Backpack suggestion?

[pantherlj]

I thought DD was all set for middle school - her Lands End backpack from last year was in good shape. I just noticed a big rip in in on the back. I it doesn't look like something she could have done, it's ripping apart at the seam.

Trying to decide if I just use their guarantee or just suck up and and be happy with a year's worth of backpack use.

Anyway .. she is carrying around 3 or 4 2" inch binders and a couple of text books. Any suggestions on a specific backpack that will be big enough for her carry all of her things in?

 

[Mary•Poppins]

Hmm ... I think I would call them. My oldest has had his Land's End backpack for 5 years and it is still in great shape (and he LOADS it with books and binders). Just checked it out and I'm hoping it lasts 2 more years until he graduates.

Hope this helps.

 

[Swimnoid]

I believe Lands End has the same guarantee that LL Bean has. Return it anytime, no questions asked.

I found my daughter's LLBean back pack in the back of a closet that had a broken zipper. That thing had been in there for like 10 years. So I emailed them and they said send it back. I got a brand new one in a different color AND'...they sent me a note with a check for $6 because the pack was on sale! It only took about a week too. Life long fan here!

I have never had trouble returning stuff to Lands End either.

 

[kinntj]

If it's only been a year, I would call them to return it. I would put into account the wear my child puts on a backpack during the year and make the decision.

 

[ptmmg]

call them Last year we bought towels with my dd name for college when she came home I noticed 2 were shreading they sent me 2 replacements with her name on them as well.

 

[pantherlj]

Thanks - I just called. Turns out I bought it 1 1/2 years ago so she used it for 1/2 of 4th grade and all of 5th. Looks like I got it on clearance too - was only $20. I think I got $20 worth of use out of it so not sure I will return. The lady said I could but ... not sure.

Any suggestions for a replacement? LE and LL Bean have many varieties to pick from. What about Jansport at Kohls? They are on sale and I have a coupon.

 

[Leajess99]

I believe Lands End has the same guarantee that LL Bean has. Return it anytime, no questions asked.

I found my daughter's LLBean back pack in the back of a closet that had a broken zipper. That thing had been in there for like 10 years. So I emailed them and they said send it back. I got a brand new one in a different color AND'...they sent me a note with a check for $6 because the pack was on sale! It only took about a week too. Life long fan here!

I have never had trouble returning stuff to Lands End either.

Be careful with this because as I found out, if they claim they cannot find the transaction (mine had not been that long) than they will charge you full price for new backpack and only refund the difference of the last selling price. This was NOT what I had been told when I contacted them as my daughter's was falling apart while my son's (bought a year earlier) was still in good condition and he carried tons of books while my daughter was in elementary school and barely had books coming home if any. I was on the phone for an hour last night and even went to a supervisor (the funny part was the CS rep never mentioned the recent one was on sale until I asked for the supervisor) who claimed he could not find the transaction for the black backpack that the CS Rep had just found. This is my second bad experience with LL Bean and will be my last time as I will not buy another thing from them.

 

[Leajess99]

Thanks - I just called. Turns out I bought it 1 1/2 years ago so she used it for 1/2 of 4th grade and all of 5th. Looks like I got it on clearance too - was only $20. I think I got $20 worth of use out of it so not sure I will return. The lady said I could but ... not sure.

Any suggestions for a replacement? LE and LL Bean have many varieties to pick from. What about Jansport at Kohls? They are on sale and I have a coupon.

The jansport one my middle daughter bought last year from Kohls did not hold up past 2 weeks. I know her other Jansport her aunt gave her 4 years ago is still going strong but she wanted something different so she bought that one. Kohls does have a good return policy though so if anything does happen.

 

[sookie]

i personally think a high end backpack should last longer than 1 year.
i would ask them to exchange for a similar product. we had a deal with PB teen where my daughters bag - which was bought in august - ish - went down in around january. no questions asked, no shipping charges - got refunded (style was gone) with merchandise credit and old bag was taken back. thats the way it should be!

 

[chisnpeke]

LLBean has the best book bags, I think.

