OT: Backpacks and lunch boxes

[DawnM]

My boys are still young and I don't want them to have TOO much stuff to carry (although they will be dropped off and picked up, so no real lugging.)

Anyone have a suggestion for a backpack and lunch box, maybe even a combo or that would fit together to make it easier?

If you have a great one that you love, please share.

Dawn

 

[tjmw2727]

We LOVE the LL BEan backpacks and my dd's have used them from grade one on - now in 4th and 6th. Some of them have lasted more than one year and still look great. They have a variety of sizes and options for different ages of kids and various uses.

We also like the lunchboxes - we like the regular lunchbox because it holds quite a bit but still fits nicely inside the backpack.
http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/st...langId=-1&categoryId=22347&sc1=Search&feat=sr

My nephew is in first grade and uses the lilttle critter backpack and lunchbox.
http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/st...tegoryId=5179&storeId=1&catalogId=1&langId=-1

TJ

 

[powellrj]

they make backpacks that have lunch box straps that you can attach your lunchbox to the backpack. I'm not sure who makes them, you just see them when you see all the huge back to school displays.

 

[Starr W.]

My eldest has a Lands End back pack that still looks great and isn't falling apart after 4 yrs. I buy a new lunch box every year as they get kind of gross. He has an outside zip pocket that we put the lunch box in.

 

[Whosemom]

I have to say, I"m on the verge of getting dd11 a "real" backpack. She absolutely refuses to NOT carry everything back and forth every day. She says she has to, but I see other kids with less. And she wants to go backpacking in the fall. I think the actual backpacks might distribute weight better, and the ones with the inside frames don't look obnoxious. Am I crazy? If I can't lessen the load, maybe I can support it.

 

[kinntj]

I don't know about getting a framed backpack for school. It will distribute better, but my DD would be afraid to get something out of the norm.

Jan Sports are decent. Just go into an outdoor store like Gander Mountain and see what fits good on her. I have a JanSport backpack for my college classes right now and it does a pretty good job.

 

[tjmw2727]

I wouldn't get a real backpack or even a rolling backpack unless you know the school can accomodate them. Here we have long thin lockers so they can't use anything over a certain size and they can't use the rolling backpacks. The teachers are trying to limit what the kids have to carry by only assigning work from one book at a time.

Before you spend a ton of $ make sure they can use it !

Either LL Bean or Lands End has a tips page on how to buy and load a backpack and make sure it fits properly based on age and size.

TJ

 

[Starr W.]

Our schools doesn't want rolling backpacks for elementary(will find out about Jr High in 2 yrs) but you know I see a couple every so often when I pick my son up.

 

[Beth E. (NJ)]

I've bought a bunch of backpacks at Old Navy over the years. This year my older child is in Middle school and wanted a bigger pack for school. I ended up getting her a Jansport one at Target.

The problem I see is with the lunchboxes and it's not really their problem. My kids like yogurt for lunch. So many of them don't have hard tops now -- they have foil lids and when the lunchbox gets shifted around in the backpack (or perhaps dropped at school) the yogurt container ends up squishing out the yogurt inside the lunchbox. Ick!

 

[cancer_survivor_06]

If your boys are okay w/ character backpacks disney's are really good, they have the matching lunchbox that connects.

http://disneyshopping.go.com/webapp...&productId=1195786&langId=-1&categoryId=14401

http://disneyshopping.go.com/webapp...&productId=1195808&langId=-1&categoryId=14401

This is the only set left in the outlet section, but you can look to see when they come out they usually go into the outlet center before school starts. We have a couple of the princess sets we have even given some as gifts and we have kept some that my dds use for school and we also use them in disney. You can also checkout ebay.

 

[DawnM]

Thanks, those are a really good price. My only problem is that I have no idea if they will be fashionable at their school. We have homeschooled up until this point so I am a bit worried about getting anything that might make them stand out even more.

Does a 4th grader carry Disney stuff? I really have no idea.

