The medical profession is a highly competitive and tough subject of study where medical students are required to carry their laptop, notebooks, books, stationary and plenty of other necessities every day. This is why it’s important to get a good backpack for your medical to keep your belongings organized and one that’s comfortable enough to not cause any back strain.
If you’re shopping for the best backpacks for medical school, then you’ve come to the right place as we’ve shortlisted some of the best suggestions to help you keep your things organized and handy.
Buying Guide for the Best Backpacks for Medical School
Here are a few tips and factors to consider when picking out the best backpack for your medical school:
Compartments and Space
Considering how a medical school student needs to carry a lot of books, stationary and other items, it is good to get a backpack with a number of compartments to help keep your belongings organized. Some might prefer a bag with just one big compartment while others may want one with multiple pockets. Other than the number of compartments, a medical school student will also need to have a spacious bag to carry a lot of things on a regular basis.
The compartments allotted for laptop and other gadgets should also be padded to add a layer of protection from damage. Aside from big compartments, small ones are essential to keep stuff like pens, notebooks, umbrellas, and water bottles in place.
Comfort
Medical courses are long and medical students may have lessons lasting the whole day. Hence it is important to ensure that the backpack you get is comfortable. Give attention to the weight, padded shoulder straps and back panel to understand how comfortable it is to carry the backpack.
If you carry heavy loads every day, you should consider getting a padded backpack with a waist strap. Messenger bags have adjustable padded shoulder straps that are good for lifting loads but not the best choice for carrying heavy books.
Material
Perhaps the most important factor that will dictate the quality of the bag is its material. The best backpacks for medical school need to be made out of high quality material to ensure good durability and light weight. Here are a few backpack material options available in the market:
Water-Resistant
If you live in an area where the weather might change in a few minutes, then you need to get prepared to keep your belongings dry and safe with water-resistant backpacks.
Rip-Stop Nylon
Nylon is lightweight and waterproof to protect your backpack as well as all your belongings kept inside.
Cordura
Just like nylon, cordura is lightweight and tear resistant. Not only that, but it might just be the most durable material of all. However, this material does come with a premium price tag.
Cotton Canvas
Cotton canvas is a hybrid of natural and synthetic material for improved durability, strength, and water-resistance to make it a good choice for backpacks.
Picking The Best Backpacks for Medical School
Yorepek Student Backpack
Yorepek is a popular backpack manufacturer that specializes high quality yet affordable products. This Yorepek Student Backpack includes a TSA friendly feature for you to get through airport security without having to remove digital gadgets from the bag.
The high quality backpack offers enough space for a medical student to carry all school essentials. There’s also an external USB port and headphone holes for you to charge your electronic devices on the go. If you love compartments, then this backpack might just be it for you thanks to the extra zippered pouches at the sides and two side elastic mesh pockets for you to store smaller items or a water bottle.
In terms of comfort, the Yorepek Student Backpack features adjustable side compression straps to fit your needs and preferences. It’s thoughtfully designed and is an excellent choice for traveling, business trips, and medical school.
Pros
- Durable, water resistant material with anti-theft zippers.
- Spacious enough to hold all medical school suppliers.
- Lightweight backpack to not weigh you down.
Cons
- Material could be more sturdy or slightly thicker.
FreeBiz Knapsack Rucksack
If you’re looking for the best medical school backpack with enough compartments to hold all your belongings then the FreeBiz Knapsack might just be the one for you. This backpack comes equipped with an earphone channel, reinforced handle, stretch mesh pockets, bottom hanging ring, dedicated laptop compartment, and three other compartments to store all your medical school supplies.
The front compartment even has three more zippered pockets perfect for storing your phone, wallet, pen, and other smaller items. There’s also a second dual zippered access with a larger room to keep items such as books and clothes. In addition to the many compartments and spacious design, the FreeBiz Knapsack rucksack has an airflow design with thick foam pad to ensure better comfort even when you have to carry it for long hours.
Pros
- Made from water resistant nylon.
- Multiple useful compartments and side pockets.
- Zippered pocket to hold phone and wallet.
- Comfortable airflow design.
Cons
- Material could be more sturdy or slightly thicker.
Muzee Student Backpack
The Muzee Canvas student backpack is beautifully designed product that’s a great gift for medical school students. This multipurpose backpack can serve as a rucksack, laptop backpack for school and even casual daypacks for traveling, hiking, and general use.
