Jaron HunterSCHOOL BACKPACK BUYING TIPS FOR PARENTS
As students enter middle school, it is often the right time to invest in a new middle school backpack. Halfway between elementary school and high school, this is an exciting time of transition. It also marks the end of childhood for a lot of students, and it is the perfect stage to buy a durable, stylish bookbag that can handle the rigors of moving up to a new school. Although girls and boys will need input in choosing the best bookbag, these tips can help parents settle on a practical backpack, too.
BUY A SCHOOL BACKPACK WITH PLENTY OF VOLUME
A backpack for middle-schoolers needs to hold a lot of textbooks, school supply needs and maybe even a few notebooks. Whether your kids are drawn to a classic black backpack or a colorful one with lots of design elements, don’t forget to pay attention to a key feature: The interior volume.
Fjallraven Kanken Mini Backpack
Fortunately, most backpacks make it very clear how large the interior compartment is. Typically, this is measured in liters. A wildly popular backpack brand for kids, as well as adults, is Fjallraven. Their backpacks have an iconic, unmistakable style with a square design and vintage feel. They are also versatile, meaning that you can hold them from the looped handles or wear them as a traditional backpack. While everyone from your child to their teacher and even the principal of the school might love and use these backpacks, pick the right one for you based on size. Fjallraven sells mini backpacks with 7 liters of volume, the classic version with 16 liters of internal volume and the larger laptop versions with 17 liters.
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BUY A DURABLE SCHOOL BACKPACK
The backpack for a middle-school student has to handle a lot. It goes from class to music lessons, deals with a busy schedule most days of the week and has to be flexible enough to go on field trips or weekends camping. Needless to say, the best backpacks for school have to be durable.
The North Face Jester Backpack
As you look for the perfect backpack for your middle school student, make sure that the backpack material itself is crafted from a strong material. Backpacks from The North Face are often ideal. The Womens Jester Backpack, for example, is made from water-resistant polyester. It can withstand outdoor adventures as well as big homework assignments thanks to two internal compartments, ample storage, a floating laptop sleeve and a front bungee for extra items. A similar version for boys is The North Face Jester Backpack, which has the same features. Both versions of the backpack also have a sternum strap to distribute weight evenly, resulting in maximum comfort.
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LOOK FOR FASHION BACKPACKS WITH STYLISH COLORS
While some middle school students might like a classic black backpack, color backpacks are often a much bigger hit. That’s why some of the best backpacks for school come in bold colors and funky designs so that they appeal to younger buyers. Although JanSport is a brand that every teacher is familiar with, they go way beyond the plain black backpack and boast a variety of designs.
JanSport High Stakes Backpack
The JanSport SuperBreak Backpack is a bookbag with all the features you might expect: One large, spacious interior compartment, plenty of support and comfort in each strap, a top haul handle and even a front utility pocket. However, what makes these backpacks timeless favorite is the fact that they are available in a wide range of bold colors, pastel prints and cool patterns. There is no doubt that any middle-schooler will find a style they love!
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BUY A BACKPACK WITH PLENTY OF COMFORT AND SUPPORT
A middle school backpack needs to support users who are still growing. On any given day, a student might have three or four textbooks, a homework assignment from a teacher that requires a laptop and a few notebooks or art supplies. All of that weight will go straight onto their shoulders, and the only protection in between is the shoulder strap of the backpack.
JanSport SuperBreak Backpack
Padded shoulder straps are a must. Steer away from string varieties or any other thin and unpadded versions. The wider the strap, the better in most cases. If you’re not sure whether a bookbag strap has enough padding, test it out. Just squeeze the padding between your fingers and see what happens. Ideally, the padding will rebound and go back to its original thickness right away.
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PARENTS SHOULD BY LAPTOPS WITH A LAPTOP COMPARTMENT
If you looked at a list of the top 5 middle school backpacks, you might notice one relatively new feature that wasn’t around 10 or 20 years ago. Today, your middle school backpack might have a designated laptop sleeve. That is because even in sixth or seventh grade, many students come to and from school with their own laptop.
Dakine 365 Pack SP 21L Backpack
If you’re looking for a laptop backpack, consider the Dakine 365 Canvas 21L Backpack or even the slightly larger Dakine 365 Pack 30L Backpack. Both have a designated 15″ laptop sleeve, and the larger of the two bags even has a special place for your tablet. Both backpacks offer adjustable shoulder straps, a padded bottom panel and a smaller front zippered pocket to keep school supplies organized. Having a laptop backpack is a smart move for anyone with a computer because it adds a layer of protection that busy students need.
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Important Backpack Features for Buying the best Middle School Backpack
Parents on the lookout for the perfect middle school backpack definitely have a lot of choices to make. While kids can take care of decisions about color and style, parents need to look for features that emphasize comfort, support, durability and designated storage. With so many different backpacks to choose from, the hardest part is narrowing down the many suitable options and purchasing just one backpack. At backpacks.com, parents will be able to find best school backpack for their child.
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