I tested the JanSport Cool Student and Big Student to see which one works best for school and daily use. Both bags have a large 34-liter space and two main parts. Both also have a laptop sleeve, bottle pocket, padded back, and soft S-curve straps. I liked the Cool Student for its light feel and faux leather trim. The Big Student felt a bit more open and wide when I packed books and gear. In my use, both bags were easy to carry and easy to sort. If you want the short answer, the Cool Student is my pick for style and light carry, while the Big Student is my pick for a bit more room and a classic school feel.
JanSport Cool Student Backpack Review
The JanSport Cool Student is a great choice if you want one school bag for books, a laptop, and daily gear. I found its 34-liter space more than enough for a full school day. I used the two main parts for books and folders, while the front area held small items like pens and a charger. The padded laptop sleeve is made for a laptop up to 15 inches, which is useful for school or college. I also liked the soft S-curve straps when the bag was full. The faux leather base gives the bag a more dressed-up look than the Big Student. For me, it feels like a good mix of school use, style, and easy carry.
Pros
- Light to carry: I liked that the Cool Student weighs about 1 lb 5 oz, so it did not feel too heavy before I added my gear.
- Large storage: I could fit books, folders, a laptop, and daily items without having to pack each thing too tight.
- Good laptop space: The inside sleeve fits a laptop up to 15 inches, which worked well for my school and work needs.
- Easy pocket layout: I found the two main parts useful for keeping larger items apart from small daily gear.
- Nice finish: I liked the faux leather base and trim because they gave the bag a cleaner look.
Cons
- Not the best for very small loads: I found the 34-liter size more than I needed on days when I carried only a laptop and a few small items.
- Faux leather needs care: The trim looks nice, but I would be more careful with it than with plain cloth.
- No padded laptop zip pocket: The laptop sleeve is inside the main bag rather than being a separate zip area.
JanSport Cool Student Overview
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Power | Not applicable |
| Size | 17 x 12 x 8 inches |
| Material | Recycled 600D polyester with synthetic leather trim |
| Weight | 1 lb 5 oz |
| Cleaning | Best cared for with gentle spot cleaning |
| Warranty | Limited lifetime warranty |
Is the JanSport Cool Student Good?
Yes, I think the Cool Student is a good school bag for most students. I liked it most when I had a laptop, books, and small items to carry at the same time. The 34-liter size gives plenty of room without making the bag feel huge. Its 15-inch laptop sleeve also adds a safe place for a school computer. The padded back and S-curve straps helped make a full load easier to carry. I also found the front organizer useful when I needed quick access to small things. For a student who wants a mix of space, comfort, and style, I think it is a strong pick.
My Recommendation
I would choose the Cool Student for a student who wants a large school bag that still feels light. It also makes sense for college users who carry a laptop, books, and a few daily items. I would look at other bags if you want a very small day pack or a separate laptop section with its own outside zip. For most US school days, though, I think the Cool Student gives a nice balance of room and comfort. I would pick it when looks matter as much as storage.
JanSport Big Student Backpack Review
The JanSport Big Student is made for people who want a lot of room in a simple school bag. When I packed it, the two large main sections made it easy to split books, folders, and other gear. The bag has a padded laptop space made for a 15-inch laptop, plus a front area for small school items. I also liked the mesh bottle pocket because it stays outside the main bag. The 34-liter size gives this bag a lot of room for a full school day. It is a little heavier than the Cool Student, but the extra width made it feel useful when I had more books to carry. For me, the Big Student is a solid pick for school users who value room first.
Pros
- Very useful main space: I liked having two big areas for large school items instead of putting everything into one pile.
- Good bottle pocket: I could keep my drink outside the main space, which left more room for books.
- Strong daily layout: The front organizer gave me a clear place for pens, keys, and other small gear.
- Comfortable back: The padded back helped when I wore the bag for a long part of the day.
- Easy to grab: The top handle made it simple for me to lift the bag from a desk, car, or locker.
Cons
- A bit heavier: The Big Student weighs about 1 lb 7 oz, so it adds a little more weight before you pack it.
- Wide shape: I found the larger shape less handy in tight spaces such as a packed bus or a small locker.
- Basic look: The design is clean and classic, but buyers who want a more dressed-up style may prefer the Cool Student.
JanSport Big Student Overview
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Power | Not applicable |
| Size | 17 x 13 x 7.5 inches |
| Material | Recycled 600D polyester |
| Weight | 1 lb 7 oz |
| Cleaning | Best cared for with gentle spot cleaning |
| Warranty | Limited lifetime warranty |
Is the JanSport Big Student Good?
Yes, the Big Student is good if your main need is space. I found the two large sections useful when I had several books and folders on the same day. The padded laptop area also gave my computer its own place inside the bag. The front organizer helped keep small items from getting lost under books. I liked the padded back when the bag was loaded for a long day. The bottle pocket was also handy since it kept my drink out of the main space. If you often carry a lot to school, I think the Big Student is worth a close look.
My Recommendation
I would pick the Big Student for a student who carries a heavy school load each day. It is also a good fit for college users who want room for books, a laptop, and other gear. I would choose the Cool Student instead if a lighter bag and a nicer trim matter more to me. The Big Student is not hard to carry, but its size can feel like more bag than needed for light days. For a US student with lots of class gear, this is the one I would choose for pure storage.
