Your child’s school backpack will probably be the item that will have the most weight in your purchases for back to school (if the bug leaves us). The backpack will be used every day to carry items to and from school. It must endure daily use, including commuting to and from school, locker storage, and harsh treatment by children of their belongings.
Because it receives constant daily use, you need to know what to look for in a backpack.
Consider the quality of the backpacks
The widest selection of children’s backpacks is available during the back-to-school shopping season. You will find that quality and price can vary widely during this period. This is the best time to take advantage of backpack sales, just remember to shop smart.
You may be tempted to buy a backpack that is inexpensive and modern, and just assume that if you have a problem you can replace it. The problem is, you probably won’t be able to find a good backpack easily after the back-to-school sale season.
Inexpensive, low-quality backpacks generally last from a few weeks to a few months. That’s long enough for all the back-to-school items on store shelves to be replaced with products from another season. Selection of a backpack is often limited to one or two options if a store continues to carry backpacks. Limited editions can suffer from quality problems and they cannot be adapted to your child either.
Three things to keep in mind
To find a quality backpack we suggest you look over the backpack, inside and out, and watch the following:
- Avoid loose, uneven, or sloppy seams that could easily fall apart.
- Check for raw or frayed fabric edges that could unravel, skip backpacks with these flaws
- Go from zippers that are openly exposed to the weather. Instead, go for zippers that have fabric flaps over them to keep water and other items out of the backpack.
A backpack must fit properly
Backpacks that don’t fit properly, or are worn incorrectly, can cause tension or pain in your back and shoulders. When shopping for a backpack, consider the proper fit and comfort above the price. Many times, the best backpack may not be the most suitable, elegant or expensive.
To find a backpack with the right fit, follow these tips:
1. Choose the right size: the width of a backpack should be relatively proportional to the width of the person. For example, a young child should not opt for an adult backpack. Also, the height of the backpack should extend from about two fingers below the shoulder blades to waist level, or just slightly above the waist.
2. Look for wide shoulder straps with padding , both to offer more comfort and protect your shoulders from excessive pressure. It is important to use both straps to distribute the weight of the backpack evenly. Wearing just one strap adds extra tension to that shoulder. Adjustable straps are useful, not only for a proper fit, but also for proper positioning; Once again, the backpack should be positioned slightly above the waist and both straps should remain even in length.
3. Choose backpacks with pockets, slots and dividers to distribute weight evenly: In addition to using both shoulder straps and ensuring the package is at the correct height, consider backpacks that offer pockets, slots and dividers to help to evenly distribute more weight. Heavier items should be placed closer to the person’s back, inside the backpack. Lighter items may be further from the body.
4. Keep the weight of the backpack at 15% of your child’s body weight. It is important not to add too much weight to backpacks. This is especially true when considering children. The backpack, as well as its contents, should not add more than 15% of the weight of a person.
5. Test before your purchase: Bring some personal items that you would normally carry in your backpack to the store. Put them in the backpack while trying them on to get a better idea of weight distribution etc.
6. If you have chest or waist straps, make sure they sit correctly on your child . Some backpacks offer chest or waist straps designed to help distribute weight. If they do not sit properly on your child, they will not help distribute the weight and may even cause discomfort.
- A hip belt should wrap around your child’s hips.
- A chest strap should be adjusted to wear the shoulder straps so that the arms can move freely.
- The height of the chest strap should be placed where it is most comfortable for the child.
Consider your child’s personal style
Your child will use their backpack to and from school each school day. While proper fit and good quality are the main factors to consider, style is still an element to consider. You will want to know that your child really likes the backpack that he will use throughout the year.
If your kid wants a poor-quality, poorly fitting backpack because it has a popular cartoon or movie character dotted all over the place, you can still commit to the following strategy:
- Look for bright colors and trendy patterns in high-quality backpacks.
- Once you have a color or pattern that your child likes, add accessories to personalize his backpack in a style that he likes.
This is where you can add key chains that show your child’s personal interests. You can also or paste patches from a craft store.
Reflectors and reflective tape are other stylish accessories that increase safety. If your child will be waiting for the school bus along a highway or walking to school, add reflective elements to your child’s backpack. Small reflectors can be found in sporting goods stores. Sewing and craft stores are good sources of reflective tape.
The flashing lights that your child should turn on or off are not a good option to keep children visible on their trips to and from school. While adults may remember to turn on a flashing light added to their jacket or bike, children are often not ready to remember to turn the light on or off constantly.
Some additional tips to buy the right backpack
Make it a joint decision
Kids can be loyal to certain stores and you will probably want to visit one of those stores to find your child’s backpack.
Resist the urge to buy a backpack without your child’s approval. The backpack is a fashion accessory for a teenager, and they want to express their individual style and personality. Help your child make a smart purchase, but give your child the space to make the final selection.
Buy offers
Be sure to buy deals, if you can. Back-to-school sales typically begin in mid-July and last through mid-August.
If you shop on sale and find a good price on the backpack selection, you might consider buying two backpacks. By having two, you have a backpack in reserve if your child breaks a buckle or a strap on his backpack. It’s also fun for your child to change his backpack from time to time, just for a change.
