Rucksack type bag for Year 7 girls

[Dancergirl]

Dd is starting secondary in a few weeks and we have yet to get her a bag. She's not massively into fashion (yet!) and wants a backpack as she's very small and will struggle to carry all those books.

Can anyone recommend a good one that's functional but still looks good? I noticed in the uniform shop they had Eastpak ones in lots of different colours, what are they like?

Oh I was going to suggest an Eastpak. They seem cery popular round my way (in the middle of three secodaries). They all wear them with the straps really long but I suppose its the fashion.

We looked at Eastpak in John Lewis today....and have ruled them out because they don't have enough pockets. Only one main pocket (and not divided inside) and a small front pocket.

Any other suggestions?

we bought dd a northface rucksack - lots of pockets and well padded.

There was a recommendation on here a while ago to look at the Surfdome website - I only looked in the "sale" section and there were over 200 backpacks in it! Bought my dd3 an Animal one there on Sunday.

Have you checked how much they need to carry at the school she's going to?

Dd only has to carry her books for the day (exercise books only) so a maximum of 5, her pencil case/calculator and planner

On pe days she has a sling bag, the rest of the time a small messenger

The more spare room in a bag, the more they fill it up

She likes purple! And def wants rucksack style which I'm pleased about, much better from her back.

Older dd is going into year 9 but a different school. For the first 2 years she was happy with a boring Backcare black rucksack from the school uniform shop, seemed lots of her friends had this one too. Now fashion has kicked in and she wants a Kipling bag but again rucksack style. She tends to carry a LOT as she worries about missing her coach home so doesn't go to her locker at the end of the day.

Dd2 is also getting school coach so I assume same will apply and should prepare for her bringing lots of books home.

I've found a make called totem, anyone heard of them?

Www.totemschoolbags.co.uk

I second surfdome and Animal brand, they last incredibly well, dd has had hers for 2 years and it still looks as good as new. They are very hardwearing.

My dd got through all year 8 with a rucksack from Urban Outfitters, which she saved up for and loves. It's the only bag either of mine have ever had for this long without it breaking in some way, and it's also v capacious.

Does Animal have lots of pockets early?

No doesn't have to be black, school are quite easy regarding coats, bags etc.

They are all different, but usually pocket at the front, 2 mesh side pockets and sometimes a zip inside.

I have a nice Animal one going begging. DD2 insists on using a stupid fabric one, that's nothing like as well made.

My two have only ever had backpacks with the main bit and front pocket - why would you need more?

According to dd1, lots of pockets is good! I have no idea how she organises it but it seems to work for her.

According to my DD going into year 9 loads of pockets are not cool. Only one is allowed in order to not have a geeky back pack!

Thus enduring they cannot find their house key and ring the sodding door bell.

I agree about the ringing the bell! But its not because they cant find their keys - they just cant be bothered.

Well that too, but I do try to give her the benefit of the doubt

I'm going to send DD1 in with her primary school (satchel style) bag, until we've had a chance to suss out how much she's got to carry and what everyone else has got.

If she's sensible enough to be happy with a rucksack, why not just let her choose? But don't spend too many ££s in case she changes her mind at half term. FWIW, my small, not-particularly-fashion-conscious daughter chose a this rather boring, plain black rucksack. It has oodles of pockets, which she likes for organising her stuff in.

She's insisted on carrying every single book and piece of equipment for the whole of yr7, despite having a locker, because her locker is only accessible at certain times and she's terrified of getting a caution for forgetting a piece of equipment (teachers check at beginning of each lesson, at least at first). Just going into yr8 and has finally admitted it might be a good idea to leave some things at home, sometimes!

House key and locker key go on a lanyard round her neck. If it was in the back-pack we'd never see it.