As two backpack brands highly favored by the younger generation, JanSport and Herschel are equally prominent on the streets, campuses, and commuting routes. One is an American classic with over half a century of history, while the other represents emerging modern aesthetic design. This article will provide a comprehensive comparison and analysis of these two brands from five dimensions: brand characteristics, carrying comfort, internal capacity and functionality, material and structural features, and craftsmanship. The goal is to help you choose the backpack that best suits your needs.
JanSport is an American backpack brand founded in 1967 and is currently a part of VF Corporation, one of the world’s largest apparel companies. Originally favored by mountaineers, JanSport backpacks have now become an iconic symbol of American campus culture. The brand's core values are "durability, practicality, and simplicity," with a design style that leans toward classic American vintage. The backpacks feature clean, streamlined lines and a wide range of color options, from subtle earth tones to vibrant bright colors. Among its most popular and representative models are the JanSport Big Student Backpack, JanSport SuperBreak Backpack, JanSport Right Pack, and JanSport Cool Student Backpack.
Founded in 2009, the Canadian brand Herschel is named after the founder's hometown. It perfectly blends modern minimalist aesthetics with vintage nostalgia. The brand focuses on a "fashionable, beautiful, and practical" trifecta, quickly capturing the hearts of young consumers worldwide through its simple yet sophisticated color combinations and signature magnetic belt buckle design. Compared to JanSport's pure campus style, Herschel places more emphasis on urban fashion, making its products suitable not only for students but also for young professionals’ daily commuting needs. The four most popular models among consumers are Herschel Little America, Herschel Retreat, Herschel Classic, and Herschel Pop Quiz.
The following text will provide a comprehensive comparison of the best-selling models of the two brands.
JanSport adopts a classic ergonomic design for its carrying system. The popular Big Student series features S-shaped, thickened, and widened shoulder straps with high-density EVA foam padding inside. The inner side of the straps is made of breathable mesh, effectively distributing shoulder pressure. The back panel is equipped with cushioning padding, providing a decent level of comfort during daily use.
However, its drawbacks are also quite evident: most models lack additional support from a chest strap and waist belt. When the backpack is heavily loaded (such as with textbooks and a 15-inch laptop), long-term carrying can lead to noticeable pressure on the shoulders, with the back bearing a significant load. As a result, it is more suited for daily school use, short trips, and moderate load scenarios. For long-distance travel or heavy hiking, the support may be insufficient.
Herschel’s shoulder straps are also thickened and widened, with an emphasis on ergonomic curve alignment for a better fit. The popular Herschel Little America 25L model features thick padding and breathable mesh in the areas where the straps meet the back. The straps are slightly curved at the top, which helps them better conform to the shoulder's natural shape, making it less likely to cause discomfort even when carried on one shoulder.
Compared to JanSport, Herschel offers a slightly more comfortable carrying experience for the same capacity, especially in the 15-25L commuter models, where the pressure distribution is more refined. However, like JanSport, Herschel, as a daily-use backpack brand, lacks chest and waist straps. Its support system also doesn't reach the level required for professional outdoor use, meaning it's not suitable for long periods of heavy loads.
Both the JanSport Right Pack and the Herschel Pop Quiz feature front slip pockets and larger front storage compartments. The JanSport Right Pack has a larger front pocket, which can hold items like a small notebook or a water bottle.The Herschel Pop Quiz, on the other hand, has a smaller front pocket designed for storing smaller items. However, its storage design is more refined, with compartments for organizing items like pens, calculators, keys, and phones.
One major difference between the Herschel Pop Quiz and the JanSport Right Pack is that the Pop Quiz offers more pockets and functionality. The Herschel backpack features several additional pockets and compartments, making it more convenient for storing electronic devices. For example, the main compartment includes a media pocket, positioned directly above a cable port. This allows you to carry items like your phone or power bank and run the cable outside the bag, making it easy to listen to music with headphones or charge your phone on the go.
The Herschel Pop Quiz backpack also features a top pocket lined with fleece, cleverly designed for easy access to items like sunglasses or a phone.
It’s these small details that really set the Herschel Pop Quiz apart from the JanSport Right Pack. It’s safe to say that when the JanSport Right Pack was popular in the 70s, 80s, and 90s, carrying electronic devices wasn’t a priority. So, if you need a bag designed to store and organize such items, the Herschel Pop Quiz would be the better choice.
Next, let's compare the laptop compartments. Both backpacks have laptop sleeves, but there are significant differences between them.
The JanSport Right Pack features a laptop compartment that can fit up to a 15-inch laptop. However, since the compartment is not padded, it offers minimal protection for your device.
The Pop Quiz backpack can also fit a 15-inch laptop, but unlike the JanSport Right Pack, it features full padding on all sides of the laptop sleeve. It even has a soft fleece lining to prevent scratches.
One standout feature of Herschel is that all of their laptop sleeves use a double-layered bottom design. This design means that the padded laptop compartment is suspended above the bottom of the bag, creating a gap between the sleeve and the bottom of the backpack. This provides better protection against drops, essentially adding an extra layer of protection for the laptop.