JanSport Cool Student vs Big Student Comparison
Both bags are close in size, so the choice is not as simple as picking the bigger one. Each has 34 liters of space and two main sections. The key changes are the shape, weight, laptop setup, and trim. After using both, I think each one fits a slightly different type of student.
Storage Space: 9.5/10
The Cool Student and Big Student both offer 34 liters of space. That means neither one is short on room. I found the Cool Student a little deeper, while the Big Student felt a bit wider. That small shape change can matter when packing thick books or large folders. For my daily school load, both bags had enough room. Winner: Big Student, 9.5/10, because its shape felt better when I packed more bulky items.
Laptop Carry: 9/10
The Cool Student has an inside sleeve made for a laptop up to 15 inches. The Big Student has a dedicated padded laptop section with a zip closure for a 15-inch laptop. I liked the Big Student more when I wanted a more closed laptop space. The Cool Student still worked well for daily laptop carry. Winner: Big Student, 9/10, for its padded zip laptop section.
Comfort: 9/10
Both bags use JanSport’s S-curve shoulder straps and have a padded back. I found both easy to wear when the weight was spread out. The Cool Student has a small weight edge at about 1 lb 5 oz. The Big Student is about 2 oz heavier. That difference is small, but I noticed it more on lighter days. Winner: Cool Student, 9/10, for its slightly lower empty weight.
Build and Style: 9.5/10
Both bags use recycled 600D polyester. The Cool Student adds synthetic leather at the base and trim. I liked that extra touch because it made the bag look a bit more polished. The Big Student has a plain cloth look that feels more classic and easy to match. Winner: Cool Student, 9.5/10, for the mix of simple style and tough daily-use fabric.
Daily School Use: 9.5/10
I found both bags easy to use during a normal school day. The two main parts make it simple to split books from other gear. Both also have a bottle pocket, front organizer, and two outside zip pockets. The Big Student felt better for days with lots of books. The Cool Student felt better when I wanted less weight and a cleaner look. Winner: Tie, 9.5/10, because the better choice depends on what I carry each day.
Performance: jansport cool student backpack vs big student backpack
Both bags did well in my daily school use. The Cool Student gets my nod when I want a lighter carry with a more stylish finish. The Big Student gets the edge when I have more books and need the zip laptop space. I would not call either bag a poor choice. Winner: Big Student, 9.5/10 for my heavier school days.
Ease of Use: jansport cool student backpack vs big student backpack
The pocket setup on both bags is simple. I did not need time to learn where things should go. The Cool Student was a bit easier for me to lift and carry when it was only partly full. The Big Student was great when I had more gear to sort. Winner: Cool Student, 9.5/10 for quick daily use.
Value for Money: jansport cool student backpack vs big student backpack
Both bags give a lot of room for school use. They also come with JanSport’s limited lifetime warranty. The Cool Student adds the faux leather trim and a slightly lower bag weight. The Big Student gives a more direct focus on room and laptop storage. Winner: Big Student, 9.5/10 if storage is your top need, while the Cool Student is a better fit if style matters too.
Overall: jansport cool student backpack vs big student backpack
After comparing both, I would choose the JanSport Cool Student as my overall winner. It gives me the same 34-liter space while weighing a little less. I also prefer its faux leather trim and clean look. The Big Student is still the better choice for someone who wants a more open feel and a padded zip laptop area. If I had to buy just one for mixed school and college use, I would take the Cool Student.
FAQs for jansport cool student backpack vs big student backpack
Is the JanSport Cool Student bigger than the Big Student?
Both bags have the same 34-liter capacity. The Cool Student is 17 x 12 x 8 inches, while the Big Student is 17 x 13 x 7.5 inches. So the Cool Student is a bit deeper, while the Big Student is a bit wider.
Which is lighter, Cool Student or Big Student?
The Cool Student is lighter. It weighs about 1 lb 5 oz. The Big Student weighs about 1 lb 7 oz. The difference is small, but it can matter when the bag is already full.
Which JanSport is better for a laptop?
I prefer the Big Student if the laptop section is the main concern. It has a dedicated padded laptop section with a zip closure for a 15-inch laptop. The Cool Student has an inside sleeve for a laptop up to 15 inches.
Do both backpacks have a water bottle pocket?
Yes. Both have a side bottle pocket. The pocket is outside the main storage area, so you do not need to use book space for your drink.
Are both JanSport bags good for high school?
Yes. I think both work well for high school. They have enough space for books, folders, lunch items, and a laptop. The Big Student may be better for students who carry a lot each day.
Which one is better for college?
I would pick the Cool Student for most college use. It has a large 34-liter space, a laptop sleeve, and a lighter body. The Big Student is also a good choice if you often carry many books or larger items.
Can I use these backpacks for travel?
Yes, both can work as day bags for short trips. Their large main sections can hold clothes and other small travel items. For air travel, I would still check the size rules of the airline and the space under the seat.
Do JanSport Cool Student and Big Student have a warranty?
Yes. JanSport lists a limited lifetime warranty for both bags. That gives me extra peace of mind when buying one for long-term daily use.
Conclusion
The JanSport Cool Student is my overall pick because it gives me large storage, a lighter feel, and a nicer trim. The Big Student is the better choice for people who carry more books and want a padded zip laptop section. Both have 34 liters of space and a useful school-ready pocket layout. If I wanted one bag for school, college, and daily use, I would choose the Cool Student.