This backpack is not just beautifully designed but it has a large capacity with dedicated laptop compartments and a side pocket with an external USB port to conveniently recharge your devices.
All in all, the Muzee Student Backpack makes a great backpack choice for medical students not only of its creative design but also because it provides large enough capacity for the student to carry all their medical books and supplies.
Pros
- Cool and creative design to suit different styles.
- Spacious with adequate capacity to carry books.
- Designed with side pocket and external USB charging port.
Cons
- Overall material and straps are not as durable.
- Zipper may get stuck easily.
Aspen Student Backpack
Here’s one of the best backpacks for medical school that offers adequate storage space to accommodate huge items without compromising safety. The Aspen Student Backpack even comes with a high frequency headphone hole, convenient card pocket, and an anti-theft buckle to safely secure your personal belongings.
The external USB port also has a built-in charging cable to let your medical student charge their devices on the go. Despite all its features, this backpack can be purchased at a very reasonable price, making it a great choice if you’re on a budget.
Pros
- Lightweight design that’s easy to carry and convenient.
- Sturdy and durable material.
- Several pockets to hold many items.
Cons
- Only one compartment to hold all your gadgets and books.
eBags Professional Slim Junior Laptop Backpack
The eBags Professional Slim Junior Laptop is one of the best backpacks for medical school since it’s designed with extreme organization in mind with multiple pockets to hold each item in its right place. It also offers a streamlined, professional look that makes it perfect for medical school, work, and even travel.
Construction wise, this medical school backpack i made from durable twisted dubby fabric with an air-mesh padded back panel for all-day carrying comfort. It’s so comfortable that many nurses and medical professionals choose to use this backpack.
Inside you’ll find a lockable laptop compartment and a padded laptop sleeve that can fit a tablet. The padded laptop sleeve can even fit up to 15.75 inch laptops if you remove the extra padding at the base. There’s also a crush-proof compartment on the exterior to hold fragile gear conveniently without having to dig deep into your bag for it.
Pros
- One of the best backpacks for medical school that’s lightweight and comfortable.
- Easy to organize with a padded sleeve.
- Durable backpack made from sturdy materials.
- Slim profile and good design laptop backpack.
Cons
- Separate laptop compartment may not be enough to hold both laptop and books together.
Mancro Student Backpack
The Mancro Student Backpack is one of the best backpacks for medical school if you’re in search of something versatile. This water-resistant backpack sports a stylish and classy design to suit both men and women.
Other than just its nice aesthetic, the slim business backpack comes with a USB charging port to recharge your devices conveniently while on the go. There’s also enough space to accommodate 17 inch laptops with a range of interior and exterior pockets designed along the wide opening.
Despite its features, you can get this backpack for a really affordable price while ensuring all your belongings are safely secured making it one o the best backpacks for medical school.
Pros
- Slim design.
- Built with a USB charging port.
- Has adequate laptop compartment to hold a 17” laptop with a variety of pockets inside and out.
- Multiple compartments.
- Durable and waterproof material to handle all weather conditions.
- Comfortable shoulder straps.
Cons
- Adjustable shoulder straps might loosen over time.
Vancropak Student Backpack
The Vancropak Student Backpack deserves a spot among the best backpacks for medical school The lightweight medical school backpack weighs only 0.63kg/1.4 lbs. Size is 13 inches broad and approximately 17 inches tall. The main compartment has a dedicated space for books, pens, keys, cards, laptop, phones, and a tablet. There’s also an earphone/headphone hole and a USB charging port.
This laptop backpack is made of high quality canvas polyester and smooth zipper. Featuring an S-design shoulder strap and breathable seismic decompression, it is easy to see why this comfortable and stylish backpack is one of the best backpacks for medical school.
Pros
- Made of water-resistant canvas to keep your belongings cool and dry.
- Lightweight medical school backpack for everyday use and commute.
- USB port for charging devices.
- Smooth zippers with convenient side pockets.
Cons
- Might be a bit small compared to other medical school backpacks.
- Port requires a portable charger.
ProEtrade Backpack Bookbag for School
The sturdy ProEtrade medical student backpack is specially designed to carry huge medical school supplies in the most convenient way possible. The elegantly inner padded laptop pocket can fit up to 15.6 inch laptop with front inner pockets to hold smaller accessories such as keys, pens, and cell phones.
The front zipped pockets are perfect for storing documents or tablets while the two water bottle pockets on the side are great to keep you hydrated throughout the day. The laptop backpack sports an ergonomic S-curved shoulder straps with a comfortable and breathable design to make this a great med school backpack.
