What do cool kids' backpacks look like these days?

August 6, 2009 4:34 AM

If you have kids between the ages of 7-12 (or know kids in that age range), do they use a backpack, and what sort of backpack do they use? If you could point me to images of similar backpacks online, that would be especially helpful.

(This is for a book illustration -- I don't want anything that will be hopelessly outdated or dorky, and I have no idea what the kids are carrying these days.)

posted by cider to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (17 answers total)

I teach elementary school and 9 out of 10 kids wear backpacks, not messenger bags. You can take a look at Target's backpacks for kids. Hannah Montana and the Jonas Brothers are huuuuuge. Many girls have princess designs.
posted by HotPatatta at 4:40 AM on August 6, 2009

Oh, and Spiderman. Lots of Spiderman. Backpacks with wheels are for kids who want to get laughed at and for kids whose moms fix their hair with spit before they run into class.
posted by HotPatatta at 4:42 AM on August 6, 2009

In NYC, kids ages 10-13 all seem to wear or want to wear The North Face backpacks. I don't know about younger than that anymore.
posted by milarepa at 4:43 AM on August 6, 2009

Hannah Montana and Jonas Brothers will be hopelessly outdated themselves in a few years time. Go for simple.
posted by elsietheeel at 5:13 AM on August 6, 2009

My son, who's 8, has a simple black packpack. We hope it'll last him for many years.
posted by Lucinda at 5:16 AM on August 6, 2009

Hannah Montana and Jonas Brothers will be hopelessly outdated themselves in a few years time.

Oh no you didn't!
posted by HotPatatta at 5:21 AM on August 6, 2009

When I was that age, everyone [the cool kids] had LL Bean backpacks, with monogrammed initials on the back.
posted by telegraph at 5:29 AM on August 6, 2009

Backpacks around here, and once they get to 6 or 7 nobody has a design or theme pack. Those are for babies.
posted by Sweetie Darling at 5:36 AM on August 6, 2009

Backpacks abound in our area and yeah, no one over 6 has a "theme" backpack. No way. Land's End, LL Bean, Northface...all good places to check out design and structure.

And the messenger bags are extremely popular with the 12-and-older set. Only nerds and dorks use backpacks in middle school, MOM. GOD.
posted by cooker girl at 5:53 AM on August 6, 2009

Yeah, I'd say by the time they get to that age the themed backpacks are sort of lame.

I'll toss a good word in for LL Bean. They make the best packs and they are lifetime guaranteed. If at anytime your kid doesn't want that particular pack anymore, even if it isn't damaged - you can send it back and they'll replace it or put it's value towards the purchase of a better pack.

I've gotten all my packs from them through high school and college and beyond. (I've had three, all exchanged for personal appearance preferences. I never had a pack have any damage or problems like that.)
posted by mittenbex at 6:20 AM on August 6, 2009

7-12 is too old for the theme type, agreed. Here in California though gender stereotypes persist - girls that age tend to prefer non-theme backpacks in pinks and purples, while boys opt for greys, blacks, and maybe dark blue or green. Messenger bags are pretty popular for kids that age too.
posted by chez shoes at 6:31 AM on August 6, 2009

We picked a back pack from Target for our son's kindergarten. We had to replace it for first grade. At the end of first grade, we knew we'd have to replace it again. For second grade, we bought an LLBean back pack and it is in great shape for this next year of school. DH has had his LLBean back pack for years and it has held up to all the abuse he's put it through. I figure if it can stand up to him than one can stand up to the boy.
posted by onhazier at 6:53 AM on August 6, 2009

LLBean or Land's End are what my kids like (and they LAST!). No themes.
posted by noahv at 7:52 AM on August 6, 2009

Some schools require see-through backpacks, which means either a tiny clear vinyl backpack or a mesh backpack. (The former looks tacky and falls apart quickly, while the latter is not so good for the books when the kid gets caught in the rain while walking home.) The LL Bean backpacks are much better, if the school allows non-see-through bags.
posted by Ery at 8:09 AM on August 6, 2009

Me thinks that backpack style varies by socio-economic status.
posted by k8t at 8:16 AM on August 6, 2009 [1 favorite]

Echoing LL Bean: I've 3 kids who've been through dozens of backpacks and the only one still in use after 14 years is a solid blue LL Bean version. This thing has been overseas, thrown overboard, left on a playground, etc., and it was probably one of the few smart school supply purchases I've ever made.

Best part is if it ever falls apart, they replace it for free.
posted by dzaz at 8:54 AM on August 6, 2009

Response by poster: Thanks a lot, everyone! This is very helpful.
posted by cider at 12:23 PM on August 6, 2009