Guide to School Backpacks

Typical school backpacks have padded shoulder straps, a main compartment for storing books and notebooks, and additional inner and outer pockets for storing pens and crayons. They can be made of different materials such as leather, nylon, polyester, plastic, cloth, and vinyl.

The recommended school backpack weight should not be more than 10% of the user’s total body weight. Unfortunately, studies have shown that the school backpacks of some children are heavier than the recommended weight, and this causes back pain and other back and shoulder-related injuries.

Small school backpacks

Small school backpacks are usually less than 12 inches in height and are ideal for students under 10 years old.

Medium school backpacks

Medium school backpacks are usually less than a foot-and-a-half in height.They are ideal for middle school- to college-age students. Some are large enough to accommodate 15-inch laptops. They come with inner padding for protection. Medium backpacks can have covered zippers, reflective zipper pulls, and organizer pockets.

Large school backpacks

Large school backpacks usually have fully padded backs, bases, and shoulder straps for maximum comfort. They can have multiple inner and outer pockets, side mesh pockets for water bottles, and inner laptop sleeves for storing large 17-inch laptops. Some are large enough to double as hiking backpacks.

Wheeled school backpacks

Wheeled school backpacks are essentially traditional backpacks fitted with inline skate wheels and retractable aluminum or stainless steel handles. They are ideal for children with back or shoulder problems. They usually have front and side pockets for additional storage space.

Straps. Choose a school backpack with padded shoulder straps which make extended backpack carrying more comfortable. Make sure the straps are adjustable.

Padded backs. To absorb shock and prevent the hard edges of books and notebooks from digging into your child’s back, choose a school backpack with a padded and quilted back layer.

Pockets. Look for a school backpack with dedicated pockets for your pens, pencils, and markers. The pockets should have individual slots to keep your pens upright and prevent ink spills.

Special features. If your child is an avid music listener, look for a school backpack with a built-in portable CD player compartment. It should also have headphone line jack holes for threading the headphones through the backpack and into the ears.

Proper size. Choose a school backpack that rests not lower than your child’s waist. Instead of getting one with a single main compartment, choose a backpack with several smaller pockets for equal weight distribution.