If you need a large school or college bag, the JanSport Big Student and Cool Student are two very close picks. I looked at both to see which one makes more sense for daily use. Both have two main sections, a bottle pocket, padded straps, and about 34 liters of room. The Big Student is a bit wider, while the Cool Student is a bit lighter and adds a padded laptop sleeve.
I found the Big Student more useful when I had lots of books, folders, and other school gear to carry. The Cool Student felt like the better match when I wanted laptop space and a more dressed-up look. Both use recycled 600D polyester, and both have a limited lifetime warranty from JanSport.
For this JanSport Big Student Backpack vs Cool Student comparison, I focused on the things that matter in real life. I looked at space, laptop use, comfort, pocket layout, weight, and daily value. My short answer is simple: I would pick the Big Student for school loads and the Cool Student for a laptop-focused daily bag.
JanSport Big Student Backpack Review
The JanSport Big Student is a great pick when I need a lot of room without moving to a huge travel bag. Its 34-liter size gives me plenty of space for books, folders, clothes, and small daily items. I like the two main sections because I can keep large items apart instead of putting everything in one deep space.
I found the wide shape useful on long school days. The bag measures 17 by 13 by 7.5 inches, so it has a little more width than the Cool Student. It weighs about 1 pound 7 ounces before I add my gear.
The padded laptop area is also a nice touch. JanSport lists it for a 15-inch laptop, with a zip close to help keep the computer in place. I would use this bag for school, college, work, or a day when I need to carry more than just a few items.
The front pocket has an organizer panel and a key clip. I found this useful for small things that I do not want buried under books. The padded back and S-curve straps also help when the bag gets full.
I also like the simple layout. There are no strange parts to learn. I can open the main sections, put my gear in, grab my bottle from the side, and go. For a basic school backpack, that simple design is a real plus.
If I want a plain, roomy bag for everyday school use, the Big Student is easy to like. It gives me lots of room and keeps the design simple.
Pros
- Lots of room: I found the 34-liter space useful when I had books, a folder, lunch, and other daily gear to carry.
- Good bag shape: The wider build gave me more room for flat items like notebooks and folders.
- Useful laptop space: I liked having a padded laptop area that closes with its own zip.
- Easy small-item storage: The front organizer and two outside zip pockets made it easier for me to find small gear.
- Long-term support: JanSport lists a limited lifetime warranty, which adds peace of mind for a bag I plan to use for years.
Cons
- A little heavier: The Big Student weighs about 1 pound 7 ounces, so it is not the lightest choice when empty.
- Laptop space is more basic: The laptop area is useful, but buyers who want a more laptop-first setup may prefer the Cool Student.
- Wide shape: I found the wider body less neat when I carried only a few small items.
JanSport Big Student Backpack Overview
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Power | Not applicable; no powered parts |
| Size | 17 x 13 x 7.5 inches |
| Material | Recycled 600D polyester |
| Weight | 1 lb 7 oz / 0.65 kg |
| Cleaning | Spot or wipe clean |
| Warranty | Limited lifetime warranty |
| Capacity | 34 L / 2100 cu in |
| Laptop Space | Padded space for up to a 15-inch laptop |
The current Big Student has a 34-liter capacity, two main sections, a padded 15-inch laptop area, a bottle pocket, a front organizer, and padded S-curve shoulder straps. JanSport lists the body fabric as 100% recycled 600D polyester.
Is the JanSport Big Student Good?
Yes, I think the Big Student is a good bag for students who carry a lot each day. I would pick it for a high school day with books, binders, lunch, and a laptop. The two large sections let me split my load in a way that feels simple and neat. Its 34-liter size is also enough for more than just school gear.
I also like that the laptop space is padded and closes with a zip. The side bottle pocket is handy when I want my drink outside the main bag. The main thing I would watch is the empty weight, since a full 34-liter bag can get heavy fast.
My Recommendation
I would recommend the Big Student to students who often carry many books, folders, or extra gear. I also think it fits college students who want one large bag for class and daily travel. If your main need is a neat laptop setup with a slightly lighter empty bag, I would look at the Cool Student first. For a classic school backpack with lots of room, though, the Big Student would be my pick.
JanSport Cool Student Backpack Review
The JanSport Cool Student takes the basic Big Student idea and adds a few details that make it feel more suited to laptop use. It keeps the 34-liter capacity, two main sections, front organizer, bottle pocket, padded back, and S-curve straps. The key change is the laptop sleeve and the synthetic leather base and trim.
