Back-To-School Backpack Help

Hi A.,

Just a suggestion, rather than buying a "school backpack", look for a regular backpack in the sporting goods departments. The initial cost may be a few dollars more, but it's worth it since the quality is so much better. I bought 2 a few years ago at Eddie Bauer and they're holding up great.

I don't know specific names of backpacks, but I would caution you about a few things before you select one. I teach fifth grade and here are some things my students have had trouble with:

1) Where will he be storing his backpack? If it is in a small space (cubby, locker, etc.) a wheeled pack may not fit. If he needs to go up any stairs, the wheeled option may not work.

2) One or two shoulder straps? Many kids are more comfortable with one that goes across the body and has one strap. It hurts less. However, they don't hold as many large items.

If you end up concerned about too many books going back and forth, ask your child's teacher if they have an extra book that your son can keep at home, instead of lugging it back and forth every day.

Good luck!

I still have my LL Bean backpacks from Middle School and High School. And I graduated high school over 10 years ago!
They are sturdy, roomy, have lots of pockets to help with organization...
I know they are costly, but they will outlast other backpacks. And, it used to be (not sure if it still is) if anything rips on the backpack, LL Bean will fix it for no charge.
My kids both have LL Bean backpacks. I bought them each one when I was ready to give up the diaper bag. We have toted them along with us for the last few years, and they are no worse for the wear.
Hope that helps some. :)

ll bean. that's where we go my daughters. we spent the money, and she's got it when she was going into 6th grade and she is now going into 10th. it's held up very well.
just make sure that it is the right age range.
lands end you could try as well.

High Serria is all guareenteed for life.

LL Bean is guaranteed for life- I think Jansport and Eastpak are also guaranteed for life. Spend the money now, it will save you in the long run. Go with a darker color so it doesn't show the dirt.

A.,
My girls (triplets entering 6th grade) had the same backpacks for 3 years!! I bought them at the children's place and they were very reasonable. I even threw them in the washing machine 2-3 times a year. Now that they are entering middle school they want new ones but honestly 2 of the 3 are still in like new condition. For the value I would highly reccomend the Children's place backpacks. Good luck...J.

I'm afraid I don't have any advice except to make sure the rolling bags are okay with the school. Here in our school district they are not allowed which is sad because I'd much rather have my children wheel the bag then wear it on their backs. We do have a couple of rolling backpacks that we got from Walmart I think it was a number of years ago. We caught it at just under $40 I think it was but felt it was so worth it for our traveling.

Hi A.:

With my first child we were constantly buying new backpacks, for my second I'm spending the extra money upfront that I know will pay-off in the long run. I'm going with the LLBean backpack from now on. They last 'forever' and if there's every a problem/damage, the LLBean will replace/repair it for free.

Staples has a big sale this week on really good back packs. Some are 50% off and others are 20%, plus you get a full rebate for what ever price you paid, which registers as store credit. My niece liked the Jansen (I don't know if I spelled that right.) back packs, because they are guarunteed for life. One of hers broke, so she sent it back to them and they sent her a free one. My son goes to catholic school,so you can imagine the full back pack every night. I sew the wholes in his back packs to make them last the whole year. He would get a new one every year, because the sales are at the beginning of the school year. This year I finally bought him a more expensive back pack, which is an Extreme Access Ultra-light from Staples. I hope it lasts.

The other thing I found handy is to give him a small, reusable, foldable lunch back rather than a lunchbox. My son forgets things that don't fit in his backpack in the afternoon and I wound up chasing the bus. The lunchbag folds up and is easier to put in the back pack.

Snow pants?? You must live in a colder area than me. The only time I put snow pants on my son was when he played in the snow. We shovel a path for him to walk in on his way home from the bus stop. My mother-in-law waits there for him with the snow boots, so his dress shoes don't get wet.

A.,
You should get the kind that is a "messenger bag" style because they are much easier on the kids' backs. Although LL bean is expensive, it is worth it. They last for a long time (my daughter has had a back pack style one for 4 years now) and if anything happens to them then LL Bean will replace it.
J.

Hi April,
Before you spend the money, make sure his school allows backpacks on wheels. Mine doesn't and many others do not.
Kathy

Hi A.,
I am a huge fan of LL Bean, they will replace anything they sell no matter how old it is. My daughter's backpack had small rips in the corners, she had had it for 5+ years and I called them, they replaced it without any problem what-so-ever. My friend had a jacket for 15 years, the zipper broke, they replaced that as well, not the zipper the whole jacket and you could tell it had been used quite a bit. Their backpacks are expensive, but when you consider how long they last and how they stand by their products, it is well worth it. They have stores here in CT now too if that helps.
Hugs,
T.

