While it might not seem as important as some of your other purchases for college, your backpack is likely to be the one item that gets the most use during the school year. That’s why you should read reviews at sites like educarelab.com for the best backpacks for college. Life at college is much different from high school, and having the right backpack can save you a lot of trouble. You’re going to need to lug a lot of stuff around with you at college, and the right backpack will make it a breeze.

Here are five ways to choose the best backpacks for college:

Make It Big Enough
If this is your freshman year, you’re in for a big surprise. College requires a lot more reading than high school. In addition to your laptop and other gadgets, you’ll be carrying a lot of books on a regular basis. Don’t be afraid to get a pretty big backpack. You can avoid the aisle in the store that has backpacks for hunters and campers, but other than that, the bigger the better.

Don’t Buy a Big Sack
There are so many types of backpacks on the market that there’s really no need to settle for less than perfect. The best backpacks for college won’t be great big sacks that you dump all your belongings in. Get a backpack that has numerous pockets, both on the outside and the inside of the bag. These compartments will keep everything from ending up in a jumble at the bottom of the bag. Small pockets on the outside are great for keys, pens, cell phone, and other stuff that you need to find in a hurry.

Start Out Light
Your backpack will not end up being light. Books and computers are heavy, so if you’re smart, you’ll start out with the lightest backpack you can find. Synthetic fibers are great at avoiding rips, so you don’t need a heavy canvas pack.

Padded Straps Are a Must
A long walk with a heavy backpack will be hard on your shoulders. Get padded straps to avoid discomfort, and make sure they’re wide to spread the load. Some of the best backpacks for college have padding for your back as well as your shoulders.

Double Zippers Increase Convenience
The best backpacks for college have double zippers for two reasons. First, they let you get into your bag from either side, which can be convenient when you need to grab one thing without completely opening up your bag. Secondly, if one zipper fails, you can push it all the way to one side and then use the remaining zipper. Two zippers can occasionally save you from buying two backpacks!