What Color Backpack Should I Get for High School? A Practical Guide

Choosing the right backpack color for high school isn’t about following trends-it’s about finding something that works for your life. You’ll carry it every day, dump it on the floor after practice, rub it against lockers, and probably spill coffee on it before lunch. So what color actually holds up? And more importantly, what color makes your life easier?

Black is the Silent Winner

Black backpacks don’t show dirt. Not really. A smudge from the bus seat? A scuff from the hallway? A pencil mark from your notebook? It all disappears. You don’t have to baby it. You don’t have to wipe it down after every use. That’s why over 60% of high schoolers in Chicago public schools carry black backpacks, according to a 2024 survey by the Illinois School Supplies Association. It’s not because it’s stylish-it’s because it’s practical.

And if you’re worried it looks too plain? Add a keychain, a patch, or a colorful water bottle clipped to the side. Black is the blank canvas. It lets you express yourself without the backpack itself looking messy.

Dark Blue or Navy? A Smart Alternative

If black feels too corporate or too common, dark blue is the next best thing. It hides stains almost as well, but it has a little more personality. It looks intentional-not like you grabbed the first backpack off the clearance rack. Navy also pairs well with almost any school uniform or casual outfit. You won’t look like you’re trying too hard, but you won’t look like you gave up, either.

One student at Lincoln Park High told me she switched from gray to navy after her old backpack looked like it had been dragged through a mud puddle by the end of October. She said, "Now I can actually see my name on the tag. Before, it was just a blur of grime."

Gray Is the Trap

Gray sounds neutral. It sounds safe. But here’s the truth: gray shows every single mark. A fingerprint? Visible. A water ring? Crystal clear. A smudge from your hoodie sleeve? It looks like someone drew on it with charcoal. I’ve seen gray backpacks in high schools that looked like they’d been through a war by mid-November.

Gray works if you’re the kind of person who carries a microfiber cloth in their bag to wipe it down every day. If you’re not? Avoid it. Save yourself the stress.

Why You Should Avoid Bright Colors (Unless You’re Specific)

Red, neon green, bright pink-these colors look cool in the store. But they don’t last. A red backpack will fade under Chicago’s winter sun. A neon green one will look dull by February. And don’t even think about white. White backpacks in high school are a myth. They start clean. They end up looking like they’ve been used as a paintbrush.

There’s one exception: if you’re on a sports team and your school lets you wear team colors, go for it. A red backpack for a football player? Fine. A lime green one for a lacrosse player? Totally fine. But if you’re just trying to stand out? It’ll cost you in upkeep.

What About Patterns?

Camouflage, stripes, geometric prints-they’re everywhere online. But here’s what happens: the pattern fades. The edges wear thin. The design starts to look like a mistake. One student at Northside College Prep brought in a camouflage backpack in September. By December, the green had faded to brown, the black had bled into the khaki, and it looked like a used gym bag someone found in the basement.

If you want personality, go for a solid color and add a pin or a patch. It’s cheaper. It lasts longer. And you can change it whenever you want.

What Color Matches Your Routine?

Think about your day. Do you walk to school in the rain? Black or navy. Do you carry a lot of books? Dark colors hide the wear from heavy straps. Do you ride the bus? You’ll be leaning against other bags. Dark colors don’t transfer dye.

Do you have a locker that’s always messy? A dark backpack won’t make you feel guilty every time you open it. Do you get picked up after practice? You don’t want to be the kid with the dirty backpack that looks like it was dragged through the locker room.

What About Durability?

Color isn’t the only thing that matters. But it’s the first thing you notice. A black backpack made of 600D polyester will last two years. A gray one made of the same material? It’ll look like garbage after six months. The material matters-but the color decides whether you’ll still want to carry it after winter.

Look for backpacks with reinforced stitching, padded straps, and a water-resistant coating. Brands like JanSport, Deuter, and Herschel make solid options. But don’t fall for the "premium" price tag just because it’s a trendy color. Stick to black, navy, or dark gray. Those are the colors that survive.

Final Rule: Pick What You Won’t Hate in Three Months

Here’s the test: imagine your backpack in March. It’s cold. It’s rainy. You’ve got a math test, a soccer game, and a dance that night. You throw it on the floor. You grab it again. Do you still feel okay about it? Or do you cringe?

If you cringe, pick something darker. If you still feel good? You’ve got your answer.

The best backpack color isn’t the one that looks cool on Instagram. It’s the one you’ll still want to carry when your hands are cold, your books are heavy, and your school day feels endless. Black. Navy. Dark gray. Simple. Strong. Survivable.

Don’t overthink it. Just pick one and stop worrying.