Backpack questions for back to school

[Brooknwdw]

I have never paid more than $10 for one. My kids are going into 2nd & 4th and I just bought them their second one each after all these years..for the upcoming year.

My problem was our kids HAD to have a clear or mesh backpack..those are cheap & ugly so no choice. We moved to a new district, so now they have cuter ones, but still $10.

I have never had a problem with them tearing up, just getting dirty inside.
I guess they may need better quality ones later but so far this had suited our needs.

 

[hambirg]

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.

This is kind of what happens at our house. My kids always want something different every year. I pay about $12, it makes it through the year, but looks a little ragged. They use it for overnites, camping, etc. My DD will be in 5th next year and now prefers messenger bags. I found one at Target for $6 (in the mens dept.). I usually buy them at Target or Mervyn's. One year I bought one from Children's Place. Don't do that! It only lasted about 3 mos. before it started coming apart at the seams.

 

[CPM]

LL Bean!!

My daughter will be entering college this year and she still has the one I bought her in 1st grade! LOL She does won others now, but she does still use teh original.

My son has been using his for the last three years, still looks brand new.
I will buy him a larger one this year for 4th grade.

I just love their stuff.
They make the best toiletry bags.

 

[goofyforlife]

My votes is with Jansport. My DD is hard on backpacks and has tons of books to carry because they can't go to their lockers during the day.

Hers held up all last year and is still good

 

[T. Lynn]

I purchased my DD's backpack at the kids Gap last year so she will be using it for awhile.

It is very nicely made and can be thrown in the wash (like a heavy fabric style). I did that at the end of the school year and now it looks brand new. It also has a matching lunch box that attaches and matching wallet if you choose to buy them.

 

[tar heel]

If you go to Walmart, etc., you MAY need more than one per year. If you get a good one, you won't. We also had really bad luck with some skateboarding backpacks that looked like they were well made. Zippers broke in both before the year was over.

My oldest DS got his first Lands End backpack when he was in fourth grade. He is now on his second one and will be in his fifth year of college. I don't think an average of seven years is too bad!

We'll spring for a good backpack for my middle school son this year.

My other son is Mr. Fashion Plate. He carried a messenger bag the last year of high school. It's still fine, but I don't think it's quite what he needs for college. He may be ready for another Lands End one. In his case, it would be his third, so he only gets four or so years out of each.

 

[ceecee]

DD always wants a new one every year, so I buy them at Target and they have always lasted. Her Bratz looked so good at the end of the year, I sold it at the Garage Sale for $4.00. I have actually sold all of them. None have ever ripped or had the zipper broken. Last year she got a messenger bag and ended up dragging it most of the time. It was quite dirty so I washed it and now it looks fine. I probably pay around $15.00 when they are on sale right before school starts. We always make a day and buy all new supplies, etc for school and then go out to lunch. I dread school starting as much as she does and there's something fun about getting new stuff for school.

 

[Zoemakes5]

For those who recommend LLBean, what size/style? 6th grader.

 

[Harvest02]

Thanks for all the tips on the backpacks! I was wondering this myself because I have a 1st grader and 4th grader. Seems like my 4th grader goes through backpacks so fast and they always tear on him. I always buy them from Target or somewhere, but maybe I should start checking out Lands End or LLBean. Guess you get what you pay for! Anyone know of any sales going on right now?

 

[KTSMOM]

Thanks for all the tips on the backpacks! I was wondering this myself because I have a 1st grader and 4th grader. Seems like my 4th grader goes through backpacks so fast and they always tear on him. I always buy them from Target or somewhere, but maybe I should start checking out Lands End or LLBean. Guess you get what you pay for! Anyone know of any sales going on right now?

I don't know of any sales but I do know LLBean has a free shipping code. That saves some $. I saw the thread this am on the Budget board where someone listed the code #.

 

[Zoemakes5]

Thanks for all the tips on the backpacks! I was wondering this myself because I have a 1st grader and 4th grader. Seems like my 4th grader goes through backpacks so fast and they always tear on him. I always buy them from Target or somewhere, but maybe I should start checking out Lands End or LLBean. Guess you get what you pay for! Anyone know of any sales going on right now?

I talked to reps at both LLBEan and LandsEnd yesterday, explained the kind of problems we've had with other backpacks and both said that if those kinds of problems happened within a year or so after purchase that they would certainly expect the backpacks to be returned. They both have a really all inclusive guarantee. 100% customer satisfaction, and they both have language to indicate if at any time you're unsatisfied because the product didn't perform as you expected it to, they will either refund or exchange. The cost is pretty competetive on most of their backpacks, too. And lots of color choices. They both monogram, too.

 

[shirleyb]

I got lucky a few years ago and bought my two DS's backpacks on clearance at Target for $3 something. They made it through 2 years and my sons are in high school and have heavy books. I'd say THAT was a bargain. I generally try to only get backpacks every other year.