I like the shape of this bag for daily college use. It is 17 inches tall, 12 inches wide, and 8 inches deep. That makes it slightly narrower than the Big Student. It also weighs about 1 pound 5 ounces, which is a little less than the Big Student.
The laptop sleeve is made for a 15-inch laptop, with listed laptop space of about 15.7 by 12 inches. I found that detail useful because a laptop does not have to share the same space as books and other loose items.
The outside also feels a little more polished. The synthetic leather base and trim give it a different look from the plain polyester body of the Big Student. I would choose this style for college, work, or anyone who wants a school bag that does not look quite as basic.
The bottle pocket stretches to fit larger bottles. I also like the cord tabs on the zipper pulls. They give my fingers an easy place to grab when I am opening the bag in a hurry.
For me, the Cool Student makes the most sense when a laptop is part of the daily load. It still has the room of a big school bag, but the laptop area makes the inside feel more focused.
Pros
- Lighter empty weight: At about 1 pound 5 ounces, it has a small weight edge over the Big Student.
- Dedicated laptop sleeve: I liked having a separate padded place for my computer instead of mixing it with books.
- Smart outer finish: The synthetic leather base and trim give the bag a cleaner look for college or work.
- Large bottle pocket: The stretch side pocket made it easy for me to carry a larger drink without using inside space.
- Simple access: The cord zipper tabs were a small but useful detail when I opened the bag often.
Cons
- Synthetic leather needs care: The added trim looks nice, but I would take more care with it than plain fabric.
- Not much more room: The Cool Student still has 34 liters, so it does not give me extra storage over the Big Student.
- Slightly less wide: The narrower body may feel less handy for very large folders or a big stack of flat school items.
JanSport Cool Student Backpack Overview
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Power | Not applicable; no powered parts |
| Size | 17 x 12 x 8 inches |
| Material | Recycled 600D polyester with synthetic leather trim |
| Weight | 1 lb 5 oz / 0.6 kg |
| Cleaning | Spot or wipe clean |
| Warranty | Limited lifetime warranty |
| Capacity | 34 L / 2100 cu in |
| Laptop Space | Sleeve for a 15-inch laptop |
The Cool Student has the same 34-liter storage size as the Big Student. Its listed body fabric is 100% recycled 600D polyester, and it adds synthetic leather at the base and trim. JanSport lists a 15-inch laptop sleeve, two main sections, a bottle pocket, two outside zip pockets, and a padded back panel.
Is the JanSport Cool Student Good?
Yes, I think the Cool Student is a very good choice for a student who carries a laptop. The separate laptop sleeve is the feature I would notice most in daily use. It lets me keep the computer away from loose books, chargers, and other items.
I also like the slightly lower empty weight. The difference is small, but it can help when I am already carrying a full load. The 34-liter size gives me enough room for school or college gear without moving into an oversized travel bag.
The outer trim also makes this model stand out. I would use it for class, a campus walk, or a work day where I want one bag for my computer and other items. The only reason I would skip it is if I want the wider shape of the Big Student for large books and folders.
My Recommendation
I would choose the Cool Student for college students, older students, and anyone who carries a laptop every day. I also like it for buyers who want a school bag with a cleaner look. If you mainly carry heavy books and want the widest main body, the Big Student is worth a closer look. For a laptop-first daily bag, I would personally lean toward the Cool Student.
JanSport Big Student Backpack vs Cool Student: Comparison
Both bags are close in size and layout, so the choice comes down to small details. I found that neither one is a clear winner for every buyer. The Big Student is better suited to a broad school load, while the Cool Student has a small edge for laptop use and style.
Storage Space: JanSport Big Student vs Cool Student
Both bags give me 34 liters of room. That means the basic storage level is almost the same.
The Big Student is 13 inches wide, while the Cool Student is 12 inches wide. That extra inch helped the Big Student feel better for wide folders and larger school items.
Winner: Big Student — 9.5/10
Laptop Use: JanSport Big Student vs Cool Student
Both models have laptop storage, but I give the Cool Student the edge for this job. Its sleeve is clearly built into the bag design, and JanSport lists a 15-inch laptop size for it.
The Big Student also has a padded 15-inch laptop compartment, so it is still a good laptop bag. I just found the Cool Student more natural when the computer was one of my main daily items.
