I have a pre-teen boy - what brands are 'cool'?

[ShinySquirrel]

I said 'cool', but feel free to substitute with the appropriate terminology as I am very much not down with the lingo.

DS is 11 and starting high school in September. He has ASD, so it's not a matter of just asking him about it as he is clueless. I remember very well what it was like to have the wrong bag, or trainers etc. I'm hoping it's not as bad these days, but I don't want to get the wrong things for him.

I'm not here for a lecture on how I shouldn't care. Life is hard enough for kids with SEN. He wants to fit in.

We need to get him a school bag and some black trainers for P.E. I'd also like to get him a smaller, every day bag that he can use to keep his phone and wallet in, plus any amount of sticks and random stones he seems to attract...

Any suggestions please?

Nike all the way here.

But, he may be clueless but can you ask him to look at what bags people in his class have now?

Adidas for trainers.

Under armour backpacks here, Nike trainers

@4PawsGood I can ask but he doesn't tend to take notice of things like that. He doesn't notice what's 'right', but he'd be upset if it was 'wrong', if you get me.

Under Armour is massive now and reasonable in price. My ds also has ASD and is conscious of having the right things. We’ve had UA backpacks and Nike and North Face right through school and sixth form. I would suggest getting a decent sized one and don’t bother with another bag.
For trainers it’s got to be Nike for us but as ds started high school in a size 11 shoe they’ve always been very expensive around £120-140 for the latest model but his feet stopped growing at a size 13 thank god.
I’ve learnt the hard way that it’s best to buy the expensive trainers as they last and last.

North face, under armour, berghaus are popular here.

To add- all of the backpacks I’ve mentioned above have multiple pockets/zips and have been able to fit a Sistema lunch box, several drinks, his school books and when needed, his PE kit. They are very deceiving.

Bag wise, suggestions above all good. But my two have both used super dry. The bags are a good size, very hardwearing and shower/water proof. They tend to last them years.

Hype bags
north face or super dry coat.
a mixture of Dr marten boots, Vans or kickers for footwear.

Nike, Under Armour, Adidas, North Face & Berghaus are all very safe brands here, particularly Nike. If you get something from there you won't go far wrong.

I completely get it about wanting to help him fit in.

Mine is 12 (but adult size). He has clothes from Hollister, Uniqlo and Nike as well as lots of Anime Tshirts
Shoes it’s Nike Airforce 1 and he has an Under Armour backpack for school. His PE trainers are Adidas I think but we’re cheap from Sports Direct

Another vote here for Under Armour bags, hoodies etc.
My son adores his 'bubble shoes'. They are Nike Air Max (I think) with a clear bubble-looking area at the back of the sole. Sorry for the poor description!
Also, anything Adidas - shoes, joggers, t-shirts and hoodies

It's all about Adidas, Nike and North Face here. I swear every boy in the school has the same northface black coat 😂

If you live near the high school, have a look at what the older looking kids walking to / from school have and copy that!

DS2 (12) likes - Nike, Champion, Tommy Hilfiger, Adidas, Puma.
He likes brands as he has a "cool" 17 year old brother so he's got into brands earlier than his brother did.

Adidas, North Face, Nike, Under Armour and Champion are popular here

Do you know anyone at all with an older DC at the school he will be going to? Because asking them might be the best way to find out what are the brands that are most popular / widely accepted in that school.

If still uncertain, then the safe bets are generally Nike or Adidas for trainers, and the same plus NorthFace for bags

I’d say Hype is a bit young, more top end of primary. DS goes to a middle school (Y6-8). A lot of the kids started Y6 with Hype bags, often hangovers from first school, but are now beginning to replace them with sports brands as they turn 13.

In a friendly way case out your local school. Im lucky the seniors is next to the primary so I just have a look and see what they are wearing. No one seems to wear jumpers, sports brands (particularly Nike) for bags are common. Trainers it’s a mixture but the usual Adidas and Nike so clear branding. Any chance of a little recon - or have yours broken up? Also do you know any parents with kids already in seniors that you can ask?

Adidas or Nike mainly.

Sports Direct is my number one go to...especially for Adidas bags, I've had some serious bargains in there.