If you're a parent, you already know the back-to-school backpack search is no joke. Every year, it's the same song: find something that looks good, holds up, and doesn’t completely fall apart by winter break.
So when I started seeing the STATE Bags Kane Backpack pop up in group chats, mom groups, and even a few Instagram stories, I took the hint and ordered two: the Kane Backpack in Intarsia Arcade for my son and the Kane Backpack in Sequin Wave for my daughter.
After a few weeks of school runs, playdates, and one extremely chaotic airport layover, I get the hype. Here’s why these backpacks are the real deal—and worth every penny.
1. They’re Built for Real Life (a.k.a. Your Kid Will Not Destroy It in Two Months)
Let’s just say my son isn’t exactly gentle with his stuff. His Kane Arcade backpack has already survived three playground tosses, a mystery snack spill, and being used as a seat cushion during a baseball game. Still looks brand new. The materials are thick, the zippers don’t snag, and the seams feel seriously reinforced.
According to STATE, these are tested to handle real-life kid use—and honestly, I believe it. The bag feels solid without being bulky, and the quality shows. Plus, the outer material wipes clean easily, which I didn’t realize how much I needed.
2. The Design Is Thoughtful Without Being Over-Engineered
The Kane Backpack isn’t overloaded with a million compartments you’ll never use, but everything has a purpose. Both kids’ bags—the Arcade and the Sequin Wave—have the same smart layout: a spacious main compartment that easily fits folders and a lunchbox, a side pocket that actually holds a water bottle (finally), and a front zippered pocket for smaller essentials like pencils, hand sanitizer, or a secret snack stash.
One feature I didn’t expect to love? The luggage sleeve. We recently traveled for a family reunion, and being able to slide their backpacks onto our rolling carry-ons was clutch. No slipping straps or constant adjusting—it just worked.
3. The Look? Clean, Elevated, and Just the Right Amount of Fun
STATE doesn’t do loud characters or over-the-top prints—and I love that. The Arcade version has this super cool 8-bit vibe without being cheesy, and the Sequin Wave has floating sequins that shimmer and shift when the bag moves. It’s a mesmerizing detail that my daughter immediately declared “magical.”
But more importantly, they feel like bags your kids won’t outgrow next year. The look is elevated enough that they can carry it into third, fourth, even fifth grade. It’s a backpack that respects your kid’s personality without being stuck in a toddler aesthetic.
4. STATE’s Mission Actually Means Something
What really pushed me to try STATE was their mission. For every bag sold, STATE supports American children and families in need through initiatives like packed school bag donations and funding thoughtful projects with partner charities and schools. It’s not a marketing afterthought—it’s been core to the brand since day one.
I’ve bought plenty of backpacks that go straight to a landfill after one school year. With STATE, I feel like I’m buying smarter—both in terms of quality and impact.
5. It Grows With Your Family
We bought the Kane Backpack for our elementary-aged kids, but I already have my eye on the Kane Mini for my preschooler and the Wellington Cabana Tote for myself (because yes, they make adult bags too). It’s a brand you can stick with as your family grows—and not have to compromise on function or aesthetic.
Final Thoughts
At $125, the Kane Backpack isn’t the cheapest option on the shelf—but it’s easily one of the smartest investments I’ve made for my kids this year. It’s durable, practical, fun (without being juvenile), and designed to actually work for busy families who need things to just function.
If you’re tired of rebuying backpacks every six months or cringing at your kid’s character bag every time you drop them off at school… go ahead and try one. I did. And I’m not going back.
