JanSport Vs. Eastpak: Best Backpacks Under $100?

Best JanSport Backpacks

JanSport Digibreak Laptop Backpack

The Digibreak backpack is a great option if you don’t need a lot of space. It is small and exceptionally lightweight – in fact, it’s the only backpack in this review that weighs less than 1lb. It is also a pretty comfortable backpack because it has a fully padded backpanel and shoulder straps. But there is no ventilation on the pack, so it is not super versatile.

There is one main compartment in this backpack and it is pretty basic. It features a laptop sleeve that can fit 15” laptops, and not really much else. So, in terms of organization, this is definitely not one of the better options.

But it does have a few external pockets. There is a stretch side pocket that is designed to fit an average water bottle, as well as a tricot-lined tablet pocket on the front. And an additional front pocket for any smaller items you would like to have separately. One interesting feature of this pack is the dedicated pocket for your phone – it is a slip pocket that can fit an iPhone 8+ with room to spare.

Overall, this is a simple backpack. It’s a good choice for you if you don’t usually carry a lot of stuff around, but want to have a dedicated pocket for all of your electronics.

JanSport Cool Student Laptop Backpack

The Cool Student backpack is made from 600 Denier Polyester, with synthetic leather accents. While those accents look really good, they are also not as durable as polyester. So, they kind of decrease the durability of the backpack, especially because they are on the bottom part. Synthetic leather is harder to clean, and it rips up faster than polyester.

That being said, you shouldn’t have too many issues with this if you actually use this as a school backpack. And it has lots of features you will love, like the two spacious main compartments. One of them features a laptop sleeve, which can easily fit your average 15” laptop.

Additionally, the Cool Student backpack features three zippered front pockets and a water bottle side pocket, which is excellent for the organization. This is a great backpack for you if generally carry a lot of items to class, and don’t want to squeeze everything in the same compartment.

The shoulder straps have an ergonomic S-curve design, so they should be comfortable to wear. It also helps that this is a really lightweight pack – only 1.31 lbs is a great weight for the size. Plus, the backpanel is entirely padded, and you won’t have to worry about stuff in it poking you in the back.

One downside is that there’s no ventilation on the Cool Student, which could be an issue in the warmer months.

JanSport Big Student Backpack

The Big Student backpack is another really popular option from JanSport. People mostly get this backpack because of its large capacity and simple design. It is made from 600 Denier Polyester, which is a pretty sturdy material. And very easy to clean – you can wipe off pretty much any stain with just a wet cloth.

One downside of this backpack is that it doesn’t have any sleeves for your electronics. However, that also means that the compartments are more spacious and that you can fit more books or clothes in them. And if you have your own laptop sleeve, this shouldn’t be a problem at all.

The Big Student has a fully padded backpanel, and ergonomic S-curve shoulder straps. Thanks to these features, it will be comfortable to wear even when it gets really heavy. And because of the large capacity, this is also a pretty versatile pack.

The two main compartments are great for school, but also for travel. And all the other pockets make organizing your stuff really easy – whether you’re packing books and pens or clothes and chargers. The backpack has three zippered pockets on the front, as well as a stretch water bottle pocket on the side. Overall, if you’re looking for a simple big backpack, this is a good choice.

JanSport Odyssey Backpack

Odyssey is one of JanSport packs that wants to be more than just a simple laptop backpack. And with ice axe loops, daisy chains, compression straps, and a hipbelt, I’d say that it succeeds. This is a great backpack if you want something versatile – a pack you can take to school in the morning, and then on a hike in the afternoon.

The shoulder straps are ergonomic S-curve, with mesh inserts for ventilation. The backpanel is also fully padded and ventilated, for great carrying comfort. And then you also have a sternum strap and a hipbelt, which are signature features of a good outdoor backpack.

The side compression straps come in handy when you don’t fill the Odyssey to capacity – they reduce its size and make it easier to carry around. And the sleeve at the very back of this pack is versatile – you can use it for either a 15” laptop or a 3L hydration sleeve, depending on what you need at that time.

The backpack also has a tricot-lined tablet sleeve, two large main compartments, and a side water bottle pocket. There is also a quick access loft pocket, as well as multiple webbing loops for your gear. It’s a great versatile choice, with only two downsides – the weight and the price.

This is actually the heaviest and most expensive JanSport backpack out of the bunch. But, for what it’s worth, it is still under $100 and 3lbs!

JanSport Agave Backpack

For this JanSport backpack, you have both a men’s and a women’s option.  There aren’t a lot of differences – all of the features are almost exactly the same, apart from the shoulder straps. On the women’s version of the pack, they are more narrow and they are sewn more closely together, to better fit the shape of a woman’s body.

There’s also a difference in color choices – the men’s packs are available in more colors. But the colors of the ladies’ options are brighter and more fun.

As for the features that really matter, everything is the same on both versions of the backpack. The laptop sleeve can fit a 15” laptop or a 3L hydration system, depending on what you want to use the pack for. You get a sternum strap and a hipbelt, for ultimate carrying comfort.

There is also the padded and ventilated backpanel, which is a life-saver if you want to wear this on longer hiking trips. The shoulder straps are padded and ventilated on both packs, even if they are not the exact same shape.

Both Agave options feature two main compartments, one of which is expandable with snap closure. There is also a tablet sleeve on the packs, a front utility pocket with an organizer, a gear loop, and even daisy chain webbing on the front.

All the different pockets and compartments are great if you like to organize your stuff – and that can come in handy both in the classroom and on the trails. So, if you are looking for a well-made versatile backpack, this is your best option.

