Sturdy and comfortable rucksack recommendations

DD2 starts in September and has been getting tips from DD1 on how not to be a new geeky Y7..... So, we have had a trip to Superdry for her to get one of their bags so will be seen as a cool girl from day one DD1 took her Eeyore bag but within 2 days of starting we had to go and buy a large handbag for her as the Eeyore one was not cool.

Regarding lunch boxes DD1 started off using those plastic ones from Tesco but after they got broken within days of use she now puts her sandwich in a bag and stuffs in it her bag (doesn't last long as always eaten by break).

I wouldn't buy anything expensive to start with (unless, like me you have an older child refusing to be with them if they are geeky!!!) as they will probably change their mind within a few days after seeing what everybody else has got

sorry this link went wrong

our school has this one with its school logo on, its really big, carries lots and is approved by the British Back Care Association to prevent back pain and damage to young backs. Obviously we get charged a lot more due to the school logo being on it

DS1 uses a 25l Karrimor rucksack, I think it was about £12 from Sports Direct. Its big enough to fit all his day to day school stuff in but not too big and bulky and has good padded shoulder straps. He takes a separate sports holdall when he has PE. He had the Sistema quaddie lunch box but now has the Sistema cube one and prefers that for some reason known only to him!

Brought my son's Eastpak rucksack in yr8 & it's still going strong in yr11. He's been using an over the shoulder bag for general school bits for the past 2 years as rucksacks are not in vogue; but the Eastpak bag is used for everything else. Brought one that holds all AND the kitchen sink & paid a lot more than I'd normally pay. As it's outlasted all other bags I'd say it was worth the money.

Eastpac bags are really good. If you look around and get them on sale they are not too expensive. I just get plain colours, navy or black then the DC's can add keychains or whatever iftheywere want.

Oh, link doesn't work, sorry, but you can still get to the website.

www.streetfusion.co.uk/search.htm?search[freeform]=Ogio%20backpack

I found a great selection on this website. The Ogio ones are nice, but there's loads of choice, lots of brands.

Sounds like I got a real bargain with the Adidas bag then...fingers crossed!!

And no, I won't be getting him a character lunch bag. There are sometimes when Mum really does know best!! Like you said bigTillyMint, he will change his mind and agree with me when he's done a few weeks, even days at "big" school! :D

Please don't get a character lunchbox.

The other thing is that (in my experience) the lunchbox contents are suddenly of no interest to anyone. Fizzy pop, bars of chocolate-anything goes.

Uberly, both DD and DS have had Gola/Adidas bags for a year and they are still going strong. And they have been more waterproof than the previous rucksacks, a definite plus with this year's weather!

And your DS will soon change his mind....

DS starts Y7 in Sept. I've already bought an adidas bag at half price in Argos (seems to a be a popular choice in my area). Haven't a clue how long it will last...but it looks good at the moment!

I'm particularly interested in the lunchbox question. I figure that most secondary school kids have tupperware boxes? My DS doesn't believe me when I said that, I think he still wants one of those horrible cartoon character lunch bag which is a bugger to clean!

Thanks Sparklingbrook and BigTillyMint - hadn't thought of just good old tupperware with clicky bits, probably the best plan.

Do they still have Head bags (in pale grey and pink) and/or Warehouse record bags?

If he has weighty books files etc in it, consider looking at the outdoor gear manufacturers who have started to offer student type rucksacks with good back systems, they make a difference to how comfortable they are to use and reduce damage on young backs!

DD also takes a "tupperware" type box as it takes up the least space in her Gola bag. Though I'm sure she'll have her eye on a new bag for September

DS1 takes one of those plastic tubs with the blue clicky things on the lid. It fits better in the rucksack.

I'm picking up great tips for DS' bag for September - thanks for starting the thread mumzy!

Any lunchbox recommendations guys? I've seen only cutesy ones for younger kids, and the concentrate one which annoys me for some reason (irrational, especially as I won't be using it)

I agree with "SophiaWinters", tried different rucksacks but the Jansport Big Student Backpack are excellent quality and a good square edged top so A4 folders fit in with ease, also has plenty of compartments and a bottle holder on the side. Both mine DC's have had them all year and both still look brand new. They also have some great colours and designs.

There's no way DDs stuff would all fit in one rucksack - you might want to consider a separate sports bag which can be left to fester in the locker all term

Eastpak My sons was bought two years ago and still going strong, despite being filled with very heavy books and files each day. Not the cheapest brand but I would defiantly invest again.

We bought a Benetton one that has lasted 5 years to my son's disgust. He wants a new one but this has years of life left in it. It's indestructible.

When my son went for his induction day I got him to suss out the older kids bags and shoes!

Yes, you do get what you pay for I think. I was a bit at the Animal one being a 'brand', but it's really good and has already survived a week long residential Germany trip.