Backpacks are not only a convenient way to carry textbooks and school supplies, but also a stylish way to stay up to date with popular trends. Some backpacks, such as those from North Face, are used by a majority of students, while other lesser-known brands offer unique features. Many students also choose their backpacks based on color or personal expression, and some students even put keychains to express personality or to add their own style. The most important features to students include durability, looks/style, comfort and capacity. Overall, the different brands of backpacks show a variety of different preferences and needs between students.

In a poll sent out to students with 69 responses, the results showed the most popular backpacks consisted of North Face, which 37 percent of students have, a kids backpack, which many of the seniors have as a tradition, and Jansport, which 8.7 percent of students use. 17 other backpack brands combined for 23.8 percent. This variety highlights how much students value both practicality and individuality when choosing what to carry every day. Junior Will Holmes shares about his North Face backpack and all of its unique features.

“I have a black North Face backpack, it is popular around the school and I have had it since the week before school. The most important features for me are making sure it has a lot of space to hold things and durable zippers so it can last a long time.” Holmes said. “It has a cool front pocket with a little zipper inside and it can hold my macbook and it is shielded twice so it is a very safe unique spot for it.”

However, some people do not care about the popular traditions of getting a North Face backpack. Another popular backpack was Under Armor. Junior Banks Brown shares why he has an Under Armor backpack and why he likes it.

“I really like my Under Armor backpack, I have had it forever and it is really durable.” Brown said. “I remember getting it when I was in sixth grade and I have had it ever since because it has not torn or anything and it still works well. I think to me the most important things in a backpack is durability and how much stuff it can hold because I do not want my brand new backpack to rip and it needs to be able to hold all of my school supplies and sometimes other clothes for sports or working out after school.”