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Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

Original poster

Backpack for secondary

38 replies

PipnJo · 25/02/2018 09:24

Just to distract myself from the upcoming allocation day for DS1's secondary place.
I'm wondering if anyone has any good backpack recommendations. Something with pockets to make sure phone and keys are kept safe within the main part of the bag.
Not that i'm already having thoughts of older children trying to take his things off him....honest Blush

Thanks Smile

OP posts:
StripySocksAndDocs · 25/02/2018 09:27

Jansport are a great make (hey last decades!!). You could start with that and have a look what style you like.

Rewn7 · 25/02/2018 09:35

Superdry are good size and come in cool designs.

Good luck for Thursday. I was waiting last year and it’s a tense time hoping for your most preferred school.

TeddTess · 25/02/2018 09:47

Herschel backpacks are great - especially the ones with a padded laptop area, my ds keeps his workbooks etc in there, away from water bottle and nicely compartmentalised.
More expensive than many but the straps are super padded and strong.

greathat · 25/02/2018 09:57

You need to worry less about other kids taking stuff and more about it being dumped in mud and used as a goal post

TheSecondOfHerName · 25/02/2018 10:02

Have four teenagers at secondary school, who've tried several brands.
Best for their backs: North Face recon
Most durable: Jansport

Original poster
PipnJo · 25/02/2018 10:09

Thanks, will have a look at all of those.

@greathat I'll have absolutely no worry about that, DS is the least sporty/get muddy child. If this were DS2, different matter completely! Grin

OP posts:
flissfloss65 · 25/02/2018 10:12

Yes to Herschel bag with laptop section. Really sturdy.

Bluedoglead · 25/02/2018 10:14

Find out what the rest of the kids are using - what’s “in” - and get them that.

Otherwise they might get the piss ripped clean out of them and it’ll make the transition harder than it needs to be.

These things matter in terms of helping to fit in.

Original poster
PipnJo · 25/02/2018 10:32

That's what i'm thinking @bluedoglead. DS isn't fussed by brands etc I like practicality so want something that's 'in' but suitable.

OP posts:
Fekko · 25/02/2018 10:36

Remember that they carry so much stuff with them! They have ones now with proper padded backs. Don’t forget all the sports kit too!

Some kids as DS school use those wheels backpacks. Not cool but the kids at his school don’t seem to give anyone a hard time (unless they tick their shirts in - or wear the school scarf - socially suicide apparently)

Bluedoglead · 25/02/2018 10:37

I bought DS a sensible backpack for going to the grammar.

I made him button up his shirt and his blazer. I even sewed the buttons back on the blazer (was his cousins old one).

None of these things were “how it was done” and I made him look like a dork.

SoupDragon · 25/02/2018 10:39

My three have all had Superdry ones and they seem pretty sturdy.

Original poster
PipnJo · 25/02/2018 10:44

He would totally get a hard time with a wheeled back pack around here. Although he'd probably love one!

He has ASD , is very much a rule follower and quite vulnerable. I just want to make it as easy for him as possible to get on with school life.

OP posts:
Pythonesque · 25/02/2018 10:44

I got my eldest one in TKMax - might be worth a look once you've an idea of what you are looking for.

Original poster
PipnJo · 25/02/2018 10:44

I'm totally dreading it all tbh!

OP posts:
MagicFajita · 25/02/2018 10:46

Look at Dakine backpacks , easily the most practical and durable things I've ever owned.

lizabes · 25/02/2018 10:51

Superdry is a good balance between trendy but still sensible.
Nike is popular round here as well but I don't know what the quality is like

thewhitechapelfatberg · 25/02/2018 10:55

I would wait til he gets there and see what everyone else has. At my DCs school, Hype bags are common and come in a choice of about 100 patterns, colours and prints for about £30.

lightoflaluna · 25/02/2018 11:23

Hype backpacks are quite popular at the school i work at. But yes, i would try and find out what sort of bags were cool. Can you drive past the school at the end of the day sometime and see what they're using?

HorsesCourses · 25/02/2018 12:05

Hype is a popular brand at my DS's secondary school - popular with all ages and genders. We've had about 4 or5 over the years. The designs look good but i wouldn't particularly recommend them. The linings crack and flake off and there are no bottle pockets on the outside. (Tho my son says he wouldn't use an external pocket anyway as his water would just get nicked.)

TeenTimesTwo · 25/02/2018 12:19

How much will he have to carry?
At DD's school all exercise books are left in the classroom, and often don't even come home for homework. There are no textbooks to carry.
So she doesn't need a large capacity highly durable bag at all.
Best thing would be to look at what the younger boys have on average and go for something like that. It varies from school to school.

Allthebestnamesareused · 25/02/2018 16:07

At our school the backpack had to be predominantly black. DS's Nike one lasted from year 3 to the end of year 10! With lots of heavy usage!

TheFairyCaravan · 25/02/2018 16:15

Herschel.

I bought DS2’s in year 10 and he’s used it right through sixth form and uni. I can see him taking it to work next year too.

DS1 (23) has one too that I bought for sixth form and he still uses occasionally now, for hand luggage, etc.

They’re pricy but they do last.

SluttyButty · 25/02/2018 16:17

Hype backpacks are the most popular at my DS school. We’re on our second.

TheSecondOfHerName · 25/02/2018 16:33

The linings crack and flake off
This happened to the Hype backpack DD had in Y7. It was the least durable of all the brands we've tried.