R expensive lunch boxes and backpack's worth it?

[natmurr]

DS started school in the Fall of 2007 and I have honestly lost count of the number of cheapo character backpacks we have been through!

In January I decided enough is enough and got him a pack from Mountain Equipment Co-op. Well worth it - I'll do the same for DD when she starts school in September.

 

[bigbabyblues]

We got DS a backpack from LL Bean when he went in first grade. He's used it through first and second grade (one week left), and it still looks new. No tears, rips, stains, broken zippers, nothing. He'll keep using it until he outgrows the "gecco" design on it. We'll be ordering one for DS2 in a couple of months when he starts Kindergarten.

 

[englishteacha]

Another LL Bean supporter here. I finally got my own LL Bean backpack at a yard sale last year. I never had one in school. My DH got his for his senior year of high school. It went through 4 years of college, including a term abroad where it was used for travel, and now has sustained heavy use as a carry on, overnight bag, etc. It's been 10 years and the bag still is in great condition. I probably should wash it again soon as it's looking dingy. I have an LL Bean boat and tote bag for teaching that's 7 years old and just starting to show some wear (It gets heavy use and I admit I toss it around a bit), and I have an LL Bean lunch box that gets used every day, and has been for 4 years.

 

[erincon23]

Thanks for all the good info! I haven't been overly concerned about the backpack thing, but I bought my older son a Swiss (brand) messenger bag from Target for about $40 -- it fell apart within a few months. He's using one that seems to be holding up -- I hope it makes it through his senior year next year -- but I'll definitely be looking for a higher end bag for him to take to college, since that won't just be thrown in a locker every day. I've never shopped LLBean so I'll have to check that out!

Erin

 

[FLAngie]

For those with Land's End backpacks that have had to be exchanged. Did you have to pay the $6.50 return shipping fee? Or did you return to Sears and just order another one? Are there other options?

 

[PaulaSue]

How do the Vera Bradley bags/lunch boxes hold up. My DD10 wants a lunch box since many in school have one of those but not sure. We have no problmes with lunchboxes (I think I have 6 perfectly fine in the basement from other years) but I have to upgrade the backpacks.

 

[tonilea]

Thanks! I just ordered a backpack and lunch box/bag from LE for DS.

 

[bookgirl]

A good backpack rule is simple is usually better and worth any amount of money. I was a teacher and I actually carry backpacks often.

I never carried a backpack until college, got a inexpensive one and it died about a year in. Then I bought a black denim fabric backpack for about 20 bucks. Expensive at the time, it was just one big pocket with a small pocket on front that was about a third of the size of the front of the backpack. It lasted 10 years (I carried my backpack everyday instead of a purse while working, attending school, and teaching after college) after that I replaced it with another. Same brand same fabric except in blue denim and I've had it for about 6-8 years. I didn't bring it with me today but I don't think it's a Jansport, it is however one of those common name backpacks that escapes me at the moment. I actually used it in WDW last year (I do have a bagalini but I wanted something with a bit more room). It was great.

Avoid a million pockets, get a sturdy fabric and buy from a name with a good rep. Even at twice the price this is an investment that usually pays off.

 

[uk_wildcat]

One plus I found with my son's LL Bean lunch bag is that since we had his initials embroidered on it, no matter how many times he has left it on the bus or at school, he has always gotten it back. I don't know if I could say the same for a character lunch bag, as someone else may want to take it. It has also lasted through the whole 1st grade beautifully and will go into 2nd grade with him.

 

[justintime]

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.

I agree with you. I remember when I was in elementary school, I got so excited about picking out my own backpack and lunchbox. I looked forward to it each summer. I remember the first day of school we would all be excited about showing everyone our new lunchbox and bookbag/backpack. My parents didn't have a lot of money, so I know they weren't expensive, but they lasted the whole year (but 30 years ago I think things were made to hold up a little better).

My son will be going into 2nd grade, and I got him a new backpack and lunchbox before kindergarten and first grade. His spiderman backpack from Target made it through kindergarten barely, but still made it. For first grade I got him a Power Rangers backpack at the Disney store on clearance for 2.99. There are no signs of wear, so he could probably use it another year, but I will get him another one anyway before 2nd grade, because I know he looks forward to picking it out.
I agree that when they go to middle school, it isn't as big a deal to the kids, so I would be more apt to buy a better quality one then since they probably wouldn't mind using the same one for multiple years.

 

[CSS1996]

Another big fan of the LL Bean backpacks and lunch boxes. My children have used theirs for years and they still look great.

 

[mom2threecuties]

I vote for LL Bean too. The only bad part is convincing the kids they don't need a new backpack at the start of the school year

 

[labdogs42]

Only LL Bean backpacks in this house. I got DS one for preschool with lizards on it with a matching solid color lunchbox. I'm thinking it will last him into early grade school, then we'll get the next size. I don't want to buy a new backpack every year.

