Quick, help! DS's backpack broken - replacement recommendations please?

[MaggieW]

DS's trusty Gap backpack has broken after three years of service. He's in Y7 and carries a lunchbox, many schoolbooks and needs to be able to stuff his coat into it, so I'm looking for something with good padded straps and two sections. Can anyone recommend please?

Go to tkmaxx that have. Good selection.

Brilliant idea - my eyes are watering at the price of some I've been looking at online!

DD has this Karrimor backpack from their urban range - seems to do the job nicely, has 2 sections plus a laptop compartment in the main bit (not that she has a laptop but she liked the idea!)

Should say, it is £15 on their website but IIRC hers was a tenner from Sports Direct

because they are still growing, with bones, muscles and ligaments that can be easily damaged, plus all the heavy books and trudging up and down stairs, etc, I think the rucksack is one of the most important items of school kit.

I know that good rucksacks are expensive and it's Christmas and you may not be able to afford one. But you could wait for the sales?

I got DS (Yr7) a NorthFace Recon. I did a load of research about which were the best to support the back and would be comfortable to carry.

My priorities were: ergonomic as possible; padded shoulder straps; padded back; straps to do up around waist and chest. Plus the obvious ones of having a laptap compartment (not for laptop but for putting A4 size books into), it being waterproof.

I am also aware that the bigger they are the more chance there is that they will just bung everything into it, so I didn't want to get an enormous one either. FWIW, try going into a huge outdoor shop like Cotswalds or Northface or Blacks or Millets and look at what they have. When you and DC find one you like, look on line for reputable cheaper sellers.

Or you could try TKMaxx, but only go for good quality brands because cheaper ones usually are less reliable.

Good luck.

We were disappointed with the Karrimor Urban one: the side pockets weren't deep enough to hold a water bottle securely and the seams split after less than two terms.

Jeep one still going strong, as is the Rock one.

DS has had his Eastpak backpack for 7 years. He stopped using it for school for years 9/10 as wanted an over the shoulder bag, but went back to his old Eastpak & is still using it now in his last year at school. You pay a bit more for this bag & its definitely worth it.

DD has an Addidas one, DS has an Eastpack. Eastpack is a bit bigger and comes with some sort of guarantee.

Find out what he would like first-which bag you have is very important at my ds's school.

He has a Superdry one- I was very reluctant, but it is lasting incredibly well.

Animal or Mi backpacks. Our local uniform shop stocks the Mi backpacks along with a skateshop, so they must be tough & cool.

DS2 has got a Herschel one. It wasn't cheap, but DS1 still has his. It lasted him from the start of Yr11 right through to the end Yr13, and he still uses it now.

Update: In the end we got the North Face Recon and I'm so glad we did. DS has just come home and said how much better his shoulders and back feel walking to and from school. It's a great pack - very well made and big enough for lunchbox, coat and books - but above all, it's so comfortable and well worth the extra £. Thanks very much again all.

Thanks, will look at the North Face one for next time we need to replace one of their backpacks.