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-...=boys+backpack

8th grade girl (courtland blue):
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DL9TJTV...JYDF55QH&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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[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.

[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/jan...nId=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.