Winner: Cool Student — 9.5/10
Comfort: JanSport Big Student vs Cool Student
Both use S-curve shoulder straps and a padded back. That gives both bags a good base for daily carry.
The Cool Student has a small weight advantage at 1 pound 5 ounces. The Big Student is 1 pound 7 ounces. I did not find the gap huge, but it can matter once the bag is full.
Winner: Cool Student — 9/10
Organization: JanSport Big Student vs Cool Student
The pocket layout is very close on both. Each has two main sections, a front organizer, two outside zip pockets, and a bottle pocket.
I liked the Big Student for a school load because its wider shape gave flat items more room. The Cool Student felt better when I wanted the laptop to have its own place.
Winner: Big Student — 9/10
Style and Finish: JanSport Big Student vs Cool Student
The Big Student keeps a simple fabric look. That works well for school and gives it a classic backpack feel.
The Cool Student adds synthetic leather at the base and trim. I think that gives it a more polished look for college or work.
Winner: Cool Student — 9.5/10
Performance: JanSport Big Student vs Cool Student
For daily carry, I found both bags strong and simple. The Big Student stood out when I needed broad storage for books and folders. Its 34-liter size and wider body make it a good school workhorse.
The Cool Student felt more balanced when my load included a laptop, charger, notebooks, and smaller daily items. Its separate laptop sleeve gave the inside a clearer purpose.
Winner: Big Student — 9.4/10
Ease of Use: JanSport Big Student vs Cool Student
Both bags are easy to understand. I did not need to learn a new pocket system or deal with odd straps. The front organizer, main sections, bottle pocket, and outside zip pockets are easy to reach.
I give the Cool Student a small edge because of its zipper cord tabs and laptop sleeve. Those details make daily use feel a bit more focused.
Winner: Cool Student — 9.3/10
Value for Money: JanSport Big Student vs Cool Student
Both bags offer a lot of storage without a complex design. I like that the Big Student gives me the main features I need without adding extra parts.
The Cool Student makes more sense to me if I will use the laptop sleeve every day. Its added trim and laptop-focused layout give me more reason to choose it over the simpler Big Student.
Winner: Cool Student — 9.2/10
Overall: JanSport Big Student vs Cool Student
My overall winner is the JanSport Cool Student, but only by a small margin. It gives me the same 34-liter capacity, a lighter empty weight, a dedicated laptop sleeve, and a more polished finish.
That does not make the Big Student a bad choice. In fact, I would choose the Big Student if my main goal were carrying lots of books, folders, and school gear. Its wider body and simple layout fit that job very well.
FAQs for JanSport Big Student Backpack vs Cool Student
Is the JanSport Big Student bigger than the Cool Student?
They both hold about 34 liters, so their storage size is very close. The Big Student is 13 inches wide, while the Cool Student is 12 inches wide.
Which is better, JanSport Big Student or Cool Student?
I would pick the Cool Student for laptop use and the Big Student for large school loads. The better choice depends on what I carry each day.
Does the JanSport Big Student fit a laptop?
Yes. The current Big Student has a dedicated padded laptop compartment made for a 15-inch laptop.
Does the JanSport Cool Student fit a laptop?
Yes. JanSport lists an internal sleeve for a 15-inch laptop, with laptop dimensions of about 15.7 by 12 inches.
Which JanSport backpack is lighter?
The Cool Student is lighter on the current specs. It weighs about 1 pound 5 ounces, while the Big Student weighs about 1 pound 7 ounces.
Are both backpacks good for college?
Yes. I think both can work well for college. I would choose the Cool Student if I carry a laptop every day and the Big Student if I need more room for wide books and folders.
Do both JanSport bags have a water bottle pocket?
Yes. Both have a side bottle pocket. JanSport says the Cool Student pocket can stretch to fit larger bottles, while the Big Student uses a stretch mesh bottle pocket.
Which backpack should I buy for school?
If I had lots of books and folders, I would buy the Big Student. If I had a laptop plus school items, I would buy the Cool Student.
Conclusion
After comparing the JanSport Big Student and Cool Student, I give the Cool Student the overall win for its laptop sleeve, lighter build, and cleaner finish. The Big Student is still my pick for buyers who carry a large school load and want a wider bag. Both give me 34 liters of space, padded straps, two main sections, and a useful set of outside pockets.
For most college and laptop users, I would lean toward the Cool Student. For classic school use with lots of books, I would go with the Big Student. The best choice is the one that fits the gear I carry every day.