Silly question - backpacks !!

[Theordinaryfam]

Hi
my daughter is starting secondary school ( independent ) in September and I’m stuck on the best backpack to go for
needs to be kind on the back, last a while and fit a laptop.

:)

My DD has had a Fjallraven kanken for the past 2 years and it’s still going strong (she’s at an independent school too).

You’ve missed off important criteria:
what does your DC want?

Yes I have been looking at these the cost is definitely higher - are they robust ?
the one think putting me off is the straps do not look comfy ?

She is one of those children who really does not care 🤣🤣

Ah well, hopefully she stays that way. Budget for a new bag by Christmas just in case!

I got one second hand on Vinted, but new with tags. Still expensive but not as much ag buying from the shop

@Theordinaryfam we bought strap pads when we got the back pack which are comfy. DD also has carries a laptop in it every day. You’d need to check your laptop would fit in it as they aren’t massive. She has had it for Y8 and Y9 and fits everything in. It’s still absolutely fine and would last longer but she is getting a new bag for September as she needs to be able to fit GCSE folders in it.

Use a bag you already have for ghe first weeks or so. I bet your dd will have an opinion then!

I offered her a Stanley recently and she could not understand why anyone would pay that much 🤣 she was like I will stick with mine !

with her backpack however I need it to be more practical and functioning for her.

This is the best advice. Let her notice what everyone else has, and decide then.

Also check if the bag needs to fit in a locker and, if so, how big the locker is.

No lockers

she will need to carry it around, with laptop etc in it she has right sided hemiplegia and so it’s importers that it’s comfy and also long wearing.

For what it’s worth, DC had a North Face rucksack which lasted nearly 5 years of carrying 10kg+ around every day. It was expensive but turned out to be worth the initial cost.

But I second the suggestion to get something cheap and neutral to start with and budget for a new rucksack once they’ve seen what everyone else has. Or go and spend 30mins at hometime watching them come out of school and see what seems to be popular.

Well luckily there’s lots around to choose from.

I recently brought a couple of Kaya backpacks (has a laptop compartment) for us both from CalPak -American brand. Bonus was, when I went to order one the other day they had started a Memorial Day special- 50%discount till 29/5

They currently have free shipping atm too-not sure how long this will last.

Maybe take her to a few shops and see what she likes.

Practically every teenager I see walking to school has a black Nike backpack - £25 from jd sports and and very durable

Pass by the school gates / bus stop if you can one morning or afternoon and see what the other kids have.

https://uk.muji.eu/products/recycled-polyester-less-tiring-water-repellent-backpack-16761?

My Dd has this, plain, practical and comfy.

My kids all have these. There is a padded space for a laptop, the straps are comfy, there’s loads of internal pockets and they last. All of mine have had theirs for 3+ years:

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/hiking-backpack-23l-nh-escape-500/_/R-p-334344?mc=8844304&c=cherry+purple

Be prepared to buy her a new bag to fit in if that what she asks for once she starts.

when my DD started secondary school with a neighbour they both wanted a specific bag and a week later I ended up buying her Kanken. This was 6/7 years ago

I didn’t think they still used Kanken.

loads of girls have medium Longchamp Le Pliage because it fits laptops and books.

Kanken’s aren’t particularly comfortable with their thin unpadded straps

I love a heritage Herschel bag myself but not sure how cool that is at school

Was about to post something similar.

Cotton Tote bags are very popular too for carrying extra stuff

My daughter has one from superdry, the back itself is sturdy, cushioned shoulder straps and has padded compartment for a laptop

https://amzn.eu/d/3x0H4vf
I have this. Sturdy, practical, fits a large laptop in as well as multiple books. Really good price for a really good product.

i sent both mine in with an existing basic black Eastpack and told them to look around at what everyone else had and pick what they wanted us to get them.

Both went for an Eastpack in the end. The Day PackR, with laptop compartment and bottle holder. Nice padded back and straps. The eldest, is now Y10 and still uses and loves it. Lots of colours to choose from so they should be able to find one they like.