School Backpack

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networkn

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#249371 8-May-2019 10:26

My Primary school aged Son is in need of a new Backpack style school bag.

His current one has come apart at the top handle and one of the straps both at the connection to the bag, indicating weak stitching.

We are thinking of going higher quality. He uses a 11" Chrome book, has a full-sized lunch box and his school books. I don't want something so huge and heavy he ends up with back problems etc, but want something good quality and ideally not too out there in terms of looks.

Happy to spend $100 if that's what it takes.

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#2232724 8-May-2019 10:33

Just look for something around 20-25L. There are a few in Rebel Sports (best to wait for a sale). You can get a decent one for around $50-60 when on sale. Don't go for a more expensive one as chances are you will need to buy another one every 2 years and when they go to intermediate/secondary when they have more stuff to carry.

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#2232759 8-May-2019 10:46

95% of the students at my school have this https://www.macpac.co.nz/equipment/packs-bags/everyday-backpacks/macpac-litealp-23l-aztec-backpack/114048-BLK00-ST.html and they all carry a macbook in it plus books. It is a High school, our Junior school have their own branded bags.

Comes in just under your $100 budget

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#2232761 8-May-2019 10:50

I have 2 at high school (boy and girl) and they both have devices.

I got them an HP Odyssey https://www.jbhifi.co.nz/computers-tablets/accessories/hp/hp-odyssey-15-6-backpack-red/332156/

Did find it a little cheaper on mighty ape. So far they are holding up well. Heaps of protection for device and also offer some weather protection as well.

Daughter likes it, son he's doesn't like the main opening zip as much as a traditional opening backpack, but thats only complainant I've had.

jonathan18

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#2232768 8-May-2019 10:59

I disagree about looking for a cheap one; even if it is only used for 2-3 years, given the weight and bulk of stuff even primary-aged kids are often expected to carry to/from school, it's important to get one that's well-constructed, and has decent padding and harness. If you can get this in a cheap pack then great, but otherwise I think it's worth spending a bit more.

My older kid has had a fantastic Kathmandu pack for at least three years, and is still using it at intermediate; as well as the laptop sleeve, it's got a harness that can be adjusted as he grows. It is also really well made, which is more than can be said about many kids' packs (including my younger boy's pack from Macpac). It's also of a decent quality fabric, and so has stood up to the standard abuse boys so often subject their property to.

Can't see it on their website, but one like this has at least a similar harness: https://www.kathmandu.co.nz/kids/accessories/packs-and-bags/jammer-pack-v3.html

CrashAndBurn

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#2232852 8-May-2019 11:10

jonathan18:

I disagree about looking for a cheap one; even if it is only used for 2-3 years, given the weight and bulk of stuff even primary-aged kids are often expected to carry to/from school, it's important to get one that's well-constructed, and has decent padding and harness. If you can get this in a cheap pack then great, but otherwise I think it's worth spending a bit more.

My older kid has had a fantastic Kathmandu pack for at least three years, and is still using it at intermediate; as well as the laptop sleeve, it's got a harness that can be adjusted as he grows. It is also really well made, which is more than can be said about many kids' packs (my younger boy's pack from Macpac). It's also of a decent quality fabric, and so has stood up to the standard abuse boys so often subject their property to.

Can't see it on their website, but one like this has at least a similar harness: https://www.kathmandu.co.nz/kids/accessories/packs-and-bags/jammer-pack-v3.html

Am not saying go for the cheapest one you can find. I think you factor in how your child is with their stuff. In general girls are more careful with theirs. I have a son and he has gone thru a few backpacks from primary to secondary and normally spend 50-60 at Rebel Sports for a bag that is normally 100-120. Most of the time the backpack ends up with holes at the bottom or torn water bottle pouch. Then you have the increase in stuff to bring hence need to upgrade to a bigger one.

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#2232856 8-May-2019 11:20

My kids are the opposite, my Son is crazy careful. I don't have an issue paying for quality, but don't want to go crazy.

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networkn

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#2233066 8-May-2019 15:14

One of the issues is how small my Son is. The backpacks we have in the house are huge on him and everything I can find online that looks suitable, also looks like it would be hanging below his backside.

I guess we might just have to go to a few shops and try some.

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#2233083 8-May-2019 15:37

I'm a big fan of the Dakine backpacks available at Rebel Sport. Both my primary school kids have had a 15L Dakine Wonder Backpack since preschool. Robust, readily available and under $60 (even less with the inevitable sale).

networkn

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#2233101 8-May-2019 15:42

I don't see a laptop compartment?

CrashAndBurn

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#2233103 8-May-2019 15:45

networkn:

One of the issues is how small my Son is. The backpacks we have in the house are huge on him and everything I can find online that looks suitable, also looks like it would be hanging below his backside.

I guess we might just have to go to a few shops and try some.

When my son was smaller and had that same issue, we ended up with a backpack from Kathmandu as the straps were perfect for his shoulders with the bag sitting just right on his back.

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#2233115 8-May-2019 16:03

I got my son who's in primary a backpack from Smiggles. It's called a classic backpack and comes in a range of colours. I personally reckon it's a perfect size as his book bag fits nicely in the bag. I think I paid 70 ish.

Has a padded laptop compartment.

EDIT - Added link to the product https://www.smiggle.com.au/shop/en/smiggle/bags-accessories/bags/backpacks/pop-backpack?colour=NAVY

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#2233117 8-May-2019 16:03

Jansport bags are good quality and have a lifetime warranty. Worth checking out. Not sure if they would be too big at 31 litres.

Cheers,
Joseph

Edit: $90 and free shipping. I want that galaxy print one!

networkn

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#2233118 8-May-2019 16:06

Link please?

networkn

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#2233133 8-May-2019 16:27

josephhinvest: Jansport bags are good quality and have a lifetime warranty. Worth checking out. Not sure if they would be too big at 31 litres.

Cheers,
Joseph

Edit: $90 and free shipping. I want that galaxy print one!

Thanks. I looked at Jansports. 31L is massive, as an adult I wouldn't want one that big.

andrew027

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#2233356 8-May-2019 21:57

networkn: I looked at Jansports. 31L is massive, as an adult I wouldn't want one that big.

What size do you consider reasonable, and how much stuff does your kid have to carry?

I bought one of these on a recent trip to Australia. 20 litres, and pretty solidly made. I'd recommend. But thinking back a few years to when my daughter was still at school... Her high school didn't give students lockers, so they had to carry everything they needed, depending on which subjects they had that day. The amount of stuff kids had to carry around, the sheer weight and amount of note books, text books, pencil case, laptop, lunch box... 20 litres would not have been enough, and even expensive, well made bags were literally bursting at the seams after a couple of months.

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