Are the bags on campus practical or just fashionable?  Or can they be both? Whether it’s a shoulder bag or a backpack, many students argue their school bag is the best. I decided to put the three most popular styles of bags at Redwood to the test, to see which one met the daily demands of school. Here’s how they ranked, based on looks, comfort, space and pricing.

The “No-Bag” Look

Placing third in the ranking is the no-bag (just carrying around a binder) look. Although not having a bag eliminates the back pain that totes and backpacks usually come with, it was tiring to have to carry my papers all day. This look is also not reasonable, as you can’t safely bring a lunch, pencil pouch, or computer to school. However, with minimal belongings, packing up at the end of class is very quick! Another bonus to this style is its affordability. As a normal binder from Amazon is often around $10, making this the cheapest option.

The Tote Bag Look

Next up, in second place, are tote bags. The body and straps of a tote bag don’t have much support, putting most of the weight on one shoulder. Tote bags can be reasonably cheap, tending to cost around $15, unless you’re following the trends at Redwood. Female students are engulfed in sporting the $155 Longchamp shoulder bags as their day-to-day school bag. The cost of the bag pained me almost as much as actually wearing it. After one day of wearing  my Longchamp bag, it left a prominent red indent all along my shoulder where the bag strap had been. A turning factor that puts this bag closer to the top is how well it complements everyday looks and is an easy item to style. Tote bags easily fit all my school supplies, lunch, and computer. The only downside is the lack of pockets on the inside, making it hard to find certain belongings at times.

The Backpack Look

Finally, in the first place, the backpack. The most popular among Redwood students. The bag has a classic and sleek look, which works for all genders. It exceeds on the comfort scale, evenly splitting the weight of the bag on both shoulders with its padded straps. All my school supplies were able to fit comfortably in the bag, even leaving excess space. In terms of pricing, the bag costs around $50, which is on the more expensive side, but the quality of the bag makes up for the heavy price. Backpacks are good-looking with high comfort levels, practical spacing, and approachable pricing, making them the perfect bag for school.