We just recently published our 2014 back to school backpack picks, but I’ve already found some front runners for next year’s backpack roundup.

First I’m excited about SoYoung‘s new designs.

One of my #1 things I look for in a kids backpack is where to put the lunchbox, and I love that some of SoYoung’s toddler bag lunchboxes can clip to the outside of the backpack if it’s too full inside.

They have several lunchbox styles like the regular lunch box (I love the sea designs),

cooler bags and the upright toddler lunchboxes.

This year they’ve also added their own sweat proof ice packs. I’m going to need some of these for our SoYoung lunchbox!  You can never have too many ice packs.

Milkdot is bound to get a slot or two on our back-to-school roundup next year. I especially like the bags on the right, and the Kawaii Pac mini backpacks are adorable.

I’m really excited about us being able to get our hands on these lovely kids bags from Lassig. I hope to see these around the US before next school year begins. My favorites are on the top left.

Finally, JJ Cole has really created a great toddler backpack. So many of them are too small to carry a folder for schoolwork but these are designed to be just large enough without being too big to carry independently.

Some of the designs are a little too cartoony, but I really like the rocket and your child might have a favorite as well.

I also noticed that the backpack diaper bag is one of the hottest trends across almost all diaper bag brands. They’re so practical and now there are tons of attractive choices. Why have we resisted for so long?

Clockwise from the top left: Companion Backpack from TWELVElittle, Madison from Perry Mackin, Be Right Back Platinum Petals from Ju Ju Be, and a backpack from babymoov.