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10 Best Longboard and Skateboard Backpacks in 2021

You do not need to be a student or a world traveler to reap the benefits of a solid longboard backpack. Longboarders and skateboarders are unique, always mobile and always drifting. A pack which will hold belongings, valuables and necessities makes longboarding to far-flung destinations much more enjoyable. Modern longboard backpacks all have straps for stowing a board while walking, making them that much more useful. There are a lot of skate-style backpacks on the market today, some of which should be on any longboarders short list. Here are a few:

Best Skateboard Backpacks

1.Dakine Mission Backpack

Dakine’s Mission skateboard backpack is a great pack for wearing while cruising. Its broad should straps connect securely to the pack’s shell, ensuring a long life. It has a sternum strap to keep it on the shoulders, as well as a waist band, which can also be stowed away. It comes in a wide variety of colors and patterns, most of which are made from 600D polyester. The materials vary by pattern, though, so keep an eye out for changes.

The Mission pack has an internal organizer pocket, as well as fleece-lined goggle/sunglasses pouch and laptop pocket – good for 15-inch laptops. Its 25-liter main compartment is not the largest on this list, but should be plenty of storage for anything short of deep-woods hiking. Its board straps are adjustable, with heavy plastic latches, perfect of skateboards and sufficient for all but the biggest longboards. Check the Mission backpack’s price on Amazon.com here.

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2.Element Mohave Backpack

Element’s Mohave backpack is a bit of a modern classic. Made from 600D polyester, it is strong and rip-resistant. It has ergonomic, padded shoulder straps with a sternum strap at just the right height for skating. Zippered side pockets keep smaller belongings secure and allows easy access, and internal laptop sleeve keeps computers safe.

The 30-liter main compartment may sound cavernous, but in practice it’s not all that big. The Mohave skateboard backpack can stretch quite a bit when stuffed, though and it may be that Element went with this larger dimension. The skate straps also don’t have enough Velcro to cinch tight on smaller boards, though a longboard should fit securely. The earlier version of this pack was a staple in skateboarding for years, and the new one should see similar success. You can check out more pictures, reviews and price on Amazon.com here.

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3.Eastsport Skater Backpack

The Eastsport Skater backpack isn’t likely to feature prominently at the local concrete skatepark, but that’s too bad. Made from durable polyester, it has all the space most users will ever need. Though, if it will be tasked with hauling a stack of textbooks from class to class, it may not suffice. The pack’s ergonomic straps are on par with most of its competitor’s, though the sternum strap is a bit lower than normal.

However, the board straps on the Eastsport are ill-designed for holding larger boards, with a short patch of Velcro that doesn’t allow for much adjusting. A lack of pockets also hinder the usefulness of this pack. But, the Eastsport Skater can be found on Amazon.com for considerably lower prices than some others on this list, so it makes sense for longboarders on a budget.

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4.Volcom Vagabond Bag

Volcom has built a reputation on quality and durability, and the Vagabond bag continues the tradition. With 35 liters of space, it is one of the most spacious options on this list. A phone sleeve on the shoulder strap is a nice touch, as are the zippered side pockets. The laptop compartment is fleece-lined, and the polyester main material is sturdy.

The Vagabond does suffer a bit from a lack of pockets, though this more affects organization than overall storage ability. Also, the zippers are not the stoutest of the backpacks covered here, though they should last if the pack if not abused. The Volcom Vagabond is stylish and performs well, and typically  on Amazon.com costs about average for the backpacks on this list.

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5.DC Wolfbred Backpack

DC’s Wolfbred is a rugged, 100-percent polyester, purpose-made skateboarding backpack. At 28 liters, the interior is large without wasting space, and it is also padded to protect belongings. The shoulder straps are well-padded and the sternum strap is ideally situated. The board straps are adjustable and feature ultra-convenient centrally located plastic buckles.

Though it has ample, zippered exterior pockets, the Wolfbred does lack interior pockets. Also, its carry handle is too small for a hand to fit through. But, its solid construction means it will last through years, and its adjustable board straps should accommodate all but the largest longboards. It’s a modern classic and possibly the best skateboard backpack on this list. You can find it on Amazon.com here.

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6.RVCA Push Skate Backpack

RVCA’s Push skate backpack is a solidly built, polyester pack that is one of the sleekest on this list. The loop-and-velcro board straps are easily adjusted on the fly, making them suitable for all sizes of skateboard and longboard. The laptop pocket is padded to protect your electronics, and the interior is lined and padded.

The zippers are not the strongest, but they are sufficient. At 24 liters, it is one of the smallest packs to make this list, but the tradeoff is a compact pack. With its adjustable sternum strap and serviceable handle, this pack would work well for a motorcyclist and a skater alike. For those who are both, the RVCA Push is a good choice. You can see if it’s available on Amazon.com here. 

