Best Back-to-School Backpacks with Great Warranties for 2022

Finding a lifetime warranty backpack at a reasonable price is tough.

But I’ve hit the books, done all the searching for you, and put together a list of the 18 best backpack deals that come with protection plans, warranties, and even special discounts of 10% – 20% if you subscribe to certain email lists.

Of course, exactly how much you’ll pay for each lifetime warranty backpack will depend on where you shop, and the company warranties often have certain limits (which I’ll fill you in on below). Let’s hit the books!

For more back-to-school deals and savings tips, download the KCL app.

 

1. The North Face backpack “Kids’ Sprout” is only $35 and comes with a limited lifetime warranty.

The North Face has a few children’s backpacks like their Kids’ Sprout for $35, or the Youth Recon Squash for $50. Both come with a limited lifetime warranty that provides free repairs or even replacement during the backpack’s lifetime (only for damage resulting from manufacturing defects, though). You can return North Face backpacks within 60 days of purchase.

TIP: Always save your backpack receipt as your proof of purchase in case you need to return it or submit a warranty claim.

 

2. Buy a $79+ Patagonia backpack, to get their Ironclad Guarantee that covers all repairs.

When you buy a backpack from Patagonia, it comes with their Ironclad Guarantee. If you’re not satisfied with your backpack for any reason, return it. Any wear and tear issue that isn’t typically covered — they will fix it. The Patagonia website even has a bunch of do-it-yourself repair guides for you DIYers.

 

3. Save 20% off a JanSport limited lifetime warranty backpack with a student or teacher discount.

Verify your student or teacher discount eligibility through SheerID, and you’ll receive a one-time use code for 20% off your purchase at JanSport.com. You can re-verify your eligibility every 30 days to get a new code.

The JanSport backpack warranty protects you from any manufacturer defects. According to details on their website, JanSport will fix your backpack or replace it if it’s found to have a defect covered under the limited liability warranty.

 

4. Pay $30 for the Columbia Lightweight Packable 21L backpack and get the same limited lifetime warranty as their expensive styles.

Go with a cheaper style of Columbia backpack and you’ll still get the same warranty coverage that their more expensive styles have. The Columbia limited lifetime warranty covers manufacturing defects for the life of your backpack.

 

5. Students can use SheerID to get a10% discount on an L.L. Bean backpack with a 1-year warranty.

The price for an L.L. Bean backpack can range from $29.95 to $149. If you have a school email address, you can use it on SheerID to get a 10% discount code good for purchases online at LLBean.com or in store. Every L.L. Bean backpack comes with a one-year warranty covering any defects in manufacturer materials or workmanship.

 

 

6. A SheerID student discount can also save you 10% on a Nike backpack with a 2-year warranty.

Nike backpacks run from $35 up to $100. If you’re 16 or older and a student, you can verify your eligibility with SheerID and get a one-time-use code you can redeem for 10% off at Nike. You can re-verify your status to generate a new code every 30 days. The Nike two-year warranty applies to all their backpacks, too.

TIP: Register your backpack as soon as you buy it so that you are eligible for any warranty coverage.

 

7. Shop the Eddie Bauer President’s Day sale to save 40% on a backpack with a limited guarantee.

When you shop the Eddie Bauer President’s Day sale in February, you can save 40% on backpacks that range in price from $30 for the Stowaway Packable 20L Daypack up to $100.

Their limited guarantee offers replacements or refunds for up to one year. After that, it’s either a replacement or exchange.

 

 

8. Find REI backpacks under $50 for kids that come with a lifetime guarantee.

You can get a kid’s backpack for under $50 at REI. The only problem is that you’ll have to pay shipping for orders under $50 if you’re not an REI Co-op member. If you don’t have the membership, you can save $5.99 by picking it up in store or join the Co-op to get free shipping with no minimums.

And sadly, there are no REI warranties, just a 100% satisfaction guarantee. REI Co-op members get one year from the date of purchase to return a backpack for a replacement or refund, and non-members get 90 days. Whether you have the membership or not, you can return their backpacks at any time if you notice a manufacturing defect.

 

9. Verify your student status with UNiDAYS to get 15% off adidas backpack with a lifetime warranty.

Register with UNiDAYS and get a one-time use code that’s good for 15% off your Adidas backpack. You have to get a new code every time you shop, but you only have to wait an hour to request a new code.

The Adidas lifetime warranty lasts for five years, but their policy doesn’t cover wear and tear.

 

10. The cheapest Osprey backpacks for kids are only $37.50 and all repairs are covered under their All Mighty Guarantee.

All Osprey backpacks, including the cheapest $37.50 Daylite Kid’s backpack, come with the All-Mighty Guarantee — a warranty that’s tough to beat. No matter how old the Osprey backpack is, you’ll get a repair for free, or they’ll replace it.

Be sure to fill out the Osprey warranty registration online so your bag’s covered.