Dawn

If your boys are okay w/ character backpacks disney's are really good, they have the matching lunchbox that connects.

http://disneyshopping.go.com/webapp...&productId=1195786&langId=-1&categoryId=14401

http://disneyshopping.go.com/webapp...&productId=1195808&langId=-1&categoryId=14401

This is the only set left in the outlet section, but you can look to see when they come out they usually go into the outlet center before school starts. We have a couple of the princess sets we have even given some as gifts and we have kept some that my dds use for school and we also use them in disney. You can also checkout ebay.

 

[DawnM]

We have 2 Jr. backpacks from Lands' End that have lasted forever, but they don't hold a notebook so I think they will be too small for school.

So, I hear you on the Lands' End or LL Bean.

Thanks for the input.

Dawn

 

[powellrj]

Thanks, those are a really good price. My only problem is that I have no idea if they will be fashionable at their school. We have homeschooled up until this point so I am a bit worried about getting anything that might make them stand out even more.

Does a 4th grader carry Disney stuff? I really have no idea.

Dawn

usually by 4th grade disney stuff is not cool. I know my DD stopped wearing her princess clothes by then. The only disney thing she will use now is tinkerbell and for some reason she is cool because places like Hot Topic sell tinkerbell things.

We usually have a yard full of kids that age and none of them have anything disney anymore.

 

[tjmw2727]

My dd's would not use anything character after 1st grade

Around here anything goes - lots of lands end llbean and jansport as well as the messenger bags with just the one strap.

I would say start out with something your boys like that is functional and has the features you want. Go with a solid color and no characters and it will fit in just fine.

TJ

 

[Starr W.]

usually by 4th grade disney stuff is not cool. I know my DD stopped wearing her princess clothes by then. The only disney thing she will use now is tinkerbell and for some reason she is cool because places like Hot Topic sell tinkerbell things.

We usually have a yard full of kids that age and none of them have anything disney anymore.

I think for boys the cut off is K or 1st grade, from what I have noticed. Now my 4th grader has a "Dead Men don't talk" POC T-shirt(he doesn't wear it to school due to the skull head on it, not sure it would pass dress code).

 

[DawnM]

Thanks. I think we will go with as solid as possible. Those LL Bean's are cool, but they are so darned expensive. Both boys would be around $100.

Dawn

 

[zoemurr]

Inlet? We got DS's backpack for $12 'cause it said "Jack" on the front. An hour with my seamripper got it out and it is not noticeable. If you check ebay I'm pretty sure people sell items that they have done this to.

Keep checking LE and LLBean for sales. I purchased my DDs LLBean inexpensively too as they clearance out old patterns. They are worth the investment as they hold up much better than anything from Target, and have a life time guarantee. LLBean has some for $19 now (what my DD has) but they are all kinda girly.)

 

[cheerbop]

Thanks. I think we will go with as solid as possible. Those LL Bean's are cool, but they are so darned expensive. Both boys would be around $100.

Dawn

Funny you say that..I agreed completely but still purchased one knowing they have a lifetime guarantee.
Well, wouldn't you know, after we spent the $50ish dollars on the solid royal blue one, a few months later it was in the clearance section for less than half the price!!!

 

[bookgirl]

I have to say, I"m on the verge of getting dd11 a "real" backpack. She absolutely refuses to NOT carry everything back and forth every day. She says she has to, but I see other kids with less. And she wants to go backpacking in the fall. I think the actual backpacks might distribute weight better, and the ones with the inside frames don't look obnoxious. Am I crazy? If I can't lessen the load, maybe I can support it.

You might look at the ones that have the straps that come across the chest and waist and snap. These straps take the weight bearing off the shoulders and puts in on the torso which is better equiped for the load. They make soft backpacks that have these, so you shouldn't have to buy a framed one. And it would be appropriate for backpacking as well.

 

[DawnM]

Yes, and I know Lands End has clearance somethimes too.

Dawn

Funny you say that..I agreed completely but still purchased one knowing they have a lifetime guarantee.
Well, wouldn't you know, after we spent the $50ish dollars on the solid royal blue one, a few months later it was in the clearance section for less than half the price!!!