Culture | Ready to bag it?

Backpacks are, surprisingly, in vogue

They are following in sneakers’ path and becoming more fashionable

An illustration of a blue backpack under a bright spotlight.
Illustration: Ben Hickey

They were once the accessory of choice for hikers, paupers and pupils. No adult with even vague ambitions of style would be caught dead with one. But backpacks have hitchhiked into greater acceptance. Young people are now opting for them over briefcases and tote bags. Sales in America rose to a new high in 2022, as workers returned to the office after covid, according to Circana, a research firm.

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This article appeared in the Culture section of the print edition under the headline “Ready to bag it?”

From the January 25th 2025 edition

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