The best backpack in NZ overall is The North Face Jester, an everyday pack built around a padded laptop sleeve, a fleece-lined pocket for small valuables and a hard-wearing build that carries a 4.7-star average. Anything carried daily here also has to cope with a shower that arrives without warning, so water resistance and how well a pack shields a laptop matter as much as litres.
The right backpack depends entirely on what you’re using it for – a laptop commute, a weekend away, or a genuine day hike all call for quite different features and construction.
All 6 picks below cover everyday, budget, business, travel, hiking and premium options, each with independently verified review data.
Backpack Comparison Table
| Backpack | Best For | Laptop Fit | Reviews |
|---|---|---|---|
| The North Face Jester | Best Everyday / Lifestyle | Padded sleeve | 4.7★ (4,067) |
| MATEIN 15.6″ Laptop Backpack | Best Budget | 15.6″ | 4.6★ (92,468) |
| Samsonite Guardit 2.0 | Best Business / Laptop | Padded compartment | 4.4★ (2,217) |
| Inateck 40L Travel Backpack | Best Travel / Carry-On | Up to 17″ | 4.6★ (180) |
| Osprey Hikelite 26L | Best Hiking / Outdoor | None | 4.5★ (13) |
| Bellroy Tokyo Totepack | Best Premium / Compact | 13″ | 4.2★ (231) |
The Best Backpacks in NZ
1. The North Face Jester Backpack — Best Everyday / Lifestyle
The North Face is one of the most trusted names in outdoor and lifestyle gear, and the Jester is its most popular everyday backpack – a genuine daily-driver sized for school, uni or commuting.
It includes a padded laptop sleeve, a fleece-lined pocket for small valuables, and North Face’s typically durable build quality, with a design that looks equally at home on campus or on a light day hike.
It’s extremely well-reviewed: 4.7 stars from 4,067 verified Amazon ratings.
Pros
- From one of the most trusted outdoor/lifestyle brands
- Extremely well-reviewed: 4.7★ from 4,067 ratings
- Padded laptop sleeve and fleece-lined valuables pocket
Cons
- Not purpose-built for multi-day hiking like a dedicated trekking pack
Key specs:Padded laptop sleeve | Fleece-lined valuables pocket | Everyday/school/commute sizing
2. MATEIN 15.6 Inch Laptop Backpack — Best Budget
MATEIN’s laptop backpack is the cheapest genuine option on this list, built with water-resistant fabric, an anti-theft pocket and organised compartments suited to commuting, study or office use.
It fits up to a 15.6-inch laptop with a dedicated padded sleeve, and its straightforward, understated design suits work or study settings without drawing attention.
It’s the single most reviewed product on this entire list by an enormous margin: 4.6 stars from over 92,000 verified Amazon ratings.
Pros
- Cheapest option on this list
- Extraordinarily well-reviewed: 4.6★ from 92,468 ratings
- Water-resistant with an anti-theft pocket
Cons
- Less premium materials and finish than the pricier brand-name picks on this list
Key specs:Fits up to 15.6″ laptop | Water-resistant fabric | Anti-theft pocket
3. Samsonite Guardit 2.0 Backpack — Best Business / Laptop
Samsonite is one of the most established names in travel and business luggage, and the Guardit 2.0 brings that reputation to a smart, professional-looking laptop backpack.
It’s built with a dedicated padded laptop compartment and organised interior pockets suited to a work commute, with the understated styling that fits an office environment better than a casual lifestyle pack.
It’s extremely well-reviewed: 4.4 stars from 2,217 verified Amazon ratings.
Pros
- From an established travel/business luggage brand
- Well-reviewed: 4.4★ from 2,217 ratings
- Professional styling suited to office/business use
Cons
- Less casual styling than the North Face or MATEIN picks above
Key specs:Padded laptop compartment | Organised interior pockets | Professional styling
4. Inateck 40L Large Capacity Travel Backpack — Best Travel / Carry-On
Inateck’s 40L travel backpack is genuinely TSA-friendly and sized to work as carry-on luggage, fitting up to a 17-inch laptop alongside multiple organisational pockets for clothes and travel essentials.
It’s water-resistant and built for business travel and trips specifically, aiming to replace a rolling suitcase for shorter trips where you want to keep both hands free.
It’s well-reviewed for a newer listing: 4.6 stars from 180 verified Amazon ratings.
Pros
- TSA-friendly, carry-on sized at 40L
- Fits up to a 17″ laptop plus multi-pocket organisation
- Well-reviewed: 4.6★ from 180 ratings
Cons
- Smaller review sample than the more established brands on this list
Key specs:40L, TSA/carry-on friendly | Fits up to 17″ laptop | Water-resistant
5. Osprey Hikelite 26L — Best Hiking / Outdoor
Osprey is widely regarded as one of the best backpack brands for genuine hiking and trekking use, and the Hikelite 26L is sized for day hikes and light overnight trips.
