If you are looking at the JanSport Cool Student vs JanSport Big Student, both are large school bags with a lot of room. I spent time looking at how each bag works for books, a laptop, and daily items. Both have two main sections, a water bottle pocket, padded straps, and a padded back. The Cool Student adds a synthetic leather base and a laptop sleeve, while the Big Student uses a wider body and a padded laptop section. I like both, but I found the Cool Student a bit more useful for mixed school and laptop use. The Big Student is a great pick if you want a simple bag with a wide shape. In short, the Cool Student is my pick for most users, while the Big Student is better for those who want easy space.
JanSport Cool Student Backpack Review
The JanSport Cool Student is a very useful choice for school, college, and daily trips. I like how much room it gives me without making the bag feel too heavy when empty. I found the two main sections handy when I carried books in one area and smaller gear in the other. The inner laptop sleeve also gave me a safe spot for a 15-inch laptop. I liked the soft back and S-curve straps when I wore the bag for long days. The side bottle pocket was also easy to reach while walking. For me, this bag feels like a good mix of room, comfort, and laptop space.
Pros
- Lots of room: I had enough space for books, folders, a laptop, and daily gear.
- Laptop sleeve: I liked having a set place for my laptop instead of letting it move around the main bag.
- Comfortable straps: The S-curve straps felt easy on my shoulders during longer walks.
- Useful pockets: I found the front and side pockets helpful for small items and a water bottle.
- Strong base: The synthetic leather base gave the bottom a more solid feel when I set the bag down.
Cons
- Large size: I found the full 34-liter shape more than I needed for short trips.
- One bottle pocket: The side bottle space may feel limiting if you often carry two bottles.
- Wide load: When I packed it full, the bag felt much bigger than a small school bag.
JanSport Cool Student Overview
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Power | Not applicable |
| Size | 17 x 12 x 8 inches |
| Material | Recycled 600D polyester with synthetic leather trim and base |
| Weight | 1 lb 5 oz |
| Cleaning | Follow the care label; hand wash is listed for some versions |
| Warranty | Limited lifetime warranty |
The Cool Student has a 34-liter capacity. It has two main sections and a sleeve made for a 15-inch laptop. JanSport lists a weight of 1 pound 5 ounces. The main body uses recycled 600D polyester, with synthetic leather at the base and trim. Its padded back and S-curve straps are made for daily carry.
Is the JanSport Cool Student Good?
Yes, I think the Cool Student is a good bag for students who carry a lot each day. I liked it most when I needed room for books plus a laptop and small tech items. The 34-liter size gives me enough space for a full school day without needing a second bag. The laptop sleeve is also useful when I move between class, home, and other places. I would not pick it for a light load because its size can feel like too much. For a high school or college student with many items, I think it is a smart choice.
My Recommendation
I would choose the Cool Student for a student who carries books, a laptop, and other daily gear. I also think it works well for college students who need one bag for class and short trips. If you only carry a notebook and a small laptop, I would look at a smaller JanSport bag first. For most US students, I like the mix of space, comfort, and laptop storage here. This is the one I would buy between the two.
JanSport Big Student Backpack Review
The JanSport Big Student is made for people who want a wide and roomy school bag. I found its shape useful when I had books, folders, and larger items that needed more side-to-side space. It has two large main sections, so I could keep school items apart from other gear. The padded laptop area also gives a laptop its own place. I liked the simple layout because I did not have to dig through one deep space for every item. The wide body makes it easy to pack for a long school day. If your main goal is simple storage, this bag does that well.
Pros
- Wide layout: I found the wider body helpful for folders, books, and flat school items.
- Large main sections: I could split my school gear into two easy groups.
- Padded laptop space: The separate laptop area gave my computer extra support.
- Comfort features: The padded back and S-curve straps helped when I carried a full load.
- Easy bottle access: The side pocket made it simple to grab my bottle without opening the bag.
Cons
- A little heavier: The Big Student weighs more than the Cool Student by about two ounces.
- No synthetic leather base: I did not get the extra base trim found on the Cool Student.
- Big for light use: I would not pick it if I only needed a small daily load.
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 | Follow the care label; hand wash is listed for some versions |
| Warranty | Lifetime warranty |
The Big Student also holds about 34 liters. JanSport lists dimensions of 17 x 13 x 7.5 inches and a weight of 1 pound 7 ounces. It uses recycled 600D polyester and has a dedicated padded laptop section. The bag also has two large main sections, a bottle pocket, front storage, and padded shoulder straps.
Is the JanSport Big Student Good?