Pros
- Durable material with padded compartments.
- Thee main compartments that are spacious enough to organize larger items.
- Waterproof lining.
- Velcro-strapped pickets.
Cons
- Might have zipper issues that get stuck or broken easily.
Tocode Student Backpack
Tocode makes a great fit for medical school since this breathable and comfortable backpack offers enough storage space to hold everything you need in your med school life. The laptop backpack has body side and shoulder straps that are made of excellent thick breathable mesh padding to offer plenty of cushioned comfort.
Although this laptop backpack for medical school comes with an external USB port, it does not power itself and will need to be connected to an external power bank. Nonetheless, the charging port offers an easy access to charge your devices. In terms of construction, this medical school laptop backpack is made of heavy-duty water-resistant Oxford fabric with a large 35L capacity.
Pros
- Large padded laptop compartment for a 17” laptop.
- Durable material with good ergonomics.
- Lock for safety with a huge capacity.
- Adjustable shoulder straps made with air-mesh breathable padding for comfort.
Cons
- Port available only allows easy access to charge.
- Less pockets compared to other backpacks for medical school.
- May have defective zippers.
FLYMEI Laptop Backpack
The FLYMEI laptop backpack is a great choice for medical school thanks to its affordable price and various cool features that come with it. This water-resistant med school backpack does not just provide you enough storage spade but also protects your belongings from rain and theft.
The solid laptop backpack sports a password lock – something that other backpacks do not have, a headset interface, and a USB charging port. Similar to the other bag we reviewed above, this backpack is made of waterproof, durable Oxofrd fabric with two “S’ curve padded shoulder straps and airflow back design to ensure maximum back support. This allows the shoulder straps to be breathable and comfortable enough for daily use.
Pros
- Comes with a password lock.
- Adjustable shoulder straps with S-curve pads and air-mesh design for back support.
- Large capacity for books, laptops, and tablets.
Cons
- Smaller compared to other best backpacks for medical school students.
- Zipper might get loose.
Bopai Anti-Theft Business Backpack
The Bopai student backpack sports a multi-panel airflow back with adjustable straps and a very comfortable sturdy handle to make it easy for you to carry it around. The solid laptop backpack has a built-in USB cable, an invisible card pocket and anti theft system to help you securely keep your belongings.
The invisible card pocket is great for storing your subway/bus card without going through the hassle of searching through your backpack. This feature is very handy, especially when you’re in a rush. The bag also features a breathable massage scientific design to make it comfortable and perfect for long days of carrying heavy loads.
Pros
- Adjustable and comfortable shoulder straps.
- Invisible card pocket that’s convenient for storing bus cards.
- Made from durable polyester fabric with a breathable design.
- Anti-theft system.
Cons
- Laptop compartment may be a little too big for smaller laptops.
Kipling Seoul L Solid Backpack
Durable on the outside and spacious on the inside, the Kipling Seoul L Solid Backpack is definitely one of the best backpacks for medical school. One cool feature that we would like to highlight about this backpack is the water bottle pockets and padded shoulder straps.
The backpack weighs around 1.45 pounds and comes with a protective padded sleeve for your laptop. The zip front pocket contains two pen sleeves, a cell phone pocket, a slip pocket, and a large zip pocket to keep your essentials organized.
Pros
- Overall lightweight bag.
- Durable and well made with zippered pocket.
- Padded laptop compartment.
- Spacious main compartment.
Cons
- Zipper issues.
The North Face Recon Backpack
If you’re searching for a stylish, durable backpack that’s also spacious enough to fit all your medical school essentials, then the North Face Recon Backpack might just be the one for you. The backpack is designed with high-end 210D Cordura Nylon which is known to be one of the most durable and tear-proof material for backpack.
Opening the backpack reveals a large main compartment to fit all your important medical school supplies. There’s also a front pocket and a water bottle pocket for convenience.
Pros
- Comfortable backpack with good shoulder straps and zippered pocket.
- Compact yet spacious main compartment and front pocket.
- Adequate padded back panel for support.
Cons
- Basic design.
High Sierra Jarvis Laptop Backpack
The first thing that you’ll notice about this is its multiple compartments and pockets. The bag features a zippered laptop compartment, zippered tablet sleeve, zippered pocket in the middle,zippered media pocket on the front top, zippered organized pocket with slip pockets, loops, and more. There are also mesh lined pockets for water bottles on both sides of the bag.
