The Best Back to School Gear for High Schoolers
Your little kid isn’t so little anymore. Start off on the right track with these WIRED-approved laptops, backpacks, and more.
It’s time for the youngsters to head back to school. For some, they’ll be entering the Wild West (aka high school). Whether they’re a trembly-kneed freshman or a seasoned senior, there’s a chance they need some good gear. We assume you have the folders and pencils covered, but what about backpacks? Laptops? Products that’ll hold up well and look cool to their peers? We’ve got you covered with these tried-and-tested picks.
Make sure to check out our other related guides, including the Best Dorm Gear, Best Middle School Gear, and the Best Discounts for Students and Teachers.
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Photograph: Medea Giordano
An Excellent, Durable Water Bottle
Owala FreeSip Water Bottle
We absolutely love this water bottle. The Owala FreeSip (9/10, WIRED Recommends) probably needs no introduction since it went viral last year. Unlike some other popular cups (looking at you, Stanley) the Owala doesn’t have lead in its manufacturing process. The fun mouthpiece allows for slurping through the pour spout or sipping through the built-in straw. The cups are recognizable, thanks to their oodles of designs (mine is pink glitter!), and durable. It’s hard to find a more perfect bottle than this, but we have other recommendations.
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Photograph: Brenda Stolyar
A Grown-Up Computer
Apple MacBook Air (13 Inch, 2024)
There comes a time in every parent’s life when their kid needs a better laptop. The latest MacBook Air (7/10, WIRED Recommends) is our favorite MacBook, and it’ll be able to handle your student’s workload well into college (unless they’re going for something graphics-intensive like videography). It has no trouble with multiple Google Chrome tabs and apps running simultaneously, though if you want the best performance, you should opt for more than the base 8 gigabytes of memory. The battery lasts through about eight hours of work before needing to be recharged, and there’s a solid selection of ports as well as a headphone jack. It should perform reliably for years. Check our lists of the Best Laptops and Best MacBook Accessories for more recommendations.
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Photograph: Herschel
A Durable, Stylish Backpack
Herschel Heritage Backpack
If your kid doesn’t already have a good backpack, we like this Herschel bag. Don’t let the affordable price tag fool you. It’s well constructed and can handle being stuffed with books or clothes or whatever your kid is toting around. Our tester used it heavily for years before noticing any signs of wear and tear. There’s a 15-inch laptop sleeve built in, too. We just wish it had a dedicated water bottle pocket—but that can be remedied with a clip-on bottle, and it’s not a huge detractor.
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Photograph: Longchamp
If They Want a Purse Instead
Longchamp Le Pliage Green Shoulder Bag
The Longchamp Le Pliage has been an It Girl bag since the 2000s. This version is made out of recycled canvas, but it’s still iconic. It’s big, roomy, and durable, and the outside is weatherproof. It zips closed across the top, and you can also fold it up into a little parcel. It doesn’t have a dedicated laptop sleeve, but if you don’t mind supplying your own, this bag will last for years; it’s a solid option if your kid is backpack-resistant. Consider picking up a cute bag charm to Jane Birkinify it.
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Photograph: Apple
A Multitasking Machine
Apple iPad (2022, 10th Gen)
An iPad is good for more than just streaming shows and playing Dress to Impress. It’s a powerful tool for note-taking, studying, and completing projects—especially when paired with accessories like the Apple Pencil or a keyboard case. This 10th-gen model (7/10, WIRED Review) is our favorite iPad overall. This model is snappy, and available in fun colors. It has Apple’s updated design with slimmer bezels and USB-C charging, and the nearly 11-inch Liquid Retina display is nice and immersive. It can handle running multiple apps simultaneously, and Apple even redesigned it so the front-facing camera is in the middle—not off to the side like it used to be. If you’re in the market for an iPad, this is our top pick, but we have additional recommendations here.