I got my son a backpack from LandsEnd.com last year. Still in great condition to be able to use it this year. They also have ones with wheels but his school suggests no wheels b/c storage is a problem. Also Staples has a free backpack deal going on this week.

Hi. What about Land's End? My girls' backpacks lasted the year, while I saw other backpacks falling apart. It's a bit expensive, but we are planning on using them again for the upcoming school year. Also, the company makes lunch bags that can be held by the backpack's handle. I don't know if your son takes a bus. My experience had been that when my girls were on the bus, the backpacks didn't last as long. Now that I take them and pick up, the backpacks last longer.

J.

LL Bean is well worth the money. I have had mine for over 15 years now and it's a bit worn, but still VERY functional and very spacious.

Hi A.,
I would have so suggest that you contact the school to find out about the backpack on wheels. I was told by my kids school that there wasn't enough room in the storage space, or cubby or locker, for a wheeled bag. They do take up more space and are not flexible to squeeze into tight spaces. And they are a bit heavier than the ordinary bags, to carry up the bus stairs, and when they have wheels, nobody wants to put it on their back. I would also check with your child's bus driver, seperately from the school, to see if there is enough room for a bigger pack.

I usually get my backpacks from walmart. I sometimes have to replace them 1/2 way through the year, but my kids', I have 4, taste also changes about that ofen.

good luck.

Hi A.,
I would ask the school what type they recommend. I would not buy an expensive one on wheels. One year, my daughter had a cheap one on wheels from WalMart. I wouldn't invest in an expensive one for a 4th grader since they can last a few years but he'll be going to middle school soon where he can't use it anymore because those don't fit in the lockers.

My kids are younger than yours, but I bought them either lands end or llbean backpacks, mainly because of their reputation for durability. a few months after I got them, my daughters backpack broke...the nylon-web handle on the top came off on one end. I called them, they sent me a new one and I returned the old one, no hassles, no questions. I believe both companies guarentee them. The kids picked them out themselves and they both love them.

Hi April,

I purchased Tough Traveler when my boys were in elementary school. They are now 23 and 24 and still carry around their bags. They are guaranteed for life. As are LL Bean. They are worth the investment. They have each had new zippers a number of times. I would also purchase the one with wheels. Kids have too much to lug around these days. Good luck. I know its not easy. C.

Yes those packs may be alot of money, but many of them are guarenteed for life. I know my Eastpak is. So even though the LL Bean may cost, in the long run, if it breaks and they replace it, then it may be worth spending the extra money up front. I would also check with the school, because some don't allow back packs with wheels.

LL Bean is more expenseive than others, but they guarantee their items FOR LIFE! If anything happens to his backpack (it rips, the zipper breaks etc) they will replace it with the same backpack for as long as you own it. One of my daughters uses her backpack in college now. It's a great investment.

April,

When I read your request, it was like reading my own. I have a son going into 3rd grade, he'll be 9 in November, he wants a back pack with wheels, I think LL Bean is expensive and he also plays (ice) hockey. Too funny.

Let me give you (and everyone else reading your responses) a little FYI on LL Bean. They have 100% customer satisfaction policy. They will take anything and everything back no matter what and no matter how old it is.

My son received his 1st LL Bean back pack for his 3rd birthday. He used it for 2 years, it started to get nasty on the bottom and I returned it. My sister paid $18 at the time and it went up to $24, so I had to pay the $6 difference, but so what. Now we were in Kindergarten and he beat the heck out of his new bag. I waited for school to end, I bought a new bag and then returned the nasty 1 and got the credit on my CC. This info and how to do it was given to me by LL Bean customer service. I have bought and returned so many book bags in the last few years. They are made to last but yet (like most things) they'll fall apart. I'm in the process of doing it again now with my son's bag. I'll upgrade him to 1 with wheels, pay for it, return his current 1 and be stuck paying the small difference. So worth it. Also, their lunch boxes are great. If they get dirty and you can't clean them, return it and get a new 1. I'm telling you, it's worth the extra cash because in the end, you'll keep getting new bags. Hey, when he starts 5th grade, he may want a black bag and say he has red now. You can do the same thing. THEY DON'T ASK ANY QUESTIONS. I know someone who buys their clothes, has both her girls wear them (a few yrs apart) and when the 2nd is done, she send them back and tells them they faded and they give her credit. Not sure I'd wait that long on clothes but I did have a back pack of my own that was from freshman yr in high school ('88-'89) and I bought a new 1 and returned that 1 and it was about 14-15 yrs old. NO QUESTIONS ASKED.

