JanSport Right Pack Review: School, Commute And More

JanSport makes backpacks that are really popular with high school and college students. They’re hip, trendy and seriously durable – some of their bags can survive even a decade of use, which is our definition of a sturdy backpack!

But are they really worth the hype, with so little features? And are their price tags justified, considering that they don’t look that different from much cheaper backpacks?

I’ll answer those, and all of your other questions in the rest of this detailed review!

Overview Of JanSport Right Pack Basics

Before we start talking about the fabrics, padding and pockets, let’s take a moment to mention some basic things about this backpack. The Right Pack is primarily designed as a school bag, and it is aimed at young adults. It’s not supposed to be an outdoor backpack or a travel bag, which is why you won’t see too many fancy features on it.

And for a school bag, that is okay. One of the main things that I look for in such bags is durability –  when you’re carrying about a dozen different books in your bag almost every day, it’s not so hard to tell which bags are great and which aren’t.

This JanSport backpack is made from some really great materials, which I will tell you all about in a minute. It has a capacity of 31 liters, which is more than enough for school, work, everyday commute and even travel. And it is available in so many different colors that the hardest choice of all will be choosing just one bag!

Materials And Durability

Backpack materials are very important, especially with really simple bags. When you don’t get too many features on a bag, you at least want to be sure that you’ll be able to use it for a long time.

So, in this section we will focus on the durability of the fabrics that the Right Pack is constructed with. Will it get you through high school and college? Let’s find out!

Durable Cordura Exterior

The main material of the Right Pack is 915 denier cordura fabric. It has excellent tear and abrasion resistance, which ensures that this bag will last you a really long time. It can easily handle years of everyday use, and that’s what makes it an excellent backpack for school and college.

The cordura exterior also has decent water resistance, and it will keep the contents of the bag dry in light rain. But it won’t do too much in a heavy downpour, since it is not entirely waterproof. Because of that, you should avoid exposing the bag to heavy rain, especially if your laptop or books are inside.

Another thing worth noting about the durability of the Right Pack is that it features very sturdy construction. The bag won’t come apart at the seams easily, which tends to be the case with many cheaper alternatives. And, even the zippers are extra sturdy – they are JanSport’s proprietary zippers, which perform really well.

Suede Leather At Bottom

The Right Pack is recognizable for the suede leather accents at the bottom. And, no matter which color of the pack you go for, you will have this suede leather, as well as matching zipper pulls.

However, keep in mind that suede leather is quite sensitive, especially when compared to the durable cordura fabric. If it gets really wet, there’s a good chance there will be some discoloration on this part of the backpack, so keep that in mind.

Also, the suede leather is why you just can’t throw this in the washing machine. While the top portion of the backpack is suitable for the gentle cycle, the lower is most definitely not. The only way you can clean suede is with a brush or a damp cloth.

Carrying Comfort

Padded Backpanel

The JanSport Right Pack features thick padding in the backpanel. But that’s about as good as it gets – there is no breathable mesh to ensure ventilation, and you also can’t count on foam ridges.

Which means that this backpack will not be super comfortable to wear, especially if you make use of its entire capacity. That is a downside, especially if you want this bag to carry your school necessities on a daily basis – notebooks and textbooks aren’t exactly lightweight, and your backpack can get pretty heavy pretty fast. If you want a bag that will be very comfortable even with 20 lbs of books inside, you should definitely check out some other backpacks for high school.

However, if you don’t normally carry a lot of heavy items in your school bag, then you will be okay with the Right Pack. The thick padding in the backpanel will ensure that the items inside don’t poke you in the back, and it goes a long way in protecting your laptop inside. Just don’t be surprised if you find it a little hot with this bag on your back in the warmer months.

Adjustable Shoulder Straps

This backpack has very basic shoulder straps. They are on the wider side, or at least wider than you would get on a cheap pack, and they feature really thick padding. The shoulder straps are also very easy to adjust, and feel pretty soft and comfortable against your torso.

But that’s it. There’s no breathable mesh on them, so they won’t do much in terms of keeping you dry and cool when it’s really hot outside. In addition to that, there’s nothing to secure them in place because the Right Pack doesn’t have a sternum strap.

Considering the small capacity of the bag, that really isn’t a big deal. However, it would have been nice to have the option of a sternum strap, especially for people who prefer to ride their bikes to school, and want something that won’t move around on their bodies.

Organization And Accessibility

Backpacks – and especially those that are designed for school students – have to have decent organizational capabilities. At least two compartments, so that you don’t have to keep your pens and cables in the same place as your books.

So, does the Right Pack live up to those expectations, or does it fall flat? Let’s take a look.

Large Main Compartment

The Pack Right bag features a roomy main compartment with basic zipper closure. It is big enough to fit A4 notebooks and textbooks, so there’s definitely enough space for your basic school necessities.

In fact, the total capacity of the backpack is 31 liters, which is not that far from the capacity of carry on suitcases. Meaning that this JanSport backpack will easily hold your must-have items, and even a couple of extra items.

One thing to note is that there aren’t any pockets inside the main compartment, apart from the laptop sleeve. So, the organizational features are lacking a bit. But, there are other pockets on the backpack, so it’s not a total failure in this aspect after all.

Front Pocket With Organizer

The JanSport backpack has a smaller front compartment that is equipped with an organizer panel. This is great for your pens, keys, USBs and what not, since it helps you keep all your smaller items organized. As opposed to having to rummage through the main compartment in order to find them.

