Anonymous wrote:Second recommendation of LL Bean Deluxe. They're on sale now and are indestructible.

Not the OP, but thanks! I bought the small one for DD in preschool and it held up amazingly! Time for us to buy a new, bigger one.

Got my DD a High Sierra backpack starting in 6th grade, and at first I thought I was going overboard getting her the "college" size with the laptop sleeve inside, etc. The huge 3-inch binder she had to lug around everywhere fit snugly inside with enough room still for a couple of books and a few extra supplies and headphones (which she needed at school). It still looks brand new three years later. She will be in high school this fall, and she definitely needs the space again. It really held up great and has lots of extra little pockets. I was so glad I invested in it for middle school and now I don't need to buy a new one for high school.

My kid was given a black Jansport backpack bought at WalMart at the start of 6th grade. She's going into 8th and it's still going strong.

My kids also use the L.L. Bean Deluxe. It fits binder, books, gym uniform and lunch box.

Anonymous wrote:Most of the students at my child's middle school use a binder with a strap. It is hard to get that plus lunch into the LL Bean backpack.

My son started using my ll bean Deluxe backpack because he had his binder to carry, plus lunchbox and sometimes other items. It all fit nicely.

Don't get a backpack that is too large for her frame.

She should carry the clarinet each day. There is no need to put it in the backpack unless you want that extra weight on her back. She'll be able to store it in the band room once she get to school, so it isn't like she'll be taking it from class to class.

Our small 6th grader last year used his "from 5th grade" backpack. It was a challenge getting the large binder in it + lunch box, but eventually he figured out the right way to assemble things. The backpack is still in good condition. He didn't take any text books back and forth to school.

Most of the students at my child's middle school use a binder with a strap. It is hard to get that plus lunch into the LL Bean backpack.

Anonymous wrote:My daughter is about to start 6th grade. Her elementary school backpack is trashed, and I'm not sure what kind of new one to buy her. I'm not sure if they start transporting textbooks to/from school, so I don't know what size to buy (she's in band and I think is hoping to also fit a clarinet in there). Any recommendations would be appreciated!

My daughter is going into 8th grade next year. I've never seen a text book. I'd just get a standard size LL Bean backpack; it's worked well for us.

Fourth for ll bean!

Third for LL Bean Deluxe. Even though my middle schooler only had one textbook that he kept at home, between his huge zip-up three inch binder, lunch box, gym clothes twice a week, maybe a hoodie, that thing was stuffed to the brim daily. And three years later still looks brand-new.

My child used the LL Bean deluxe for 6th last year and it was not big enough. I am buying a new backpack for 7th. No textbooks but a big binder and lunch and there is not enough room.

Second recommendation of LL Bean Deluxe. They're on sale now and are indestructible.

Maybe if you mention her school people could give you guidance on the book question. At my rising 6th grader's school they will not be lugging textbooks. He is using my ll bean backpack, which I used in grad school and he has now been using for 2 years. It is going strong and looks great. I expect that it will serve him well at least through middle school. LOVE that backpack.

My kids textbook stay home all year. There is a set kept in the classroom for use at school. Should hold a 3inch binder + lunch + sports clothes (more of an issue with a HS sport)

My daughter is about to start 6th grade. Her elementary school backpack is trashed, and I'm not sure what kind of new one to buy her. I'm not sure if they start transporting textbooks to/from school, so I don't know what size to buy (she's in band and I think is hoping to also fit a clarinet in there). Any recommendations would be appreciated!