Kindergarten backpack? What to get and where?

[Anonymous]

I've gotten the LL Bean Jr ones for my two oldest for K. The oldest switched to a different LL Bean backpack for 3rd grade, and my middle guy just finished K. I think he will use the same backpack next year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m a big fan of the backpacks from Lands End because they have a feature that many do not: a chest clip in the front. I feel like that really helps little kids keep the weight distributed evenly.

I got my DD a lands end one and I like it a lot. It has held up well. For K though, I'd just get her whatever she wanted (not too expensive) as long as it fit the folder. by 2nd grade, my DD really didn't want the backpack she had in K (much too babyish). It was then we got the lands end one (rather plain) which could potentially last her through MS.

[Anonymous]

Thanks everyone for the helpful info! Do you know if Pottery Barn has typically has the bags in the store?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks everyone for the helpful info! Do you know if Pottery Barn has typically has the bags in the store?

They do, yes. In PB Kids.

[Anonymous]

We went with the Osprey Kid's Koby and so happy we did. It was perfect for K and will last for all of LS I think. It is so well made.

[Anonymous]

Go to Target and let your kid pick out whatever backpack they like, whether it is a plain one, design or a character. It doesn't matter much in K and they will definitely need a bigger one within a couple of years. Their style and interests will also change. Our cheap Target backpacks lasted for all of K and 1st. Enjoy this time before they care about brand names and have to lug around a lot of stuff.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Go to Target and let your kid pick out whatever backpack they like, whether it is a plain one, design or a character. It doesn't matter much in K and they will definitely need a bigger one within a couple of years. Their style and interests will also change. Our cheap Target backpacks lasted for all of K and 1st. Enjoy this time before they care about brand names and have to lug around a lot of stuff.

I disagree. The Target ones will fall apart. We've had our lands end ones for 4 years now, washed them regularly, and they still have a lifetime of wear in them. Get a high quality one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Go to Target and let your kid pick out whatever backpack they like, whether it is a plain one, design or a character. It doesn't matter much in K and they will definitely need a bigger one within a couple of years. Their style and interests will also change. Our cheap Target backpacks lasted for all of K and 1st. Enjoy this time before they care about brand names and have to lug around a lot of stuff.

I disagree. The Target ones will fall apart. We've had our lands end ones for 4 years now, washed them regularly, and they still have a lifetime of wear in them. Get a high quality one.

+1. I got a Target one for me to use on kid-type outings and the tab came off the zipper after a few months. I still use it, but would go with a better made one for K.

[Anonymous]

We got the North Face Recon Squash and have been pretty happy with it so far. We paid about $30 for it (and last year's colors are on sale now for the same) which was about the max that I was willing to pay. It's held up quite well.

[Anonymous]

Definitely get the standard size. They look huge but there’s still much stuff the kids bring back and forth- lunch, extra clothes, reading packet and take home folder, and the assorted projects. There were times we could barely fit everything in the big backpack.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Go to Target and let your kid pick out whatever backpack they like, whether it is a plain one, design or a character. It doesn't matter much in K and they will definitely need a bigger one within a couple of years. Their style and interests will also change. Our cheap Target backpacks lasted for all of K and 1st. Enjoy this time before they care about brand names and have to lug around a lot of stuff.

I disagree. The Target ones will fall apart. We've had our lands end ones for 4 years now, washed them regularly, and they still have a lifetime of wear in them. Get a high quality one.

Your child used the same backpack from K-3rd? In K my son had an Angry Birds backpack and DD has a princess backpack and loved them. By 3rd DD picked a a bright Jansport and DS had a black Under Armour. Now their backpacks need to last for years. They didn’t in K. It was more important for them to pick out something they loved since school was new and their needs would change again soon. .

[Anonymous]

But I agree with PP, they need to have a standard size backpack no matter if you go with a high quality or an inexpensive one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Go to Target and let your kid pick out whatever backpack they like, whether it is a plain one, design or a character. It doesn't matter much in K and they will definitely need a bigger one within a couple of years. Their style and interests will also change. Our cheap Target backpacks lasted for all of K and 1st. Enjoy this time before they care about brand names and have to lug around a lot of stuff.

I disagree. The Target ones will fall apart. We've had our lands end ones for 4 years now, washed them regularly, and they still have a lifetime of wear in them. Get a high quality one.

How did you wash them? Just in the washing machine? What cycle? We have a PBK one that's in great shape but in desperate need of a good wash.

[Anonymous]

We got the K size backpack from PB Kids and it was just fine for lunch, library books, school papers, and a cardigan.

[Anonymous]

LLBean backpack from 2nd to 5th. Likely 6th grade as well.