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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Smiggle bags worth it?

60 replies

redariel · 18/07/2023 20:10

So dc is now of an age where she's noticing brands and several friends had smiggle back packs (for school) this year for birthdays.

I mentioned we can get a new one for September term start as we do every year. This current one in its last week of use is ripped in a couple of places as it's 2 years old, the one she had last September only lasted until Easter.

DC is not spoilt or stuck up (hence explaining current grotty bag) but £40+ seems a lot for a bag, but if it lasts well??

Any thoughts?

OP posts:
GotMooMilk · 18/07/2023 20:12

We got one in a sale (online as the shop gives me a migraine just thinking about it!) for £15 and actually it’s been great. It’s still in perfect condition a year later despite daily school use and taken on holidays etc. they aren’t cheap and I know some people are very dismissive of them but I’ve been impressed really.

LittleMonks11 · 18/07/2023 20:14

They do last well. Let her have one. My DD 11 still has hers and we discussed it today funnily enough and I said shall we sell it now you won't be seen in public with it and she flatly - No. 🤷‍♀️😁

NewJobDeflated · 18/07/2023 20:14

My son went through a phase of liking these bags. I managed to get some them in an online sale which made a difference.

He was very rough and tumble with them and I did find they lasted well.

It's all sports brands these days with him....

GloriousSludge · 18/07/2023 20:14

Ours have lasted very well - they’re used just at home / grandparents now as they look ‘babyish’ but were used as hand luggage and overnight bags for about 6 years. No tears or much sign of wear.

MargotDeWitt · 18/07/2023 20:16

They do last well, but definitely wait for sale prices.

BettyOBarley · 18/07/2023 20:16

DDs has lasted well too.
I like that it has lots of little pockets and flaps inside, it's not just one big open space.
We did get ours in a sale though, they have good sales on all the time online

BusySittingDown · 18/07/2023 20:23

Yes! We got my DD2 a bundle years ago, for Christmas, when she was about 8.

It had a backpack, book bag, purse, a couple of pencil cases.

The back pack has gone on every sleepover, every outing where she's needed to take belongings, school trips etc (not school as they were only allowed the school book bags). It is still in pristine condition! It fits so much inside. She still loves it but is gutted she can't really use it anymore (it has unicorns on it and she's 12 and in high school 😂). She will use it for sleepovers with her cousin but won't take it to her mate's!

BusySittingDown · 18/07/2023 20:23

They usually have good Black Friday sales. I think I got the bundle for about £25.

ivegotthisyeah · 18/07/2023 20:25

Mine have smiggle bags and I do think they are good quality! I get mine from Vinted though for a fraction of the price it's amazing how many new / nearly new ones are on there!

PinkFrogss · 18/07/2023 20:26

How old is she? Even if they last a long time that’ll be pretty meaningless if she grows out of it and refuses to use it, they’re quite childish.

mumofpickles · 18/07/2023 20:27

Yes to my complete surprise! 2 heavy handed boys and 2 years in for both bags and still going strong. Much better lasting power than many other bags we have had and they wash really well in the machine too. There are some great bundle deals at the moment and their pencil cases have also lasted really well

MetalFences · 18/07/2023 20:31

PinkFrogss · 18/07/2023 20:26

How old is she? Even if they last a long time that’ll be pretty meaningless if she grows out of it and refuses to use it, they’re quite childish.

The OP's child is a child though so she will probably want a 'childish' bag for school.

cocksstrideintheevening · 18/07/2023 20:32

They'd be snorted at about halfway through year 4. Expensive lesson learnt with DTs.

Phineyj · 18/07/2023 20:33

They are good quality. I used DD's for a work bag for a while (it is black so less garish and I'm a teacher...it went down well with the students...)

hettiethehare · 18/07/2023 20:35

Another one who was very pleasantly surprised by the quality and practicality - all my DC have had them from about Y3 and they lasted really well. Worth the price IMO.

DS's lasted from Y3 to the end of Y6 and he's already gone through 2 school bags in Y7 that have broken!

MotherWol · 18/07/2023 20:35

I got DD’s one used on eBay at the start of Year 1, she’s now coming to the end of Y2 and it’s still in good condition. The mesh water bottle pocket is splitting a bit, but on the whole it’s fine; they’re really robust!

Phineyj · 18/07/2023 20:35

m.ebay.co.uk/itm/363968685159?varId=633238336901&_ul=UK&_mwBanner=1&_rdt=1 it's this one. It was the only one in the shop that was tolerable to look at.

MiniStormInATeacup · 18/07/2023 20:37

DD had one for birthday nearly 2 years ago and it's been used for school and other outings. It's had some of the coating wear away but other than that still looks good and is still usable. The design is maybe a little babyish but DD doesn't think so (7.5yrs)

We've just upgraded ready for new school year and because she starts a new school. I didn't mind paying full price for this bearing in mind how well her old one has done. It's well made, slightly more grown up pattern and she loves it. Agree that you can get the bags in the sale at really good prices.

https://www.smiggle.co.uk/shop/en/smiggleuk/bags-accessories/bags/backpacks/wild-side-attach-foldover-backpack-black-purple

Wild Side Attach Foldover Backpack Black/purple - Smiggle Online

Smiggle Wild Side Attach Foldover Backpack Black/purple in stock. Shop online at Smiggle!

https://www.smiggle.co.uk/shop/en/smiggleuk/bags-accessories/bags/backpacks/wild-side-attach-foldover-backpack-black-purple

TolkiensFallow · 18/07/2023 20:37

They do last well. M&S often have them in the sale.

StillWantingADog · 18/07/2023 20:37

i think my son has had his since Christmas 2021 and it’s still looking good Tbf

PinkFrogss · 18/07/2023 20:37

Perhaps I’m projecting. I’m just getting vivid flashbacks to buying DD a new bag before secondary and within weeks having it labelled as “far too babyish” Hmm

BusySittingDown · 18/07/2023 20:38

We have the Good Vibes Unicorn one from @Phineyj's link. DD's friends always complimented it whenever she took it out, to be fair.

Oysterbabe · 18/07/2023 20:39

I think they are worth getting if you can afford it. They're nice bags and stuff like this matters to kids.

Grimbelina · 18/07/2023 20:40

Going against the grain, ours have been terrible and every water bottle I have bought from there has leaked.

We now have Eastpak - they have a 30 year warranty! Completely different level of quality, they just go on and on and on.