The bag is available in four different colors. There’s even an additional attachment clip and daisy chain loops for attaching extra accessories that you may need.
Pros
- Well designed backpack that’s roomy and comfortable.
- Waterproof zippers to protect your belongings inside.
- Looks smart and works well for its purposes.
Cons
- Some may find that the shoulder straps are a little uncomfortable or are placed too close to each other.
Under Armour Unisex-Adult Hustle 3.0 Backpack
The Under Armour Unisex Hustle 3.0 backpack is a large, well-built bag with an appearance that give you the impression of a sturdy partner you can rely on for school. Inside you’ll find roomy interiors.
Featuring a zippered compartment with padded sleeve for laptops up to 15” in size, a middle zippered pocket, a front organizer pocket with zips, mesh pockets on both sides, and even a zippered shoe pocket at the bottom of the bag, this backpack is set to help you get through medical school with ease.
Pros
- Machine washable for easy maintenance.
- Water resistant finish to keep valuables safe from the rain.
- Multiple compartments.
Cons
- While the material is machine washable, the backpack cannot hold through the rough handling of the washing machine.
Conclusion
We have finally come to the end of our article on the top backpacks you can get for medical school. You can always refer to our buying guide and follow our suggestions when determining the best backpack to get. Whether you’re just starting out school or you want to get a gift for a student, we hope our list today has given you some idea of the best bags you can get that are suitable for a medical course.
FAQ About Backpack For Med School
What backpack size do I need for med school?
One important factor to consider when buying a backpack for medical school is its size. You need to make sure that it’s big enough to fit essential stuff you need to bring to school every day yet not too big to make it difficult for you to carry it around.
If you often carry huge items and gadgets such as laptops and textbooks, then you need to make sure to get bags that are large enough to fit these items. It is also recommended for you to get a bag that’s designed with exclusive compartments or a laptop sleeve for these. Compartmentalization not only keeps things organized and tidy, but they also make them more easily accessible.
However, if you’re the type to leave heavy and huge items at home, then you can make do with a lightweight backpack for on-the-go mundane hustle.
Should I get a messenger bag or backpack for med school?
Many medical school students have asked whether it’s better to get a messenger bag or a backpack for med school. There’s no one perfect type of bag for al medical school students as it depends on your personal preference and needs. Nonetheless, here are a few differences between a messenger bag and a backpack that you can consider:
Weight and Space
Messenger bags are just as spacious as backpacks but if you tend to carry heavy books and laptops daily, you might end up straining your shoulders since the luggage strap is putting all the weight on one shoulder only. A backpack, on the other hand, distributes the weight across your back. Furthermore, a backpack also comes with more interior compartments than messenger bags.
Accessibility
If you’re the type that wants quick access to all your belongings without spending too much time and effort digging through the bag, then messenger bags might be a better choice for you. Such bags are hanging by your side, making it easier and quicker for you to grab things you need in a moment.
For backpacks, you need to flip the back to the front, open up the zippers or password locks just to access your stuff which might not be favorable if you’re in a hurry. However, there are also backpacks with side pockets and mesh pockets that could give you easy access to whatever you need.
Commute Method
Another factor to consider is your mode of traveling. If you commute daily or bustle around the city via public transportation, then you’d want to get a bag that can distribute its weight to help you travel around without strain. This is where a backpack with padded back panel with airflow mesh becomes a good idea.
Not only do messenger bags place more stress on one shoulder but they might also be more inconvenient to move around since they’re hanging by your side. This increases your chance of knocking into things if you don’t pay particular attention to your sides.
Style
A bag has a significant effect on your overall style. Messenger bags look more professional, especially if you get ones made of leather. Whereas a backpack gives a sporty and comfortable look. If your bag serves as an accessory to all your outfits, you might want to pick one that fits your style.
Comfort
Comfort is perhaps the most important consideration, especially if you tend to carry heavy bag loads every day. If you do carry heavy books and laptops on a daily basis, you should consider getting a backpack with contoured shoulder straps or adjustable side compression straps, better yet one with a sternum strap. Messenger bags may also have adjustable shoulder pads but they’re not good enough for lifting loads.
What is kept in a college backpack of an MBBS student?
Common items that an MBBS student may have in their bag includes notebooks, text books, pens, pencils, rulers, and other stationery, power bank, earplugs, laptop and/or tablet, stethoscope, water bottle, lunch box, hand sanitizer, identity card, dissection kit, tissues, etc.