In terms of size, overall, JanSport backpacks are larger than most Herschel backpacks. Below is a detailed size comparison chart for the best-selling models:
| Backpack Model |
Dimensions |
Capacity | Weight | Description |
| JanSport Big Student Backpack | 44.5 x 33 x 25.4 cm | 34 L | 1.2 lbs (0.54 kg) | Larger capacity, perfect for students with heavy loads. |
| JanSport SuperBreak Backpack | 42.4 x 33 x 21.6 cm | 25 L | 0.6 lbs (0.27 kg) | Simple, classic design, lightweight and versatile. |
| JanSport Right Pack | 44.5 x 33 x 15.2 cm | 30 L | 1.0 lbs (0.45 kg) | Premium leather bottom, stylish and functional. |
| JanSport Cool Student Backpack | 43.2 x 33 x 21.6 cm | 31 L | 1.1 lbs (0.5 kg) | Adjustable, ergonomic, designed for comfort. |
| Herschel Little America | 45 x 28 x 16.5 cm | 25 L | 2.0 lbs (0.91 kg) | Signature style with padded laptop sleeve and cinch closure. |
| Herschel Retreat | 45 x 28 x 12.7 cm) | 20 L | 1.7 lbs (0.77 kg) | A sleek, minimalist design with top flap closure. |
| Herschel Classic | 43.8 x 30.5 x 12.7 cm | 23 L | 1.0 lbs (0.45 kg) | Simple and versatile, with a classic look and easy accessibility. |
| Herschel Pop Quiz | 43.8 x 30.5 x 15.2 cm | 22 L | 1.5 lbs (0.68 kg) | Structured design, with organizational features and a laptop sleeve. |
JanSport has been using Cordura fabric since the 1970s, a military-grade nylon material known for its "high abrasion resistance, water resistance, and durability." The fabric is densely woven, effectively protecting against scratches and wear during daily use. The bottom of the backpack is made from genuine suede, which has a longer lifespan than regular leather. In terms of water resistance, most models feature a water-repellent coating, which is effective against light rain and helps protect the contents. However, it’s important to note that this is not fully waterproof, so in heavy rain, a rain cover should still be used.
Herschel, on the other hand, primarily uses high-density polyester and a canvas blend. The fabric is thick and solid, offering basic water resistance. The brand places emphasis on sustainability, with some product lines made from recycled materials as part of their commitment to eco-friendly practices. While its abrasion resistance may not be as high as Cordura, it is more than sufficient for everyday commuting and light use.
In summary, JanSport excels slightly in terms of extreme durability, making it more suitable for "rough use" scenarios. On the other hand, Herschel has the advantage when it comes to material texture and eco-friendly properties.
Another important structural feature is whether these backpacks have an internal lining.
Herschel is known for its signature striped lining, which can be found inside the main compartment and pockets of the Pop Quiz. This lining not only enhances the appearance but also provides additional support, helping the backpack maintain its shape.
In contrast, the JanSport Right Pack has no internal lining at all. Therefore, the only barrier between the contents and the external environment is the Cordura nylon fabric and suede used in the construction.
The lining is crucial because it affects both the appearance and feel of the backpack. The Herschel Pop Quiz's lining not only makes the bag look better but also adds structural support, helping the backpack maintain its shape.
Compared to the JanSport Right Pack, the Herschel Pop Quiz feels more rigid, even when empty. When the polyester fabric is combined with the lining, the walls of the Pop Quiz become firmer, allowing it to retain its shape more effectively.
Lining Differences Between JanSport Right Pack (Left) and Herschel Pop Quiz (Right).
As an international brand with millions of units sold annually, JanSport uses highly standardized industrial production processes, ensuring stable quality control. Key craftsmanship highlights include:
Top-Quality Accessories: Key components such as buckles and zippers are sourced from leading international brands like ITW, Nifco, YKK, and Duraflex, ensuring long-lasting durability.
Zipper Strength: The zippers' opening and closing frequency and tensile strength far exceed ordinary standards, offering smooth operation and high resistance to wear and tear.
Reinforced Stitching: High-stress areas are double-stitched or reinforced with knots, reducing the risk of seam breakage.
Lifetime Warranty: The brand offers a lifetime warranty, reflecting its confidence in the product's quality.
Although both are mass-produced, Herschel places a greater emphasis on "premium craftsmanship" in its design details:
Attention to Detail: Every stitch and hardware component is meticulously crafted, with no visible loose threads
Outstanding Consistency: Iconic design elements, such as the red and white striped lining and leather tags, remain highly consistent across different production batches.
Handcrafted Feel: The magnetic belt buckle has a soft, tactile feel, adding a touch of modern aesthetic design to the product.
Limited Warranty: Typically offers a 2-year limited warranty, covering manufacturing defects.
The magnetic belt buckle of the Herschel Little America Backpack.
Another notable difference between JanSport and Herschel is the price. On average, Herschel backpacks are more expensive than comparable JanSport models.
JanSport Backpack is suitable for:
Herschel Backpack is suitable for:
In conclusion, both brands represent high cost-performance options for everyday backpacks. The final choice depends on personal aesthetic preferences and actual usage scenarios. The essence of backpack manufacturing lies in "scene solutions"—the former addresses "durability + budget constraints," while the latter focuses on "appearance + light commuting." True craftsmanship wisdom lies not in judging which is better or worse, but in understanding: the best manufacturing is always done by those who deeply understand the real needs of the user and make the most appropriate trade-offs under constraints. As manufacturers, the best thing we can do is ensure that every production line takes the customer’s choices seriously.
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