When my oldest son went off to preschool, he needed a backpack. I liked the idea of the Lands’ End and L.L. Bean ones, but why would I pay five times the price of a Walmart backpack? So I bought him a $5 Walmart backpack, and it wore out in March when of course Walmart didn’t have any backpacks to replace it with. I repaired it with packing tape and my crappy primitive sewing skillz.
The next fall, for kindergarten, I bought another Walmart backpack, but this time I got the one that was more like $8 instead of the one that was around $5—going for quality, you see. That one, too, ripped before the end of the school year. It was very frustrating.
So when my aunt gave us a gift certificate to L.L. Bean, I used it to buy L.L. Bean Original Back Packs for both of my older boys: one for Rob, who was then going into first grade, and one for William, who was starting 4-year-old preschool.
Rob has finished third grade and William has finished first grade, and the backpacks are still in great condition. My conclusion: backpacks are one of the areas where paying more is cheaper in the long run. You can buy one or two $5-8 backpacks per school year, or you can buy one $25 backpack and have it last…well, Rob’s and William’s have both lasted three years so far.
I would feel equally confident buying any of the Lands’ End backpacks, but can’t seem to yoink their photos off their site. Am insufficiently tech-savvy. Here’s a link to their Classmate Backpack, which looks like the equivalent of L.L. Bean’s Original. Both Lands’ End and L.L. Bean have excellent product guarantees, so if the backpack DID fail to meet expectations, you’d get a free replacement. I’ve had to do that with one product (not a backpack) from each company, and neither of them gave me the tiniest hassle about it.
The next time I need a backpack for a preschooler, I would be tempted to buy this crazy-cute L.L. Bean Camp Critter pack, which comes in bear, bunny, or raccoon. (The L.L. Bean Original ones I bought Rob and William were for ages 7 and up, and William’s really was too big for him until he was in first grade.) I want that bear one so badly, I’m searching for an excuse to buy it. Maybe I could use it as a diaper bag, and make one of the twins carry it?
One problem with a backpack lasting year after year is you can’t really go for fun and cute: the fire truck that’s so sweet for the kindergartner is not going to please the fourth grader. If you want to say boo to the fourth grader and go with what’s fun for the kindergartner, I recommend the Crocodile Creek line. We got the dinosaur one, above, for my daughter. (Caution: it’s also too big for her 3-year-old self. I think it would be for a kindergartner or maybe a 4-year-old preschooler.) It also comes in pony, fire truck, dump truck, sunflower, and ladybug versions.
And just for fun: the Love Shine Inc. oil cloth backpack. I don’t have any idea how durable it would be, but I can just picture this for a middle school or high school girl.
The Work It, Mom! site has a slide-show of backpacks, too.
Let’s compare notes: What backpack brands have you tried for your kids, and how have they held up?
LLBean makes a pre-school sized back pack that my two year old loves. They are only $19 I think and they are great. We use it all the time and it hardly looks worn.
Erin | August 5th, 2008 at 1:31 pm
Ooooooo… I might have to get that oilcloth one for myself!! lol
Jill | August 5th, 2008 at 2:08 pm
Ditto to the LL Bean suggestion. Their lifetime product guarantee rocks. I had one of their backpacks in college and it lasted me 3 years of heavy use before one of the plastic buckle thingys broke. I brought it back to the store, they took it and gave me a credit for the full retail value of the pack which I used to buy a brand new replacement pack. Yeah, their designs aren’t as fun as other options, but for value, durability and practicality they really can’t be beat.
laura | August 5th, 2008 at 2:27 pm
We are going the LL Bean route this year. I’m sick of buying the cheap Wal Mart backpacks and having them fall apart in a week.
Eric's Mommy | August 5th, 2008 at 3:35 pm
Alright, I’ll dissent. I have bought my 5th grader Wal-Mart bags since kdg. The super-cheapo plasticky $5-10 ones do fall apart. We get the $15-20 fabric/canvas types, and they last 2 years. Actually, they are all still in good shape after 2 years, but our family agreement is that you only have to use one for 2 years in a row, for “coolness.” I know the ones we buy aren’t really low-priced, but just wanted to point out that you can get something that lasts at Wal-Mart.
ajb | August 5th, 2008 at 4:27 pm
Well I must say I’m a cheapo and for the first couple of years I bought my boys the plastic character backpacks because they just had to have the Hulk, Spiderman etc. But last year we got them each Fox backpacks and they still look brand new. For my middle schooler though it turned out to be too small so we had to get different one.
This year my 1st grader wants a sling style backpack. Turns out Walgreens is a great place for those and they are buy 1 for 19.99 get one free. Not bad.
Jenn | August 5th, 2008 at 4:47 pm
I buy the $5 wal-mart pack too
I figure once they get older and actually carry some books in it I’ll get them something with more support though.