 

[Lisa in WV]

I've been really pleased with my DD's backpack from L.L. Bean. We bought it three years ago, when she started preschool. She used it for two years of preschool and for kindergarten last year. The starts first grade Monday and will be using it again. It's held up wonderfully. The only wear on it is a spot where the reflective strip on the front has worn off, and that's from her catching it on something sharp.

 

[andymattmom]

We are on year 3 of Under Armour backpacks. Been thru middle school and part of high school (2 years) and still look great and no issues. These teenage boys carrying and heavy books.

 

[grafxgirl]

We just ordered our DD6 a NorthFace backpack a few weeks ago. They come in youth sizes.

 

[karen l]

LLBean is having a sale 20% of & free shipping. My 3 have used them for years - middle school, high school, college & beyond. Great guarantee & the packs stand up to a lot of wear and tear.

 

[grafxgirl]

We bought DD6 a NorthFace backpack this year. They come in youth and adult sizes.

 

[prncess674]

Anyway .. she is carrying around 3 or 4 2" inch binders and a couple of text books. Any suggestions on a specific backpack that will be big enough for her carry all of her things in?

That sounds like a lot for a young teen to be carrying back and forth. Why does she need to carry so many binders? Cant she carry one with dividers and then move the old assignments/notes to a subject specific binder kept at home rather than packing it on her back everyday?

 

[pantherlj]

That sounds like a lot for a young teen to be carrying back and forth. Why does she need to carry so many binders? Cant she carry one with dividers and then move the old assignments/notes to a subject specific binder kept at home rather than packing it on her back everyday?

Yes, I think it's a lot too! Each core subject required a 2" binder (math, LA, science, social studies). She gets a locker this week or next so hoping she can leave some of it at school.

 

[minniebeth]

My DS has had an Adidas backpack I got from Kohl's for 5 years now and it is still going strong. He loves it and has no intention of getting a new one any time soon.
My DD is starting 8th grade next week and has the same workload to carry, so she wanted one just like my DS. We got the Adidas brand at Kohl's on sale and with a coupon last week.

She had 6 2" binders last year PLUS books and "stuff". There was no way she could carry all of them each night. She didn't necessarily have HW each night in each subject, or was able to finish it in class. But for what she did have, instead of carrying each binder, she had a hw folder that at the end of each class, she took her hw papers and that section of notes and put them in the folder and carried that instead. Then, the next day in class, she put the papers back into the binder. The only time she took the whole binder home was studying for exams. Of course, this requires a lot more work and organization, my DD is super organized, but it helped a lot, not having to carry it all home.

I personally (and I've taught 6th and 7th grade) think 2" binders for each subject is completely not necessary!

Good luck finding a great backpack!

 

[pantherlj]

My DS has had an Adidas backpack I got from Kohl's for 5 years now and it is still going strong. He loves it and has no intention of getting a new one any time soon.
My DD is starting 8th grade next week and has the same workload to carry, so she wanted one just like my DS. We got the Adidas brand at Kohl's on sale and with a coupon last week.

She had 6 2" binders last year PLUS books and "stuff". There was no way she could carry all of them each night. She didn't necessarily have HW each night in each subject, or was able to finish it in class. But for what she did have, instead of carrying each binder, she had a hw folder that at the end of each class, she took her hw papers and that section of notes and put them in the folder and carried that instead. Then, the next day in class, she put the papers back into the binder. The only time she took the whole binder home was studying for exams. Of course, this requires a lot more work and organization, my DD is super organized, but it helped a lot, not having to carry it all home.

I personally (and I've taught 6th and 7th grade) think 2" binders for each subject is completely not necessary!

Good luck finding a great backpack!

Thanks for the comments on the Adidas backpack! We picked up one and a Jasport at Kohls and brought them both home to see if they would hold everything and be comfortable. We both really like the Adidas so glad to know it's holding up well. I couldn't wait to order from Lands End or LL Bean.

I agree, can't see what they will need to store in a 2" binder per subject, that is going to be a lot of learning lol