Backpack time

[java]

Ok I am going nuts. I need to buy 2 new backpacks. I always go with Landsend. This year they seem pretty babyish to me? All patterns? I have 2 boys.

I looked on LLBean - and found one I like- but it's only in one color that would work for my boys.

Where are you finding backpacks? I don't want to wait until last minute as last year I got shut out of the ones they wanted.

 

[Samar]

Childrens Place. They've been holding up extremely well despite them not being on the "upper end" of the back pack brands

 

[gillenkl]

I went with Lands End since they had $20 off $75 - a messenger bag, lunchbox and uniform socks. My 7th grader just wanted something plain with no childish graphics. Hope it lasts as I usually only buy LLBean.....

 

[nilseks]

Neither of my boys liked the Lands End ones this year--not even for the lunchboxes! In fact, they specifically DISLIKE them.

Oldest DS just saw an UnderArmour backpack that he liked. I'm going to wait and hope for a coupon to arrive from Dick's.

 

[spacemountainmom]

I always bought LL Bean backpacks for my kids for school. We only replaced them when the kids were tired of the pattern. My dd had opted for a messenger bag when she was in middle school. She decided that she wanted another backpack in high school since she has to walk. She also decided that she wanted to try them on to see how they felt. That pretty much threw LL Bean out of the mix.

We ended up finding her one at Eddie Bauer. Their packs are nice plain colors and it has held up beautifully. We picked out one she liked and then watched for sales. I saw online that they were having a sale so we ran over to the store and picked it up.

 

[emksmama]

We went with LL Bean last year for the first time, getting backpacks (the original) and lunchboxes, and have been SO impressed with the quality, I'm so excited I don't have to buy new ones this year! We had to replace the lunchbox, but they sent us another one right away (the handle came off), so their guarantee paid off.

 

[suzcruz]

my dd14 has always wanted the cutsy onesbut this year she wants a plain Jansport, i've seen them on ebags for 25% off & free shipping but wonder if there are better deals or if they are durable?

 

[eksb327]

Have you looked at Pottery Barn? Both Pottery Barn Kids and PBTeen have a great assortment. The backpacks hold up really well, too.

 

[of2dbeach]

I just got DD almost 16 a Jansport backpack at Ross of all places for $18.99 . it says on the card attached if you have any problems let them know and they will either fix the backpack or replace it.. WOOT! the backpacks are usually $40 and I bought her one 4 years ago. It is still ok but she is going into HS this year and wanted something new. Now going to see what they will do with her old back pack I might not have to buy one for DD9.. but then again she wants Justin Bieber

 

[clh2]

My DD is heading off to college with a Jansport backpack that is at least 5 years old. (I know we did not buy one in high school)..It is still going strong...

And - while DD has purchased many things for her dorm room...a backpack isn't even on the radar screen. I hate to "make" her spend my money on something she doesn't feel is necessary.

 

[candielips]

What about a camelbak?

 

[windycitymom]

Check out Costco. They are selling heavy duty backpacks for just 17.99!! I got two for my college age boys. They are padded, lots of storage and have a special slot for computers. They have girl and guy colors. They are selling quickly by me.

 

[MSSANDRA]

We buy LLBeam ones for the boys starting in kindergarten. They get one in kindergarten and a new one for middle school and IF they need a bigger one, one for high school college. DS is carried his for going on 6 years and it looks like new. It went to college last year! We encouraged DS5 to choose a simple grow with it pattern and he choose a solid red.

 

[DisneyAndRedSox]

DD's LLBean bag from last year is fine, but since winter she has begged me for a messenger bag and told her she could get one for this school year. The Bean one is really not for elementary age, so we ordered the Lands End ClassMate messenger. Just got it a week ago i have to say stay away, do not order! It is $39 and worth about $10. I hate returning something that was personalized, but this thing is a flimsy piece of junk. It is so thin I could roll it up and stuff it in a small purse. I also ordered the Lands End soft sided lunch bag and that is much better.

So I am trying a fairly new brand of kids backpacks and messengers this year, Wildkin. Most of their bags are for elementary age. All the bags got good reviews online and EBags was running 25% off and free shipping and returns, so the bag was less than $18. They do have boys prints, but the majority are girls prints. DD will still use her Bean backpack from last year when hauling snow boots, etc...

 

[monarchsfan16]

My Jansport got me through 6 years of college and grad school, and is still my go to Disney park bag and camera bag. It has developed one hole in it, but that was very recently, after years of, quite frankly, abuse. For the $30 I paid for it 7 years ago, I can't complain. And the hole isn't in a location that renders it useless.

 

[mjkacmom]

I don't know how old your boys are, but around 6th grade, ds14 no longer wanted an LL Bean or Lands End backpack. I think he got an Under Armour one that he used for a couple of years, and last year he just wanted a Nike string bag (which he wore for his almost 2 mile round trip walk to school).

 

[happygirl]

Wal-mart

 

[PrinceCharmingsMom]

We went to Toys R Us had a coupon for $10 off and they were giving a free lunch box of your choice...got a Transformer one for 18.99 and a $16 transformer lunchbox free.

 

[sksjasams]

Did you see this one on the LL Bean site?

http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/62115?feat=quad pack-SR0

It is very roomy, has lots of great features, and after 3 years my DS13's still looks like new. It is pricey, but for us it has been worth it.

 

[crazelion]

Jansport, Eastport, and L.L. Bean for back pack. I do let the kids pick out the character ones until out grow them. If they break durning the school year. The kids knows that have go back to there L.L. Bean backpacks no excuses. LOL