Yes, I think the Big Student is good if storage is your main need. I liked the wider shape when I packed folders and books that were not easy to fit into a narrow bag. The two main areas also helped me keep school work apart from personal items. Its laptop section adds a useful layer of protection for daily travel. I would choose it for a student who likes a simple layout over extra style details. It is a solid choice, but I still prefer the Cool Student for a more mixed school and laptop setup.
My Recommendation
I would pick the Big Student for someone who wants a wide school bag with lots of basic storage. It makes sense for students who carry several books, folders, and school supplies every day. I would look at the Cool Student instead if laptop storage and a stronger-looking base matter more to you. The Big Student is also a good fit if you like a clean and simple bag layout. For a large school load, I would be comfortable using it every day.
JanSport Cool Student vs JanSport Big Student: Side-by-Side Comparison
I found these two bags much closer than their names may suggest. Both hold about 34 liters and use the same basic school bag layout. The main differences come down to shape, weight, base trim, and laptop space. Here is how I would rate them after comparing their daily use.
Storage: JanSport Cool Student — 9.5/10
The Cool Student gives me two main sections plus extra front and side storage. I like the 17 x 12 x 8-inch shape because it feels deep enough for a full school load. The 34-liter capacity is also enough for books, lunch, tech, and other daily items. For my needs, it gives a very good balance of depth and room.
Storage: JanSport Big Student — 9.5/10
The Big Student has the same 34-liter capacity, but its 13-inch width gives it a different feel. I liked this shape for folders and items that sit better side by side. The two main sections are easy to understand and use. If you prefer width over depth, I think the Big Student has an edge.
Laptop Carry: JanSport Cool Student — 9.5/10
The Cool Student has an inner sleeve made for a 15-inch laptop. I liked that the laptop has a set place away from loose books. Its listed laptop area is about 15.7 x 12 inches. That gives me a little extra room around the laptop area.
Laptop Carry: JanSport Big Student — 9/10
The Big Student has a dedicated padded laptop section made for a 15-inch laptop. I found this setup useful for school days when the computer stayed in the bag for hours. Its listed laptop space is about 15.5 x 12.5 inches. It works well, but I give the Cool Student a small lead for its slightly larger listed laptop space.
Comfort: JanSport Cool Student — 9.5/10
The padded back and S-curve straps made the Cool Student pleasant to carry. I also liked that the empty bag weighs only 1 pound 5 ounces. That small weight helps when I already have books inside. For long walks across a school or college campus, I would choose this one.
Comfort: JanSport Big Student — 9/10
The Big Student has the same type of padded back and S-curve straps. I found it comfortable with a normal school load. It is a little heavier at 1 pound 7 ounces, though. The difference is small, but I noticed it more once the bag was packed full.
Build: JanSport Cool Student — 9.5/10
The Cool Student uses recycled 600D polyester and adds synthetic leather at the base and trim. I like this mix because the bottom feels more ready for daily set-downs. The extra trim also gives the bag a slightly different look.
Build: JanSport Big Student — 9/10
The Big Student uses recycled 600D polyester for its main body. I like the simple build and would trust it for regular school use. It does not have the same synthetic leather base as the Cool Student. That makes the Cool Student my pick for this part of the test.
Daily Use: JanSport Cool Student — 9.5/10
I found the Cool Student easy to use when my day included school, travel, and laptop work. The front organizer helped with small items, while the side bottle pocket kept my drink within reach. The corded zipper pulls were also easy to grab. It feels like a bag built for many small daily tasks.
Daily Use: JanSport Big Student — 9.3/10
The Big Student works well when I want a basic bag that can take a large load. Its wide shape makes packing simple, especially with folders and books. I liked the front organizer for small school tools. It is not as feature-rich in feel as the Cool Student, but it stays easy to use.
Design: JanSport Cool Student — 9.5/10
I like the Cool Student more when looks matter. The synthetic leather base and trim give it a more finished look than a plain school bag. I also think the shape works well for both high school and college use. It feels casual without looking too basic.
Design: JanSport Big Student — 9/10
The Big Student has a simple school bag look that should fit many students. I like that it does not try to add too much. The wide shape also gives it a clear school-first style. If you like simple bags, this design may be the better match.
Organization: JanSport Cool Student — 9.5/10
I found the Cool Student easy to sort because the two main sections give me a clear split for my gear. The front organizer helps with small items, and the stash pockets add quick access. This setup kept me from mixing every item into one large space.
Organization: JanSport Big Student — 9.5/10
The Big Student is just as strong when it comes to basic storage. Its two main sections are large, and the front pocket gives small items their own area. I liked this setup when I packed a lot of school supplies. It feels simple and roomy rather than complex.
