Teachers work hard, and they deserve a bag that can pull its fair share. We surveyed more than 100 educators in every grade and subject to find out what makes the best teacher bags, and which are the ones they’d recommend. Their experiences can you help you find the right bag to do a little bit of the heavy lifting!
Teacher Bags: The Best of the Best
More Amazing Bags for Teachers
What makes a good teacher bag?
If there’s one thing we learned from our survey, it’s that there’s no one best bag for every teacher. In fact, when we asked 100+ teachers for the best bags, they named nearly 60 different specific options. (That’s not to mention all the folks who’ve had their bags so long they don’t even remember where or when they got them!) So a good bag all comes down to what you need most in your daily teacher life. Here are some elements to consider.
Room for Everything
This is the number-one thing teachers in our survey look for in a bag: More than 80% of them said this is a primary consideration. They were especially fond of bags that could hold any type of beverage container, from giant water bottles to coffee mugs.
Durability
Nearly as many teachers (4 out of 5) said they need a bag that can last and last, through any conditions. This includes being water-resistant, something that’s important to nearly half of our respondents, and washable.
Portability
Home to classroom, staff room to meetings, after-school events and beyond … teacher bags go everywhere! That’s why three-quarters of teachers want a bag that’s easy to carry. And since educators tend to fill their bags with lots and lots of stuff, more than 50% want the bag itself to be lightweight when possible.
Laptop-Friendly
Educators tend to carry their laptops around with them, so it’s no surprise that 72% of teachers in our survey look for a bag that can protect their tech equipment on the go. Look for padded pockets that keep your laptop separate from everything else, and don’t forget you’ll need room to stash the power cord too.
Organization
A big durable bag doesn’t do you any good if you can’t find anything in it! Three out of five teachers love a bag with lots and lots of pockets so they can organize it all—and keep it that way.
Style
This isn’t the biggest consideration for some teachers, but more than half of those we surveyed definitely want their teacher bag to show off their personal style! From simple and elegant to fun and colorful, our list includes picks that match every personality.
Here’s our list of the best teacher bags by category.
Best Teacher Tote Bag
Poppy & Peonies was one of the most popular brands mentioned by teachers in our survey. As Laureli W. points out, this Canadian brand is a “small business, indigenous supporter, and female-owned.” You’ll find their backpack on our list too, since teachers can’t stop raving about the combination of style and practicality all in one!
Best Teacher Backpack
Teachers love Vera Bradley! They mentioned several different styles, but all of them stressed the high quality of these bags. Several of them recommended trying outlet stores, since Vera Bradley can be a bit on the pricey side, but they all felt the price was well worth it. Plus, if you shop through ID.me on the website, the brand offers teacher a 10% discount!
Best Laptop Bag for Teachers
There wasn’t quite as much consensus in this category, with teachers carrying a wide array of brands and styles. But one laptop bag did come up several times, and it’s one of our favorites too. This affordable bag comes in a big selection of colors and several sizes. If you’re looking for a bag that’s easy on the back and offers good protection for your laptop, this is the one to check out first.
Best Rolling Bag for Teachers
When teachers have a lot of heavy stuff to move around, they rely on roller bags. They’re especially fond of Hulken rolling totes, which come in three sizes and an array of gorgeous colors. This rolling bag folds down when it’s not in use, and it has sturdy handles so you can pick it up and carry it when needed. It’s a bit of a splurge, but the high quality makes it worth the investment.
Best Budget Bag for Teachers
If you don’t have a lot of money to spend on your bag, no worries! There are still lots of excellent options. At least half a dozen teachers mentioned using the same JanSport they’ve been carrying since college. These long-lasting bags have been a favorite for years, and the price is still very affordable. This pick has a laptop compartment, a water bottle sleeve, and several other pockets to keep you organized. Plus, it comes in an array of colors and patterns!
More Terrific Tote Bags for Teachers
These tote bags will keep you organized on the go, with options in every price range.
More Top Teacher Backpacks
Keep your hands free for the million other things teachers need to do with a good backpack. These picks offer options for any educator’s budget and style.
More Rolling Bags for Teachers
When you need to move more than you can comfortably carry, rolling bags are the way to go! Look for sturdy wheels and a telescoping handle, and you’ll be rolling in style.
More Top-Notch Budget Teacher Bags
When you don’t have any money to spare (and so many teachers don’t), you need a low-cost bag that can pull its own weight. These picks are all under $30 (and some are much less).