Good luck and I hopw you go with LL Bean. Don't forget, it you buy 1 at a store, that's your's now. There's no returning after the tags are off or your 30 days or so are up.

Take care,
J.

As a teacher and mom of two (9 and 6), I would not recommend a bookbag on wheels as many schools do not allow them since they can be a problem in the hallways and outside, especially in the snow. The wheels add extra weight to the pack. While LL Bean packs are expensive, they last and are guaranteed for life. Just for example, the zipper on my son's pack broke last year, I am going to send it back and they will replace it with a new bag. I bought a fashionable pack from an office store b/c it was on sale 5 years ago and the strap broke off. I replaced it with an LL Bean pack and it is still in great shape! I just ordered a critter pack for my 1st grader and was looking at the original plus bookbag for my 4th grader. item # TA55761. Good luck!

Hi A.,
Go Lands End!!!!!! They have a lot to choose from, starting from around $30 (some of the smaller ones are cheaper) and they max out around $60...now here's why. I bought my son a "nice" backpack from the gap for kindergarden I had to replace it by Christmas and then at the end of the year...so I bit the bulletthe next year and bought my my now 2 kids backpacks from L E...(I also liked that they tell you what size for what age kid)guess what they were in K and 1st grade and they used them til this past christmas when I bought them the next size up because they outgrew them( in the 3rd and 4th grades) and the backpacks aren't worn out...they still use them for overnights and camping they just needed more room for school...I just oreder my 4th son his matching LE backpack and lunchbox 2 days ago...they were having free shipping and they were each $5 off...so I spent $31.50 for the backpack and lunch box he'll use for the next 3 years!! that's money well spent, plus I noticed they now have a backpack made out of recycled bottles...so worth it to be greener...one other great perk to land end...if you don't like it, or ie breaks, you can return it...even after using it!!!! they take back everything (and you can shop or return at Sears too)....boy I'm pathetic at how much we buy there, but with 5 boys it has to last and LE is my money well spent!!

Look into ll bean or some other expensive bacpacks because if you havve a child like mine who does not care about getting a new backpack every year i got my son the back pack he uses every day in fifth grade and he is going to be a junior in high school so divide the 70.00 by 5 years and it is worth the money. HE USES IT IN THE SUMMER FOR SWIMMING AND ANY OTHER MISC. ACTIVITY but note my son is not the normal child
my daughter got the same backpack the same year as he did and she was in 2nd grade she still has the back pack but barely uses it hers was a lighter color but they have been washed and they do the job but i am sufre she used it at least three years and she sill uses hers sometimes. it was a great value although i thought it expensive at the time
sorry i do not know the brand and they are away for two week visits

Hi,
I have had My own LLBean one for 20 years. Buy the right size one for him, and its the last backpack you will ever buy. He will even take it to college with him. I bought two for my sons last year after having to buy new ones every year because they are always falling apart. They price kept me from buying them because I needed to buy two. I finally decided, that for how long they last, it was worth it.

A.

be sure to check with your school to see if they allow the wheeled ones..some schools do not..we live in a small town in upstate ny and our grade school wont allow them..becuase alot of the younger kids dont always watch where they are going when they walk and they dont want them to trip over that style bag..our grade school is kindergarden to 4th also...walmart sometimes carries the bigger style over the shoulder...try them...good luck...rosie

A.,

What might help is a fold-up 'dolly' that would stay in his locker and come home on days when he has a heavy load. I have one that will support a backpack or something as large as a tote bin, and it folds up to 4"x18"x14". (probably smaller but that's best guess.) (sorry, picked it off the kerb as we were leaving for home on a trip). You'll have to call stores to see if they carry them.

Just remember: pulling this dolly on a regular basis is not good for him. It is the same as carrying a backpack with one strap (the kind with two straps). It knocks everything out of alignment, and creates pain as well as the potential for growth problems. (Speaking from experience here!)

Good luck,
M.