Backpack Recommendations for Middle School?

[laughinplace199]

DD went to an elementary school that was K-6, so she went to a new school in 7th. She used her old (LL Bean) backpack for the first few weeks so that she could see what the other girls were using for backpacks. She ended up getting a new LL Bean backpack since that's what most girls at her school have.

 

[TLuvsD]

Jansport around here.

Our school district is considering/planning to go to online texts. D prefers real books. I just bought the books, resold them the following year. It worked for us. I bought them mostly online/used.

 

[aprilgail2]

In junior high the kids all lug around these backpacks that I can hardly pick up! North Face backpacks are VERY popular around here. The kids get a second set of books to keep at home but each class requires a 1 1/2" binder plus whatever other books they need for that school day. Not many kids use a locker since there just isn't time to get from a class to your locker and to the next class in the 3 minutes allowed. My friends district is not far from ours and in their district each kid in the AP classes is issued an Ipad!

 

[wdwmom0f3]

A lot of the kids here, including mine, are carrying the North Face Jetser back packs. They come in lots of colors and they hold up very well. I have washed them in the washing machine too and they are as good as new.

http://www.thenorthface.com/webapp/...acks+-+Jester-_-the+northface+jester+backpack

 

[Talking Hands]

Jansport, LL Bean or Lands End are all good brands. My 32 yo is still using a Jansport she got in middle school.

 

[JVL1018]

My daughter has a zebra print Jansport-she'd like a messenger bag, which she told me mid year. The Jansport is in perfect condition, but I'll get her a new bag if she still wants it(she's going into 8th).
My son is going into 6th. Right now he has a Nike backpack. Got it last year(before this they both had Lands End backpacks for a few years). It's still in perfect condition and I can't see him caring what kind of backpack he carries. As long as it's black and red and relatively plain, which it is, he's happy.

I see all kinds of backpacks and messenger bags here, no Vera Bradley though.

 

[Castillo Mom]

Timbuk2 is popular here in California but they're about messenger bags than backpacks although they make both. They're color and pattern customizable and very durable although a little pricey depending on the size/style.

http://www.timbuk2.com/tb2/

 

[turkeymama]

DD has a Vera Bradley, as do most of her friends. The ones who don't usually try to carry Adidas, or something very similar.

On another note, I wish DD's school would issue textbooks to keep at home. Even with online assignments, DD still carried home a stack of books and assignments and binders equal to half her weight. And she is a tiny thing for a middle-schooler.