New backpacks every year?

[RichNKatHolly]

Probably not this time of year.

But I ordered mine online and had it incredibly quickly.

Thanks. I'll check today and if not, order online tonight.

 

[MrsPete]

We bought DD 1st backpack from LLBean - 5 years ago and it still is going strong.

That's nothing -- I'm still using my LL Bean backpack that I bought the year I started college, and that wasa 1984! That backpack went to college for seven years, saw heavy use as a summer camp counselor for a number of years, it served as an extra-large diaper bag on trips, and now I still use it occasionally! It certainly doesn't look new, but the seams and zippers are still in good condition, and it has no rips.

I bought my daughters each an LL Bean backpack when they started school, and I had to replace them after a few years -- no, they weren't worn out; the original packs were small-sized for very young children, and they needed full-sized packs as they grew older.

 

[MichelleinMaine]

I still use the bags I got in elementary school/college.

For those whose kids insist on character bags- let them decorate them with a few cute character key chains or such. (they're likely to do that anyway- might as well do it on a plain bag ) Or tack on a character applique from a fabric dept. (Snip stitches to change it out as tastes change)

And they do wash up quite well. I do a spin on gentle cycle and hang to dry.

I've never paid more than $20 for any bag there. Check the sale section of the LLB website. They are often marked down this time of year (or soon). If you have an outlet, check there too. (Monograms on bags there easily come out with a seam ripper.)

 

[carissanboys]

I bought both of my older two boys an L.L.Bean backpack sometime last year (before school started) when I found them online on clearance. Halfway through the year and they still look brand new. I don't plan on having to buy them new backpacks for a long while.

 

[Minnie_me]

No way. And it really has less to do with cost and more to do with materialism. I can't stand the attitude that kids have to have everything *NEW* to start a new school year. My girls have been really great about keeping their backpacks for 3-4 years. And when we're done, we donate them (filled with goodies) to a local needy family.

 

[marcyinPA]

My kids use theirs until they fall apart. I can't justify buying a new one if the old one is just fine.

My 7th grader has been using his Jansport backpack since 5th grade. It's still going strong...he'll use it until it can be used no longer.

My 3rd grader used his from K-2. Got a new "cheap" on this year(had to have the camoflauge one at Target ), and so far so good, except the hang loop on the top of the bag is ripping off. I will say that I'm not going cheap after this one. We'll spring for a Lands End or LL Bean, or the higher end Jansport that my oldest has.

 

[Kickapoo Joie Juice]

I'm duct taping the inside of my DD9's book bag now to hold it together, she got it at Target for 17.99. My DD7's messenger bag is holding together a lot better, but she doesn't load it down with the insane number of books that my DD9 does to hers.

We bought a 30+ personalized rolling bookbag from Lillian Vernon for DD9 in August and the handle SNAPPED OFF within the week, had to send it back, what a big PITA. FWIW, the messenger bag is also from Lillian Vernon and it's still holding up, but it's definitely not very sturdily made.

The lunch boxes from LV are doing fairly well, though, although I think they'll be pretty trashed by the end of this year, because when DD9 hangs it from her rolling backpack (we weighed it last week, it was a 30 lb bag for a 65 lb girl in 3rd grade!), it drags and wears on the edges.

Definitely going to bite the bullet and get two rolling backpacks from LE or LLB next fall, I think. DD7 can get a rolling backpack this fall-only 3rd graders and up are allowed to have them since our school is so overcrowded .

 

[momof3littlelilos]

My kids use theirs until they fall apart. I can't justify buying a new one if the old one is just fine.

Exactly...Then again, I'm still wearing 2 Eddie Bauer winter coats I got at the outlet about 10 years ago...To me they're still great, but I know their are lots of people who need to have this years style (or at least this decades ) regardless of the condition of what they already own.
As far as the poster who was concerned about germs and cooties on old backpacks - that's why we wash them. The cheap packs definately don't hold up in the washer.
Resources are finite, I just can't buy what we've already got.
It's not just a question of spending, but conserving for environmental reasons as well.