ETA, this is his backpack (they don't have the lizard print any more )
http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/st...oreId=1&catalogId=1&langId=-1&from=SR&feat=sr

and his lunch box (I love this lunch box!)
http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/st...oreId=1&catalogId=1&langId=-1&from=SR&feat=sr

 

[HayGan]

My kids' Disney Store clearance roller backpacks have done really well over the past 2-3 years. They were only $5 each and we will retire them this year. I will always get my kids a roller backpack because carrying those heavy bags on their backs is very bad for their spine/shoulders. Yes, I know we did it as kids but some things are better today. Also, I would never buy one of those cheapie character bags you see at Target or Walmart - the usually look like they will fall apat within a week after buying them!

My kids never expect a new backpack every year. They know that we use things for as long as we can around here so they never ask for a replacement unless something is worn out.

 

[woodkins]

Here is a possible solution to make everyone happy. I wanted a "good" backpack/lunchbox for my dd6 & she wanted to have characters. She really wanted Marie from the Aristocats, which they don't even make (or at least we couldn't find it).
I bought the "good" backpack and lunch box in pink, and handpainted Marie onto them both. If you aren't too artistic, you can create a transfer from a coloring book page & then paint it in using fabric paints. It is as easy as coloring in a coloring book! I can take a picture if you are curious as to how it came out.

 

[DawnM]

Those character cheepies do NOT last!

We have a couple of LL Bean and Lands' End backpacks that we CAN NOT KILL! I think both of the older boys' Lands' End backpacks are over 6 years old. They look brand new. They don't use them daily (we homeschool) but they keep all their stuff for car trips and travel in there and use them regularly. We also take those to Disney for our travel to the parks bags.

Dawn

 

[MichelleinMaine]

I still have my LLB backpack from high school. (My 20th reunion is this year )

 

[clori]

I got my dd9 a llbean jr backpack when she started preschool. She used it for two years of preschool and one year of kindergarten. Then she used it for dance shoes etc for a year before her sister took over and is on her second year of using it for preschool. We walk to/from school etc so it gets plenty of use.

I got older dd a new backpack for 1st grade because it seemed like she needed a slightly taller bag and has used the bag from 1st to now (end of 3rd grade). Both bags look and seem brand new with an occasional wash. I also have two matching lunch boxes which are also fine. I've never washed them in the washer but wash them in the sink.

This summer I plan on getting dd4 her own personalized backpack for kindergarten and will kindly allow dd9 to also get a new one. They will each have an old bag for dance shoes/travel etc.

My friend bought her dd a character bag because it was cheaper and she thought it woul be nicer. By December she switched to a llbean bag which her dd has used from preschool to now (2nd grade). I am very happy with llbean and it helps that my sil gets free shipping/monogramming thru her credit card. Lands end seems like it would be of equal quality .

 

[littlezar]

My oldest is on his 4th year with an LLBean that I bought to replace a $15 backpack - $25 on sale including monogram. He uses it for school, travel and it was the Disney backpack this year since it's so sturdy.

My 11 year old used an LLBean for 2 years (green w/big ugly ant - $15 on sale - cool for boys, icky for Mom) and then he passed it on to my 7 year old, who's on his 2nd year with it. My 7 year old has little plastic monthly reading awards & quarterly attendance awards hanging off it. Both have held up wonderfully and I wouldn't hesitate to buy another.

My 11 year old is now on his 2nd year using a grey camoflauge Reebok backpack I found on clearance at Target for less than $10 and it's held up pretty good. Little bit of fraying on the piping between the dk grey base and camo main body. Not quite big enough to easily fit a zippered binder, 1 or 2 school books and a lunchbox.

 

[tjmw2727]

Another LL Bean fan here, my dd's get at least 3 if not 4 years out of an LL Bean backpack and if you do have problems they will replace them.

When my dd's were younger and wanted characters I would just get a few patches - one of the character and others that complimented the theme and sew them on. Then the next year if they wanted a new character we simply removed the patches and picked out new ones. Most fabric stores and even wallmart can have a great selection of character patches.

My sil got some great air & space themed patches for my nephew's backpack and he loves it.

My 8th grader has had her LL Bean lunchbox since 2nd grade and since its a plain red one it isn't "embarrassing". I think it will be retired next year - she plans to buy or brown bag.

The red lunch box will still be used for day trips etc as it keeps things quite cold

For lunch boxes I must say if you can find the BYO on sale they are also great and older kids like them better than lunchboxes. They are sturdy neoprene (sp) so they wear very well and can wash up great.

TJ