 

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11. Sign up for CamelBak emails and get 15% off a backpack that comes with the Got Your Bak Lifetime Guarantee.

CamelBak has two daypacks big enough for a laptop plus other essentials — the $130 M.U.L.E. and the $160 H.A.W.G. You can get 15% off when you sign up for their emails, and you can save up to $24.

Every CamelBak backpack comes with the Got Your Bak Lifetime Guarantee. Although the policy doesn’t cover wear and tear, they will fix it for free if your bag has a defect.

TIP: Find the appropriate warranty claim form on the retailer’s website.

 

12. Join the Dakine mailing list for 15% off a limited lifetime warranty backpack.

The price of a Dakine backpack starts at $40 for their Cosmo 6.5L and 365 Mini 12L styles. Sign up for the Dakine mailing list, and you can save $6 on these cheaper designs. Dakine has a 10-year limited lifetime warranty. If your Dakine backpack is defective, they’ll replace it, not fix it.

 

13. Subscribe to Herschel emails and get 10% off your backpack with a limited lifetime warranty.

Herschel carries backpacks for adults and children. The cheapest kids’ backpack is the Herschel Heritage for $39.99. Sign up for their email list and save $4. Unfortunately, you have to spend $125 to get free shipping.

Herschel Supply offers an unusually limited lifetime warranty in that it’s good for your lifetime, not the lifetime of the backpack. They’ll repair or replace a defective Herschel backpack.

 

14. Buy a “Jot Kids” Dollar Tree backpack for $1.25 and skip any warranty.

If you have kids and aren’t concerned about how long their backpacks last, you can buy the Dollar Tree Jot Kids Backpack for only $1.25 each. Be warned; if you have trouble with your backpack, your only option is to ask for an exchange or throw it away and buy another one. There’s no guarantee or warranty, and no refunds are allowed at the Dollar Tree.

 

 

15. Sign up for High Sierra emails and get 20% off a limited lifetime warranty backpack.

When you sign up to receive emails from High Sierra, you can save 20% off your first order. If you buy the Outburst High Sierra backpack for $34.99, the email deal can save you $7.

High Sierra has a limited lifetime warranty and will repair or replace defective parts or the entire backpack.

 

 

16. Join the Famous Footwear Famously You Rewards program to get free shipping on backpacks, with or without a warranty.

Join the free Famous Footwear Famously You Rewards program to get free shipping on Nike and adidas backpacks with no minimum spend. If you’re not part of the rewards program, you’ll have to spend $75 to get free shipping or pay a flat fee of $7.95. Famous Footwear has a return policy but no warranty on backpacks.

If you buy a Nike backpack from Famous Footwear, a Nike customer service rep told me that they would honor their 5-year limited lifetime warranty. Adidas said they had no access to third-party sellers, so I say skip buying adidas backpacks at Famous Footwear. Instead, buy directly from adidas since they’re priced the same.

TIP: Sign up for Famous Footwear emails and get a $5 off $25 coupon (email) you can use on an adidas or Nike backpack.

 

17. Subscribe to SwissGear emails or texts and get 10% off a backpack with a 10-year limited warranty.

Subscribe to SwissGear emails or texts to get 10% off your backpack purchase. Average prices of a SwissGear backpack range from $48.99 to over $100. All backpacks purchased online at SwissGear.com come with a 10-year limited warranty that covers repairs or replacement due to any manufacturing defect.

 

18. Exercise caution when buying an Under Armour backpack — they have no warranty.

You can get an Under Armour backpack like the UA Loudon for as little as $35. While you might expect Under Armour to have a decent warranty for their backpacks, they don’t. A customer service rep told me that they handle things on a case-by-case basis.

 

Tips to help extend your backpack lifetime warranty:

• Do not force any zippers
• Do not overstuff your backpack
• Clean your backpack routinely (follow the manufacturer’s directions)
• Keep out of direct sunlight for extended periods (it can degrade the fabric)
• Use zipper lubricant on stuck zippers

 

FAQs:

What does a limited lifetime warranty mean?

A limited lifetime warranty typically means that the retailer or manufacturer covers manufacturing defects like zipper teeth that separate — but only for a specified period or the product’s lifetime. This warranty doesn’t cover damage due to normal wear, accidents, or misuse.

 

Can I wash a backpack in a washing machine?

You can wash some backpacks (adidas backpacks) in the washing machine, but it’s generally handwash or spot cleaning only for others. Look for cleaning instructions on the retailer’s website where you purchased your backpack.

 

What happens if a company won’t honor their warranty?

If you ask for a repair, replacement, or refund of a defective backpack before (or even after) your warranty expires and you don’t get the help you need, reaching out to management or the Better Business Bureau may help resolve the issue.

 

What’s the best backpack for high schoolers?

Choosing the right backpack for high schoolers depends on many things like torso length and how much stuff they’ll need to carry. Online retailers allow you to filter your backpacks by various features, including size. Some websites also have a “help me find the right backpack” feature.