Sometimes you just want to take a load off. This is especially true when it comes to the strenuous heavy lifting that comes with a textbook-filled backpack. Most students strive to find a design that both looks stylish and is most practical for lugging school books all around campus. Hackley students are seen all around campus modelling the myriad and various styles of backpack which raises the question: Which is best for you?

It would not be a rare case to be walking down a Hackley hallway and glance up to see the words ‘Jansport’ staring back at you. As one of the most popular brands of backpacks worn around Hackley, “they must be doing something right,” said sophomore Darius Inzar. Jansport, along with its sister company North Face, makes almost half of all small backpacks sold in the United States. Its popularity carries over to Hackley, where students of all grades and genders sport their looks all around campus. For freshman Lucy Barse, buying a Jansport backpack was a no-brainer. “From having older siblings in the Upper School, I knew that Jansports were one of the most popular brands here,” said Lucy.

Most of Jansports popularity at Hackley comes from its simple and practical style. “Jansports work really well for me because of their big size and shoulder paddings,” says sophomore Elana Stern. One of the biggest issues with Jansport backpacks at Hackley is the fact that so many students own the same bag in the same color, causing situations when students accidentally take the wrong bag. “I would always accidentally pick someone else’s bag and it was so frustrating and annoying,” said Elana. This issue leads to many students having to pick either a different brand of backpacks, or a new color for their Jansport bag.

Such issues with Jansports have led to the increase in the use other brands of backpacks at Hackley, such as North Face. Sophomore Kat Cucullo is a strong endorser of North Face backpacks and has had her black North Face backpack since freshman year. “I like the North Face backpacks better because I think it’s a better quality than other types of backpacks and they’re sturdier,” Kat said. The North Face brand prides itself on its waterproof and breathable material for backpacks that guarantees complete dryness and protection for all items inside, a feature Kat says adds to her backpack’s practicality.

Sophomore Becca Brisman shares Kat’s positive regards towards the North Face backpacks. “One of the biggest benefits of a North Face backpack is it’s shoulder pads, because it prevents the strap from digging into my shoulders which was always a big issue,” said Becca. Color was the smallest factor in making her decision of which backpack to buy. “I really only bought a black backpack because it was what they had left in stock and it was most simple,” said Becca.

Style and color sometimes plays a larger role than practicality and utility in students’ lives when picking out backpacks. Contrary to Becca, Darius says that the best aspects of his North Face backpack lies in the color. “I specifically picked out yellow to stand out from everyone else’s. I see so many reds and blacks and I love that having yellow is different,” said Darius.

Sophomore Carina Burroughs bought her Billabong backpack based on it’s unique and fashionable pattern. Billabong, a brand based out of Australia, is known for it’s fun styles of boho-style slouchy backpacks, a favorite style among teen girls across the country. Most backpacks made by Billabong sport thin shoulder straps made out of leather, a less comfortable alternative to North Face and Jansport’s straight cut, padded shoulder straps.

While she knows she doesn’t regret her choice of backpack, it has had some negative effects on her school life. “My bag’s begun ripping, which is incredibly annoying because I’m constantly having to pick up different pens and other things that will fall out,” said Carina. For now though, Carina is willing to overlook those struggles, as her love for the beauty of her backpack reigns supreme. “My backpack is completely unique and different from anyone else’s at Hackley. I love it so much that I can get over a little ripping,” said Carina.