-
Wole Femi Asaolu
- September 15, 2023
- 11 Comments
You’ve come to the right spot for a detailed review of the best High Sierra backpacks.
As you know, High Sierra makes some great and affordable backpacks, but figuring out which one is best for your situation can be time-consuming.
That is why in this best High Sierra backpacks review, I am going to show you which is the best one for specific situations and why.
Here, we’ll delve into some of their top products, pointing out the pros and the cons, so you can decide for yourself.
If you’re after a high-quality backpack to stash your laptop and items for work, school, or day-tripping, then you’ll definitely want to keep reading…
Table of Contents
Best High Sierra backpacks
Here are the 10 Best High Sierra backpacks I would recommend in 2021.
You can use the quick navigation links below to jump to the backpack that interests you or read the whole review. It’s worth it!
- Best Overall: High Sierra Swerve Pro Laptop Backpack
- Best for Students: High Sierra Loop backpack
- Best for Extra Space: High Sierra Fatboy Backpack
- Best for Hiking: High Sierra Pathway Internal Frame Hiking Backpack
- Best for the born organizer: High Sierra Curve backpack
- Best Rollie: High Sierra Freewheel Wheeled Laptop Backpack
- Best for Hydration: HydraHike 8L Pack
- Best for Travel: AT8 Convertible Carry-on
- Best Tech-Friendly: High Sierra Jarvis Backpack
- Most Versatile: Dells Canyon Travel Backpack
Best Overall: High Sierra Swerve Pro Laptop Backpack
Summary: Large, tech-friendly and well made, the High Sierra Swerve Pro Pack is great for work, school, or travel.
The first backpack to make it into my list of best High Sierra backpacks is the Swerve Pro pack.
Its large capacity, fleece-lined tech pockets, and durable construction make it a perfect workhorse for students and creative professionals alike.
This 34-liters bag gives you two large compartments for your items: The main compartment and an organization pocket at the very front for small items.
Also, it has 2 pockets on each side so you can fit your water bottle or umbrella.
But what I really like is how tech-friendly it is.
It has a padded tablet pocket with a fleece-lined and padded 17″ laptop compartment with bottom drop protection, making it the best spot for electronic devices.
It even has a fleece-lined pocket to keep your sunglasses/ phone and comes in many different colors and styles.
Also, The Swerve Pro Pack stays light at 1.57 lbs. with a dimension measurement of 18 × 11 × 5 inches.
What we also love
It has what you would come to expect from a travel backpack like contoured shoulder straps, a cushy back panel with air mesh, and an adjustable sternum strap, for ultimate carrying comfort.
What’s not great
It lacks some modern features like a USB port, a smart sleeve and a waist belt for comfort.
Also, there are complaints that the main compartment is kind of narrow. So, if you want a bag to fit in big items like a binder, it would make for a very tight fit.
Summary: The Loop pack is compact with all the needed functionality and capacity for everyday carry.
The High Sierra Loop pack is clearly designed with students in mind.
It has a simple style that blends in anywhere, from your university campus to the busy city streets and even at weekend trips.
Talk about economics!
Constructed of water-resistant 600D Polyester ripstop fabric, the sturdy Loop backpack keeps all its content bone-dry when the rain comes out.
And, with a wide variety of styles, you can find a design that fits your personality.
This 33-liters pack has a generous main compartment and multiple pockets to keep all of your gear secure and organized.
Not to mention, there’s a dedicated sleeve for your tablet as well as a multi-pocket organizer with a key fob hook for all those small items.
And you can make use of the extra storage in this bag through its straps and lashing options to attach your jacket, sleeping bags, etc.
This backpack has external compression straps, which will come in handy when it’s not entirely full.
They allow you to cinch in the bag and make it more compact, in order to prevent its contents from shifting around.
What we also love
It features a padded back panel, contoured shoulder straps, and a suspension system for ultimate comfort.
What’s not great
For a 33 liters bag clearly meant to hold a lot of items, it has no sternum strap nor a waist belt to help with weight management.
Summary: The cute Fatboy Backpack is spacious, and that’s the coolest thing about it.
Crafted from water-resistant and durable 600D Mini-hexagon Duralite fabric, the High Sierra Fatboy Backpack is a super functional carry that can be your go-to in 2021.
Easy to load up, this 39-liters spacious bag has multiple compartments and plenty of useful pockets to keep everything.
There’s even a designated tablet sleeve and an organizer compartment with a key fob for easy-to-access storage.
The Fatboy Pack also has a heavy-duty webbing grab handle while it stays light at just 1.34 lbs.
It features a padded back panel with side compression straps so that you can carry it around with you anywhere without feeling a load in your back.