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Gustavion | August 5th, 2008 at 5:07 pm
I am a firm believer in LL Bean - I have had one of their backpacks that I took to Europe many moons ago and it still looks great. I was planning on buying one of the small ones for my punkinhead, but ended up with a Jansport Half Pint - due to the immediate need to not have an 18 month old trying to pull mommy’s carryon around the airport. It probably wouldn’t hold a lot of school books but it is great for a sippy, cheerios, a couple of board books, crayons and a couple of small stuffed animals.
Heather | August 5th, 2008 at 5:42 pm
My LL Bean backpack is now 16 years old and in perfectly good shape. It got me through high school and college, and has gone camping and on countless vacations. I got basic black so it would never go “out”. I’d say they are definitely worth it.
Barbara | August 5th, 2008 at 6:53 pm
It’s LL Bean all the way here. After years of buying cheap backpacks and replacing them constantly, I decided to give LL Bean a try for both kids. That’s the only brand I’ll ever buy again, if I ever have to (and I doubt I will…they last forever!)
I got my son the LL Bean Messenger Bag…in the Heatwave style, I think it is. That was either Sophomore or Junior year of high school. This kid is TOUGH on backpacks. He uses it all year round…in the summer it toted all his video games and crappe back and forth to his friends’ houses. He’s heading off to college (in 2 weeks, wah!) and is still using the same messenger bag.
My daughter actually has both an LL Bean backpack (lime green, still in perfect shape) and messenger bag, now that she’s going into high school this year. So between the two, I fully expect her to take one or both to college with her in 4 years as well!
BTW, we got her both just because she decided she desperately wanted a messenger bag…the backpack is still fine (and she uses it for sleepovers, etc.) and is big enough. She’s just a girl and likes to shop. LOL!
Wendi | August 6th, 2008 at 4:49 pm
My son has carried his Eastern Mountain Sports backpack for 5 years. It’s a little beat up looking now, but still functional. I’m getting him a new one this year. I have a Jansport that I used as a diaper bag for my son (13 years ago) and I am still using now. That thing is indestructible. I just bought my daughter a Pottery Barn backback for Kindergarten because it was so cute. I hope it lasts - it was expensive!
Pam | August 6th, 2008 at 8:13 pm
Back in the day, the backpacks du jour were eastpak and Jansport. I still have TWO Jansport backpacks I bought at the end of high school/early college, about 12-15 years ago. They still look good, no holes, leather bottom is holding up… except for some unfortunate artwork I did on it that I liked at the time…
aoife | August 6th, 2008 at 10:16 pm
I’m a fan of the Lands’ End backpacks. What I like best is that the zippers REALLY are solid enough to withstand little hands and the material keeps all the dirt/raindrops out — just wipe and you’re gone. My son (who started kindergarten on Monday) is now using his first Lands’ End backpack, which I’m sure will keep up with his abuse.
Grace | August 8th, 2008 at 1:12 am
I bought my daughter a LL Bean small backpack 2 years ago when she started kindergarten and it’s still going! I just throw it in the washer every few months and it comes out looking like new. She’s also taken it to Girl Scout camp and other things.
Brenda | August 8th, 2008 at 2:10 pm
Jansport also offers a lifetime guarantee. My son is very hard on his backpack, and they will fix it, no questions asked. It costs me shipping, but that’s worthwhile.
Daisy | August 11th, 2008 at 12:21 am
From my own experience I have made use of the Jansport lifetime guarantee and they have always been great about repairs. I only ever bought a new one when I just couldn’t stand to carry mine one more single year. And they lasted through the abuse of college and 8 years of summer camp.
My daughter currently uses a Land’s End backpack made just for preschoolers and it is perfect. Love the size and durability. She got it for Christmas last year and started preschool in January. It still looks like new and I’m sure she’ll use it for another year or two. My guess is that she’ll need something bigger by kindergarten, but then it will still be great for playtime and uses like holding the car books when we travel.
Kelsey | August 12th, 2008 at 4:20 am
My son in starting playschool … well yesterday which up here lasts from 2yrs-5yrs and after reading this post the first time- had my darling friend (who lives in the states) go and buy the bear backpack for me…. HAD TO HAVE IT the Cute! Couldn’t stand for it.
Emblita | August 15th, 2008 at 1:01 pm
ugle backpacks
Katlyn | January 5th, 2009 at 1:22 am
The Love Shine backpack is the best back I own. I never leave for vacation without it! It is so versatile, foldable,waterproof, and all around chic! I get compliments on it when ever I wear it! Oh, and BTW it is about 5 years old now so I guess i can add durable!
Ricki | January 12th, 2011 at 2:53 am