 

[wright1baby]

I talked to reps at both LLBEan and LandsEnd yesterday, explained the kind of problems we've had with other backpacks and both said that if those kinds of problems happened within a year or so after purchase that they would certainly expect the backpacks to be returned. They both have a really all inclusive guarantee. 100% customer satisfaction, and they both have language to indicate if at any time you're unsatisfied because the product didn't perform as you expected it to, they will either refund or exchange. The cost is pretty competetive on most of their backpacks, too. And lots of color choices. They both monogram, too.

I just oredered our from LL bean yesterday. These are back pack #2. I oredered each of my children the JR 2 years ago. Nothing is broken on the old back packs, but they are very dingy. I told them they can use the old backpacks for sports, overnights, camping etc. That way hopefully these will stay cleaner longer.

LOVE ll bean and never had any problems with them. I would be very surprised if your children are rougher than my boys.

 

[gottaluvdis]

DD always wants a new one every year, so I buy them at Target and they have always lasted. Her Bratz looked so good at the end of the year, I sold it at the Garage Sale for $4.00. I have actually sold all of them. None have ever ripped or had the zipper broken. Last year she got a messenger bag and ended up dragging it most of the time. It was quite dirty so I washed it and now it looks fine. I probably pay around $15.00 when they are on sale right before school starts. We always make a day and buy all new supplies, etc for school and then go out to lunch. I dread school starting as much as she does and there's something fun about getting new stuff for school.

DD and I are currently in negotiations about a messenger bag. She's begging me for a MB over a backpack, but I'm not sure if it's the way to go. If anyone has experience with these from last year, please let me know the pros and cons. Is it big enough? I'm worried about her back since a back pack distributes the weight more evenly, but then again she rarely wears the backpack on her back (she ends up carrying it with one hand most of the time, or hanging over one shoulder). She's 9 and heading for 4th grade, so she's not lugging all her books around yet. It may be OK for 4th grade, but I'd love to hear other's experiences with this. Apparently it's the "cool" thing to have now.

 

[cats mom]

Wow, some of you have kids that carry the same backpack for years and years? Good for you.

I got so sick of my Jansport in college, even though it was still in great shape, that I splurged on a new one sometime around junior year... even on a starving college student budget.
So I understand when my kids want a new style/color. To me that's part of the fun of getting outfitted for a new year.

DS had a great looking *********** backpack that took a ton of abuse and made it all last year.

DD had a Roxy backpack last year, it was pink and grey with the cutest hibiscus flowers all over. It did start to split a seam toward the end of the year, but we managed to make it through with just a quick fix.

I wouldn't recommend the Roxy if you want it to last for years and years, but it sure was cute and trendy, and I got it in sale at Nordstrom for less than $20.
The *********** seemed just as sturdy as some of the Jansports we've had over the years and those things wear like iron.

Since we plan on a new one every year, or two at the most, we just go for stylish and try to keep the cost reasonable.


Edited to add: OK that's interesting. Why in the world is quick silver not OK to post?
I feel so evil now that I've been censored.

 

[goofyforlife]

DD and I are currently in negotiations about a messenger bag. If anyone has experience with these from last year, please let me know the pros and cons. Is it big enough?

My DD made me get her a MUDD messenger bag one year. It barely fit her 3 ring binder in it nevermind the other books....

Needless to say the strap broke within a week so now we're back to heavy duty backpacks...

 

[casndan]

I'm in college and got a messenger bag a couple years ago, because I thought it was cute, KILLED my back and my sholder, would never ever stray from a regular 2 strap back pack again

 

[angwill]

My son destroyed every bookbag I bought him till I got him a jansport with the jell in the straps. I read a report that the better made bags like jansport or LL bean are made to keep your child from getting hurt by the heavy load of books. I know with his jansport and an LL bean bookbag that I have that they sit on your back in a way that is more natural and prevents your back hurting. They almost feel like nothing is there even when heavy. My son's jansport is going on it's 3rd year and it still looks like new unlike the less expensive old navy and wal-mart ones I bought him in the past. I can not speak for other brands that we have not tried.

HTH

I got my son's jansport brand new on ebay for around $25 with shipping but I did have to wait for that kind of deal to come up. I know new it is worth around $60. If you ebay just keep checking everyday till you see it for a decent price.

 

[DawnM]

and they have lasted 3 years now.

My boys don't use them for school though. We homeschool. But they do use them for all trips and such.

Dawn

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

DD and I are currently in negotiations about a messenger bag. She's begging me for a MB over a backpack, but I'm not sure if it's the way to go. If anyone has experience with these from last year, please let me know the pros and cons. Is it big enough? I'm worried about her back since a back pack distributes the weight more evenly, but then again she rarely wears the backpack on her back (she ends up carrying it with one hand most of the time, or hanging over one shoulder). She's 9 and heading for 4th grade, so she's not lugging all her books around yet. It may be OK for 4th grade, but I'd love to hear other's experiences with this. Apparently it's the "cool" thing to have now.

My DD was in 4th grade last year and used a Limited Too messenger bag. It held up well, especially since I bought it at Goodwill in the first place, but it wasn't big enough so it was really hard for her to keep organized, she had papers crammed everywhere. Also, alot of the backpacks now have water bottle pockets on the outside and my DD carries one everywhere and there really wasn't room for that in the MB either.