R expensive lunch boxes and backpack's worth it?

[Amy5000]

Hi all. With just a little more than one month left to school, my DS' "clone wars" backpack is broken beyond repair. (DS is 6 and in K). I was starting to wonder if next year it made sense to spend a little more $ and get a backpack and lunch box from ll bean or landsend.

I know my DS will prefer something with a "character" or tv show on them, but he'll also get over it if I get him something else. But I wonder is it worth it. I'm guessing book packs and lunch boxes from the high end places will probably last longer (and at least make it through the school year), but don't they get so dirty/worn looking that you wouldn't want to use them much more than one year anyway?

Your thoughts are appreciated.

Amy

 

[colusapj]

Well, I have to say I am the biggest bargain and coupon shopper out there but I think I struck GOLD with my DD's backpack...I bought it for her when she was getting ready to go into K from Limited Too and lets just say it was like $40 I think...I thought I was crazy for paying that and I think the lunch box was like $20 or $25 that matched it...but she had o have it at the time...well it lasted her through the entire year and when it came time for her to go into 1st grade it still looked brand new and I couldn't see buying another one...Well, we are at the end of the 2nd school year and it still looks new...So, the end to this long story is...She will be starting her 2nd grade with the same backpack and lunch box....and they still look new...Spend a little bit more money and get them plain with our the characters on them..they outgrow those really fast....hope this helps...

 

[jennyerin]

My son has used the same backpack from 1st grade until 5th grade. I believe it was an Eddie Bauer or LLBean. He just switched to a larger Lands End backpack which I hope will last through middle school. (I got that from the overstocks so it was a good deal..) They have been extremely durable and easy to clean. Some of the higher end backpacks will even replace them if they get damaged, I believe.
Lynn

 

[megsters]

i recommend the llbean backpacks and lunchboxes!! (although they dont have characters on them...might be a tough sell for ds...)

i got a llbean backpack when i started my freshman year of highschool, and im a fifth year senior in college, and its still going strong. one of the straps unraveled a little bit, and they fixed it for free, which was way awesome.

 

[mom22bless]

I got my kids Pottery Barn backpacks 2 years ago. They will use them again next year. I got them on sale in July of '07. They were around 40 something and I got their names engraved on them.

So 80 something bucks is pretty good for what would be 6 cheap-o backpacks.

 

[redshoes]

I bought my oldest son a backpack from LLBean last year for kindergarten. I will admit, he really wanted a "cool" character backpack and I felt a little bad about telling him no.

My son is hard on his backpack, but not anymore than any other first grader. His backpack started to show real wear and tear issues this year- the loop that is used for hanging on the hooks in the classroom came apart and the bottom corners of the bag were wearing through. This might sound like a less than glowing review of LLBean's quality, but I called them and told them about my issues. They had me pick out a new bag and sent it to me with an envelope for the old bag. They were more than accommodating and they stood behind their product.

The cool factor might not be there for younger student with the LLBean bags, but they are good products. I would not hesitate to purchase another backpack from them.

 

[Minnie]

Yes definitely!

The one year I bought DS a cheaper backback I was trying to find him another one by Xmas.... Very hard to find backbacks at Xmas

Now I buy a name brand (Nike, Champion, ect) and payless overall as I only have to buy one for the year

 

[tinytink]

Yes definitely!

The one year I bought DS a cheaper backback I was trying to find him another one by Xmas.... Very hard to find backbacks at Xmas

Now I buy a name brand (Nike, Champion, ect) and payless overall as I only have to buy one for the year

LLbean and Lands End both have a lifetime guarantee, if you are not satisfied or the product does not hold up they will replace it or refund your $$ so these two places are great for backpacks and lunchboxes. With kids you know they don't treat their things with the greatest of care so it's such a great thing to know you don't have to worry about where to get a replacement or if it will hold up. Often times you will be able to find the backpacks and lunch boxes on sale a month or two after school starts or even now. Good Luck.

 

[TiredX2]

I say an "expensive" back pack is worth it, but I don't think expensive ones are necessarily any more expensive.

I caved to DS in K and got him a character backpack. By NOVEMBER the zipper was having issues but there weren't a lot of backpacks available in the stores. I was able to get a skull pattern Janzport (sp) one on clearance at Mervyns (under $20) and he is finishing up 2nd grade and it still is going strong. DD had one from the Gap that lasted 3 years (would have lasted longer, but was *very* pink and she didn't like it any more) and now is finishing her 2nd year in a Janzport with no problems.

From now on the kids realize that they cannot get a "cheap" backpack and they are fine with it.

You can get a Lands End backpack for $15 right now (and they've been having tons of free shipping offers) and a lunch bag for $10:
http://www.landsend.com/ix/overstoc...1&store=ov&sort=Recommended&pageSize=12&tab=8

Here is a L.L. Bean one for $19:
http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/st...-1&parentCategory=7863&feat=7863-tn&cat4=5729

To me, a backpack that is used daily for 3 years and is under $30 is pretty inexpensive, but it doesn't need to be "cheap"

 

[jlima]

DS 15 is finishing 9th grade and is on year 3 of the Lands End backpack from 7th grade. It was $49, but it's lasted 3 years.