Best Eastpak Backpacks

Eastpak Egghead Backpack

The Egghead is designed as a travel backpack. It has two main compartments, both of which are pretty spacious. And there are also two smaller zippered pockets on the front, as well as a stretch side pocket. Organizing your stuff in this backpack will be really easy, whether you plan to take it on an airplane or to the office.

There are mesh inserts on the backpanel, so it is somewhat ventilated. Also, the Egghead features an ergonomic backpanel and shoulder straps, for increased carrying comfort. Those are very useful additions, especially considering the size of the backpack. And there is a sternum strap, which will come in handy when you fill u the 32L capacity of this Eastpak.

One downside of this pack is that it doesn’t have compression straps. I think that’s a necessary feature on backpacks this size because it just makes them more comfortable to wear. A half-empty backpack will bounce around on your shoulders, and your belongings inside can get jumbled around easily.

The grab handle is at the top and it is rubberized. This is a very nice addition since it makes it a lot easier to pick up the pack when it gets heavy. And it ensures that you can firmly grip it – something you can’t say about plain nylon handles.

Oh, and there is a side zipper that allows you to access the laptop sleeve without actually opening the main compartment – a very useful feature for TSA checkpoints if you ask me.

Eastpak Out Of Office Backpack

This is a classic, simple backpack from Eastpak. It is a good choice for school since it is spacious enough for all your textbooks. And it has a dedicated laptop sleeve, that can fit 13” laptops (or tablets). The backpack is made from 100% polyester; a sturdy and durable material, but not as resistant as nylon.

The main compartment has a zippered closure and it is rather large – the capacity of the pack is 27L. It has a large zippered pocket behind the laptop sleeve, which is pretty easy to access. However, this is not a waterproof backpack – one downside of polyester is that it has poor water resistance. So definitely invest in a rain cover, if you want your electronics inside to be 100% safe in the rain.

The shoulder straps and the backpanel are both padded, but there’s nothing too special about them. They will be comfortable most of the time unless the pack gets really heavy. But keep in mind that the straps and backpanel of this pack are what you’ll see on the vast majority of other backpacks for school.

The Out Of Office features a large front pocket – great for any smaller items you don’t want to put in the main compartment. Overall, it is not the best choice for an organization, since you don’t get too many pockets. But it is a sleek-looking backpack that would fit into any office and classroom. And if simple is what you’re looking for, then this is a good option for you.

Eastpak Topfloid Backpack

The Topfloid pack is definitely one of my top picks. For one, it’s ridiculously cheap – you can get the Black Denim version of the pack for a little over $35. Considering everything you get for the money, I think that’s a really good deal.

This is a really versatile backpack. It’s taller than most other packs, but it is also shallower. The top opening makes it a good option for travel since it is much easier to pack your clothes like that. And it allows you to place the items you want to have handy at the top of the pack so that you can reach them more easily.

The internal laptop sleeve also makes it a good choice for school, since it can fit an average of 15” laptops.

This Eastpak backpack doesn’t have a dedicated tablet sleeve. But, it does have several smaller compartments and pockets that you can use for your tablet. Additionally, the backpack also has a hidden compartment on the backpanel, which is perfect for all your valuables.

You can also use this as an outdoor backpack – the sternum strap greatly increases your carrying comfort on the trails and ensures that the pack stays in place at all times. The external compression straps help tighten the load of the pack so that it won’t bounce around on your back. And the unique harness feels pretty comfortable, even when the pack gets heavy.

Eastpak Extrafloid Backpack

The Extrafloid is pretty similar to the Topfloid – the main difference is the opening of the pack. This is a front-loading backpack, and arguably, it is the safer alternative. The compression straps go over the zipper of the backpack, so if someone were to try and tamper with your backpack while you are wearing it, you would definitely notice.

There’s no dedicated tablet sleeve on the backpack, but there are a few internal pockets that are large enough to fit one. The pack does have a padded laptop sleeve, which can fit laptops up to 15”. And there is also a key attachment clip; this is a particularly useful feature because the backpack is so tall.

Plus, it ensures that the keys always stay in place and that they can’t accidentally scratch the glass of your phone or tablet in the main compartment.

The backpack has a padded harness with a sternum strap, as well as a quilted backpanel. Overall, it is rather comfortable to wear, but you will notice the lack of ventilation in the warmer months. Especially on the upper part of the shoulder straps, which is pretty thick. However, their design allows them to sit better on your shoulders and is generally just really comfortable to wear.

Just like the Topfloid, this is a versatile backpack. All the different pockets and compartments make it super easy to organize, whether you’re bringing this to school or on a hike.

Eastpak Provider Backpack

The Provider backpack is a good option if you want something larger. It has a 33L capacity, so you can fit a lot in it – even enough clothes for a weekend getaway. It has two main compartments and a front pocket with an organizer panel. There isn’t a dedicated tablet compartment, but there are several internal pockets that you could use for that purpose.

The backpanel and the shoulder straps are rather basic. They are padded but not heavily, and there is no ventilation on the back of the pack. Also, you don’t really get a sternum strap or the hipbelt, so the backpack might not be that comfortable when it gets heavy.

The rubberized exterior of the grab handle is a really nice touch. This is a pretty large backpack, and it can easily get very heavy. A plain web haul handle would be pretty uncomfortable – it would cut into your skin and it could slip out of your hands too easily. The rubber handle is much more comfortable in your hand, and it definitely won’t slip out. It offers a better grip overall.

Also, the external compression straps are pretty useful. When your pack is only half full, you can tighten it so that the things inside don’t get jumbled around. But, it also acts as an anti-theft feature – the straps go over the zipper of both main compartments, making it very difficult for anyone to open up your backpack without you noticing.

See the black denim version here.