And to make the deal sweeter, the shoulder straps are adjustable and padded, so you can align to your perfect fit while it disburses weight more evenly on your shoulders.
Finally, it comes in seven different colors, so you don’t have to settle for a style that doesn’t suit you!
What we also like
The front zippered accessory pocket has a USB port and internal cord pouch for charging on the go.
What’s not great
Some users don’t like that there is only one side with the mesh water bottle holder.
Summary: The Pathway pack is a solid internal frame backpack with a generous capacity, moisture-wicking material, and high-density foam padding.
Whether you’re an occasional outdoor enthusiast or you’re planning on taking a long trip through the outdoors, the High Sierra Pathway pack is a smart & affordable choice.
You’ll like that it is available in different sizes, from 30 to 90 liters, so you can go larger or smaller depending on your needs.
Also, it is full of features that live up to the High Sierra standard of quality and durability.
It’s made from water-resistant and durable Rip-Stop fabric so all your gear will stay secure without getting wet.
You’ll also appreciate the breathability of this pack thanks to the padded air-mesh back panel with an internal frame and airflow technology to deliver optimal carrying comfort.
Also, it offers ample storage with a drop-bottom sleeping bag compartment, plenty of pockets, and attachments points for extra storage on the exterior.
Plus, the side compression straps help to keep everything snug and tight.
And you get to hike for miles without discomfort. Courtesy of padded shoulder straps, sternum strap, padded hip belt, and adjustable load-lifter webbing.
What we also love
The pack has a designated hydration bladder spot with a port for the hose so you can have easy access to liquids on the go. (Hydration bladder sold separately.)
What’s not great
For a hiking pack, it is missing a rain fly to combat the nasty storms whenever it hits.
Summary: Light and budget friendly, the Curve backpack is loaded with storage space and lots of handy features.
The High Sierra Curve backpack is made from lightweight water-resistant mini-hexagon ripstop material that provides exceptional tear strength.
At 29.5 liters, this model stands out because it offers a great capacity and allows you to carry even more items.
Because of its spacious design, this one is excellent for parents, business professionals, students, outdoor enthusiasts, and urban commuters who love the convenience of moving from one place to another with lots of items.
The thing I love about this pack is that it has several compartments that allow for easy organization.
A large main compartment is perfect for all of your larger items and the organizer compartment allows you to keep all of your smaller gear secure.
Additionally, a mesh beverage pocket helps you stay hydrated by keeping your drink close at hand.
For comfort, there’s the padded shoulder straps and back panel with a heavy-duty grab handle which allows you to quickly pick up your gear when in a rush.
What we also love
So you can enjoy your favorite music or listen to your favorite audiobook anywhere you go, the Curve comes with a media pocket with a USB port for your media devices.
What’s not great
Sometimes the colors displayed are very different from the actual color, especially when you buy it online.
Summary: The Freewheel Wheeled Laptop Backpack gives you the best of both worlds: a backpack and wheeled luggage!
The High Sierra Freewheel Laptop Travel Backpack is an affordable and versatile bag great for carrying heavy items to school or to lectures in college.
This Amazon bestselling pack is also suitable for going to work, weekend trips, and as an airplane carry-on travel bag.
It is convertible—you have the option to carry it on your back like a backpack or roll it on wheels.
Its spacious multi-compartment design helps you stay organized, and its fully padded computer sleeve can fit most 15-inch laptops.
There’s also a media pocket with a cable port so you can listen to music via a corded headphone or charge your phone to a portable battery.
The Freewheel bag is made from durable Duralite Ripstop fabric and is water-resistant. This is especially great if you tend to go about with your electronics or paperwork.
And the wheels are smooth rolling and are compatible on all kinds of surfaces —even carpet.
It also has a padded top grab handle for another carrying option.
What we also love
I like that the shoulder straps are well padded for carrying comfort and can be tucked away in a dedicated compartment when used as a wheeled travel bag.
What’s not great
There are complaints about poor customer service and broken handles.
And like all High Sierra wheeled packs, this one has a 5-year limited warranty.
Summary: The High Sierra Hydrahike 8 is a light pack perfect for staying hydrated during days of sightseeing and light hiking.
If you want a basic, lightweight hydration pack—one that’s affordable and perfect for hiking, the High Sierra Hydrahike 8 comes highly recommended.
Constructed with high-quality nylon ripstop, it’s robust, lightweight, and easy to carry.
The 2-liter reservoir holds just enough water for a pleasant afternoon of sightseeing in a foreign city or going longer distances over more strenuous terrain.
Small and light at just 1.26 lbs, you’ll find it comfortable that you sometimes barely noticed you are wearing a pack at all. This is thanks to its padded back panel and shoulder straps with air mesh material that help keep shoulders comfortable and prevent excess sweat.
