Backpack questions for back to school

[Zoemakes5]

How much do you spend each year on a backpack? Do you typically get one every year? Do you need more than one in a year? Do you have ones you'd recommend that are really sturdy?
I'm seriously contemplating spending the extra money and getting a really good backpack for Ethan because he manages to just destroy them.
I've typically spent about 30-40 per backpack, and typically have to buy Ethan a new one before the end of the year. I got one last year that Ethan managed to keep okay until the very end of school, the last month or so we had broken zipper.
A big issue is the zippers and the straps. The zippers tend to bust and the straps separate from the backpack.

 

[tiggerluver12]

I have bought my 3 kids their backpacks from Landsend ever since my oldest, who is 12, was in kindergarten. She is on her second backpack, due to style change. They hold up real well, and if they break, Landsend will replace them at no charge, as everything they sell is guaranteed!!!! My 3 kiddos have their initials on them, so we know who's is who's and Landsend has a wide variety to choose from.

 

[my3kids]

L. L. Bean. We only replace as the kids grow and need larger packs because amount of school work and books. I've never had one break or wear out....ever.

 

[gottaluvdis]

I have bought my 3 kids their backpacks from Landsend ever since my oldest, who is 12, was in kindergarten. She is on her second backpack, due to style change. They hold up real well, and if they break, Landsend will replace them at no charge, as everything they sell is guaranteed!!!! My 3 kiddos have their initials on them, so we know who's is who's and Landsend has a wide variety to choose from.

ITA - Lands End is the way to go. Last year, I let DD9 buy a cool new backpack at Sears for ~$15.00. Didn't last one month before it fell apart. I should have known better. You can get LE backpacks in the $25 range that stand up to everything. She's currently using the one I bought her last year for camp and it's working great. The only reason she'll be getting a new one at the beginning of school this year is because her LE backpack is pink, and she's completely outgrown pink (or anything "girlie" for that matter). I'll be donating the pink LE backpack to our neighbor's DD.

 

[ladyelle]

I would recommend Land's End. I would rather purchase quality backpacks that they can use for years then purchase a cheap one each year. My kids each have a backpack and lunchbox from Lands's End and they are still in great condition after 2 and 4 years.

 

[HM]

I generally buy mine from Walmart or other discount stores. I don't usually pay more than $20 for one. I am VERY picky about what I buy though and make sure they are well made. My kids are usually able to use them for about two years (including summer day camp) before I need to replace. DS's had now seen two years of use and could be used again this year....but its grubby, so he gets a new one. DD used a messenger bag we got on sale at JC Penny's last year for $6 and it is still good, but she wants a bookbag style for this year. So this year, I've got to search out good deals again.

Lots of people I know spend the extra for LL Bean or such, but there are some really good ones that are similar but cost a lot less out there if you look.

 

[KTSMOM]

I have a vote for Jansport Book Bags. Mine made it through 4 1/2 yrs of college and many trips to DW and other vacation spots. I love it!
I did just by my daughter the junior bookbag from LLBean. It looks very nice and sturdy and fits her perfectly (she's 5).

 

[java]

We go the landsend route and can generally get 2 years out of a bag no problem. However last year my dd had to have a Bratz backpack so I bought one at target for $15 on sale and it lasted the entire year!!!(she is in 3rd grade) So I guess it is the child. But my son is rough on his bag and the landsend ones are really great.
Now just as an aside Hanna Andersson also sells backpacks that are really really cute... And I love the quality of their clothes so I am guess the packs are good too!

 

[casndan]

My vote goes to LL Bean, I've never had one break, there are lots of really great colors, and they hold a lot more than most bookbags esp. the deluxe, also if you go to LLBeans website often they'll have some on clearance, I bought myself a new one about 2 years ago, got it really cheap, and then they're still offering that color

 

[Lisa_Belle]

I have a vote for Jansport Book Bags. Mine made it through 4 1/2 yrs of college and many trips to DW and other vacation spots. I love it!
I did just by my daughter the junior bookbag from LLBean. It looks very nice and sturdy and fits her perfectly (she's 5).

I'll second this one. Bought one my freshman year, and it made it through college AND grad school. And I wanted a new color after the second year so I was trying to destroy it and never did. After grad school, it still looked new but I was so sick of it I just pitched it.

 

[luvmyeor]

Another good brand is Eastpack. They also have a lifetime guarantee. I used one in college and never had to buy another one. I actually still have it (it is 20 years old!) and it is still in great shape! I use it for overnight trips.

 

[Alex2kMommy]

We bought DS5 his first backpack last fall at Target on sale - I think it was around $14 and had Spiderman on it. Many of the backpacks there looked so poorly made, but this one made it through the whole year.

Of course, in kindergarten he was just bringing home his folders of schoolwork and a library book or two. I can see in a few years needing something sturdier. I love LandsEnd products, that sounds like a great option, particularly if they will replace if it breaks.

 

[Laurajean1014]

LL Bean here! This is $69 and is guaranteed + monogramming.

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

Of course, in kindergarten he was just bringing home his folders of schoolwork and a library book or two. I can see in a few years needing something sturdier. I love LandsEnd products, that sounds like a great option, particularly if they will replace if it breaks.

I agree, I've always bought my kids Targer/Walmart ones with characters on them up until about 3rd grade. Most of them have lasted 2 years, but as they get older and have more things to carry I think it's better to pay more for a quality one that they can use longer and will hold up to more abuse. I think I'm going to go with LandsEnd for my oldest two kids this year, although I haven't decided whether or not to get their initials on them, I usually just put our last name on everything for the boys so they can hand them down.

ETA: Before you buy one, you may want to wait until you have a supply list if you don't already since some schools have switched over to mesh or clear backpacks. My kids also went to one school where wheeled backpacks were not allowed because too many kids were tripping over them.

 

[mjantz]

I usually just buy from Target. We have a 3-year backpack plan. New backpack is for school, last years backpack is for their stuff when we travel to Grandparents or wherever they might need stuff. And the backpack from 2 years ago gets donated a/o trashed.
Also, keep in mind that some schools do not allow rolling backpacks.

 

[btass]

LL bean has great backpacks! I got one for my DS when he started school 3 years ago and it still is going strong.

He has used it for 3 regular school years and for 3 years of summer school so it is in almost constant use. I think I spent something like $35-$40 on it with his intials embroidered on it.

Believe me, he throws that thing around so much and it just keeps taking the abuse. I put it in the washer once every couple of months (unless he spills food in it) and it still looks great!

 

[mickeyluv'r]

L.L bean has gotten rave reviews in our family. I use a Jansport mimi backpack as a pocketbook. i love the backpack styling, the only problem is the the zippers have the tendency to open upsometimes. If you aren't careful, everything can fall out. So you have to be careful about how you zip it up. Otherwise it has stood up very well for over a year.

 

[jeankeri]

I vote for LL Bean. They have a great pack rating on their site/catalog that helps you make sure the pack is not too big. Oversized packs can cause back problems in kids. I do not get my kids new packs until the old one wears out.

 

[Hedy]

LL bean all the way.

 

[MrsPete]

LL bean all the way.

Hmph. LL Bean crap. My backpack is starting to show wear, and I've only been using it since 1983! I only used it through two college degrees, a couple summers of camp counselor work, and now as a stuff-for-the-car bag when we travel. Now I guess I'll have to break down and buy a new one.