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Photograph: Class Tracker
A Paper Planner
Class Tracker Ultimate Student Planner
Class Tracker makes the best planners for students. There’s a specialized High School version that’s laid out for the entire academic year to help students manage projects, homework, and extracurriculars. There’s a special self-care section to help track things like exercise and social time, plus two-page monthly spreads so they never forget a Spirit Week theme or an important essay. Pair it with some fun gel pens or highlighters and they’ll be set up for success.
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Photograph: Target
A Reusable Notebook
Rocketbook Core
Keeping track of notes can be difficult. This reusable notebook from Rocketbook makes it easier. Simply take notes with the included erasable pen, scan photos to the Rocketbook app, and use a damp cloth to wipe off the pages. The app will keep things organized and works well with Google Drive, Evernote, and other options. Once they’re uploaded, the notes will be searchable, and we like that the reusable notebook cuts down on the sheer amount of paper we all remember from school. Consider picking up a multipack of pens for more color-coding and customization.
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Photograph: Sony
Noise-Canceling Headphones
Sony WH-1000XM5
Trying to study is all fun and games until some random person is clicking a pen at the next table over. The Sony WH-1000XM5 (9/10, WIRED Recommends) are the best wireless headphones. They look nice and sound even better, with industry-leading noise cancelation and incredible audio quality. They get a whopping 30 hours of battery life per charge. They even pause themselves automatically when the wearer starts speaking. Sony’s headphones maintain their quality over years—your kiddo will be able to use these for a long time. If your child is more of an earbuds fan, we have recommendations for those too.
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Photograph: Vuori
The Coziest Sweatpants
Vuori Performance Jogger
I tried these for the first time a few years ago, and since then I’ve purchased many pairs. They’re a cult favorite for a reason. They’re supremely comfortable and soft, and they’ve held up well over hundreds of washes. There are pockets and a drawstring, and cuffed ankles that look right on every body type. They also don’t look too sloppy or loungey—your kid can wear them to school and still look put together. It’s difficult to explain just how perfect they are. Just be warned when I say it’s a slippery slope, because everyone in the house will want a few pairs.
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Photograph: Touchland
Sleek Hand Sanitizer
Touchland Hand Sanitizer
Touchland’s hand sanitizers are nothing like the stinky, sticky stuff you may remember from the days of lockdown. They smell amazing and leave your hands feeling soft and clean. Each bottle has 500 sprays, so it lasts a long time. And these are popular on TikTok which is always a plus with high schoolers. Your kid might also appreciate this carabiner case to keep the bottle organized.
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Photograph: Wandrd
A Bag for After School
Wandrd Carryall Duffel
For many students, high school is the first time they have to schlep stuff from location to location on a regular basis. Whether they’re in band, sports, or theater, a good duffel bag can help them keep track of things like uniforms, equipment, or spare reeds. Reviewer Adrienne So loves this bag due to its adorable color (she has it in purple, but there are other options) and its sturdy construction. And unlike other duffel bags that become a yawning black hole where stuff goes to disappear, this one has multiple organizational pockets. It can even be converted to a backpack. This bag will last them well past graduation.
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Photograph: Slimfold
A Good Wallet
SlimFold Micro Soft Shell Thin Wallet
This wallet is featured in our teen gift guide. Maybe they’ve got their first job, or maybe they need to keep track of identification for the first time. In any case, getting a good wallet is an essential part of the high school experience. This one folds down super slim and has lasted my partner through nearly a decade of use. It has enough room for the essentials but isn’t too bulky in a pocket. For a more purse-friendly option, reviewer Nena Farrell loves this affordable zip-up wallet from Amazon. She says it holds a good amount of cards but isn’t super bulky, so it’s easy to transfer from bag to bag.
Louryn Strampe is a product writer and reviewer at WIRED covering a little bit of everything. She especially loves discounts, video games … and discounted video games. She previously wrote for Future PLC and Rakuten. She currently resides in northern Illinois with two fluffy cats.
