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We’ve all been there, wishing the drawstring backpack we grabbed at your local big-box retailer was just a little bit better. Sure, it was cheap, but the tradeoff is that it was…cheap. Sometimes, you just need a sleek little bag to throw in a pair of shoes, snacks, or other odds and ends for a quick run to the gym, an afternoon at the park, or a day hike up the mountain. While cinch bags abound on the market, many feature razor-thin drawstrings, slick panels, and cheap materials to match their cheap builds. That said, there is a solution.
Some drawstring backpacks offer all the functionality and convenience of traditional cinch bags but with all the comfort you never knew they could offer. Whether you need thick, comfortable drawstrings, an external phone pocket, or a water bottle sleeve, we’ve got you covered with this list of the best drawstring backpacks on the market.
- Best Overall: Under Armour Undeniable 2.0 Sackpack
- Best Budget: Adidas Alliance 2 Sackpack
- Best Waterproof: Geckobrands Drawstring Waterproof Backpack
- Best for Travel: Osprey Daylite Cinch
- Best for School: Kuhl Kove 22L
- Best for the Gym: Vooray Stride Cinch
- Best Clear: May Tree Clear Drawstring Bag
- Best ‘Tactical’: Fitdom BP-1 Drawstring Sports Backpack
Best Overall
Under Armour Undeniable 2.0 Sackpack
Pros
- Plenty of storage options
- Main external compartment includes organizational pouches
- Small external compartment includes microfiber lining
- Includes adjustable drawstrings, sternum clip, D-ring
Cons
- Pricey for what it is
- Relatively thin drawstrings
Product Specs
- Design: Cinch pack
- External storage: Yes
- Internal organization: No
Why It Made The Cut
- While plenty of “sackpacks” offer external storage and convenience features, this Under Armour offering manages to combine the best of both the traditional and drawstring backpack worlds.
Best Budget
Adidas Alliance 2 Sackpack
Pros
- Reasonably priced, good value
- Thick, comfortable drawstrings
- Mesh and zippered external storage options
- Zippered pocket includes microfiber lining
Cons
- External mesh pocket not the easiest to use
Product Specs
- Design: Cinch pack
- External storage: Yes
- Internal organization: Yes
Why It Made The Cut
- Adidas makes some of the most comfortable cinch packs on the market, and the Alliance 2 may just be the most useful all around. That’s a win-win in our book.
Best Waterproof
Geckobrands Drawstring Waterproof Backpack
Pros
- Submersible for up to 30 minutes
- Thick, comfortable drawstrings
- Internal storage pouch
- Includes sternum clip
Cons
- Pricey for what it is
- No external storage options
Product Specs
- Design: Cinch pack
- External storage: No
- Internal organization: Yes
Why It Made The Cut
- The term “waterproof drawstring backpack” may sound like an oxymoron, but this cinch bag defies convention. Whether on the waves, the lake, or the slopes, this bag’s got you covered.
Best for Travel
Osprey Daylite Cinch
Pros
- Versatile, modular
- Large cargo capacity
- Air travel-friendly design
- Built with durable, sustainable materials
Cons
- Expensive
- Lacks electronics sleeve
Product Specs
- Design: Backpack
- External storage: Yes
- Internal organization: Yes
Why It Made The Cut
- While not a traditional drawstring backpack, this offering from Osprey may be the most comfortable, travel-friendly cinch bag on the market for everything from day hikes to international tourist treks.
Best for School
Kuhl Kove 22L
Pros
- Classic, minimalist design
- Plenty of organizational, storage features
- Carry-on compliant
- Accommodates up to 15-inch laptops
Cons
- Very expensive
- A little small for some students
- Water bottle pouch located inside main compartment
Product Specs
- Design: Backpack
- External storage: Yes
- Internal organization: Yes
Why It Made The Cut
- Traditional drawstring backpacks cannot take the beating or handle the stress students throw at them, but the Kove boasts the toughness and the features necessary to endure the toughest pupils.
Best for the Gym
Vooray Stride Cinch
Pros
- Reasonably priced
- Plenty of cargo space
- Internal and external storage compartments
- Includes padded back panel, ventilated shoulder straps
Cons
- Lacks dedicated water bottle storage, shoe compartment
- Not quite as convenient as a cinch pack
- Few color options
Product Specs
- Design: Backpack
- External storage: Yes
- Internal organization: Yes
Why It Made The Cut
- The gym-ready Stride Cinch strikes a great balance between the speed and convenience of a cinch pack and the comfort and familiarity of a traditional backpack.
Best Clear
May Tree Clear Drawstring Bag
Pros
- Inexpensive
- External storage pocket, water bottle pocket
- Stadium security-compliant
- Multiple accent color options
Cons
- Thin drawstrings
- Hand-wash only
Product Specs
- Design: Cinch pack
- External storage: Yes
- Internal organization: No
Why It Made The Cut
- Most transparent drawstring backpacks feature barebones construction and features, but this clear PVC bag includes a handful of extras that make it more convenient than most.
