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Looking to step up from Jansport? These 10 brands share the aesthetic but bring elevated materials, construction and a higher price tier — ranked by overall similarity.
Vancouver bag label known for the Little America backpack and striped-lining duffels, with a range spanning luggage, apparel and headwear.
Why it's similar. Herschel takes its name from the Saskatchewan town three generations of the Cormack family grew up in, and its Little America backpack does JanSport's job with striped lining.
Swedish outdoor label founded in 1960, best known for the boxy Kånken daypack and waxed G-1000 packs and jackets.
Why it's similar. Ake Nordin built his first frame pack in an Ornskoldsvik basement in 1960, and the boxy Kanken now fills the same school-bag slot as the SuperBreak.
American bag brand founded in Boston in 1952, best known for the Padded Pak'r nylon backpack and 30-year-warranty luggage.
Why it's similar. Eastpak started in Boston in 1952 supplying duffels to the US military, and its Padded Pak'r is the closest analogue here: simple nylon, 30-year warranty.
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American bag maker founded in 1989, known for customisable messenger bags, backpacks and durable, utilitarian urban-cycling design.
Why it's similar. Bike messenger Rob Honeycutt began sewing three-panel messenger bags in San Francisco in 1989, and still runs a build-your-own program JanSport's fixed catalogue cannot match.
American outdoor brand, VF Corp-owned since 2000, whose bags span Base Camp duffels, Borealis daypacks and technical luggage.
Why it's similar. Founded in San Francisco's North Beach in 1966, The North Face sells Borealis and Jester daypacks with FlexVent suspension, the technical upgrade path from a SuperBreak.
Seattle outfitter since 1897, making waxed Tin Cloth and Rugged Twill canvas bags with leather trim and lifetime guarantees.
Why it's similar. Clinton C. Filson outfitted Klondike prospectors from Seattle in 1897, and his Tin Cloth and Rugged Twill bags swap JanSport's nylon for waxed canvas and bridle leather.
Denver-based outdoor and travel brand making colorblocked nylon backpacks, bags and apparel with a 1970s-inspired, city-to-trail aesthetic.
Why it's similar. Jedd Rose and Mark Hansen started Topo in Fort Collins in 2008, reworking boxy 1970s shapes, mesh pockets and colorblocked nylon into city-to-trail bags.
What changes. Higher price, design-led rather than mass school-pack value
Family-owned Vermont snowboard company making boards, Step On bindings, outerwear and a bag line from daypacks to roller luggage.
American action-sports brand founded in Hawaii in 1979, making durable backpacks, travel bags, gloves and outerwear for surf, snow and bike.
Swedish bag label from Stockholm making minimalist canvas and leather backpacks, totes and travel bags with outdoor-influenced, functional design.
Herschel Supply Co., Fjallraven - Bags, Eastpak lead our ranking. Looking to step up from Jansport? These 10 brands share the aesthetic but bring elevated materials, construction and a higher price tier — ranked by overall similarity.