 

[RichNKatHolly]

I was able to get a LE backpack at Sears today. They had almost all of the ones that are available online.

Keeping my fingers crossed that we at least get through the rest of the school year with this one!!!

 

[Aliceacc]

Wow, mine didn't have any when I looked a few weeks ago.

 

[FSUDisneyGirl]

My mom always had us get Jansports, but we got to choose which ones. We usually got new bags every 2 years- not because they were worn out, but because she thought we might want new ones.

I still have both of my Jansport bags from high school! They are great! And ditto on kids being able to decorate....I remember decorating mine with Disney key chains in middle school.

 

[daisyduck123]

Yes.

We go to the LLBean Store & get new ones every year.

New school year? Well then new backpack to go with it!!

I've got a 4th grader & a Freshman. We've never reused any backpacks.

 

[fiveforall]

My daughters are on their 5th year of their LL Bean backpacks, but DS has a cool Disney pirates backpack w/attached lunchbox. That attached lunchbox is awesome. He buys his lunch, but we send snack in the lunchbox. He used to have problems w/snack being forgotten, crushed, etc., but w/the attached lunchbox he always has his snack. I don't think the backpack will last more than two years, but for the early grades it's okay.

 

[marcyinPA]

Yes.

We go to the LLBean Store & get new ones every year.

New school year? Well then new backpack to go with it!!

I've got a 4th grader & a Freshman. We've never reused any backpacks.

Since LLBean stuff wears like iron, what do you do with the used backpacks from year to year? Just curious...hope you don't mind me asking!

 

[Kickapoo Joie Juice]

Since LLBean stuff wears like iron, what do you do with the used backpacks from year to year? Just curious...hope you don't mind me asking!

 

[daisyduck123]

Since LLBean stuff wears like iron, what do you do with the used backpacks from year to year? Just curious...hope you don't mind me asking!

Yardsale

You're right about the stuff wearing well, but after a year of having all kinds of stuff crammed in them (project, pencils, gluesticks, etc.) the insides become dirty, as well as the outsides.

 

[dopeyfanatic]

I bought my oldest DS a cute backpack for his first day of Kindergarten. After a couple days they decided to not have the kids bring backpacks...long story. So he used it around the house. It broke in a couple weeks. So for 1st grade I let him get another new one, but it broke in about 2 weeks. I went out to Target and got a JanSport and it survived the rest of 1st grade and is in 2nd grade now and doesn't appear to have any problems. We got plain black. My middle son will be in 1st grade next year and I'm getting him JanSport. They do have "cute" ones at home for overnight trips and such, but for school it will be JanSport. I couldn't see buying a new one when there's nothing wrong with what they have. It seems wasteful, and I'd rather spend that money on something else!

 

[LuckyMamaInDE]

We're a Lands End backpack (and lunch box) family here.

Ds is a high school freshmen and did get a new LE backpack last year, the one that unzips around the top of the backpack since it holds more larger books. His old one is still in use as a daypack for scout trips.

Seventh grader dd is on her second LE backpack. Her first was purchased at a LE outlet in Minnesota. It really wasn't a color she wanted but the price was right ($5!) at the time, years ago. So this year she also got one of the unzipping-around-the-top backpacks. It's really handy the days she has flute AND choir. Her old one is also still in use as a daypack.

Second grader dd did use a Disney Store Cinderella backpack and lunchbox for kindergarten and first grade But now she's using LE like her siblings.

I wash the backpacks every once in a while in my frontloader. No need to worry about germs as long as the kids remember to wash their hands during the day

 

[louise']

We purchased Lands End backpacks. My kids have been using the same backpacks for 3 and 5 years and they still look good. After four years, the zipper broke on one of the backpacks and Land's End sent us a brand new one at no cost.
No need to replace backpacks every year if you buy quality backpacks with a lifetime warranty.