It includes a ventilated back panel to reduce sweat build-up on the trail, hip and sternum straps for load stability on uneven terrain, and Osprey’s typically excellent build quality and fit.
Reviews are positive so far but the sample is thin: 4.5 stars from 13 verified Amazon ratings.
Pros
- From one of the most trusted hiking/trekking backpack brands
- Ventilated back panel and hip/sternum straps for trail stability
- Purpose-built for day hikes and light overnight trips
Cons
- Small review sample so far (13 ratings)
- Not designed as a laptop/commuter bag like the other picks on this list
Key specs:26L | Ventilated back panel | Hip + sternum straps
6. Bellroy Tokyo Totepack Compact — Best Premium / Compact
Bellroy is known for thoughtfully designed, premium everyday carry gear, and the Tokyo Totepack is a genuine hybrid – it works as a backpack, a tote bag, and a 13-inch laptop bag depending on how you carry it.
Its compact size and refined materials suit someone who wants a single, versatile bag for work and light travel rather than a large everyday backpack, with a design language that looks distinctly more premium than most of the other picks on this list.
It’s well-reviewed: 4.2 stars from 231 verified Amazon ratings, though stock was down to just 5 units at time of writing.
Pros
- Genuine 3-in-1 versatility: backpack, tote and laptop bag
- Premium materials and refined, distinctive design
- Well-reviewed: 4.2★ from 231 ratings
Cons
- Priciest option on this list
- Compact size holds less than a dedicated full-size backpack
Key specs:3-in-1: backpack, tote bag, 13″ laptop bag | Compact, premium design
How to Choose the Best Backpack for You
What will you actually use it for?
An everyday or lifestyle backpack (like the North Face Jester) suits school, uni or general daily use. A dedicated laptop or business backpack prioritises a padded compartment and organised pockets for work gear. A travel backpack needs to be sized for carry-on rules and organised for clothes, while a hiking pack needs a ventilated back panel and hip/sternum straps for load stability on the trail.
How much capacity do you need?
Everyday and laptop backpacks typically sit around 20-25L, enough for a laptop, books and a few essentials. Travel backpacks in the 35-45L range work well as carry-on luggage for shorter trips. Hiking packs vary widely by trip length – a day hike needs far less capacity than an overnight trip.
What features matter most?
Check for a padded laptop sleeve if you’ll carry a computer, water resistance if you’re often outdoors, and genuine organisational pockets if you carry lots of small items. For travel, confirm the packed dimensions meet your airline’s carry-on size limits before buying.
Read more: Best Touchscreen Laptops in NZ
If you are packing for a trip, the guides to tote bags, suitcases and carry-on luggage are worth a look.
Verdict
For most people, The North Face Jester is the strongest all-round everyday pick – genuinely well-reviewed (4.7★ from 4,067 ratings) from one of the most trusted names in the category. If budget is the priority, the MATEIN 15.6″ Laptop Backpack is remarkable value and the single most reviewed product on this entire list (4.6★ from over 92,000 ratings).
For business use, the Samsonite Guardit 2.0 brings genuine luggage-brand pedigree. Travellers should look at the Inateck 40L for a carry-on-friendly option, hikers should reach for the Osprey Hikelite 26L, and anyone wanting a premium, versatile everyday-carry bag should consider the Bellroy Tokyo Totepack.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size backpack do I need?
For everyday or laptop use, 20-25L is typically enough. For travel as carry-on luggage, look at 35-45L depending on trip length. Hiking packs vary from small daypacks (15-25L) up to 50L+ for multi-day trips.
Can I take a 40L backpack as carry-on luggage?
Many 40L backpacks are designed to meet standard carry-on size limits, but always check your specific airline’s dimensions and weight allowance before flying, since limits vary between carriers.
What’s the difference between a laptop backpack and a regular backpack?
A laptop backpack includes a dedicated padded compartment sized and positioned to protect a laptop, usually with extra structure in that section. A regular backpack may fit a laptop loosely but without the same protection.
Do I need a hiking-specific backpack for day hikes?
For short, easy walks, a regular backpack is usually fine. For longer or more strenuous hikes, a dedicated hiking pack with a ventilated back panel and hip belt distributes weight more comfortably and reduces back sweat.
How do I clean a fabric backpack?
Most fabric backpacks can be spot-cleaned with mild soap and water, or hand-washed if fully unzipped and emptied. Check the manufacturer’s care label first, and avoid machine washing packs with rigid frames or electronics compartments.
Is it worth paying more for a premium brand backpack?
Premium brands often deliver better materials, more thoughtful organisation and stronger warranty support, but budget options can perform very well too – the MATEIN’s huge review count shows a cheap backpack can still be genuinely well-liked.
