Any advice on a good, sturdy school backpack?

[RandySF]

I couldn't believe it, but not more than one month into the school year riiiiipppp*, those heavy Fourth Grade textbooks put a nasty hols into the bottom of my son's backpack. Can anyone recommend a good study model?

[Heddi]

1. Jansport hands down

They have a lifetime warranty so if the zipper goes tits up or the strap rips off you can mail it back and get it repaired... They will generally replace the bag. I have a jansport I've had since 1993 that I just sent in last year for zipper repair and got replaced. I had the zipper fixed back in 2000 or 01 and they repaired it, this time they gave me a brand new bag. Have 2 more that are easily over 10 years old each. Good company that sells a durable product that they stand behind.

[mackerel]

5. SNAP!!!!!!!!

[Rhythm]

16. I second Jansport...

I've been using the same one to haul college textbooks, work-gear, groceries, and gawd-knows-what for the past 10 yrs, and it's still going strong!

[Major Nikon]

2. Fajllraven Kanken Daypack

Kinda pricey, but very well made. Some of the colors are cheaper than others. My kids always wanted a new backpack every year, so every now and then I'd buy them a really good one and keep it for myself after the school year.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003NF2534

[woodsprite]

3. My son just picked one up at Staples, it's a Swiss Gear brand

It actually had a handle reinforced with steel cable. It seems like it's built really well and he is a kid who stays with something until it wears out. Warning though, it wasn't inexpensive, but it's got nice padding on the back and straps, has a padded area for his electronics, and seems built really well. He usually hauls a load of 15 to 35 lbs, depending on the day. I think the original price was $80, but I hit a 25% off sale.

I figure that was top of the line for a high schoolers backpack, but my husband likes his Swiss Gear model, which is pretty much the same, but without the extra padding, lined electronics pocket and cable handle. I don't know if that model would hold up to the textbook load. I love my SG iPad bag and camera case, so I think the construction of their products seem sturdy.

My son had been looking for a FUL brand. His last FUL one lasted the entire school year. They have more color selection. Price wise, the looked about $20 less than SG.

Going backpack shopping with my son is like shoe shopping with my daughter -- we only go when it's a dire necessity!

[RandySF]

4. Well, it's time to get a "big boy" backpack.

I never dreamed that a fourth grader would have to carry such a loud home from school. *sheesh*

[woodsprite]

8. You know darned well that the weight they give these kids to carry around

is hard on their growing bodies. I have a friend who works in a pediatricians' office who says that the average weight for an upper grade level backpack is too high at 20-25 lbs. We used to be able to get the ones that had wheels and handles, but the school said that it was a hazard, so they are not allowed any more. My daughter went to a different middle school (charter) where they had the funds that the kids were assigned textbooks to take home, but they had enough supply that they didn't have to carry them to/from school. I looked into doing that for my son when he hit middle school and those texts were really expensive, even on EBay. I did find that for a subscription price, if your school participates, you can get the texts online. We did that for his Math text so his tutor would also have access to the book he was using.

Oh, and my son just reminded me that the FUL one he had last year came from Kmart.

[RandySF]

19. We also picked up a Swiss Gear.

Looks and and sturdy enough to last him a good while.

[aikoaiko]

6. Or maybe just buy another set of books for home.

[cyberswede]

7. Lands End backpacks are super sturdy.

We still have every one we bought for the kids when they were in elementary school - all of them are in great shape - almost like new.

My 7th grader is on the 3rd year with her current LE backpack. We only replaced the earlier version (which she also used for years) when she needed a larger model.

Both kids use the smaller ones for sleepovers & to pack stuff they want to have handy for long car trips.

I was extremely bummed that they don't carry a large enough model for my 9th grade son.

[justamama83]

9. Lands End backpacks are great

Last edited Fri Oct 2, 2015, 12:05 PM - Edit history (1)

Plus if it becomes damaged/rips/tears they will replace it- lifetime guarantee.

[cyberswede]

10. I didn't even know that!

But, we've never had one rip or tear.

I've also bought lunch boxes (sometimes to match the backpack, other times not) - those are equally sturdy & awesome.

[Nac Mac Feegle]

11. Jansport or Swissgear

For above reasons.

I've had both, and done some rather 'hard' usage on them.

The Jansport kept everything dry through a 10 mi motorcycle ride in heavy rain.

Both of them have survived carrying some extensive gear into the Grand Canyon multiple times.

I went to the Swissgear when I was issued a larger laptop by the company to interface with the equipment I work on. It has a seperate pocket for the comp.

[malthaussen]

12. You know, I've wondered something...

... now that everyone uses backpacks in school, do guys still carry their girlfriend's books?

-- Mal

[Iggo]

17. Aw, sad!

I bet they don't anymore.

I just whooshed way back in the wayback machine.

Thanks for the trip, Mal.

[Iggo]

13. Swiss Gear takes a lickin'.

I got two of 'em. (Big one for shopping and little one for day trippin'.)

Highly recommended.

[2theleft]

14. I broke down and bought North Face backpacks

for the step kids. This is year 3 of high school. They still look brand new, hold a ton of stuff, and have a lifetime warranty. Couldn't be happier with them. They were pricey, but $80 now or $30/$40 a year for a cheaper one, we are at least breaking even and I don't have to do the dreaded, agonizing "pick out the perfect backpack" pain at the store each year!

[canoeist52]

15. LL Bean bookbag - my daughter still uses hers from elementary school - and she's 27 now!

at an affordable $40 with the same guarantees.

http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/62852

[cwydro]

18. Anything from LLBean.

And I've got two from Swiss Gear that can hold a lot of weight.

[XemaSab]

20. Eagle Creek

n/t