Boy's school bag for secondary school

[Vulgar]

Following on from the girl's school bag thread . . . what is a good bag for a boy going into year 7?

I suggested a rucksack but was met with a snort of derision. I think he fancies a vinyl messenger style one but what makes/designs are on trend the thing to have for boys at secondary? DS is a bit unworldly and also a bit quirky and probably doesn't want to stand out too much

[takeonboard]

I don't know but am watching your thread carefully as i need an answer too........ The school uniform is easy but the things we choose are a minefield - shoes, bag, pencil case, winter coat - will he /I choose the "wrong" thing and face ridicule and years over misery over a bag/pencil case/ coat/shoes or anything else!

[takeonboard]

I am overthinking so much that I can't spell it!

[roisin]

IME boys aren't so precious about their bags. ANIMAL bags are quite popular at our place and mainstream sports logos - adidas, Nike, Puma, etc.

I would recommend getting a haversack style:

1. because it's better for his back
   
2. because some schools insist on them.
   
   Don't be tempted to get a bag too big, as then they don't sort their gear out and just lug EVERYTHING around all week, which is hard work and things tend to get mislaid. Much better to have a reasonable sized bag and sort it out every night.

[EdithWeston]

Another vote for a backpack.

Mine remain loyal to the surf brands, which (like the big sports brands) seem a "safe" choice.

[Vulgar]

Good tips Roisin! I can imagine that he won't sort out a huge bag because he's lazy like that

Think I have already lost the battle with the rucksack tho'!

takeonboard - The school coat thing. We've been told he just needs a black/navy coat to go over the blazer. Now as I've bought the blazer massiveon the large size, it needs to be roomy. I found a black wool mix duffle jacket in Next. Not as long as a traditional duffel, more like a donkey jacket. He seems quite happy with it but it will only take a disparaging comment from someone on the the bus and who knows!

[Dumbledoresgirl]

Mine have used Animal rucksacks lately. Word of warning though: these are big enough to carry all school books in, so my sons do so and everything gets ripped and creased beyond imagining.

Don't sweat too long or hard on the coat - if they are anything like mine (and the entire school) they won't wear it, even when it is pouring with rain or snowing.

PS Could someone point me in the direction of the girls' school bag thread please? My dd is starting secondary in Sept and I don't think she will agree to an Animal rucksack so I need some alternative ideas. Thanks.

[Vulgar]

girls school bags

[Dumbledoresgirl]

Thanks Vulgar

[takeonboard]

Thanks, I will look at animal rucksacks, are you sure rucksacks aren't a no-no? (PFB moi?) And I won't sweat too much over the coat.........
but as you say vulgar it will only take 1 remark, I don't know who is more afraid of that me or him! and sorry for hijacking!

[mardymoo]

nike bag and cheap water proof coat with a hood . They dont do unbrellas . And a cheapy coat so no big problem if it gets borrowed.

[mardymoo]

or superdry bag from next .

[moanymum]

My son is really fussy over fashion etc and has insisted on the vinyl style bag with strap - like the old fashioned Dunlop/Adidas ones. His is Mackenzie as it was bigger. And most of the boys here wear Superdry jackets, which pleases me as although they're quite expensive they seem quite sensible! Fortunately he doesn't need to wear a blazer - I'm not a fan as Scotland has too much rain - never seems to be a "blazer" day!

[CrosswordAddict]

Add a cheap bag from tesco/Sainsbury (2,99) with drawstring handy for small kit on days when they have gym/dance whatever.Black or pink. My DCs have just given it the thumbs up and they are 13 now so very full of savvy (they think!)

[bellavita]

I already have Ds1 going into Yr10 and DS2 will be going into Yr7.

Ds1 already had the Gola/Addidas messenger bag, so Ds2 wanted one.

I would not stress about the coat thing, but I am not sure a duffle type coat will go down well?

Both of mine wear Superdry coats - you can buy these online or many of the trendy shops have them. They are around £55.

[CrosswordAddict]

Careful with the coat! I should wait until your child sees what the others wear then follow their lead. Kids don't like to be trend-setters ime.
He won't need a coat in September anyway cos it's always a heat wave as soon as the kids go back to school

[wakeupandsmellthecoffee]

mine wears the cheapo coat on rainy days and superdry coat on other days .

Mine has the messenger bag (I didnt know it was called that )and a superdry canvas bag ,
He has three draw string bags for sport stuff . I have avoided all football team bags as not all kids support the same team and his bag might go missing if another kid supports a rival team .

[rhondajean]

Be grateful its not a girl....

The "thing" here is to have a Pauls Boutique bag and a Superdry jacket but DD1 is starting secondary and doesnt really like either so its been traumatic....and expensive - all through primary Ive ordered the school regulation winter raincoat and no more than £20 on a bag but this year its cost me a fortune!

[Lizzywishes]

Gola is what they all like to have round here.

[Greenshadow]

We have DS2 going into yr 12 and DS3 into yr7 and both are more than happy to have rucksacks. Don't even seem fussy about the make.

Main thing they look for are things like somewhere to put a drinks bottle - far more important than the type or make of bag!

[Greenshadow]

Is it mainly the cities that have adopted this messenger bag thing? We are small town and fashion doesn't seem that important here (or not in the sense of copying everyone else).

[inkyfingers]

Messenger style seems to be older boys, younger ones all have rucksacks which is much better for their backs. Echoing the others - cheap ones don't last more than 1 year and they may want new design by then anyway. Mine is fussing about his Dr Who pencil case he's had for years at primary and now saying he needs a new one as it's babyish . I've suggested wait a few weeks in case he has to see what everyone else has. He's normally a confident kid, so hoping this isn't a biggie for him.

[EllenJaneisnotmyname]

Rucksacs still fine in my DS's school, Animal ones are popular. For coats, just a cheap waterproof one that will be light enough to live in their bag, but will never be worn! Even in the height of the snow he just wore a hat and gloves with his blazer, and took the scarf off that I had insisted on, just down the road.

[spiderpig8]

They all seem to have GOLA bags
remind me of Benny Green on Grange hill

[murkysan]

In my experience if you give boys of this age a large backpack they will just keep all of the school books in it rather that learning to plan for each day. The messenger style bags provide an ideal size for books and PE kit. My sons have two types one from the Paul Frank range the other is a TV themed bag. We found a large selection on the web at //www.funkywatch.co.uk

[Roshbegosh]

In this part of north London they all have nike or Adidas bags. I hate all this label stuff but it is a big deal to them.