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?

Or this?

No the Hype back didn't have either,we checked in Schu.

I definitely don't want her phone and purse in the front,not negotiable.

She is the one who says she can't carry her PE bag separately. She is severely dyspraxic and hypermobile so struggles with balance at times. Needs both hands free.

She has reluctantly admitted I am right re the Hype bag (that would be a first) and is starting to look further afield. Thanks so much for all the suggestions and links,we are working our way through them.

If you can find one in the U.K. Vera Bradley has great ones in the US...

I've got a campus tech one and it's huge!!!!

www.blacks.co.uk/equipment/200343-osprey-farpoint-40l-small-rucksack-black.html

www.snowandrock.com/p/gregory-far-out-day-2-rucksack-E1314095.html?colour=123

This one's reduced.

Herschel.

I bought DS2 one when he went into year 10. He's just about to go into his final year at uni still using the same bag. It's got lots of life left in it yet. He takes it everywhere, on holiday, to the gym, on ward placements.

I bought DS1's (22) when he went to sixth form and he's still using his for holidays and occasional trips.

L L Bean

I work in a secondary school and would strongly advise against massive bags - children stuff them full of everything and it does terrible things to their backs! Put PE kit in locker when get to school. I don't know any secondary children who put their phone anywhere other then their blazer pocket.

Tge smaller the bag and the less pockets it has makes it far easier for the child to manage- things never get put into the allocated pockets and then children panic when they look for them and they're not where they should be.

I don't know any secondary children who put their phone anywhere other then their blazer pocket. This is forbidden at my dc's school - dcs do it anyway!

I've just bought dd a dan and Phil rucksack which seems good

Is her PE kit a drawstring one? She might find a duffel bag easier? You can get them in all sorts of sizes and very popular with boys who have shoes too big for a drawstring bag.
I think that it's the combined PE/book bag that's the problem. If you can find a way for her to carry separate ones then it's easier to find a compromise.

My dd isn't fussed about bag brands so wears a black Aztec print backpack she found on Amazon or eBay. Her previous one was a plain backpack (no brand) we found in a shoe shop in a colour she liked. She walks to school so has to have a backpack really.

My ds2 has just bought a Hype bag. His previous one was a surf brand and lasted 3 years.

My ds1 has a black backpack with discreet Nike swoosh.

Yes they are really tough on phones which are banned in school. Recently upped their game re dealing with them.Confiscated on sight. Packs it away before she walks in. Has a fairly rigorous walk, then a 40 min bus journey. She really does need everythjng in one bag until she gets it to school.

Have a look at Pink by Victoria's secrets. The backpacks are huge and expensive but worth it for carting all the stuff around they need. If you buy online you may get a free gift too.

Maybe go to a hiking store so that she doesn't ruin her back. Ina side note I just looked up these hype bags of hers and they look extremely 'chavy'.

Wow some of these suggestions are rather out of my price band!! OK to pay £100 if it will last 3 years AND she won't go off it/ break a zip, but who can guarantee those things, over that time period?! I'm particularly concerned about back issues, as I've suffered, and would be interested to know if anyone's child has had the Back Care (?) ones. Just off to google and see if they're 'cool' looking enough, sigh! ;-)

I do see your point. However, spending £100 on a bag that the girl will use (and which will last) might be more sensible than buying a series of £30 bags which the girl hates and refuses to use.

In any case, there is a good chance that she will think all my suggestions are disgusting middle aged yuck.

Eastmids I totally get where you're coming from some of the bags are really expensive. My daughter's cost about £60 but she has health issues otherwise I wouldn't spend so much. She is starting year 7 so I don't know how much she will have to lug around and they don't have lockers.

My DTDs have Superdry bags. Pockets on inside plus zipped pocket on front and pockets with hefty press-studs on sides. I was happy, they were happy.

DS2's was about £70 iirc eastmids but he's going to be using it for the 7th year so it's been pretty cheap, tbh.

His is navy with a bit of red on so there's not much to dislike about it. When we bought it we told him he had to look after it. TBH we weren't really expecting it to last this long so it's great that it has.

Agree with Superdry. Very long lasting

DS1 has had the same Superdry rucksack the last 2 years - we have just got a new one for him for the start of the year.

We have just ordered DS2 a Superdry rucksack too.

DD designed her own rucksack last year, and is still using it.

I would pick my battles and let her choose her own. Give her a budget.

There's no need for screaming battles over a school bag.

Hotstyle backpacks are great, about £20 from Amazon. They last really well, are a good size and there's a good choice of designs.