kids starting at a new school: backpacks

[megs4413]

My kids have been homeschooled for like 4 years now. Before that, they went to a private UMS that had really strict dress code policies about backpacks.

This fall they are starting at a different private, UMS and although they have uniforms, they have a LOT of freedom in backpack choice. The parents that I've met so far have said that Jansport is the "en vogue" brand, though the backpacks themselves vary. I'm hopelessly out of the loop on "what's cool" since we've been homeschooling. I'm hoping some of you can weigh in or have your teens/tweens weigh in on what my two have selected....

6th grade boy (in red):
https://www.amazon.com/Under-Armour-Hustle-LDWR-Backpack/dp/B00ZUWDYF6/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1530035440&sr=8-9&keywords=boys+backpack

8th grade girl (courtland blue):
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DL9TJTV/?coliid=I3DDAU40BQR4Y7&colid=3G20BJYDF55QH&psc=0

Do these look like they would be acceptable for your middle schoolers? TIA!

[SnuggleBuggles]

They look fine but, the thing is, "on trend" can vary so much even in the same region! What might be cool and on point at school A might be out of fashion at school B five miles away. I'd stick with running those by parents you know at the school, if you can. :)

[123LuckyMom]

They look fine but, the thing is, "on trend" can vary so much even in the same region! What might be cool and on point at school A might be out of fashion at school B five miles away. I'd stick with running those by parents you know at the school, if you can. :)

I agree. Where I live, those colors and the second style would not be ideal, but in your neck of the woods, they might be just the thing. You need to ask in your area.


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[georgiegirl]

I’m not sure about the style for the girls backpack. At our middle school, kids can’t carry backpacks around the school, only to/from and they need to stay in their lockers the rest of the day.


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[citymama]

I think those are both nice and I really like the second style. However, that light aqua color is going to get dirty very quickly. I recommend a darker color for sure.

[TwinFoxes]

I agree about things varying so much by region. I think the girls backpack looks a little young (although I think it's very cute), and Under Armor is definitely no longer trendy here, it's pretty unpopular.

[baymom]

Agree with PP about how styles vary so much. At our middle school, the majority of kids have black backpacks. It’s a wonder mine come home with their own backpack!

[essnce629]

I think your kids should pick whatever they like and not worry about everyone else. My DS1 is going into 10th grade at a private high school and is using a LL Bean backpack because it's huge and can fit all his stuff (large zippered binders). He's never mentioned backpack styles or cared at all and I've never paid attention to what anyone else has. I know that when I was in high school my mom spent zero thought on my backpack style and I'd be horrified if she did.

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[briarrose]

I think your kids should pick whatever they like and not worry about everyone else. My DS1 is going into 10th grade at a private high school and is using a LL Bean backpack because it's huge and can fit all his stuff (large zippered binders). He's never mentioned backpack styles or cared at all and I've never paid attention to what anyone else has. I know that when I was in high school my mom spent zero thought on my backpack style and I'd be horrified if she did.

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I tend to agree with this. My son doesn't care at all about the trends. His choice was more about function. He uses the Jansport Big Student and had the same one through middle. He is going into 9th and I told him he could pick a new one though his is still in great shape. https://www.jansport.com/shop/en/jansport-us/backpacks/big-student-backpack-tdn7?variationId=6XD#hero=0 It has two huge sections and a water bottle pocket (important to him). It holds a ton which was especially great in 7th grade when he had lots of notebooks and a large zip binder. I may have him get the digital student this year though. It is basically the same configuration but has padding for electronics. I think in high school they have to carry assigned laptops back and forth. Though like pp they have to keep their backpack in the locker during the day.

[KrisM]

I think your kids should pick whatever they like and not worry about everyone else. My DS1 is going into 10th grade at a private high school and is using a LL Bean backpack because it's huge and can fit all his stuff (large zippered binders). He's never mentioned backpack styles or cared at all and I've never paid attention to what anyone else has. I know that when I was in high school my mom spent zero thought on my backpack style and I'd be horrified if she did.

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Yes. My 9th grader uses an LLBean that he's used since 5th grade. It's in decent shape still and he likes it well enough. DD uses a couple different Jansport that I bought on clearance and she likes changing them up. DS2 has a LLBean too. He'll need a bigger one for middle school I think, so we'll get something in a year.

But, none have ever asked for anything specific on brands or color. They just picked what they liked at the time.

[mom2binsd]

The UA looks fine for the boy.

I'd go with the regular Jansport style and a darker color for the 8th grader.

[KpbS]

UA is still popular here for boys (not far from OP) and I too would go with a darker color bag for your DD.

[SASM]

They look fine but, the thing is, "on trend" can vary so much even in the same region! What might be cool and on point at school A might be out of fashion at school B five miles away. I'd stick with running those by parents you know at the school, if you can. :)
I also agree with this. At our middle school, the majority of the students use a Case-It 3" zipper binder with strap and handle coupled with an Adidas drawstring backsack for lunchbag and gym clothes. I do not really see a lot of backpacks. Our schools do not send home textbooks...everything is online. Students at our schools (MS & HS) also do not go back and forth to their lockers between classes...generally they have one binder for AM classes and one binder for afternoon classes if they do not have the large zipper binder mentioned above. DD really likes her zippered binder because she has everything with her and can avoid going to her locker at the end of the day...for the last two years she had less than ideal locker locations (bottom row, below pokey people who always arrived there first). She would almost always be cutting it close for the bus...she decided to avoid the locker all together for the most part. ;)

[TwinFoxes]

I think your kids should pick whatever they like and not worry about everyone else.



This I agree with. I thought OP was picking them out. If the kids chose these, then go for it!

[hbridge]

They look small to me... Just make sure they are big enough for whatever the kids need to carry: binders, books, lunch box, snow/rain gear... The kids will need to carry more than you think. Also, make sure there are pockets and more than one zippered space.

The one with the "leather" straps seems like it could be a hassle to open and close regularly. With kids and backpacks, it's all about ease of use and keeping things from falling out.

Also, washable... They will get dirty (faster than you think), you want to be able to throw them in the wash and let them drip dry during vacations...

However, the biggest thing is for the kids to love them. If they will be wearing uniforms, this is the one way they can express themselves :)!

[Kindra178]

Adidas is in for both girls and boys here. UA is hanging on though. The boy backpack looks fine. The girl backpack seems way too small for middle school.