OT - back to school backpacks

[jagafen]

The LL Bean ones are nice....I had one when I was in college and it's still holding up. Just one more thing to consider....

How about getting your little sprite a rolling backpack. It is much easier on his.her shoulders and back, and will reduce strain from an overweight pack.....I just bought one for my son (he's gotta set a good example with mommy's line of work!) Just another option to throw at you!

 

[Magalex]

I was actually thrilled my DS wanted the Mickey Test Track backpack for 1st grade. We were at WDW in June. I was glad he still wanted a character backpack and it will be different.

 

[gris gris]

Thanks for all the tips!! My sister teaches 1st grade and she told me to make sure it's big enough for a folder and a library book. I think we'll go with LL Bean - especially since they have their guarantee.

I actually just got the Lands End Kids catalog today and their backpacks are cheaper, but then you have to add $5 for a "critter" and another $5 for monogramming.

 

[Becky2005]

I would go for the LL bean one. I was *so* tired of having to buy new backpacks in the middle of the year because the ones we bought at the beginning would fall apart.

I went ahead and bought all 3 of my kids the LL Bean backpacks last year. The critter packs for the boys and my DD actually got a customized one since I intend for hers to last through High School.

They made it through the school year and are in perfect shape for another one. It was definitely worth it for me.

I never intended to buy a new backpack every year but until last year we were doing that just because the ones we get would break. For DD it was always the straps. DS-7 managed to put a hole in the bottom of his during Kindergarten (and it certainly wasn't because he had anything heavy in there!). These were all the ones we had just gotten at the regular store.

 

[TheDizMom]

I try to have a back pack last 2 years, but it's doubtful you could get it to stretch longer. They get really dirty inside and out and the zippers start to get screwed up when they try to get the snow pants and all their winter paraphinalea in there (when you live in the frozen tundra like we do at least). My only suggestion is that you make sure it is big enough to put their art projects in and their papers. It is hard for little hands to carry all that home if it doesn't fit into the backpack and it will be ruined by the time they get in the door with it. You don't want your little Picasso's art work to be ruined before you get a chance to see it and display it on the fridge.

 

[middleofamerica]

I was wondering if anyone has tried the pottery barn kids backpacks? I saw them in the catalog and they look really nice, but I have never ordered anything from them and would like to know if anyone else has! Thanks!

 

[carissanboys]

How about getting your little sprite a rolling backpack. It is much easier on his.her shoulders and back, and will reduce strain from an overweight pack.....I just bought one for my son (he's gotta set a good example with mommy's line of work!) Just another option to throw at you!

Just be sure to check with your child's school first. Our list says no rolling backpacks.

 

[*KeepMovingForward*]

Well, I guess I am the exception here because my kids can't get through a whole year with the same backpack...regardless of what brand name it is. Maybe it is because they are in HS and they have probably around 30lbs of books they are lugging each and every day. We pretty much have to buy new backpacks mid-way through the school year. Our schools don't mind the rolling backpacks...as long as you can fit them in your locker. DD couldn't fit those in her locker at the middle school.

 

[IlliniMouse]

We have to buy a new one every year. By the end of the year, my son's backpack is looking pretty shabby! (These are all from stores, not LL Bean or any catalog/mail order type place.) He shoves alot of stuff in there, including a change of clothes since he goes to my parents 2-3 nights a week after school while I'm at work. When winter time comes, he has an additional bag to carry for all his snow paraphenalia. He looks like a pack mule! Knowing my son, he'd want a new one every year anyway, so buying one built to last would still result in me buying a new one every year. Maybe when he gets a bit older we can go with a more durable backpack.

I agree with those who have said don't get one too big for your child. It's not easy finding ones that are smaller, either. I've seen very petite girls with backpacks that look like they weigh more than the child, and it makes MY back hurt just looking at them.

 

[kinntj]

Another dedicated LL Bean user here.

Order NOW. In August, they will be backordered for the school year. Even if you order two now and let them decide which they like, you can always return it. Better that than starting the year without one.

Even the LL Bean Jr. backpacks will hold a full-sized folder. For K and 1st graders, I would not recommend the larger ones -- they are too big for these little guys and gals to carry comfortably. For this reason, I would not buy a large one now and have them use it 'until they grow into it'.

I looked at the measurements and I got the right one for the size of my Kindergartener. Her Jr backpack she wore for 2 years of preschool was 15"H x 11 1/2" W (this is Land's End). The Original backpack from LLBean is 16"H x 13"W. So we only added one inch on top and 1 1/2 width. I wouldn't consider that hard on the back Plus, they are carrying what they normally would for K; which isn't much more than preschool, except a book and folder for papers. Her Jr. backpack for preschool was too small when it came to winter with her snowpants and shoes for in class, so she wouldn't have to wear her boots all day and get wet. Her art work and papers would come back ripped and crumpled up. That's why I think the teachers prefer them to be regular size. Now the regular size Land's End are at a whopping 17 1/4" high and I think that's getting too much backpack for that age.

I suggest to the OP to just look at the measurements of the backpacks and compare that to your childs size. Some kids are taller than others. The brands change in measurements too.

It looks like I did get the wrong one for my preschooler, so I'll be using the old one for her.

 

[mericletwins]

We got the critter back packs when my twins were starting public school pre-k. We just finished second grade and have ordered our new LL Bean back packs. We got new ones, not because the critters were in bad shape (they could be used another 4 years probably), but the kids asked for new bags and I thought after four years we had gotten our money's worth. Whatever backpack you get, make sure it fits the folder. The critter back packs do, at least the ones I got four years ago, which is slightly different from the current one. Also, as a teacher, I am completely against the rolling ones and I wish our school district would ban them. I can't tell you how many kids get hurt from falling over someone else's rolling back pack.

 

[CharmedLife]

Also, as a teacher, I am completely against the rolling ones and I wish our school district would ban them. I can't tell you how many kids get hurt from falling over someone else's rolling back pack.

I also am against the rolling ones - my daughter has to go up a flight of stairs to get to her classroom and she would have to carry that backpack up the stairs.

I find (at work) that my employees who use the rolling laptop cases tend to overpack them, making them even heavier than normal, and then they end up lifting them up stairs, in and out of the car, etc. I can't tell you how many injuries I've had to investigate from them.

For kids, I much prefer a properly-sized backpack (big enough for a school folder, but not "full size" for the younger kids). Haven't checked out LL Bean, but based on other items I own from them, I'm sure the quality is super. As I mentioned, I bought DD the junior-size backpack from Lands End last year and we just love it - after a year of show-and-tell items, library books, take-home folders every day, etc., it still looks brand-new. Being in Wisconsin, we do have to send snow-clothes every day in the winter - her snowpants and boots go in a tote bag while her hats, scarves, mittens, etc. all go in her backpack. We have not come close to running out of room. Even the girls with full-size backpacks and duffel bags take their snowpants and boots in separate bags (I carpool, so believe me, I know - I have to keep track of all those bags!). So I think to expect a backpack to hold all of that stuff and regular school stuff besides is a bit of a stretch. Ah, the joys of winter...

 

[patchchild]

LLBean's stuf just holds up so well, especially with their fix-it policy. I still use mine that I got somewhere around 6th grade and I've been a teacher now for 6 years.