middle school backpack recommendation

[Anonymous]

Boy, average size. I'd like to get him a cool new backpack for a gift. Reflective tape of some type, somewhere on the bag would be ideal as he walks most place. In some sports, but has separate bags for other gear as necessary.

[Anonymous]

As a parent of a boy who is in 9th grade and a daughter who is currently in middle school, I strongly suggest letting him pick it out and not buy anything as a surprise present. Mine had definite ideas of what they wanted when they started middle school. Both wanted solid color Jansport backpacks in a really plain color, which honestly surprised me.

[Anonymous]

Adidas, Nike or under armor

[Anonymous]

The kid needs to pick it out. You'd be surprised what they are picky about when it comes to backpacks.

[Anonymous]

Jan sport is classic

[Anonymous]

Ask other kids at the middle school. The norm at my kid's school is a binder carrier not a backpack.

[Anonymous]

Jansport

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As a parent of a boy who is in 9th grade and a daughter who is currently in middle school, I strongly suggest letting him pick it out and not buy anything as a surprise present. Mine had definite ideas of what they wanted when they started middle school. Both wanted solid color Jansport backpacks in a really plain color, which honestly surprised me.

Agree

[Anonymous]

LL Bean, please let him pick it out.

[Anonymous]

I posted something similar a few weeks ago. The North Face was recommended by several posters. I ended up buying the North Face Recon. DC loves it. It's cool looking and well made too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As a parent of a boy who is in 9th grade and a daughter who is currently in middle school, I strongly suggest letting him pick it out and not buy anything as a surprise present. Mine had definite ideas of what they wanted when they started middle school. Both wanted solid color Jansport backpacks in a really plain color, which honestly surprised me.

Hah. I have tried this, which is why it will make a better gift. He will simply grab the first bag he sees, and get annoyed w/my suggestions that we consider features (waterproof, laptop sleeve, water bottle sleeve, reflective tape, etc.). But thank you! I'm glad it works for your kids

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a parent of a boy who is in 9th grade and a daughter who is currently in middle school, I strongly suggest letting him pick it out and not buy anything as a surprise present. Mine had definite ideas of what they wanted when they started middle school. Both wanted solid color Jansport backpacks in a really plain color, which honestly surprised me.

Hah. I have tried this, which is why it will make a better gift. He will simply grab the first bag he sees, and get annoyed w/my suggestions that we consider features (waterproof, laptop sleeve, water bottle sleeve, reflective tape, etc.). But thank you! I'm glad it works for your kids

With my kid who does this, I normally pick out 3 options and just show him those and ask him to pick from that.

[Anonymous]

Another recommendation for Northface. A bit pricier than most (around $100, IIRC), but it,’s well-made, my kid has had no complaints, and their warranty is decent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a parent of a boy who is in 9th grade and a daughter who is currently in middle school, I strongly suggest letting him pick it out and not buy anything as a surprise present. Mine had definite ideas of what they wanted when they started middle school. Both wanted solid color Jansport backpacks in a really plain color, which honestly surprised me.

Hah. I have tried this, which is why it will make a better gift. He will simply grab the first bag he sees, and get annoyed w/my suggestions that we consider features (waterproof, laptop sleeve, water bottle sleeve, reflective tape, etc.). But thank you! I'm glad it works for your kids

With my kid who does this, I normally pick out 3 options and just show him those and ask him to pick from that.

That’s what I did. I narrowed the options and let him pick from there.