Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

Original poster

Backpack for secondary

38 replies

PipnJo · 25/02/2018 09:24

Just to distract myself from the upcoming allocation day for DS1's secondary place.
I'm wondering if anyone has any good backpack recommendations. Something with pockets to make sure phone and keys are kept safe within the main part of the bag.
Not that i'm already having thoughts of older children trying to take his things off him....honest Blush

Thanks Smile

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
sassymuffin · 26/02/2018 23:31

DS has a black Jack Wolfskin one and it copes with his copious files and books really well. It is also hard wearing and so far has coped well with being slung about.

In the past he has had Adidas and Superdry and both survived the year.

Tessermee · 26/02/2018 20:00

Most of the kids have got a hype or superdry bag at our school. The hype ones are relatively sturdy and comfy to carry (never tried a superdry one). Plus they are cheap enough to buy a new one every year when your child fancies a new print (so many to choose from!)

Hersetta427 · 26/02/2018 14:48

I have bought my DD a hype backpack for when she starts school - seems to be the most 'in' label.

Titsywoo · 26/02/2018 12:11

DD had a hype one last year which was fine. This year she has an adidas one which has lots of sections and pockets which is really useful.

RedSkyAtNight · 26/02/2018 12:09

Make sure it is large enough for an A4 folder (so many bags seem not to be).

Also check your DC's school bag policy. If, for example, the bag has to fit in a locker then it needs to be small enough!

cantkeepawayforever · 25/02/2018 20:27

JanSport.

DS's Y7 one was still going strong at the end of Y11. it's now moved on to be his 'weekend bag' if he goes away. He has a slightly smaller one in a slightly cooler design for sixth form, expecting it to last through university.

ChrissyHynde · 25/02/2018 18:16

It's February: leave it a while. Time to develop his own tastes and establish what's currently "in".

Original poster
PipnJo · 25/02/2018 18:13

From what i've seen there's no strict rules on bags.

I think DS would like the look of the Hype bags, but the durability doesn't sound great. Ahh well, we've got a while, it's been a nice distraction, whilst i also re check admission data from last year..not that it will change anything now!

Thanks for all the input, most appreciated!

OP posts:
Janleverton · 25/02/2018 18:05

Check the uniform requirements - at dds school they have to have black plain bags. No highly visible logo (I.e. she had a black Kipling one with a black logo that seemed ok). Ds1 is at a different secondary where they have less rigid rules on coats and bags.

MeetieVonWrinkleSqueak · 25/02/2018 17:58

Can anyone recommend a good backpack with wheels? DS2 has physical disabilities and will need one for September.

Perfectly1mperfect · 25/02/2018 16:55

Bag not back ! 🙄

Perfectly1mperfect · 25/02/2018 16:54

Superdry, Nike and Adidas seem to be the most popular here.

Also, if he is going to have a blazer then I would recommend keeping his phone in the pocket of it rather than in his bag. Maybe it's just us, but bags seem to get stood on,(often come home with dirty footprints on) and not sure a phone would survive that. The kids also seem to just throw their back on the floor and not really care !

WeAllHaveWings · 25/02/2018 16:38

May sound obvious but don’t get a trendy one that isn’t waterproof or you’ll end with lots of soggy jotters.

Ds’s north face one has been going for 2 years now and keeps everything dry. The Adidas and Nike ones we bought were useless.

TheSecondOfHerName · 25/02/2018 16:33

The linings crack and flake off
This happened to the Hype backpack DD had in Y7. It was the least durable of all the brands we've tried.

SluttyButty · 25/02/2018 16:17

Hype backpacks are the most popular at my DS school. We’re on our second.

TheFairyCaravan · 25/02/2018 16:15

Herschel.

I bought DS2’s in year 10 and he’s used it right through sixth form and uni. I can see him taking it to work next year too.

DS1 (23) has one too that I bought for sixth form and he still uses occasionally now, for hand luggage, etc.

They’re pricy but they do last.

Allthebestnamesareused · 25/02/2018 16:07

At our school the backpack had to be predominantly black. DS's Nike one lasted from year 3 to the end of year 10! With lots of heavy usage!

TeenTimesTwo · 25/02/2018 12:19

How much will he have to carry?
At DD's school all exercise books are left in the classroom, and often don't even come home for homework. There are no textbooks to carry.
So she doesn't need a large capacity highly durable bag at all.
Best thing would be to look at what the younger boys have on average and go for something like that. It varies from school to school.

HorsesCourses · 25/02/2018 12:05

Hype is a popular brand at my DS's secondary school - popular with all ages and genders. We've had about 4 or5 over the years. The designs look good but i wouldn't particularly recommend them. The linings crack and flake off and there are no bottle pockets on the outside. (Tho my son says he wouldn't use an external pocket anyway as his water would just get nicked.)

lightoflaluna · 25/02/2018 11:23

Hype backpacks are quite popular at the school i work at. But yes, i would try and find out what sort of bags were cool. Can you drive past the school at the end of the day sometime and see what they're using?

thewhitechapelfatberg · 25/02/2018 10:55

I would wait til he gets there and see what everyone else has. At my DCs school, Hype bags are common and come in a choice of about 100 patterns, colours and prints for about £30.

lizabes · 25/02/2018 10:51

Superdry is a good balance between trendy but still sensible.
Nike is popular round here as well but I don't know what the quality is like

MagicFajita · 25/02/2018 10:46

Look at Dakine backpacks , easily the most practical and durable things I've ever owned.

Original poster
PipnJo · 25/02/2018 10:44

I'm totally dreading it all tbh!

OP posts:
Pythonesque · 25/02/2018 10:44

I got my eldest one in TKMax - might be worth a look once you've an idea of what you are looking for.