You have a backpack for the everyday. You might even have a backpack for travel, camping or trekking around the world. If you don’t already have a summer backpack it’s time to think about picking one up. What do you want in a summer backpack? Something lightweight, easy to carry and built with enough storage to carry whatever you’d need for a day at the beach or a trip to the office.
Everlane The Beach Canvas Backpack
Part drawstring cinch pack and part ditty bag with straps, Everlane’s new The Beach Canvas Backpack is almost purpose built for summer use. Constructed of durable natural canvas that’s been dipped in a dark navy waxed coating at the base, The Beach Canvas Backpack is the perfect combination of style, substance and durability. It has enough space inside for a Macbook, but the two exterior slip pockets and single large interior pocket make it far more suited for sunglasses, a good book, towel, bluetooth speaker, sunscreen and anything else you might need for a day at the beach. $40
Mochibrand Orso Orange Backpack
The first thing we think of when it comes to summer backpacks is the classic drawstring cinch bag with simple water-repellent fabric bag and a simple rope cinch. The Mochibrand Orso Orange Backpack is based on that principle except it’s upgraded in every possible way. Channel-anchored drawstrings that are always balanced. Easy pull-open handles and a cobra-weave paracord top handle with clip closure. PU coated, water-repellent fabric construction that includes a reinforced side-seam zip pocket. There’s even a safety whistle built in to the strap for emergency situations. $45
Patagonia Ironwood Backpack
Inspired by “the sliding door on a beater climbing van,” the Patagonia Ironwood Backpack is designed to be as instant-access as possible while still being durable enough to be a bag you’d actually want to take an outdoor adventure. Those aspects already make it a great summer backpack, but it has a few extra features that push it over the edge. Exterior lash points are perfect for skateboards or yoga mats. Padded shoulder straps make it easy to carry a full load and a reinforced haul handle make it easy to toss around. And the bottom loop originally designed to hold an ice axe also doubles as a secondary lash point if you want to strap it down to a motorcyle or a scooter. $69
J.Crew Harwick Backpack
Leave it to J.Crew to take a simple, stylish flap top backpack with leather snap closures and apply just a few key touches to make it even better. The nylon and leather snap construction backpack includes an interior laptop and gear pockets, easy access exterior zip pocket, contrasting drawstring closure and padded body and leather handles. It’s a backpack built for the grown man who wants to carry the stuff to work remotely but isn’t opposed to cleaning some sand out of a bag every once in awhile. $84
Aer Fit Pack Gray
Aer’s Fit Pack combines durable materials, minimalistic design and purposeful engineering to create a bag with clean lines that’s equally suited for travel backpack or summer backpack duty. The shell style backpack has enough room for work and gym essentials or bike gear while still being sleek, stylish and built to last a lifetime. It’s the perfect combination of pockets, compartments and easy access space for the man that’s always on the move, which makes it one of the best summer backpacks around. $120
DSPTCH Bookpack Navy
DSPTCH is incapable of making a bad product, but their interpretation of a classic book bag is even more impressive than what we’ve come to expect from the brand. The Bookpack is entirely made in the USA and still has enough space in its slimmed down profile for a laptop, tablet, chargers and everything you really need for a beach adventure. It also has comfortable shoulder straps, a mesh back and a chest strap if you’re packing a little heavy. $165
Joshu+Vela Baja Backpack Natural
Is it a tote bag with straps? Yes. Is it a backpack with carry handles and a top zip? Yes. It doesn’t matter what you call it because this bag from Joshu+Vela is purpose built for the summer. Inspired by the dunes of Baja California, this made-in-San Francisco bag combines 18oz twill cotton, 10oz cotton canvas and natural vegetable tanned leather to create a bag with the slim profile of a tote with the storage capacity of a backpack. It’s also filled with clever, easy access pockets for gadgets, pens, a laptop or a good book. $198
Mission Workshop R2 Arkiv Field Pack Olive
Leave it to the team at Mission Workshop to create a slim backpack that’s perfect for your EDC while also being capable of expanding into a fully-fledged travel backpack thanks to its modular design. The R2 Arkiv Field Pack is built with a waterproof waxed canvas and 20L of space for your essentials in the large interior pocket and external zip pocket. The two Arkiv rails on the bag allow you to add additional exterior modules like a laptop case, folio, tool case, cell phone and utility pockets—it’s Batman’s utility belt in backpack form. $235