Even more thrilling is the fact that it has an adjustable sternum strap and webbing hip belt to help secure the bag on your back.
What we also love
It’s available in plenty of storage options – 4L to 24L– which all feature reflective details for enhanced safety as you take on your outdoor adventure.
What’s not great
There’s been complaints from users about the low quality of the hose in that it gets broken easily.
Summary: A practical convertible carryon backpack that goes from business trips to casual outings.
The AT8 Convertible Carryon is a versatile travel backpack that can be carried like a duffel or a backpack depending on your preferences.
This is because it comes with very sturdy grab handles on top and side as well as well-padded shoulder straps.
This backpack also comes with thoughtful features that make it perfect for travel — think padded 17″ laptop sleeve, spacious compartment, and padded shoulder straps.
At 45L, it is big enough to fit several outfits, toiletries, tech, and shoes and had plenty of room for more.
The multi-compartment design allows for easy access to everything and you can basically glide through TSA security with ease.
You’ll never have to check the AT8 backpack.
With a 22″ × 14″ × 9″ dimension and 2.1 lbs weight, the AT8 Carryon can fit under the seat.
In addition, it is crafted from quality and water-resistant nylon fabric that will go the distance with you, whether that’s on an airplane or even just to and from the grocery store.
What we also love
You can switch up the game and carry it duffel mode with the backpack straps hidden away.
But when you’re lugging around a ton of stuff, you can have the weight evenly distributed on your back by carrying it as a backpack.
What’s not great
One drawback is the laptop storage which is inside the main compartment. You have to open up and dig under to pull it out for TSA inspection.
Summary: The High Sierra Jarvis backpack is one to get if you’re not just carrying your laptop, but peripherals and other things for a long day.
Designed to safely carry around your expensive equipment, this strong, durable, and well-thought-out backpack has plenty of room to accommodate your laptop and lots of extra items with ease.
The Jarvis has a dedicated compartment large enough to carry a 15.6-inch laptop, and a dedicated tablet sleeve for your iPad or tablet.
Both compartments are padded and offer plenty of protection for your most valued devices, as well as being lined with soft, tricot lining that will keep your screens scratch-free wherever you take them.
In terms of extras, there’s a multitude of storage pockets and zippered compartments with organizer panels designed to keep all of your day-to-day necessities safe by your side.
A zippered side accessory pocket and water bottle pocket make it easy to get what you need without taking the backpack completely off.
A media pocket also allows you to charge or listen to music on the go.
What we also love
Even more important, it’s especially comfortable to sling over your shoulder. Why, the Jarvis Backpack features s-shaped mesh padded shoulder straps, an adjustable sternum strap, and a breathable mesh back panel.
What’s not great
There is no luggage pass-through sleeve feature in this backpack.
Summary: The Dells Canyon backpack is a travel and hiking pack rolled in one.
The Dells Canyon Travel Backpack is the perfect hybrid between a hiking backpack and a travel pack.
With an overall capacity of 22L, it weighs 1.98 lbs and measures 17.3 × 11 × 7.5 inches.
It has compartments galore: a dedicated 15.6-inch laptop compartment, a place to stash your phone, a dedicated tablet sleeve, and an organizer compartment. Not to mention a place for your keys and water bottle.
I particularly like how you can then easily retrieve your laptop/tablet without having to unzip the main compartment, as you go through the TSA checkpoint.
Multiple grab handles on all sides make traveling easy from any angle while the pass-through panel provides you with the opportunity to attach your backpack to your suitcase.
The back panel and shoulder straps are breathable and are perforated with EVA material which further spreads to the back so that the pack sits comfortably on your body.
What we also love
If you need more space, the Canyon pack expands at the bottom for additional storage space.
What’s not great
It’s not the most streamlined travel pack, as you may find the shape a bit boxy.
Who are High Sierra Backpacks Made for?
High Sierra has been producing high quality, and versatile gear for adventurers since 1978.
Depending on your lifestyle, they have a collection of backpacks and luggage for school, travel and the outdoors.
Most of their backpacks are small-to-medium sized and have dedicated organizer panels and compartments for laptops and tablets.
High Sierra backpacks are mostly unisex, and many models come in different colors to suit different style preferences. With some styles, you have the option of plain colors or brightly colorful patterns.
So, if you’re a student, a busy worker with a hectic commute, a day hiker, regular day tripper or weekend holidaymaker who needs a budget friendly bag, there’s probably a High Sierra backpack with your name on it.
Bottom Line
There you have it, the best High Sierra backpacks!
