Coolest school bag for a girl starting secondary school?

[Blinktwice2]

Please can I ask for recommendations? DD is starting secondary and I’d like to buy her a nice bag (surprise). Are smiggle ones considered childish ?

[Snowy81]

@nonicknameseemsavailable Look at North face bags- they have all your requirements. Bit pricey, but ds had the same one for year 7 and 8, and a new one for year 9. (I now use the 7/8 one myself). He did try Hype as he hadn’t these for 4 years in primary, but they didn’t last with books and Kit in. Waste of money.

[TheClitterati]

@cricketmum84 thanks for recommending those bags.

DD loved them and so I ordered her one. It arrived yesterday and she is VERY happy with it. Well made, waterproof & lots of internal pockets too. Now she has to put it aside for new school year :)

[Pearlfish]

Placemarking for ideas!

[banskuwansku]

We got kanken for our y2 daughter. I hoping it will last until A levels or even further. Friend of mine in the 80's had kanken and I think she used the same bag whole school time.

[Nodressrehearsal]

My DD got Superdry backpack it still looks brand new (metallic material) & the stapes are thick with good shoulder support.

[Ambydex]

Completely school dependent. Surprise her with a special shopping trip for it.

[lazymare]

I have a 'not real' Kanken. It's a great bag.

[Epanoui]

DD has been fine with a regular size Kanken (Y7). She does have a sports locker at school, though, so it might not have been big enough to transport PE kit too.

[Snog]

KanKen definitely. Will last longer than a cheaper brand and dd will love it.

[KittyMcKitty]

Yes regular size is just right for school - holds books, chrome book, pencil case, water bottle and lunchbox just fine. Dd takes PE kit in separate bag.

[TheClitterati]

Forgot to say I've been mistreating my Kanken for 5 years now.

[TheClitterati]

I have a kanken maxi and use it loads and it's gets a lot of stress. Still looks brilliant, is undamaged with still lots of wear left.

I was thinking of getting dd one for high school - she likes them.

Are the regular sized kanken big enough for a school bag?

[Zoflorabore]

My ds has just left school but i bought him a decent backpack at the beginning of every school year. They are used pretty extensively and carry a lot of stuff and I think are worth every penny.

He started year 7 with a sports one like Nike or Adidas and then from year 9 became much more brand conscious and had North Face ones in year 9 and 10, cost £55 and the one he had for year 11 was an absolute bargain which was an Under Armour one which cost £27 and was so popular.

I know for boys that Under Armour is definitely the number one sports brand currently. Hype seems to be the girl version in lower years and then River Island satchels/handbags for older girls.

I know it shouldn't matter what bags the dc have but it does, especially when it's something so big and visible. We either use the old bags for sports/trips or donate.

[Cobblersandhogwash]

Kanken bag

[Cordyline1]

I asked dd1 in year 10 what the cool girls in her comp have, expecting her to say handbags. She said some have handbags, some have adidas backpacks. Dd and her friends aren't cool ones and all have backpacks (dd has had hype since the beginning of school. Current one has a tiny logo)

[Epanoui]

DD has a Kanken too. A lot of them seem to have the same. I didn't mind spending the money as I have one myself and know it is a quality hardwearing item. I fully expect her to be using it throughout her time at secondary.

[RedSkyLastNight]

Glad I wasn't the only one thinking that I live in a different universe! Can't imagine spending £80 on a bag!

[Mokepon]

Wah! Not loving the Kanken love..£80 for a school bag, seriously .

[trudylady12]

Agreed Kanken bag is the coolest!

[mocha70]

My daughter started with a Monsoon stripey backpack and then moved on to the black handbag style in year 8.

[TheRedBarrows]

Check the regs, too

Ours had to be black or navy with no visible logo.

[Debenhamshandtowel]

Ah yes, I should have checked the website

Rain cover for your Kånken backpack. Kånken’s Vinylon fabric can resist a brief shower but for persistent rain you’ll need a little extra protection. This rain cover is especially designed to fit your favourite backpack. It has a reflective logo and elasticated edging plus press buttons that hold it in place. Easy to pack into its integrated pocket, and with a small loop so you can attach it to your Kånken with a small carabiner, for example.

[Debenhamshandtowel]

It was watching the torrential rain while browsing this thread that made me wonder about the water resistant ness of the Kanken ones.

Has anyone’s child had their backpack stolen because it’s an expensive make? Round our way children wearing North Face parkas get mugged for them. I need something practical, water resistant, that will satisfy DD and that isn’t so sought after it will lead to mugging!

I might try the Korean ones upthread. It’s not too expensive a mistake to make.If DD won’t use it fir school I’d take it to work.

[KittyMcKitty]

Are the Kanken bags properly waterproof? not waterproof but pretty water resistant. Dd has been waiting for the bus in torrential rain and things come home dry.

[Amibeingdaft81]

Without hesitation

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