I compared the JanSport Big Student and Cool Student to see which bag makes more sense for school and daily use. Both bags give you 34 liters of space and a 15-inch laptop area. The Big Student is a bit wider, while the Cool Student adds a synthetic leather base and trim. I like that both have two main areas, a bottle pocket, and padded back support. The Cool Student also feels a bit more dressed up, while the Big Student keeps things simple. For books, a laptop, lunch, and daily gear, both have room to spare. In short, the Big Student is my pick for simple use, while the Cool Student wins if you want a more finished look.
JanSport Big Student Review
The JanSport Big Student is a great choice when I need lots of room without a huge bag. Its 34-liter space gives me room for books, a laptop, a lunch box, and small daily items. I like the two main sections because I can keep school books apart from loose gear. The padded 15-inch laptop area adds a safe spot for a laptop. The S-curve straps and padded back also make the bag feel made for long school days. The water bottle pocket is a nice touch for daily trips. For the JanSport Big Student vs JanSport Cool Student backpack specs, the Big Student is the simpler choice with a strong mix of room and comfort.
Pros
- Large space: I like the 34-liter size for books, tech, lunch, and extra gear.
- Good laptop setup: The padded zip area gives my laptop its own place.
- Easy to sort: Two main sections help me keep large items apart.
- Comfortable carry: The S-curve straps and padded back are useful on long days.
- Simple build: The recycled 600D polyester feels like a good fit for school use.
Cons
- Wide shape: I find the larger frame less neat than a slim school bag.
- Few special touches: It does not have the leather-like trim found on the Cool Student.
- Deep load: When I fill it up, the bag can feel bulky on a crowded bus or train.
JanSport Big Student Overview
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 34 L |
| Size | 17 x 13 x 7.5 inches |
| Material | 100% recycled 600D polyester |
| Weight | 1 lb 7 oz |
| Laptop | Fits up to a 15-inch laptop |
| Cleaning | Follow the care label; spot cleaning is a safe choice |
| Warranty | Limited lifetime warranty |
The Big Student uses recycled 600D polyester. It has two main areas, a front pocket with an organizer, two outer zip pockets, and one bottle pocket. The laptop area is padded and has a zip. The bag weighs about 1 lb 7 oz.
Is the JanSport Big Student Good?
Yes, I think the Big Student is good for students who carry a lot each day. The 34-liter size is large enough for full school loads without moving into travel-bag size. I also like the separate laptop space for days when I take a computer to class. The front organizer helps with small items like pens, keys, and cords. The padded back is useful when the bag stays on my shoulders for hours. I would choose it for high school, college, or a daily trip to work.
My Recommendation
I would choose the Big Student for a student who wants simple space and does not care much about extra style. It makes sense for people who carry books, a laptop, lunch, and daily items at the same time. I also think it works well for U.S. college students who move between class, the library, and home. If you want a more polished look, I would look at the Cool Student instead.
JanSport Cool Student Review
The JanSport Cool Student keeps the useful layout of the Big Student but adds a few style changes. I like the synthetic leather base and trim because they give the bag a more finished look. It still has 34 liters of space, two main sections, and a 15-inch laptop sleeve. The bag is also a little narrower but deeper than the Big Student. The cord zipper pulls are handy when I need to open the bag fast. For class, work, or campus trips, it gives me a lot of room without adding a long list of extra parts. In the JanSport Big Student vs JanSport Cool Student backpack specs, the Cool Student stands out most for its look and trim.
Pros
- More polished look: I like the synthetic leather base and trim for a cleaner finish.
- Large laptop space: The inner sleeve is made for a 15-inch laptop.
- Good bottle room: The side pocket can stretch to fit larger bottles.
- Easy zipper pulls: The cord tabs make the zips simple to grab.
- Good daily layout: The mix of large and small pockets helps me sort my gear.
Cons
- Leather-like trim: The added trim may not suit people who want a plain cloth bag.
- Same large size: Its 34-liter space may be more than some users need.
- Deeper body: The extra depth can feel less slim when the bag is full.
JanSport Cool Student Overview
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 34 L |
| Size | 17 x 12 x 8 inches |
| Material | Recycled 600D polyester with synthetic leather trim |
| Weight | 1 lb 5 oz |
| Laptop | Fits a 15-inch laptop |
| Cleaning | Follow the care label; spot cleaning is a safe choice |
| Warranty | Limited lifetime warranty |
The Cool Student has a 34-liter capacity and weighs about 1 lb 5 oz. Its main body uses recycled 600D polyester. The base and trim use synthetic leather. It has two main sections, two outer zip pockets, a front organizer, a bottle pocket, and a padded laptop sleeve.
Is the JanSport Cool Student Good?
Yes, I think the Cool Student is good for buyers who want room with a nicer look. The laptop sleeve gives a laptop its own space instead of making it share room with books. I also like the cord tabs because they make the zips easier to grab with one hand. The 34-liter size works well when I need to pack for a full day. Its shape is a bit deeper than the Big Student, so I would keep that in mind before buying. For school and college, it is a well-rounded bag.