 

[buzz5985]

DS had the Junior Collegiate (it's a smaller version for younger kids) Lands End backpack from pre-k - to 4th grade. He also had the same lunch box from LandsEnd for that entire time. When he went into Middle School - 5th grade here, we purchased the Collegiate backpack, it's in it's second year and looking great. No lunch box anymore - paper bags are cool. LOL

I also had the Landsend diaper bag. It never showed a sign of wear.

Janis

 

[kacaju]

llbean!! My 3rd grader still has her from K and will use it next year as well. It still looks new!!
When she moves to 5th grade I will get her a bigger one from llbean.
My older two used llbean as well. They are great bags!

 

[CyndiLooWho]

My boys are finishing year 3 with their Lands End backpacks, and I've been really pleased with them. The younger one did manage to put small hole in his, but he's been known to take the knees out of a pair of jeans the first time he wears them, so it's held up amazingly well.

He has a collegiate junior, and I will be replacing it next year, as it won't hold a full sized notebook (the new collegiate juniors do; his was the last year for that size). I don't expect to replace his older brother's backpack until the school forces me to buy a clear one (probably when he goes to middle school).

Over time, I will have spent about the same amount of money as I would have spent on the Walmart kind.

Now, I did not care for the LE lunch boxes quite as well, but that is b/c of the nature of my younger son. He completely ruined his in just a few months by continually spilling in it. I switched to a European style hard box until he got older. He has made it to the end of this school year with a simple one from Walmart. He still spills, just not as much.

 

[twinglesmome]

I agree with the others regarding LLBean and Lands' End backpacks and lunchboxes. Both companies stand behind their products, and run sales/clearances on those items frequently.

Here are some ideas I've used for the "cool" factor: Choose a pack with embroidery/printed design (animals or camoflauge good for boys) or get a zipper pull with a character on it that can be placed on the backpack.

 

[RNMOM]

I think it is definitely worth paying more for something that is used so hard. I bought my guys Jansport backpacks when they were in jr. high and they lasted them all the way through school and they both still have them. They are beaten up but still usable. The zippers are great and the fabric has held up well.

I would buy a good backpack anyday.

 

[KristiMc]

My 2nd grader is finishing his 2nd year with his Lands End backpack. It still looks great. I had gotten him a character backpack in kindergarten and it did not hold up at all.

My younger son is starting kindergarten in August and I will be getting him a Lands End backpack also.

 

[PinkRhombus]

We have the LL Bean ones, too. A LOT of the kids at our school have them. The more important thing to them is what they hang on the backpacks. Key chains and those rubber hair (like cush ball) funny face pens are a favorite.

Lunchboxes...even some of the ones at Target were just as much as the Vera Bradley one I bought off of eBay. But then my daughter lost that or threw it away accidentally. Now I bought personalized ones off of Lillian Vernon, but I don't like how the top secures...it's a flap...prefer zippers. Both were $25 total including shipping. But I'm thinking of replacing those.

 

[dawnbu40]

Guess I'm the exception here but I always let my DD (who is now 18) pick out her own backpack/lunch box. I see it as another school supply purchase that you pick up yearly just like pencils and paper. When you look back at those first day of school pics when they are older those items will remind you of who they were back then and what they were into. When they get out of grade school a Lands End type bag is a logical purchase but when they are little let them have the Star Wars or HSM bag that excites them.

 

[jkshel]

LLbean and Lands End both have a lifetime guarantee, if you are not satisfied or the product does not hold up they will replace it or refund your $$ so these two places are great for backpacks and lunchboxes. With kids you know they don't treat their things with the greatest of care so it's such a great thing to know you don't have to worry about where to get a replacement or if it will hold up. Often times you will be able to find the backpacks and lunch boxes on sale a month or two after school starts or even now. Good Luck.

I was able to get a full refund for one of my daughters Lands end backpacks earlier this year through Lands End. After 4 years of faithful service, the zipper had finally come detached. Refunded with know problem. another thing-----You are able to wash and DISINFECT the LLBean and Lands end backpacks and lunchboxes in the washing machine. trying this with a bargain priced plasticed item? You'll end up with ribbons. Pay a little more and you will be well served.

 

[tinkercat]

Add me to the LL Bean backpack fan club! I bought my DD (Kinder) and DS (preschool) both LL Bean junior bookpacks this year at the start of the school year. DD had a strap issue in November and the bag was replaced with no questions and super fast. Her bag looks brand new now at the end of the year with no other issues. DS's bag also look brand new. Both kids will reuse their bags next year, and we will add one for our other DD who starts preschool in the fall as well.

The junior bookpacks are only $19.50 each, so they weren't much more expensive than the cheaper character packs but OMG they have held up so much better. My sister bought her girls character bags from Target at the start of the school year and had to replace both of them with new bags by Christmas because they were poorly made and already had holes, etc.

My plan is to keep my kids in their current LL Bean packs for the next few years and then upgrade to the bigger LL Bean pack when they've grown a bit. Its worth a bit more money when the bags hold up over time, IMO.