The best backpacks have to pull a lot of weight. They need to protect your delicate laptop on the way to class, house everything you need for after-school activities, and maybe even double as a carry-on for trips. And they need to do all that while looking cute, being comfortable to tote around, and holding their shape for more than a semester. Ideally, the best backpacks can withstand a couple of school years, maybe even until graduation.

We all love trendy backpacks, but functionality also counts a lot here. The last thing you want is a school bag that goes out of style fast and leaves your back feeling sore. Backpacks, basically, become extensions of ourselves, so you want one that fits your vibe and supports your body as you schlep. Plus, if you choose a backpack that’s timeless and durable, it might live on post-grad as a cute commuter bag for work or gear for that hiking trip you want to take.

In sum, you want a back-to-school bag that’s in it for the long haul, and there are so many popular options these days. To help you find the best backpack, we tested popular styles from some of today’s biggest brands, including The North Face and Herschel.

We looked at how much these bags can hold, how comfortable they feel, and how durable they appear to be. Plus, we loaded them up with laptops, sneakers, textbooks, and other school supplies while testing, to see how heavy and supportive these backpacks feel when packed. Ultimately, the bags we picked as the best for students all scored high on comfort and organizational features, with most costing $150 or under.

And if you’re thinking that meant we had to focus on functional-but-boring backpacks, don’t worry —it didn’t. We took into account how cool the backpacks look, choosing options that will go with a range of styles, whether that’s cool and chic, preppy, and more. Scroll on to see our winners, what our reviewers have to say about them (with photos), and where to shop backpacks on sale from our list.

Best backpack for students who like to keep it simple: Herschel Classic Backpack

Look, it’s great that backpacks have so many fancy features these days, but sometimes you just want to keep it simple, especially when it’s back-to-school season. I mean, calculus is already complex enough.