we buy anew lunch bag every year because they get really gross, but my son, who will be entering 3rd grade this year has had the same backpack since he entered K. We bought a nice one from LL Bean and it is still in great shape.

Definitely not. I had the same backpack from 8th grade through college graduation and loved that thing. I specifically got high quality backpacks so they'd last through several years of school.

Same - we buy higher quality bags that will last for a few years. I wash them a couple of times each year and only replace them when they have holes or broken zippers. New every year feels wasteful to me.

Yes but my kids are still into characters on their bookbags. I got a new backpack every year growing up but that was when we actually had to carry around textbooks, my bag would be a ratty torn mess by the end of the year.

Absolutely not. Use them until they wear out. To do otherwise is wasteful of materials and money.

We do a new backpack and lunch box every 3 years. Ironically, the only kids I see with new bags every year tend to be lower-income kids, since it is more accessible to get a $10 bag every year than a $35 bag every three years.

Anonymous wrote:My oldest is in 7th grade and he's on his third backpack since K. This upcoming school year will be his third year using his current backpack.

Same with my soon to be 7th grader. He had an LL Bean Junior backpack from K-3rd, a regular LL Bean backpack from 3rd-5th and he got an US backpack last year for MS. I'm a teacher and I don't understand spending money on crappy backpacks every year. But if you've got the money to burn, go for it. I just think it's a waste.

My mom did that when I was a kid so I get the appeal of all new school gear...it adds to the fun and excitement of the fresh, new school year.

My son has been using the same backpack for 3 years now. It's a good quality backpack so the wear has been minimal.

OP - what do you do with the old backpack and lunch bag? If you give them to a kid in need that would be a nice touch.

DD got a new backpack in 6th grade. She's going into 9th and wants to use the same one. Not only that, but she's never washed hers.

We got a new backpack when the old one wore out, the zipper broke or had holes in it. I could see getting a new one for a transition year, like to middle school or high school.

I wouldn't allow my kids to get trendy/character backpacks for this reason. Pick a color, get a jansport.

We use them until they bite the dust. Definitely not an every year purchase.

My twins got their first backpacks at age 3 for school, and used that through 2nd grade. We got them a new one for 3rd grade that is still going strong for 5th grade next year. No need for a new backpack each year.

Anonymous wrote:My oldest is in 7th grade and he's on his third backpack since K. This upcoming school year will be his third year using his current backpack.

Also, my fourth grader is on his second backpack. The only reason he switched backpacks is because he outgrew his old one (he's pretty tall for his age).

My oldest is in 7th grade and he's on his third backpack since K. This upcoming school year will be his third year using his current backpack.

In conversation with a neighbor, we were discussing the stores and school supplies. I mentioned that my daughter would be excited to pick her new backpack and lunch bag. My neighbor was in disbelief that I bought both new each year. Growing up, it's what my mom always did, and most of my friends had new bags. Not only that, my daughter's bags were pretty grody by June.

How about you?