New backpacks every year?

[kellia]

Nope! I get the Jansport ones when they are about $5 at the outlet by us, those things never die. I do cave and let dd get a new one every couple of years and then we just use the old ones for around the house.

 

[madelyn]

I got an Lands End one when DS1 started 1st grade and he's now in 4th with the same backpack. I am even able to throw it in the washing machine (front loader on gentle) and let it air dry. I do this about twice a year or as needed. Now DS2 had to have a brown backpack when he started Kinder so we found an off brand at Ross or Marshalls for around $15 and it is already wearing in some spots. I am not sure if he drags it on the ground or not. The Lands End one I got on sale and I think it was less than $25 shipped and monogrammed.

 

[squirrlygirl]

I'm not positive, but I do believe Jansport and Eastpak are from the same company

 

[jakenjess]

My kids are only on their second backpacks (they're in fifth and sixth grades). They're from LL Bean and will last forever. The only reason we got new ones a few years ago was because the ones they had in K and 1st were too small when they started getting regular homework. Maybe I'll treat them to a new one when they go to high school!

 

[It's A Happy Day]

Another LL Bean bp here We got DS6 an new one (Power Rangers from DS) last year and had no problems. Bought a new one this year (Transformers generic from Target). About a month into the school year the Transformer one broke, nobody really had anything left worth getting so I bit the bullet and purchased a LL Bean one after reading rave reviews and they were on sale with free shipping. It is a GREAT bag, holding up great to every day boy abuse (even though I keep telling him it is NOT a football!) and can't imagine we'll have to replace it anytime soon. We bought all black so it hides the dirt and looks almost new 5 months later!

 

[MEM]

We buy backpacks only when they wear out or get a hole in them. I wash the backpacks several times a year and line dry so they look newer, longer. DD11 is very hard on backpacks but even she can't destroy her LLBean one. DS13 is in Special Ed and carries virtually nothing in his backpack except a few homework problems. His backpack will last for years.

 

[lisaross]

Last year i bought the LLBean backpacks on sale for $12.00 - someone posted it here and they are holding up great! Probably will NOT buy new ones for next year................

 

[Plantlady]

No new backpacks for us.

DS11 is still using the same one he had for kindergarten.
DS8 is on about his 3rd backpack.. but, he is rougher on things.
DS6 just started kindergarten. First backpack.

I don't let them get characters on the backpacks. They need to use them until they break. I buy many many other shiny new school supplies.

 

[timzagain]

We have four kids. We replace them when they are worn and cannot be repaired. For the most part, they used their backpacks for 2+ years. The only boy in the bunch, now 18, just retired the Quiksilver backpack he was using for the last 3+ years. I'm impressed that it lasted that long considering that he treated it with absolutely no respect.

I've never bought Lands End or Jansport. My kids are all into surf brands, and asked if they could have backpacks from their favourire brands. Based on the experience with the Quiksilver backpack, we bought Roxy backpacks for the girls. Youngest DD's is in pretty good shape, but the older girls' backpacks haven't stood up so well - could have bought them cheap Walmart version instead!

The next round of school bags will be Jansport or similar quality!

 

[Aliceacc]

We do!!!

However, already this year I'm about to order DS backpack #3. #1 ripped the first week. #2 was $30 and already ripped at the corner and a wheel fell off. For #3 I'm trying Land's End! Geesh! Oh, and DD is on #2 already - she's in Pre-K and literally carries a soft lunch box and a folder.

!

I hit that point several years ago with my son, and last week with my daughter.

Land's Ends backpacks are GREAT!!! They're expensive, but they last forever!!! I ordered my daughter's about 2 weeks ago; it arrived in about 5 days. They're sturdy, the zippers and handles and wheels all hold up well.

I'm done with cutesy backpacks for my 2 oldest (my almost-5 year old still has one or 2 more in her future.) They're Lands End kids from now on.

 

[Kickapoo Joie Juice]

We have to get new ones, they barely make it through the year, my kids beat the hoo-ha out of them.

Same with the lunch boxes-completely destroyed by the end of the year!

I am tempted to try buying one of the really expensive brands that have a guarantee on them, though, just to see if they can survive my girls...

 

[CEDmom]

No, I spent a lot on a LL Bean back pack for DD8 and she'll be using it for a few years.

 

[NeedaVacation03]

I got all 4 of my girls LLBean. Well worth the $$$. We are on year #2 now and plan on keeping them for many more years. I know a college student who used the same LLBean bag since 5th grade. I think that is awesome!

 

[r4blessings]

Another vote for the llbean backpack/lunchbox. My son got his in kind. and is now in 3rd grade and it still looks pretty much new!1 And he is rough on it! Throws it on the ground at the bus stop, drags it along the sidewalk and pretty much swings it around constantly! Keep checking their clearance section for discontinued colors/patterns. We got our 2nd ds one for like $15 which is exactly like my first ds's!

 

[sarahlovesmickey]

So far my oldest DS's backpack is holding up. I believe it is from Osh Kosh...great quality! MY DD's backpack is also holding up nicely and it is from GAP. I think that if I wash them up at the end of the year and put them away for fall, that they can use them next year.

 

[ENSOCK]

I try not too, but I find that I purchase them new ones about every 2 years. This year DS13 got the underarmor one, as much as he packs into it I hope that it lasts the year. My DS8 has a jansport that I am hoping will last him for 2 years.

 

[4 Little Bears]

Another vote for LLBean! I love their backpacks; definitely worth the money, especially when they are on sale. DS and DD have used the same backpacks for 2 years and they still look new. I just run them (the backpacks, not the kids ) through the washer and hang to dry.

 

[rparmfamily]

LL Bean!!! Both my kids have them and they are a few years old. I had mine from 9th grade until I was in my mid-twenties, and actually DH got it stolen in Venice!

 

[MKCP5]

DS is 14 w/ the same LL bean pack since kindergarten and DD is 12 with the same one from Beans since Kindergarten. No need to waste the $$ when they can go for more travel!!!

 

[kandeebunny]

LL Bean...and I believe they are guaranteed for life, if they can't fix it they replace it.