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Original poster

Where would you go to buy a school backpack?

76 replies

Whathappenedtothelego · 28/04/2019 16:40

DD starts secondary in September.

Grandparents have kindly offered to buy her school bag.

We have scoped out at the end of the day, most of the younger ones seem to have backpacks.

We are struggling to actually find any backpacks in the shops though.

Where would you go to actually physically try them out? Really don't want to buy online.

Have looked in a few department stores, hardly managed to find anything at all, apart from designer stuff at over £100. Outdoor shops do sell rucksacks, but Dd wants something less "outdoorsy". Cath Kidston (acceptable to Dd!) seems too flimsy.

Budget is about £50 for something sturdy and hopefully lasting a few years.

Do luggage shops actually exist any more?

OP posts:
mum11970 · 28/04/2019 17:00

For luggage shops try your nearest McArthur Glen retail village sort of places.

ittakes2 · 28/04/2019 17:03

My daughter has this bag and likes it alot: You can get discount at surfdome if you look for a code:
www.surfdome.com/dakine_backpack_-dakine_prom_backpack-_tory-316685

LinoleumBlownapart · 28/04/2019 17:03

I got a nike backpack from sportsdirect for £40 for my son when he started secondary school, he's now 15 and still has it. No tears, no rips and it still looks good.

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General education
PhilODox · 28/04/2019 17:06

Another shout for Dakine- really well made, range of sizes and colours.
SurfDome sell them online, skate/surf shops too. They also say they have a lifetime guarantee, but we haven't tested that out yet Grin

Stillabitemo · 28/04/2019 17:06

Fjallraven Kankens are popular with the kids I work with

wellspankmyarse · 28/04/2019 17:07

amazon

Original poster
Whathappenedtothelego · 28/04/2019 17:18

Thanks - Really want to try them out in person, I find it really hard to see how big they are in a photo.

Debenhams was one place we tried and found nothing, but TK max is a good idea, and sport shops (though Dd doesn't like sports brands - she is a bit middle aged quirky in her tastes). She is more of the "fall in love with something and want to keep it forever" bent rather than wanting new stuff every year, so I want to get something hardwearing so at least she has the choice.

OP posts:
jazzandh · 28/04/2019 17:23

I got a Herschel online (Amazon) for my son, he wasn't at all fussy, but it is well made and carries an absolute tonne of stuff around quite easily. It is well balanced on the back.

mum11970 · 28/04/2019 17:31

Definitely stick with a backpack as they can be unbelievably heavy and not good to have a one shoulder bag. Ds’ bag weighs a minimum of 10lb.

ittakes2 · 28/04/2019 17:36

Sorry this was the backpack my daughter likes - its a 20L - my earlier post included a 25L in a similar style. Although the 25L includes an integrated lunch box and you can get 15% off at the moment so costs £33.
www.freestylextreme.com/uk/home/brands/dakine-bags/dakine-tory-garden---20-litre-womens-backpack.aspx?utm_source=Barilliance&utm_campaign=CartReminder1&utm_medium=email&clkeid=19592412&clkrid=8716&clkuid=6828815465244&clket=0

justforareply · 28/04/2019 17:42

Another vote for fjallraven kanken
Wear well
Capacious
Light weight
Brand that is popular - for teens to university age

SirBobblyofSock · 28/04/2019 17:45

I've had a fjallraven kanken for about 18 months and love it. It's wearing really well despite daily use, is a great size - not too big but big enough for books and a laptop, and v comfy. They also appear to be quite 'in' at the moment (I realise saying that makes me seem ancient!!)

MyDcAreMarvel · 28/04/2019 17:48

I would get a hype of amazon.

MyDcAreMarvel · 28/04/2019 17:49

You don’t need to seem them in person - they have dimensions. If they are a popular choice for school Kids the size will be fine.

JustAnotherMNUserPassing · 28/04/2019 17:51

I have one from Sports Direct the brand is Hot Tuna and it's gorgeous and huge!

Comefromaway · 28/04/2019 17:52

Both dd and ds got all their backpacks from Sports Direct. Dd is Year 12 now and her current one is this a brand called Hot Tuna???

www.sportsdirect.com/hot-tuna-print-backpack-715179?colcode=71517990

Original poster
Whathappenedtothelego · 28/04/2019 18:07

I just prefer to see and touch things in person.

The patterns on the Dakine bags are right up dd's street though.

OP posts:
FourEyesGood · 28/04/2019 18:11

I got DS (11) a Hype backpack in TK Maxx yesterday (£9.99). He’s really pleased with it.

Fatted · 28/04/2019 18:12

Another vote for Amazon.

We have an outlet village near to us, so usually I got there for new bags. They have Kipling, Cath Kidson and Radley shops to name a few.

Freddiemercurysjeans · 28/04/2019 18:12

DD has just got a Kanken - it is fantastic. They have them in Urban Outfitters.

Juanbablo · 28/04/2019 18:27

I've got a Cath Kidston one that has lasted well with lots of use. For the kids they get them from Foot Locker, Sports Direct, JD.

Tiggles · 28/04/2019 18:48

We go to sports direct. Choice of lots of brands and can check they are tough enough.

listsandbudgets · 28/04/2019 18:53

Superdry. DDs bag is lasting really well

nocutsnobuttsnococonuts · 28/04/2019 19:06

I've got a floral one from hype. I think next sell them and do free returns? Mine has lasted a couple of years with lots of use.

Or when I was at college I had a plain backpack which I covered in band/film patches and badges. EMP are good for patches.

Otherwise lots of places online offer free returns so could you order a few and see what she likes?

CruCru · 28/04/2019 19:19

How much do you want to spend?