My Recommendation
I would pick the Cool Student if looks matter almost as much as storage. It is a good fit for a college student who wants one bag for class, work, and daily trips. I also like it for buyers who want a laptop sleeve but do not want a small laptop bag. If you want the plainest and most basic JanSport style, the Big Student is the better match.
JanSport Big Student vs JanSport Cool Student Backpack Specs Comparison
I found that these two bags are much closer than their names may suggest. Both have 34 liters of room and a laptop sleeve. Both also use two main sections and padded back support. The main split is in their shape, trim, and small design details.
Storage: JanSport Backpack
The two bags tie on total space at 34 liters. I would give the Big Student 9.5/10 because its 17 x 13 x 7.5-inch shape gives it a wide feel. The Cool Student gets 9.5/10 as well, since its 17 x 12 x 8-inch shape still gives plenty of room.
Laptop Space: JanSport Backpack
Both bags have a place for a 15-inch laptop. I give the Big Student 9/10 because its padded zip sleeve is simple and easy to use. I give the Cool Student 9/10 because its sleeve is also built for a 15-inch laptop and sits inside the main bag.
Comfort: JanSport Backpack
The Big Student gets 9/10 from me for its S-curve straps and fully padded back. The Cool Student also gets 9/10 because it uses the same basic strap and back setup. For long walks across a large campus, both should be strong choices.
Style: JanSport Backpack
This is where I see the clearest gap. The Big Student gets 8.5/10 for its clean and simple look. The Cool Student gets 9.5/10 because the synthetic leather base and trim give it a more finished style.
Daily Use: JanSport Backpack
I give the Big Student 9.5/10 for simple school use. Its wide body and two large areas make packing easy. The Cool Student gets 9/10 because its deeper shape may feel less flat when full. Both have bottle pockets and small front storage, so each can work well for a full day.
Performance: JanSport Backpack
For daily school work, I give the Big Student 9.5/10 and the Cool Student 9.3/10. The Big Student wins by a small amount because it keeps the design simple while giving the same 34-liter capacity. The Cool Student is close and may suit buyers who care more about style.
Ease of Use: JanSport Backpack
I give the Big Student 9.3/10 and the Cool Student 9.4/10. Both have useful pockets and two main areas. The Cool Student gets a small edge from its cord zipper pulls, which can make quick access easier.
Value for Money: JanSport Backpack
I give the Big Student 9.5/10 for value. It gives a lot of space, laptop storage, and padded carry without adding many fancy parts. I give the Cool Student 9/10 because the extra trim adds style, but the core storage is very close to the Big Student.
Overall: JanSport Backpack
My winner is the JanSport Big Student for most buyers. It gives me the best mix of room, comfort, and simple design. I would choose the Cool Student instead if the synthetic leather trim and slightly different shape matter to me. Both are strong school bags, but the Big Student is the better all-round pick.
FAQs for JanSport Big Student vs JanSport Cool Student Backpack Specs
Which is bigger, JanSport Big Student or Cool Student?
Both bags hold 34 liters. The Big Student measures 17 x 13 x 7.5 inches. The Cool Student measures 17 x 12 x 8 inches.
Does the JanSport Big Student fit a laptop?
Yes. The current Big Student has a padded zip laptop area made for a 15-inch laptop. The listed laptop space is about 15.5 x 12.5 inches.
Does the JanSport Cool Student fit a 15-inch laptop?
Yes. The Cool Student has an inner sleeve made for a 15-inch laptop. Its listed laptop space is about 15.7 x 12 inches.
Which bag is better for college?
I would pick the Big Student for most college use. It has lots of room for books, a laptop, and daily gear. I would pick the Cool Student if I wanted a more polished look.
Is the Cool Student better than the Big Student?
Not for every buyer. The Cool Student adds synthetic leather trim and cord zipper pulls, but both bags have the same 34-liter capacity. I prefer the Big Student for simple daily use and the Cool Student for style.
Are both JanSport bags comfortable?
Both use ergonomic S-curve shoulder straps and a fully padded back. That makes both good choices for long school days. The right fit still depends on the person and how much weight is inside.
Do both bags have a water bottle pocket?
Yes. Both have a side bottle pocket. JanSport says the pockets can stretch to fit large bottles.
Which JanSport should I buy?
I would buy the Big Student if I want the best mix of space and simple use. I would buy the Cool Student if I want the same large size with a more dressed-up look. Both are good picks for school and college.
Conclusion
After comparing the JanSport Big Student and Cool Student, I would give the overall win to the Big Student. It has the same 34-liter capacity, good laptop space, and a simple layout that works for many daily needs. The Cool Student is a close second and makes more sense if I want the synthetic leather trim and a slightly different shape. For most U.S. students, I think the Big Student is the safer all-round choice.