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7.Sector 9 Pursuit Backpack

Sector 9 made the Pursuit backpack with longboarding in mind and as such, it may be the best longboard backpack. It has three board straps to secure larger longboards, and there is an insulated cooler pocket (!) included. The fabric is 100-percent polyester, and its textured surface is a nice touch. It has a large main compartment, and its two smaller side pockets are zippered. It also has a large, padded laptop pocket.

The stitching on the Pursuit is not quite as tough as its main fabric, but this shouldn’t be an issue unless the pack is abused. Also, some vendors price these packs higher than most others on this list, but you get what you pay for. As one of the few backpacks intended for carrying longboards, the Sector 9 Pursuit is more investment than a purchase. You can find it on Amazon.com here.

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8.Nixon Smith Backpack

Nixon’s Smith is a compact pack that stays out of the way while skating. The shoulder straps are lightly, but efficiently padded, and the sternum strap is ideally placed. Adjustable click-type buckles on the board straps keep most any board secure. A padded laptop pocket is accessible at the top of the pack without opening the main compartment.

There are two interior pockets, but unfortunately they have no closures, and any belongings placed in them tend to fall out into the main space. While this may be a smaller pack, though, that main compartment holds more than it appears. The Nixon Smith is a great choice for students and motorcyclists who bring their boards wherever they go. You can check the current price on Amazon.com here.

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9.Vans Treflip Backpack

Vans is synonymous with skateboarding chic, but its products have always had a reputation for toughness. The Vans Treflip backpack is another product in that proud history. The Treflip is a rather large pack, but its padded back and shoulder straps make it feel smaller. It is made from tough polyester, and it has several exterior pockets and an internal laptop sleeve.

One issue that may bug a skater is the Treflip’s lack of a sternum strap. The ergonomic shoulder straps tend to stay closed, though, so this shouldn’t be a problem unless serious tricks are being thrown down. A lack of real pockets may also hinder its usefulness, but the generous interior space can make up for a lack of pocket space. Vans’ Treflip is a high-quality pack that typically costs in the midrange of the packs on this list. You can check if it’s available on Amazon.com here.

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10.Dakine Lid Skate Pack

Dakine’s Lid skate pack is large. Other packs may think they are large, but the Lid is larger. It is at home on campus or on a cross-country tour. It has a padded back and shoulder straps, with a sternum strap in a good position. Its two exterior side pockets are tall and zippered, and there are two internal zippered pockets as well. The adjustable board straps may not be the simplest design, but they are efficient and adjustable.

Not having a large front pocket is a bit different, but the side pockets make up the gap. Another oddity is the cover, which has buckles and straps instead of a zipper – a typical military style. For anyone about to backpack cross-continent, or those who travel far and wide to skate, the Dakine Lid is a fine choice. You can check the current price on Amazon.com here.

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Choosing a Backpack

A backpack might not seem like something to fret over, but for longboarders and skateboarders, the pack takes on a different significance. Your pack will be with you for years to come, and a good one can make your life simpler. On the flipside, the wrong pack can make the simple act of moving around seem daunting and troublesome. As riders, we cannot have that nonsense. So, let’s take a look at a few of the factors longboarders should consider when purchasing a new backpack.

Fit – Is it Comfortable Enough?

It’s listed first because it’s a deal breaker. A backpack must be ergonomically designed to work well while skating, and that design must suit its owner. Most backpacks meant for skating will fulfill the first requirement, but not all of them will. Look for attachment points that are stout, and a sternum strap to keep the pack from slipping to one side or the other. As long as the straps are adjustable, fitment will be more subjective than objective. At that point, it’s all about comfort.

Storage – Will There Be Enough Room For Everything?

Consider what your main uses for your backpack will be, and buy accordingly. If you are not a college student, or you do not travel much, consider one of the smaller, more compact packs. The extra space in a large pack is just wasted, and it quickly becomes cumbersome and gets in the way. Likewise, if you will be loading down your pack, go large. Remember when buying in hotter months that you will likely need to put layers of clothing in the pack as you skate around. Be sure the space will be there when you need it.

Board Stowing

If you’ve never owned a skateboard backpack, and you’re unsure that you will use the board straps, stop it. You will use them if they are there, and use them often if they work well. Carrying a board under your arm may look cool, but putting it on your back makes it disappear for a while. So, look for adjustable board straps first. The simpler the closure method, the less that can go wrong, but also be aware of ease-of-use issues. Click-type buckles that are located in the center of the pack work better than the same buckles tucked to one side. Also, some straps can handle the weight of a large longboard, while others will come apart under the load. Shop around until you find a pack that fits you in each of these areas, and you will use it until it disintegrates.