Whether your kids are returning to school or starting their first year, they’ll need a new school bag for all of their essentials.
From carrying pencil cases and calculators to textbooks, notepads and lunchboxes, there’s a lot that goes into choosing the ideal school backpack. While style is important, particularly with school bags for teens, comfort is also vital to spread weight from books properly.
To help you out, Winfields has picked out some of the best kids’ school bags that’ll have them stand out in the corridors while safely carrying all of their equipment. We’ll also discuss some tips when it comes to buying the ideal school bag.
Read on to find out more about school bags and the best backpacks for the new term…
Obviously, when it comes to school bags, there is a difference of opinion between parents and children. For kids and teenagers, it's more about how the backpack looks while for parents it’s about how functional it is.
The tough job parents have is to find a backpack that is durable and big enough for all your child's school supplies but also looks cool. Read our tips below...
Not all backpacks or daysacks will have this safety feature but you should always keep an eye out for reflective material. It doesn’t have to cover the bag, just small pieces. This is especially useful for kids who wait at a bus stop or walk to school, helping them to stand out once the days get darker in winter.
How long do you expect a backpack to last? If you buy a backpack of poor quality and that’s all about how it looks, it won’t last long. You don’t want to have to replace a school bag each year or half-year. By spending a little more, you’ll get a much sturdier option. There’s no reason why a backpack can’t last for years unless it’s outgrown or been worn out.
A backpack for a child shouldn't weigh more than 10 to 20% of their body weight. The size of the backpack should correspond accordingly. If you buy a backpack that's too big for your little one entering preschool or primary school, it will be easy to accidentally overload it. At least in secondary school, your child may have the option of having a locker available.
More school backpacks are now built like hiking backpacks and daysacks to support children’s backs. Children should not have to suffer tingling in their arms and numbness after lugging around heavy backpacks all day. Look for a pack with a padded back and wide padded shoulder straps once your child gets to secondary school and gets textbooks.
Besides the main compartment, a good backpack should have plenty of interior and exterior pockets for equipment and items. These are of much more use to older children, like in sixth form, or those in university. Popular features include water bottle holders, laptop pockets and sleeves, key chains, and space for a phone.
We’ve picked out some of the best backpacks for your child’s school bag this year. With regards to the size of the backpack you need, it very much depends on the activity. For school and university, the maximum capacity is 25 - 30L.
RRP: £17.00
Capacity: 10L
Weight: 240g
Sprayway’s 10-litre Spike 10 Junior Backpack is ideal for junior adventurers and for little ones starting school. Comfortable and practical, this bag features a padded mesh back panel and fully adjustable padded shoulder straps. The main compartment is large enough to fit an A4 notepad, ensuring plenty of space for school work.
A stash pocket on the front and a top-loading single compartment with external lid ensure plenty of space for school equipment. A Spike hedgehog keyring soft toy will make for a great companion on their adventure into school and into the outdoors.
RRP: £30.00
Capacity: 15L
Weight: 365g
This versatile Pluto 15L Backpack by Sprayway is an ideal everyday rucksack that can be used for a wide range of activities, including a school bag. The simple design gives easy access, and thanks to the durable and hard-wearing materials, is also long-lasting. This ensures it’ll stand up to any punishment your child can throw at it while at school.
For comfort and support, this backpack features a mesh back panel and fully adjustable padded shoulder straps. The main compartment fits an A4 notepad with ease while the front zipped pocket is handy for small school equipment.
RRP: £30.00
Capacity: 20L
Featuring a tough-wearing 600D polyester construction, combined with air mesh back straps, this Print 20L Daypack by Regatta is very comfortable. Spacious inside, this backpack features plenty of pockets and is suitable for an A4 folder, making it ideal for secondary school. Internal security pockets are perfect for storing valuables.
A contrast grab handle and easy grab zip pullers make the daysack easy to use. The attractive contrasting styling makes this a great choice to stand out in the corridors, too. Extremely robust, this backpack could last your child for years.
RRP: £24.00
Capacity: 25L
Weight: 500g
The compact Survivor III Rucksack from Regatta features a 25-litre capacity, making it an all-round, versatile school bag. This rucksack is made from tough-wearing ripstop fabric, ensuring it stands up to school or university use. A mesh airflow back construction allows for ventilation when walking, so your child doesn’t get too warm between school and home.
For comfort and support, the weight of the bag is stabilised with an adjustable chest harness if they’ve overpacked with textbooks. With multiple pockets for plenty of storage and a bungee cord on the front for stashing wet jackets, this is ideal for your child.
RRP: £50.00
Capacity: 30L
Weight: 520g
Offering incredible value and versatility, Karrimor’s Metro 30 Rucksack is an outstanding backpack for school, university and hiking. The Metro contains a padded laptop compartment, organiser pocket and separate main compartment. This makes it the perfect all-rounder. There is also a Dark Reflective edition with reflective panels for safety.
Extremely supportive, the Metro features a padded Coolmesh back system and adjustable chest strap to spread the weight. A bungee cord adds to its practicality for storing a wet jacket, making this an ideal commuting, walking and hiking backpack.
Take a look at our full range of rucksacks & bags collection including:
Rucksacks | Daysacks | Holdalls | Travel Bags & Backpacks
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