MamaKath
07-24-2009, 11:43 PM
I can't be the only one getting ready for school to start in August. I am trying to get all the supplies out. Figured it would be a good time to start a thread for backpack and lunchbox recommendations!!! What has worked for you???
So far my favorite backpacks have been LL Bean's Original Bookpack (comes in Jr., Original, Original Plus and Deluxe sizes, as well as wheeled). The print fabrics tend to be easier to zipper imo. The kids have used these, and I have been using a wheeled one for 4 years that still looks great!
http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/LLBSearchDispatch?refine=1&storeId=1&langId=-1&catalogId=1&history=8q1jg8aw|opver~b^freeText~backpacks^init~0 %40i4emjz6y|categoryName~category_root^subCategory Name~Luggage^category~50^refine~1^display~0%4069qx 6g1y|categoryName~cat_50^subCategoryName~School%2B Backpacks^category~692^refine~1^display~0%40iz52uy ck|refine~1^sort_field~Price%2B%2528Ascending%2529&position=1
Lunch boxes, I also like LL Beans. http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?categoryId=62784&storeId=1&catalogId=1&langId=-1&from=SR&feat=sr Lands End has a couple great ones too, with carabiners to clip them onto their bacpacks. The lunch sack is a simple one that works well. http://www.landsend.com/pp/LunchSack~186764_-1.html?bcc=y&action=order_more&sku_0=::PRO&CM_MERCH=IDX_00003__0000000388&origin=index Last year I found that a simple canvas sack that dc had decorated and had some velcro at the top worked the best. Why? I could throw it in the wash, which is much needed at our house, lol. Also it was inexpensive. It doesn't insulate anything though.
Oh- one last tip. Late August LLBean's outlets often have sales on personalized returns. They are often reduced to begin with and then often half off that. You probably won't come up with the right name, but you can easily sew a patch over top. So if you are on a really tight budget that might work. ;-)
So far my favorite backpacks have been LL Bean's Original Bookpack (comes in Jr., Original, Original Plus and Deluxe sizes, as well as wheeled). The print fabrics tend to be easier to zipper imo. The kids have used these, and I have been using a wheeled one for 4 years that still looks great!
http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/LLBSearchDispatch?refine=1&storeId=1&langId=-1&catalogId=1&history=8q1jg8aw|opver~b^freeText~backpacks^init~0 %40i4emjz6y|categoryName~category_root^subCategory Name~Luggage^category~50^refine~1^display~0%4069qx 6g1y|categoryName~cat_50^subCategoryName~School%2B Backpacks^category~692^refine~1^display~0%40iz52uy ck|refine~1^sort_field~Price%2B%2528Ascending%2529&position=1
Lunch boxes, I also like LL Beans. http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?categoryId=62784&storeId=1&catalogId=1&langId=-1&from=SR&feat=sr Lands End has a couple great ones too, with carabiners to clip them onto their bacpacks. The lunch sack is a simple one that works well. http://www.landsend.com/pp/LunchSack~186764_-1.html?bcc=y&action=order_more&sku_0=::PRO&CM_MERCH=IDX_00003__0000000388&origin=index Last year I found that a simple canvas sack that dc had decorated and had some velcro at the top worked the best. Why? I could throw it in the wash, which is much needed at our house, lol. Also it was inexpensive. It doesn't insulate anything though.
Oh- one last tip. Late August LLBean's outlets often have sales on personalized returns. They are often reduced to begin with and then often half off that. You probably won't come up with the right name, but you can easily sew a patch over top. So if you are on a really tight budget that might work. ;-)