New backpacks every year?

[ncbyrne]

My DGD is a freshman in high school. I bought her an expensive Jansport at the beginning of the year, but it was too big to fit in her locker!! So I bought her a new one...this time she got to pick it out herself. I also found out that none of the high school kids use wheeled backpacks - just not cool I guess, so now I'm wondering if it really didn't fit the locker, or if it just didn't fit her style!

 

[kbkids]

I buy mine on clearance at Target as well. They get a new one every year, just simply because they want something new to start the school year off with. Since I only paid about $3 for them, I feel that's a luxury they can have each year.

I've bought the Disney ones in the past when they were younger and they wanted the character ones, but they had to be replaced by the middle of the school year.

 

[pixiemel]

Another vote for LLBean!! Both DDs have carried them for years! They are guaranteed for life, and they are so nice and pretty with the monogram! We just sent in DD9's for a zipper repair, and the lady called because they did not have that color anymore and so they replaced it with a new color of DD's choosing!
We won't buy a backpack anywhere else!!

 

[soccerchick]

Yes, our kids get new backpacks for each school year. I buy them at Target the year before for 75% off. We usually pay $3.5- 5.0 for each backpack.

This is exactly what we do. We've had good luck with backpacks so far. The only thing that wore out was DS's hard plastic Superman lunchbox. The little closure snap broke off, so he's using a nondescipt one I had for my use. No complaints so far.

 

[Belle1962]

yes--because just as women's purses collect germs, bacteria, fecal matter, etc so do kids backpacks. Think of everywhere your kids are setting them down--the ground, bathroom floors, etc. A new CLEAN one each year for us.

 

[gillenkl]

My dd is using her backpack for the 2nd year and it looks pretty much like new. I'm hoping she can get 1 more year out of it - I wash it every couple of weeks - it's LLBean and I will buy this brand again.

 

[kimsuenew]

Yes, we always have (from pre-school on). We also buy new (coordinating) folders/pencil pouch/supplies! It was always as much fun for me as it was for our kid!

 

[RichNKatHolly]

Does anyone know if Sears carries the Lands End packs in their stores?

I need one ASAP as now the strap has broken on DS's backpack as well! Ugh!

 

[momof3littlelilos]

It depends - I prefer the packs from LL Bean and Land's End because they can be used for more than a year. But DD7 prefers pretty "Hello Kitty" packs from Target, and the quality is pretty low, so she's having a 2 backpack school year.

 

[markmyboy]

My DS 9 is using my old Eastpak backpack that I bought for college over 12 years ago! He's only using it because the cheapo backpack he picked out in the beginning of the school year didn't last a month.

I have had good luck with the target Greatland brand backpacks. My son had used his for 3 years before it became too small to carry the 4th grade load of books & binders! My daughter has the same style (but in pink of course) that I hope will last her as long. We have brought these backpack on trips & vacations & they are holding up great. We'll see if they last as long as my old Eastpak!

 

[momof3littlelilos]

My DS 9 is using my old Eastpak backpack that I bought for college over 12 years ago! He's only using it because the cheapo backpack he picked out in the beginning of the school year didn't last a month.

DD7 is using DS17s old red LLBean pack...her new pack might have lasted 2 months ...DS outgrew his pack so I got him a collegiate with wheels.
I'm waiting for the tax refund to get her a new LLBean or LandsEnd one, hopefully it will last and we can get a pretty color. (She's much more concerned with the pretty factor than the quality )

 

[tlbwriter]

In the past, DD's backpacks came from Wal-Mart or Target and needed to be replaced every year (she's in 3rd grade, but she also used them in daycare and preschool). This year she got a Hanna Andersson messenger bag which still seems to be in perfect shape. But I'll probably let her get a new bag next year anyway, since it's a nice tradition and it's fun to have something new for the new school year (and I only have one child so I'm not spending $200 on new backpacks every year! ) I'm sure I'll be able to resell the Hanna Andersson bag.

 

[RichNKatHolly]

It depends - I prefer the packs from LL Bean and Land's End because they can be used for more than a year. But DD7 prefers pretty "Hello Kitty" packs from Target, and the quality is pretty low, so she's having a 2 backpack school year.

OMG! That is the same one DD had! First the zipper broke and then one of the straps just shredded right off. It was cute while it lasted, but never again! All she carries is her little Pre-K folder and lunch.

 

[grlpwrd]

It depends - I prefer the packs from LL Bean and Land's End because they can be used for more than a year...

Ditto for us.

My older girls all go to school and use the same bags or they embellish them. Or they rotate if they get "bored."

 

[kid-at-heart]

We bought DD 1st backpack from LLBean - 5 years ago and it still is going strong. We will be buying a new one for Fall 08 but only because she now needs a larger backpack. Her first pack was "jr" backpack.

 

[tycopj]

My kids get a new one most years because we buy them on sale when all the school supplies get marked down. I figure this is still cheaper than buying a good quality one and they can have a new one, which is fun for school. Plus my kids are young so their ideas of "cute" or "cool" change yearly. While my DD loves Disney, she did NOT want a princess backpack this year. I think investing in a good backpack is a great idea but for us we won't do it until they are a little older.

 

[MoniqueU]

My oldest daughter is on her second backpack this year. The first one got some sticky stuff on it and she had giftcards and that is what she chose. I envy those that have kids that will use a lands end one or LL bean but those brands are not considered cool here and none of my kids will use them.

 

[familyS]

My kids seem to need new backpacks around every 3 years.

I ask them each year of they want new ones, but they like what they have

 

[Aliceacc]

Does anyone know if Sears carries the Lands End packs in their stores?

I need one ASAP as now the strap has broken on DS's backpack as well! Ugh!

Probably not this time of year.

But I ordered mine online and had it incredibly quickly.

 

[cinmell]

Do you get your school age kids new backpacks every school year.

Yes.