Rucksack Wars- help me find a "fashionable" rucksack that meets my "practical" criteria

[IroningMountain]

Just had a screaming row with dd and spent ages trawling the net. Dd has loads of books to carry, a long journey and likes to squash her PE kit in en route to make life easy. I would like a rucksack that is large, has pockets and is in a dark colour( pref with drink bottle pockets outside but not crucial).

The Hype bags don't fit this bill imvho( particularly in the colour dd likes). Are there any other brands I've missed? Doesn't like Mi PAC. Apparently unless it's Hype she'll be friendless for life. Yes I've just given her the don't be so ridiculous lecture and the it's my money so I get a say, practicality is more important than fashion etc lecture. Didn't go down well. Sent her up to Google alternatives.

Any recommendations?

I was just coming on to say Hype after reading the title. It is what the teens want.

It's just too small imvho, no inside pockets.... she likes a ridiculous wishy washy colour that will look filthy in days. Site very vague re size, no pics of inside.

She said sh'd carry her PE kit but I know she'll squash it in and crush her books as no separate compartment. One review said too small for school. Don't mind shelling out if it does the job.

I have an osprey one for uni, carries my laptop and books and a jumper, loads of pockets...but I've never cared about if it's stylish or not lol tons of students have them, so I guess they're averagely fashionable :/

Eastpac - and they can be machine washed, so there is no need for dark colours.

Fjall Raven Kanken usually comes up on these threads. They don't look very comfortable, but it was the compromise when my sister and her son had the same discussion when he started high school. He's just left school and used it throughout.

My DC have all used Superdry. Despite severe overloading, they have remained intact - a considerable feat. There's also a wide range of patterns.

Jack Wills were also good, but the female rucksacks have shrunk since DD1 started secondary meaning that PE kits have to be carried separately - and according to her (despite all her feminist talk) the other rucksacks are just too masculine.

Eastpac is also great, as are Jansport. But, at least at my children's schools they are not the label to lug around.

Dd reckons only the boys wear hype at her school - the girls are still obsessed with big tacky handbags! So I would say your doing well if you can keep the conversation on backpacks.

Fjall Raven Kanken usually comes up on these threads. They don't look very comfortable, but it was the compromise when my sister and her son had the same discussion when he started high school. He's just left school and used it throughout.

My dd (15 next week) is away to school today with this one. It is very roomy - she has text books & her PE kit in it and it will easily take A4 folders as well. I have no idea at the moment if it will be durable though. It comes in a few different designs (although none particularly subtle!)

Pink (Victorias Secret). Vans. Swiss. Dakine 30l.

Try surfdome or ASOS.. I got dd a spiral backpack in chrome rave from ASOS

Another vote for Fjall Raven Kanken. My DD usually buys a new one each year even when she doesn't need one as it's social death to have the wrong make of bag. These were two year's ago in-make in our area but she still using it (and braving the fashion police).

Herschel

They have brand specific ruck sacks now?

DD wanted a new one, I went onto amazon typed in a description (black goth type bag) and I bought the first one that matched the description. I had no idea I would need to look out for a particular brand

DS wanted a leather ruck sack, again I just went onto Etsy and got a vintage look leather ruck sack. No branding mentioned.

DS has had a Vans backpack (enormous, outside drinks pockets, comfy straps) which lasted 3 years. He's now using a Superdry roll bag, which he's had for 2 years. I use a Cath Kidston one for work but it's not as big as the Vans one.

My DDs school (state) is a bit of a nightmare on brands particularly for the girls. I'm just thankful that she's missed the Michael Kors phase.

I quite fancy a black unbranded leather rucksack myself. I might take a look on Etsy.

My dd has Hype ones - lasted over a year and still going strong - what is it you don't like about Hype?

Can't remember what brand ds's is but it's something "cool".

PE kit goes in drawstring bag or school kit bag depending on what it is.

Re Hype.No inside pockets,no laptop space,no drink bottle pockets on the outside. Not really big enough.

Laptop pocket not crucial but useful to use for books if PE bag being stuffed inside.

Other little pockets inside for phone,purse v useful too. Hype bags don't have those either.

Neither do Superdry which is what my dd wanted and got in year seven. I thought the same as you as I couldn't manage without a small zippy up pocket inside my bag!

She managed it all just fine. Keeping her phone, bus pass and epipen in her blazer. I wanted her to feel happy about the bag she was Carrying.

The Herschel bags are great.

I'm pretty sure hype rucksacks have a laptop panel pocket inside and most have a front pocket she can throw her bus pass, etc in.

Seems a practical choice to me.

Get a packing cube for the PE kit so she doesn't just mash it in and jobs a good un

Would she like this?