect them from hitting the floor.

Check this link to see it on Pacsafe.

AMBOR Laptop Backpack

This is a great all-in-one backpack that is perfect for students because it’s extremely affordable (under $30). But also because it is very versatile – you could use it for traveling, hiking, and pretty much whatever you want.

For one thing, this water-resistant backpack for college has an anti-theft combination lock that ensures the safety of your belongings. In addition to that, it is also a smart backpack – it has a headphone port and a USB charging port. That basically means that you can charge your phone on the go – just plug it into your (power bank inside the) pack.

It’s really convenient if you run out of charge mid-day, or if you just want to listen to some music secretly in class – even though you shouldn’t. :>

The AMBOR backpack has two compartments. The laptop sleeve is inside the main compartment, and it perfectly fits a 15″6 laptop. It can also fit larger laptops (up to 17.3″) but they will fit slightly less smoothly. The front compartment features an organization panel, as well as a roomy sleeve for your tablet.

Obviously, the pack is waterproof, so you know your electronics will stay dry even if you get soaked in the rain. It’s made of nylon, which is a pretty sturdy material. In addition to that, the pack also has mesh fabric on the padded straps, which guarantees their breathability and comfort. 

There is also one side pocket for a bottle, but not much else in terms of external pockets. However, that’s due to the emphasis on the safety of this backpack and its anti-theft features. Additionally, the pack is equipped with several compression straps, which will help keep all of your things in one place.

Downsides? Give it a good airing when you open it as it smells like new plastic. And the tech features for the USB and headphones are a bit of a gimmick.

Patagonia Black Hole Backpack

The Patagonia Black Hole pack is a simple backpack that will do very well in the rain. Made from 100% recycled, water-resistant Polyester, you know Patagonia has gone the extra mile to help save the planet.

The main compartment is super-roomy and opens wide with a mesh pocket for some extra gear. All the way in the back is a padded laptop sleeve that fits 15.6″ laptops and a tablet. It fully opens too, for easy access

Still got more stuff? There are two smaller two compartments – one for quickly stashing things on the top. And a side front pocket for smaller items

It’s also very comfy, with a padded and breathable back panel and shoulder straps. Patagonia has also added a sternum strap which is perfect for aligning the straps when loads get heavier.

There are also lots of lash points on the front and side pockets for water bottles or umbrellas, which you know you will need at some point.

Overall, the material they have used is going to withstand a lot of heavy use and is water-resistant too. And on top of that, they give you lots of stand-out colors other than black to use!

MATEIN Travel College Backpack

I like to save the best for last, and in this case, that’s the Matein. A very popular daily travel backpack that is ideal for college.

The Matein pack has one roomy main compartment, with a front organiser pocket for any other items you might want to pack. And there’s a handy side water bottle pocket so you don’t get thirsty during your school day.

This college backpack has a separate panel with a laptop sleeve with a strap to secure it. The laptop sleeve can comfortably fit 15.6″ laptops, and is designed to full fold open. There is also a tablet pocket in front of it for your iPad.

As this is designed for travel, you can also take it on weekend trips with you. There is a strap to secure it to your suitcase handle and a USB port for easy charging on the go. There is also a securely hidden back panel pocket for your ID or credit cards too

The only downsides I see are that there is no hip belt or sternum strap, so if you seriously load this college backpack up, you might get sore shoulders after a long day out.

And there are so many different colors to choose from, I struggled to pick the perfect one for my niece!

Chrome Industries Waterproof Urban Ex 2.0

If you are looking for a fully waterproof college backpack, then the Chrome Urban Ex 2.0 is just the ticket.

This waterproof backpack is made with 600d polyester with PU coating and polyester lining. And, it has a 100% welded waterproof construction to keep your belongings dry in any weather. So, if you walk to college and it suddenly buckets down, you are good to go!

With a 20-liter capacity, there is enough space to carry your daily essentials like: a laptop, books, clothes, and more. And the padded laptop sleeve can fit almost any 15.6-inch laptop. And there is space for a tablet, your phone and some other small items on top of it.

Chrome makes top-notch gear, so you know it’s going to be durable and comfy. They have added ergonomic shoulder straps with a sternum strap. This comes along with an EVA foam back panel for great fit and breathability. A lot of reviewers use this on a bike and even manage to strap it on the side as a bike-pack.

There are lots of details to mention, but we might run out of space. Here are a few highlights:

• reflective slash loops on the back
• secure roll top opening
• one inside pocket accessible from the outside

Downsides include the hardness of the material which can cause some rubbing on your back. And internal access is more time-consuming with the rolltop. But there is a pocket you can get at from the outside.

936Plus College Backpack

If price is one of your biggest concerns then the 936Plus is a great college backpack for so many reasons.

It usually comes in way under the price of all other waterproof school bags on this list, and it still has lots of great functionality too. For example, it has one large main compartment that is quite roomy compared to many other college backpacks. It fits 26 Liters all up. There is also a handy front pocket where you can throw all your small stuff.

Of course, you get two side pockets for your water bottle or umbrella, in case it’s going to rain! There is also a dedicated phone pocket, of course, and a 15.6-inch laptop sleeve to keep your most prized possession safe. There are also other spots for various items you may have with you, so don’t worry that it will all be swimming on the bottom of your pack!

And this bag is also super light at 1.3lb, so quite easy on the shoulders, with its padded shoulder straps there to help. It also has quality YKK zips and comes in an insane array of colors, so you will surely find one you like.

The only big downside of this college backpack is that it is NOT as waterproof as the others. But hey, you are getting a bargain, so “water-resistant” is the best you can expect! Oh, and it doesn’t have water bottle pockets on the outside either.