The Best Gender-Neutral Backpacks to Hand Down to the Next Sibling

If you have more than one child in your family, shopping for kid gear requires strategy. Big-ticket items like backpacks need not only to appeal to your oldest daughter but should also work for her little brother. The following dozen backpacks do just that. They all feature gender-neutral designs that no one will be embarrassed to wear, and they're all durable enough to survive your first child's abuse and still look great for child number two.

Keep reading to find your favorite that will work for this year's back-to-school season . . . and for many years (and siblings) to come.

The North Face Berkeley Backpack

The North Face Berkeley Backpack

The North Face's Berkeley Backpack ($65) features a bright, three-tone design; padded shoulder straps; and a padded back panel to keep your kid comfortable.

Lässig Little Monster Mini Backpack

Lässig Little Monster Mini Backpack

Lässig's Little Monster Backpack ($45) is mini size for little ones, features a glow-in-the-dark monster theme, and has plenty of pockets for storing toys and school essentials.

State Lacrosse Mesh Kane Backpack

State Lacrosse Mesh Kane Backpack

State's Lacrosse Mesh Kane Backpack ($65) is roomy enough to work for school, camping, or sleepovers; has enough pockets to keep your kid's gear organized and safe; and just looks cool. Plus, as part of State's #GiveBackPack Program, for each Kane bag sold, the company will deliver a backpack full of school essentials to an American child in need.

Skip Hop Zoo Backpack

Skip Hop Zoo Backpack

Skip Hop's Zoo Backpack ($20), available in more than 25 animal designs, is a must for every preschooler and classic enough to pass down to smaller siblings.

Patagonia Bonsai Backpack

Patagonia Bonsai Backpack

Patagonia's Bonsai Backpack ($59) is a medium-size pack with a durable, water-repellent finish. The bag features a top-loading main compartment, a zippered top pocket, and daisy chains on top for clipping on other small items.

Fluf Lil B Pack

Fluf Lil B Pack

Fluf's Lil B Pack ($32) is made of preshrunk (and machine-washable) organic cotton and is perfectly sized for preschoolers. However, the extendable straps also make it a sweet sack for bigger kids to hold their phones, wallets, and keys in.

Gap Stripe Senior Backpack

Gap Stripe Senior Backpack

Gap's Stripe Senior Backpack ($45) has adjustable padded straps; a roomy, electric-blue interior that fits standard school books and binders; and an elasticized water-bottle pocket.

Herschel Pop Quiz Backpack

Herschel Pop Quiz Backpack

Herschel's Pop Quiz Backpack ($65) is sized for kids ages 7 and up. The bag features the brand's signature striped fabric liner, an internal storage sleeve, an external pocket with a key clip, a removable sternum support strap, and an internal media pocket with a headphone port.

Vans Peanuts Woodstock Backpack

Vans Peanuts Woodstock Backpack

Vans and Peanuts teamed up to release this adorable Woodstock Backpack ($42). The sleek pack, made from sturdy canvas, features a cheery Woodstock in flight and sports a roomy main compartment and a front-zip pocket to stash school supplies in.

7 A.M. Dino Mini Backpack

7 A.M. Dino Mini Backpack

Specially designed for little kids, 7 A.M.'s Dino Mini Backpack ($42) has cool puffy dino spikes at the back. The water-repellent backpack also features adjustable shoulder straps to keep your kid comfy.

Under Armour Hustle 3.0 Backpack

Under Armour Hustle 3.0 Backpack

Under Armour's Hustle 3.0 Backpack ($55) is super sturdy and coated with a water-repellent finish. Plenty of pockets — including a lined laptop sleeve — will keep your kid organized, while a padded back panel adds to their comfort.

J.Crew Striped Backpack

J.Crew Striped Backpack

J.Crew's Striped Backpack ($60) is a classic in nylon, with a double-zip main compartment and a roomy front pocket.