I have carefully selected these backpacks based on how well-rated, durable and versatile they are. Fuss-free, affordable, and incredibly practical, with a history going back to 1978, you can’t go far wrong with High Sierra.
So, which of these bags is your fav? Let me know in the comments!
Why You Should Trust Travelccessories
If you’re looking for trustworthy guidance on travel accessories, you can count on Travelccessories. Femi, an expert in travel gear, and our team have put together a comprehensive review that draws on our hands-on testing, extensive research on reputable brands, careful examination of product manuals and customer feedback, and evaluation of numerous luggage models.
We specifically looked for bags with robust construction, exceptional features, and high ratings from real users. And most importantly, our team consists of experts who do not accept payment for reviews and are committed to providing honest and thorough information to help you make informed decisions when choosing the right luggage.
Also, this article is not sponsored in any way by any company. These products have been independently selected by myself and my team. And the only thing I receive is a small commission from our affiliate program if you buy any of them through the links and buttons on this page. It doesn’t cost you a penny. But it really helps me out as this money goes to paying for maintaining the website, editing software, my time, team and everything else that goes into preparing this post.
11 thoughts on “10 Best High Sierra backpacks for 2023 (Hot Picks)”
Thank you for such an in-depth review of High Sierra backpacks. I was looking for a suitable one that’s not too bulky and will fit all my tech stuff. My favourite is the Freewheel wheeled laptop backpack. The idea of being able to wheel it sounds perfect. In addition, it can fit my 15 inch laptop and has a cable port.
Hi Femi – These look to be some great backpacks! I had heard of High Sierra before but I had no idea they produced such a versatile line of backpacks. You’ve listed a lot of great options, but I think my favorite would be the Dells Canyon Travel model for its versatility. And while it may be somewhat boxy in shape, overall I think it has a nice aesthetic. Thank you for putting together this list of High Sierra backpacks, I appreciate you listing out the pros, cons, and your opinions on them. It was very educational, keep up the great work!
This is a very comprehensive description and review of your backpack products. I like how you focused on the positives as well as the negatives. Although, the negatives will just direct you to another backpack to select. There seems to be one for all purposes! Thanks for this review. It was very informative.
Nina
Femi,
Great backpacks in this one. I actually like the hiking one, even though I don’t really hike. However, I like that it has the drop down in the bottom of it. I feel like that could be really useful in a regular backpack, but I’ve never seen that before. Especially if that feature was in a school backpack for kids that need access to things in the bottom quickly, like a phone or wallet. That’s not a compartment that someone could easily get into unless it’s the wearer.
Thanks for sharing these! I like a lot of these actually!
Katrina
This is a great review. I’m a fan of bags and backpacks, I especially like the Freewheel Wheeled Laptop Backpack, this one would be very useful for me.
Thanks for this review.
Lyne
Hi Femi
Great Post on backpacks. The one that I thought is ideal for me is the Freewheel wheeled laptop backpack. As I am getting older, having the ability to wheel my computer etc., around it’s a great idea. Saves in my back.
I love the Dells Canyon backpack, a combination of hiking and traveling in one. The best feature for me is that you can access your laptop without unzipping the main compartment. I love the shape as well and the fact that it has dedicated compartments make it very easy to use. I would have liked a hip belt especially for hiking but if it is just used for traveling and easy hiking then I guess it would be fine.
With these measures you should be able to keep it with you on the plane.
High Sierra is definitely very affordable.
Thanks for sharing, Femi.
High Sierra has some beautiful models and I find them all very practical. It all depends on what you need or are looking for , of course, but this is why your list here is such a great help to pick the right one. I prefer the High Sierra Swerve. Even though all of the High Sierra backpacks look spacious, this one seems to have a lot of space I could use and the model is also pretty. The student one looks also great. it looks practical for student life. This is what stands out for me, High Sierra’s looks and practicality.
Thank you so much for this article.
I had no idea about high sierra backpacks at all and I can say that they are all looking good. However I liked the High Sierra Pathway Internal Frame Hiking Backpack the best as you said that it is good for people like me who like being outside a lot.
Femi,
I can always count on you for in-depth & accurate backpack information! I have noticed High Sierra bags recently and they seem to have great designs. Having gone through your list, I can tell that they all look so great and I love your own thoughts about each also. I am leaning towards the Rollie because I am finding I tend to pack up a whole bunch of things but then it is too difficult and heavy for me to carry on my back. Wheeling a bag around is soo much better!
Thanks for putting this list together and giving us an awesome way to make better decisions!
Hi Femi!
I really like the hiking back pack. It’s definitely ideal for hiking but I would also use it for travel once I’m back to going over seas! I like the bottom compartment to keep easy access snacks and stuff. You always have the best ideas for travel and outdoors activities!