Y7 Boy needs a bag

[RaisinBoys]

Any recommendations? Prefer a backpack (but not so large he looks like he's carrying all his wordly possessions with him!) but also consider cross-body style. Black and "no visible logos". Cool-ish but not too cool!

#I hate shopping

Thank you O wise mumsnetters, who have been there and got the t-shirt (and bag)!

[HotPinkWeaselWearingLederhosen]

I offered to buy ds a new back. He's informed me he will be using my Superdry rucksack.

They all have very plain non branded, or plain branded back packs round here.

[impatienceisavirtue]

I got DSS (13) one from hollister that he was quite chuffed with. Superdry is another one for that age I think?

[HotPinkWeaselWearingLederhosen]

Yes, they do like Superdry particularly MY superdry

[traviata]

DD 12 says mipac is the brand of choice, they may be substantially cheaper than Superdry etc. for example

[impatienceisavirtue]

Ha ha I escaped that as i am not up to date enough to have anything cool enough to steal

[CointreauVersial]

Is he about to go into Y7 ? It might be a good idea to start the term with any old bag, so he can check what's the "in" brand/type to be seen with.

Otherwise you risk buying something that he will quickly refuse to use or is that just my DD?

[MrsMot]

You can get v plain Nike ones with tiny logos in Sports Direct. Not too big but enough space for what they need.

We got ds 1 for the start of Yr 7, he's ended up using it all year.

[TheFirstOfHerName]

We have tried and tested many backpacks for DS1 and DS2 in the three years since DS1 started secondary.

My requirements are:

Big enough for all their stuff (30-35L capacity)

Waterproof

Padded straps and kind to the back (mine usually carry between 5-8kg and it's a long walk)

Side pockets to keep a water bottle separate from books

Durability

So far, the only one we have found that meets all these criteria is the North Face recon.

[peanutbutterandoreos]

eastpak

[TheFirstOfHerName]

I offered to buy ds a new back

Seven years of carrying the wrong sort of bag and this might not be far off.

[peanutbutterandoreos]

Oops posted too soon! Something like this is what most kids have at DD's school. They come with a 30 year warranty so even though they're quite pricey (£40), it should last at least until uni. DD has had hers since year 7 and is now going into year 11 and it is showing no signs of wear at all yet.

[MoreBeta]

Don't even go there!

Whatever you get will be wrong. It will be wrong because YOU chose it.

They will refuse to use the bag YOU chose.

They will wear you down and then choose the most impractical bag possible. You will grit your teeth every time they go out of the house with it. You will worry about damaging their backs. It will fall apart before the end of the school year. It will cost you a fortune.

You will cease to care. Its only 6 years to go before they leave home.

[TheFirstOfHerName]

They will refuse to use the bag YOU chose

Thankfully DS1 and DS2 haven't reached that stage yet (still only 14 and 12).

When I was a teenager, the only socially acceptable bags were shopping bags from the Covent Garden General Store, which were about as impractical as it gets.

[RaisinBoys]

Thank you all for the suggestions and the laughs! You are all brilliant.

Will drag the boy wonder off to choose...

[LRB978]

Ds (just ended year 7) has had this one but I dont know if the logo is too much.

I chose it because it has 3 pockets, one for books, one for pe kit and a third at the bottom for shoes, so he doesnt need to take more than one bag at a time.

[RaisinBoys]

Thanks LR

[HotPinkWeaselWearingLederhosen]

Interesting, so I just go with Ds nicking mine as it's his decision and if he wants different than fine.

If I get a peaceful life than that's fine.

hides converse hightops at back of wardrobe as boy has eye on them too

[ElephantsNeverForgive]

morebeta you discribe DD2 exactly. DD1 has had a sensible plain purple mountain life rucksack for 5years.

DD2 has had four bags in 2years.