What brand backpack does your elementary school aged child have and how long has it lasted?

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks everyone. I found Jansport backpacks at Nordstrom Rack for $39. I looked at the high sierra at costco. They were not big enough for my DS (he needs to bring lunch and two snacks each day in addition to folders and any books. Then you add any winter gear etc...) I also took a look at the Trans Jansport at Target. They wanted $34.99 so I skipped that when I found the bigger version at Nordstrom Rack. I do plan to return the Lands End backpacks we bought because they did not go through odd usage and I feel they should have lasted longer than they did.

[Anonymous]

DD going into second grade and wants a messenger bag vs a backpack. Good idea or will I regret buying this for her?

[Anonymous]

I am 11 years out of college and I use my college jansport backpack as our diaper bag. The bag is amazing. If something does break like the zipper, jansport will replace it.

[Anonymous]

My kids got the standard backpacks from Target when they started K and both still use them - for school AND summer camps. The word embark is on both, but I don't think that is the brand. DS going into 4th and DD going into 3rd. I may finally buy a new one for DD as for some reason hers is looking pretty worn out; however, my son has told me he plans to use his through 5th grade - and his backpack is in good enough condition that I can see him being able to do so.

[Anonymous]

^^ PP - I should add that I throw them in the wash periodically to keep them clean. I do not run them through the dryer though.

[Anonymous]

Hanna Anderson..Very durable. Going strong after two years of school and camp. NO rips at all. Just a bit dirty. $36.00

[Anonymous]

Older kids: we bought vera Bradley. DD earned the money for this. I thought it was crazy but is 4 years old and still looks new.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DD going into second grade and wants a messenger bag vs a backpack. Good idea or will I regret buying this for her?

Bad idea! My dd wanted one in second grade and I got it for her. Kids that age are just too small to wear them comfortably. It was bulky and hit her bod at the wrong spot. Also, when the bag is heavy, you feel it! She switched back to a backpack after just a few weeks.

[Anonymous]

Do people not buy Jansports anymore? If they start to break down, you send them in, they fix it, and send it back to you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks everyone. I found Jansport backpacks at Nordstrom Rack for $39. I looked at the high sierra at costco. They were not big enough for my DS (he needs to bring lunch and two snacks each day in addition to folders and any books. Then you add any winter gear etc...) I also took a look at the Trans Jansport at Target. They wanted $34.99 so I skipped that when I found the bigger version at Nordstrom Rack. I do plan to return the Lands End backpacks we bought because they did not go through odd usage and I feel they should have lasted longer than they did.

One of my kids has had a Jansport since 3rd grade and is entering 11th grade with it this year. The other has had a Trans Jansport since grade 1 going into grade 8.

[Anonymous]

OP, I think you should return to Lands End and use the credit for a new backpack. If you get another 2 years out of it, you will get 4 years for the price of one backpack, which is comparable to what other people are saying. You could keep doing that indefinitely or at that point try a different brand and hope to get 4 years or more. Just my two cents.

[Anonymous]

OP here. I ended up getting both my kids the Jansport big student backpack. I found them at Nordstrom rack for a good price and at 6pm.com for an even better price (for specific colors). I have the older Jansport with the leather bottom that I have had since high school, so I know they last and last (I do believe I sent mine in to be "fixed" once when the seam popped open.) I did return the Lands End backpacks.

[Anonymous]

As others have stated LLBean has worked for us. My boys are going into 3rd grade; they have had their backpack since Kindergarten. When we travel which is about 2x a year it's the backpack they bring. I have washed it several times and they still look great!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:pottery barn... 2 years and still looks brand new.

Same, except it's yr 3.

[Anonymous]

You may have just gotten a lemon with the Lands End bag. My kids have been been using their Lands End bags for 3 years and they still look great. There was one year where one of my son's previous Lands End bag had it after just one year. It looked worn out and there were frays around the zipper. Never had any issues with the other ones.

They are rough on their bags and I've thrown them in the washer and dryer many times and they're still going strong. I bought them on clearance, I think they were around $12!