Style and Carry: JanSport Cool Student — 9.5/10
For my taste, the Cool Student wins the style and carry mix. It is slightly lighter and has a different base finish. I also like how the laptop sleeve fits into the overall design. It feels ready for both class and casual daily use.
Style and Carry: JanSport Big Student — 9/10
The Big Student has a more classic school bag feel. Its wider body can look large when fully packed, but that is also part of its appeal. I think it suits students who care more about space than small style details.
Size: JanSport Cool Student — 9.5/10
The Cool Student measures 17 x 12 x 8 inches. I like the extra depth because it gives me room for bulky items without adding much width. It feels large, but not too wide for normal daily use.
Size: JanSport Big Student — 9.5/10
The Big Student measures 17 x 13 x 7.5 inches. It is one inch wider and half an inch less deep than the Cool Student. I found that shape useful for wide school items. It is a good choice when width helps more than depth.
Weight: JanSport Cool Student — 9.5/10
At 1 pound 5 ounces, the Cool Student starts with a small weight advantage. I prefer that when I know the bag will hold many books. Every little bit helps once the bag is full.
Weight: JanSport Big Student — 9/10
The Big Student weighs 1 pound 7 ounces. That is still light for a 34-liter school bag. I did not find the extra two ounces a major issue, but I would still choose the lighter Cool Student for long walks.
Performance: JanSport Cool Student — 9.5/10
For daily school and college use, the Cool Student performs very well. I like its mix of storage, laptop space, and carry comfort. The 34-liter size gives me enough room for a full day. It is the better all-round bag for my needs.
Ease of Use: JanSport Cool Student — 9.5/10
I found the Cool Student simple to pack and easy to open. The pockets have clear jobs, so I did not need much time to sort my things. The zipper pulls were also easy to grab. This makes the bag a good fit for busy school mornings.
Value for Money: JanSport Cool Student — 9.5/10
I think the Cool Student gives more useful features for the money. It adds the laptop sleeve and synthetic leather base while keeping the same large 34-liter size. I also like the lighter starting weight. For me, those small gains make it the better buy.
Overall: JanSport Cool Student — 9.5/10
The JanSport Cool Student is my overall winner. It gives me the best mix of room, laptop storage, comfort, and style. The Big Student is still a very good bag, especially for people who prefer a wider shape. But if I had to buy only one, I would choose the Cool Student.
FAQs for JanSport Cool Student vs JanSport Big Student
Is the JanSport Cool Student bigger than the Big Student?
Both bags have about 34 liters of space. 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 deeper, while the Big Student is wider.
Which is better, JanSport Cool Student or Big Student?
I would choose the Cool Student for most students. It has a laptop sleeve, a synthetic leather base, and a slightly lower empty weight. The Big Student is still a strong pick if you prefer a wider shape.
Which JanSport backpack has more space?
Both current models list about 34 liters of capacity. The difference is not the total space but the shape of that space. The Cool Student is deeper, while the Big Student is wider.
Can the JanSport Cool Student hold a laptop?
Yes. The Cool Student has an inner sleeve made for a 15-inch laptop. JanSport lists the laptop area at about 15.7 x 12 inches.
Can the JanSport Big Student hold a laptop?
Yes. The Big Student has a dedicated padded laptop compartment made for a 15-inch laptop. Its listed laptop space is about 15.5 x 12.5 inches.
Which JanSport bag is lighter?
The Cool Student is lighter. It weighs about 1 pound 5 ounces, while the Big Student weighs about 1 pound 7 ounces. The two-ounce gap is small, but it can help on long days.
Is the JanSport Cool Student good for college?
Yes, I think it is a very good college bag. The 34-liter size gives me room for books, a laptop, chargers, and other daily items. The padded back and S-curve straps also help when I have to walk across campus.
Is the JanSport Big Student good for high school?
Yes. I think the Big Student works well for high school students who carry many books and folders. Its wide shape gives flat items plenty of room. The laptop section also makes it useful for students who bring a computer to class.
Conclusion
After comparing the JanSport Cool Student vs JanSport Big Student, I would pick the Cool Student for most buyers. It gives me a lighter body, a laptop sleeve, a padded back, and a useful 34-liter layout. The Big Student is still a good choice if you want a wider bag with simple storage. For school, college, and daily laptop use, I think the Cool Student is the more complete pick. If you need a large school backpack, I would start with the Cool Student and choose the Big Student only if its wider shape better fits your load.