Shoppers have praised Kipling's Seoul backpack for surviving seven years of school, university, work and travel, with many reporting the bag still looks brand new. The Seoul Large Laptop Backpack, priced from £98, has a 27-litre capacity, making it suitable for textbooks, PE kits, lunchboxes and a 15-inch laptop.
Design and Features of the Seoul Backpack
The Seoul Large Laptop Backpack is available in 31 colours and prints, including retro florals and shells. It is crafted from 100 per cent recycled polyester, and Kipling describes the design as 'made for every student'. The brand states: "With smart organisation, all-day comfort, and sizes to fit every schedule, Seoul is the iconic backpack collection that keeps up with school, hobbies, and everything in between."
The larger size measures H 44.0 x W 21.0 x D 35.0 cm. It includes a top handle, adjustable straps and a side water bottle holder. Storage options include a zipped front pocket with a mobile phone pocket, a pouch pocket for a wallet, a pen loop, a zipped top pocket, a zipped main compartment with a 15-inch laptop compartment, an open pocket and a zipped side pocket.
The backpack also features a water-repellent finish, ideal for commuters in bad weather. As with all Kipling bags, it includes the brand's Monkey mascot and comes with a two-year warranty on faulty products.
Other Sizes and Alternatives
The Seoul range includes the Seoul Lap Bag at £98, which is slightly wider at H 44.0 x W 35.0 x D 20.5 cm. There is also the Seoul College Extra at £117, with a 32-litre capacity, back protection for 'enhanced carrying comfort', reflective details for visibility and an extra chest strap.
For those seeking cheaper options, Next sells a backpack for £23 in turquoise/pink, pink/chocolate dot and blue daisy designs. Amazon has the BECOJADDE Backpack reduced from £23.99 to £20.38, available in black, purple, blue, dark green, green and pink, with a larger size also offered.
Customer Reviews Highlight Longevity
Customers have shared experiences of using Kipling backpacks for over a decade. One reviewer said: "I used this bag throughout school and university, and then used it for work for another 16 years. Best backpack ever made!"
Another shopper wrote: "Bought this for my daughter in 9th grade. She carried heavy books, a laptop, and packed it daily for four years of high school. It still looked brand new, so she took it to college with her! She is now in her junior year of university and still uses the same backpack every single day. Seven years and counting with zero rips or broken zippers."
A third customer commented: "My mom bought me my first Kipling Seoul backpack when I started middle school. I used it through high school, all four years of college, and now I use it for travel. It has survived rain, being thrown on floors, and endless heavy textbooks. I’ve had it for over 10 years, and it still functions like the day I got it."
One buyer noted a minor issue: "My biggest issue is with the side water bottle pockets. They are pretty shallow and don't have much elastic stretch. Every time I lean over or set the backpack down at an angle, my 24-oz reusable water bottle slips right out. It's fine for small, skinny plastic bottles, but not great for standard insulated flasks. A solid bag overall, but the side pockets definitely need a redesign."
Another customer added: "My daughter started using the Seoul in middle school and took it all the way through university graduation. It has carried heavy binders, laptops, and water bottles without a single seam coming apart. Incredible quality."
