STATE Backpack Review: The Give Back Pack

Backpacks come in handy for children and adults. Finding a well made functional backpack that actually gives back has been hard, until State Bags arrived.

A backpack may seem like a fairly innocuous purchase, but if done right, they can make life easier while also looking stylish for years to come. And when it comes to finding a good backpack that will comfortably hold my laptop, while also not being too bulky to carry around regularly, it can be a challenge. When I first heard about STATE Bags and their fantastic initiatives, I was hopeful that they would have a backpack to fit my needs.

Kane Double Pocket Large Backpack

I was excited to try out the Kane Double Pocket backpack when it finally arrived. While it did take 2 weeks to get to me, this sort of shipping time seems more standard with a lot of companies these days.

Upon my initial first glance, I noticed that the external design is really sleek and stylish. This might be due to the Nylon version we chose giving it a smooth and sleek finish. The thought was that this fabric would be really easy to keep clean, and that has certainly been the case. Dirt and debris seem to just slide right off of it and all I have to do is spot clean if I get it dirty.

The backpack has 2 large pockets to maximize the usability, since it’s actually a bit smaller than all of the other laptop backpacks I’ve tried in the past. The fact that it’s a bit smaller was actually a huge bonus for me. Since the backpack felt a bit more restrained, it was easier for me to choose the items I really needed to put in there and made it more functional for me.

In the back pocket, it can hold a laptop up to 15” thick. There is a sufficient volume of padding around the laptop that I would feel safe to put my computer in the pocket.

The other large pocket is more of a general storage area. This is a great place to store things such as papers, pens, shoes, clothes, and just about everything else you might need.

The stitching on both the inside and outside was tight with no loose threads.

All of the zippers looked, felt, and operated in a high-quality fashion. I really loved the STATE logo on the inside of the bag along with the interior material. Overall, everything about this bag screams high-quality and it appears to be extremely well made.

This backpack can hold everything I need comfortably, and still doesn’t feel like a burden for me to carry around. Due to these things alone, this has now become my go-to laptop backpack anytime I need to go out. And even though it comes in at a slightly higher price point than other high-end laptop backpacks I’ve purchased in the past, I think the value is certainly there.

Mini Kane Travel Backpack – Dragons

In addition to the adult backpack we tested, we also tested the STATE Mini Kane Travel backpack. My son is 3 and a half and just started preschool, so it seemed like the perfect time to put this mini backpack to the test.

As far as size goes, it’s perfect for our little guy. It’s just the right size so that it looks and feels like a regular backpack for him (as opposed to a full-size bag that he may have trouble with). He was able to carry it all by himself and it looks well proportioned to his size.

Although, even being a smaller size, the backpack is still able to store a surprising amount of stuff. We haven’t had any issues at all with not having enough room. 

The interior design on the Kane Mini Travel is definitely more simplistic, due to being designed for kids specifically. Even so, there’s a nice level of storage and great usability from top to bottom.

The first day of school was as close to being full as we’ve been able to achieve yet. He needed 2 changes of clothes (to store in his classroom), a water bottle, and a number of other large 1st day of school items. All of these fit within the backpack, but just barely. However, it was definitely too heavy for him to carry, so mom helped out. 

Other than that one day, his backpack holds all of his snacks and papers easily. Plus, it’s easy to manage by himself.

All of the material, build quality, and usability elements that were relevant for my backpack were also present here.

My only complaint is I wish it had the same type of nylon exterior that my backpack has. The canvas exterior looks great now, but I suspect over time it could be hard to keep clean. And for any of us who have kids, we know just how quickly they can get things dirty! But with a price tag of $70, I think it’s hard to go wrong with one of these backpacks.

It’s really difficult to find anything that I don’t like about this backpack, other than the limited color options. The only other place I think the brand could make me love them more would be to get rid of their $2.95 extra for “Route Package Protection”. This feels like something that should be included in the price. Other than those 2 minor things, I am in love with this bag and the company.

When it comes to creating a good quality backpack, STATE Bags is well on their way to being at the top of their game. Currently, they are incorporating recycled fabrics in as many of their products as possible. A lot of their products are made out of 45% recycled material, which is awesome.

While they are not fully sustainable yet, they do have a mission to become fully sustainable by 2025. The brand states that all of their products are made of non-toxic materials and are fully compliant with all quality regulations. However, all of their products are made in China, which I’m not a huge fan of. They do state that all of their bags are made under fair and ethical working conditions. Based on their company mission, I would presume this is the case, but I’d love to see some certifications to back this up.

Either way, their products all appear to be super high-quality and I feel that they will last a lot longer than other bags I’ve used in the past. Their year long warranty doesn’t hurt either.

In my experience with STATE Bags so far, I definitely think they are worth it. The price point may be a bit higher than a lot of other backpacks, but you are paying for quality here. Their bags are aesthetically pleasing, exceptionally functional, easy to care for, and much easier to tote around than other bags.

Adding in their massive functionality with a great philanthropic mission to impact the world positively with every purchase doesn’t hurt either.

It’s difficult for me to find any reason not to give them a try. Plus, if you aren’t as happy with your purchase as I have been, they have a pretty good returns policy and warranty to boot.

If you want to get an initial 15% discount off your first order, just sign up for the STATE Bags email list and you’re good to go. After your initial discount, it’s fairly likely that you’ll get more deals sent to your inbox from them. This is especially true of being on the forefront of when they offer their deep discounts on final sale or up to 70% off.

Some of the STATE Bag products can be machine washed. However, all of them can be spot cleaned if they cannot be thrown in the washing machine. Depending on which product you choose, you can find out the care instructions directly on the product page. 

For example, my Kane Double Pocket Large backpack tells me to spot clean it only.

My son’s Mini Kane Travel backpack gives us the same instructions, which makes for easy clean up.

If you still can’t find the care information on their website, then the brand suggests checking inside the main compartment for instructions, as they should all be listed there. And if all else fails, they say that you can certainly dry clean your bag.

My family and I simply loved the two backpacks we tried from STATE Bags. But, it’s also nice to know that they have a few other offerings besides just backpacks. Currently, they are also selling:

• Totes – Starting at $93
• Fanny Packs – Starting at $48
• Weekenders – Starting at $111
• Luggage – Starting at $165
• Dopp Kits – Starting at $45
• Accessories – Starting at $25