There’s actually a key clip inside this compartment, which is pretty convenient. And I like that it’s not too small – it’s still large enough to fit a decently large pair of headphones. But you won’t be able to fit books or notebooks inside it, because it is too small for that.

Internal Laptop Sleeve

The main compartment of this JanSport backpack features a 15” laptop sleeve. It is made from nylon fabric, so it’s quite tear resistant. Which means that the sleeve should stay in one piece, even after frequent use for long periods of time.

One thing to note about the sleeve is that it only features padding on the back side, which is actually the back panel. The front side of the sleeve is not padded at all, so there is nothing to protect your laptop from the other items inside the backpack. Because of that, I would recommend that you either put a laptop in a padded sleeve first, or just be really careful what you’re putting directly next to your device.

Front Stash Pocket

The backpack also features a small zippered pocket on top of the front compartment, and it’s the front stash pocket. This pocket is almost as big as the front compartment, which is pretty cool. It can easily hold your smartphone and wallet, and you could even fit a passport and a boarding pass here, if you were to use this backpack for travel.

However, I have to advise you to be cautious what you’re putting in the front pocket, especially if you plan on riding public transport. It doesn’t have any anti-theft features, and there really isn’t anything that can guarantee the stuff inside will be safe from thieves, so bear that in mind.

Versatility

The best backpacks are never one-trick ponies. Sure, it’s okay to get a travel pack or a hiking bag if that’s what you really need, but it’s also important to know that you can use the bag for different purposes, if the need ever arises. That’s much better than buying five different backpacks anyway.

Is the JanSport Right Pack versatile enough, or is it just a decent school bag? Let’s see.

Large Capacity

Even though this backpack isn’t exactly equipped with a variety of versatile features, the large capacity means you can use it for pretty much anything you want. It’s the same thing as with Fjallraven’s Kanken backpack – both bags are pretty bare in terms of features, but the roomy interior and durable exterior allow you to do whatever you want with them.

And that’s why we love the Right Pack. It has a total capacity of 31 liters, which is actually really close to the capacity of carry on suitcases. Which means you can easily use this bag for shorter trips, and it actually makes a pretty good carry on. On top of that, the Right Pack is also great for overnight stays, everyday commute and even the occasional field trip.

The only thing this bag isn’t great for is longer outdoor adventures. The lack of breathable mesh on the backpanel and harness will make you uncomfortable pretty fast, especially when you are moving around a lot and sweating.

Exceptional Durability

One thing that makes this bag great for all sorts of different endeavours is the incredible durability of its materials. Yes, this pack is primarily designed for school, but it’s good to know that it can handle so much more.

In fact, the exterior of the bag is so tough that it’s on par with some amazing outdoor backpacks, which have to be made from the best and most durable materials. And you could easily take this pack on hikes or camping trips, without worrying that the exposure to the elements would damage it. As long as you avoid putting down on damp ground (because of the suede), it will be completely fine.

Wide Color Variety

The Right Pack is available in a really wide variety of colors. There’s about 40 different colors to choose from on Amazon, so there’s definitely plenty of options for everyone.

Just keep in mind that wear and tear is more visible on the lighter colors. Darker bags will look clean and new longer, so go for one of those colors if you want to avoid cleaning your backpack every other day.

Additionally, such wide variety means that, even though you’re getting a hip, popular backpack, it will still be easy to stand out with a unique color.

Value For Money

The Right Pack by JanSport isn’t exactly a cheap backpack. Its price differs depending on the color you want, but on average it retails for about $50. And, considering that it doesn’t have that many noteworthy features, it’s completely fine to wonder whether or not it is worth that much money.

The truth is, you’re partly paying for the logo that is very popular among teens and young adults. But you’re also paying for the top-notch quality and incredible durability of the backpack. JanSport packs might not be insanely feature-packed like some of the bags by The North Face or Osprey, but they will last you a long time.

And that’s the most important thing – it might look like an average of $20 with the single main compartment and unremarkable shoulder straps, but it has the durability of a much more expensive bag. The Right Pack is a bag that will survive at least a couple of years of daily use; with that in mind, I think it’s safe to say that it’s more than worth the fair price tag.

JanSport Right Pack: Worth It Or Not?

Not sure if you should get the JanSport Right Pack? We’ll help you make up your mind!

If you want a tough and durable backpack for school, work, college, or EDC commute, then it’s a good option. The great thing about this backpack is that it will last you years, and perhaps even a decade if you take good care of it – that’s how great the thick cordura fabric is.

The roomy capacity of this bag is more than enough to hold all your textbooks and notebooks, and you can also fit a 15” laptop in the dedicated sleeve. There’s even a small organizer in the front compartment, which features spots for your pens, phones, and keys.

The large capacity, wide color variety, and exceptional durability make this backpack a great option for lots of different things. It has almost the same capacity as a carry-on suitcase, so it actually makes a great cabin bag, in addition to being one of the best school backpacks you can get.

But it’s not great for hikes, bike rides, or camping trips, because it lacks proper ventilation on the backpanel and harness. You also don’t get a sternum strap or a hip belt, so there’s nothing to tightly secure the backpack on your body and ensure it won’t move a lot.

Head over to Amazon to see all the different colors and price points of the JanSport Right Pack. And if you’d prefer something more versatile that’s also suitable for all sorts of outdoor adventures, go check out our related posts for more ideas!

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