Best ‘Tactical’
Fitdom BP-1 Drawstring Sports Backpack
Pros
- Webbing drawstring straps
- Spacious interior
- MOLLE-esque webbing
- Ventilated
Cons
- Lacks mag pouches, rifle scabbard
- Not compatible with most body armor
Product Specs
- Design: Cinch pack
- External storage: Yes
- Internal organization: Unknown
Why It Made The Cut
- Every special ops tactical operator needs a low-drag drawstring backpack for high-speed operations. This cinch pack features MOLLE-esque webbing for navigating shopping mall hallways with your preferred ninja loadout.
Things to consider before buying a drawstring backpack
Design
Technically speaking, drawstring backpacks can fall into one of two categories. The first is the bag we all know and love (or hate) and is commonly called a cinch pack or “sackpack.” The cinch pack design is simple, streamlined, and ready to roll at a moment’s notice, yet is clearly designed to offer convenience over comfort.
The second is a more traditional backpack with a drawstring top that (usually) includes a protective flap that sits over the top of the drawstring opening when not in use. These packs are designed to be worn for longer periods of time and (usually) can handle much heavier loads than the “sackpack.”
Construction materials
While drawstring packs employ a very simple design, the materials used to construct them matter just as much as with larger packs. Tough nylon or canvas bodies help increase a bag’s longevity, while zippers and mesh selections improve the durability of the bag’s storage and organizational features (where applicable). The drawstring cords also matter, as thin, round strings will quickly make you regret your bag selection. Instead, look for cinch packs with thick drawstring cords or webbing drawstrings.
Cargo capacity
The classic cinch pack is a quick, stow-n-go bag designed for quick trips and light loads. As such, they tend to have low cargo capacities, usually in the 10-liter ballpark. Due to their small size, most manufacturers neglect to publish actual cargo capacity measurements for their cinch packs. On the flip side, traditional backpacks with a drawstring opening are more likely to come with volume listings, although some still don’t. Generally, these bags run in the 20-liter range, with some pushing the 30-liter mark.
Extra storage and organization
Traditional backpacks frequently include internal and external storage and organizational components, but cinch packs aren’t exactly traditional. These handy little packs do feature extra storage pouches and pockets from time to time, usually in the form of small zip pouches, large mesh pockets, and/or the odd water bottle slot. Internal storage, however, is usually completely non-existent.
Pricing
In most cases, drawstring backpacks are quite affordable. Cinch packs usually run in the $10 to $30 range with most decent quality bags ringing in somewhere in the ballpark of $15 to $25. As for more traditional backpacks with drawstring tops, about $30 to $50 seems to be the sweet spot. Of course, high-end and specialized packs can be a bit more expensive with anything over $75 representing the threshold of what might be considered premium pricing.
FAQs about drawstring backpacks
Q: How do I re-string my drawstring backpack?
A: First, purchase a new drawstring cord (two yards is a fairly standard length). Untie the old cord, then attach one end of the new cord to one end of the old one with a strong safety pin. Pull one end of the old cord through the first tunnel, carefully guiding the new cord into the tunnel. Create some slack on the new cord, then repeat the process with the other tunnel. Even out the new cord, then attach it to the bottom corner of the pack. Repeat with the other string.
Q: Can I wash my drawstring backpack?
A: Usually, you can wash your drawstring bag. Place the bag in a lingerie bag or other washer-friendly zippered mesh bag to protect the drawstring cords. Then, wash according to the instructions. If your bag lacks care instructions, remember that natural materials (e.g., cotton) should be washed in cold water to prevent shrinkage.
Q: How do you even out a drawstring bag?
A: On the side opposite the uneven drawstring cord, pinch the bag’s opening just beneath the exposed cord. Then, use your other hand to pull the uneven cord taught. On bags with thicker cords or narrow tunnels, adjusting the uneven cord may take a bit more finagling near the tunnel openings.
Q: How do I make a drawstring backpack?
A: If you’re handy with a sewing machine (or have the patience of Job for a needle-and-thread affair), there are plenty of instructions on how to make a drawstring backpack. We found some simple DIY instructions and instructions for a drawstring backpack with an external pocket to get you started.
Final thoughts
Today’s marketplace is flooded with drawstring backpacks, but we really like the Under Armour Undeniable 2.0 Sackpack’s expert combination of cinch bag convenience with traditional backpack organizational features. With dual external compartments designed to store and organize your essentials and a handful of other helpful extras, the Undeniable 2.0 Sackpack outshines some very bright competitors.
Methodology
Drawstring backpacks may not be the pinnacle of backpack technology, but these lowly bags still deserve plenty of attention. As such, I exploited my own practical knowledge of cinch bags to begin evaluating the pros and cons of each bag. I relied on my own experience wearing such bags to and from events, up and down mountain trails, and on trips around the country to evaluate which features were must-haves and which were merely window dressing.
I also asked myself what materials these bags used in order to develop a sense of their durability and weather resistance, both valuable yet overlooked features in cinch packs. A couple of times, I did find it necessary to hit up outside sources, and as such, I want to give a special shoutout to Spade Outdoors and Tote Bag Factory.com for their help in this process. In the end, though, I tried to put myself in your shoes in order to provide helpful recommendations and a little bit of humor.