Kindergarten & School-Aged moms - Backpack at last! (my recommendation)

Every year I've gone through backpack after backpack.

Kindergarten - Staples. He wanted a spiderman one. After a few months, the piping came out (which had metal) & we had to get another one.

First Grade - I smarten up & decide to go for quality. I use an old Pottery Barn gift card & spring for the ~$69. It's falling apart by 8 months.

I spoke to my mom today & mentioned I needed to get backpacks for camp & school. She said "You're going with Land's End, right?" They are GUARANTEED per their policy (link. Sigh...if I only knew that last year. Anyway I'm off to Sears to order it. Why am I going to Sears...because she also told me if I order it in person through the store, I don't have to pay for shipping. I'm hoping I finally have a backpack for them...sounds like it may be permanently!

Moral of the story: Call mom before buying anything.

Message edited 6/29/2008 1:21:26 PM.

Re: Kindergarten & School-Aged moms - Backpack at last! (my recommendation)

LOVE the quality of anything I have gotten from Land's End - clothing included. I always order it sears as well for the free shipping.

Another tip - if I see clothes I like in the catalog, I go to sears to see if I can try it on for fit and then order at the kiosk if they don't have it in the color I want.

Re: Kindergarten & School-Aged moms - Backpack at last! (my recommendation)

great to know! thanks

Re: Kindergarten & School-Aged moms - Backpack at last! (my recommendation)

You are the best for posting this! Just this morning I threw out the 4 old ratty backpacks we had. I just said to DH what are we going to get him for school now, especially that he's going to Kindergarten. He ripped the old bags to shred and I'm sure the bag will take more of a beating now going on and off a school bus!


Smithaven Mall/Sears-here I come!

Re: Kindergarten & School-Aged moms - Backpack at last! (my recommendation)

I've heard great things about Lands End's bags. I bought DS a Gap one 2 years ago and it's still going strong. They have really sturdy ones also.

Re: Kindergarten & School-Aged moms - Backpack at last! (my recommendation)

Just bumping this for anyone doing back to school shopping.

They held up better than the others but were still beaten by the end of the school year. Joseph's zipper on this lunch box was broken, Maddie's was too heavy for her & the fabric was ripped. They were also FILTHY.

Anyway, I called Land End & they said if I wasn't happy with them - even now a year later - to return them to Sears & they will give me FULL CREDIT back to my credit card. Now I have 2 new Land End backpacks & lunchboxes for the fall!

Message edited 8/22/2009 4:09:34 PM.

Re: Kindergarten & School-Aged moms - Backpack at last! (my recommendation)

that is great to know that they are standing by their product even a full year and lots of use later!

just another tip from a teacher..don't get rolling backpacks. they don't fit in all closets and are a huge safety hazard. kids and teachers trip over them all the time and can go flying in the hall

Re: Kindergarten & School-Aged moms - Backpack at last! (my recommendation)

My oldest DD had a one from LL Bean last year for 4th grade which was filled to capacity everyday with homework and books and it still looks great!
It is the one with the inline wheels and it has her name embroidered on it. She will be using it again this year since it is in such great condition. It was my first purchase through them and it was worth it since all her others were roughed up throughout the years before.

As far as rolling backpacks, we opted for it because my DD ended up struggling and injuring her back and neck from putting that weight on her due to so many books before getting the rolling one. My neighbor's kid decided she wanted a fashionable messenger bag and always seems to struggle carrying her bag and end up walking with a "lean" to offset the heavy weight of the bag or have to always pull on the strap. It is the reason why some parents opt to get the rolling bags for their kids and the reason why she is getting a rolling one this year as well. This may not apply to your DS yet. Probably for third grade and up.

Message edited 8/22/2009 5:36:29 PM.

Re: Kindergarten & School-Aged moms - Backpack at last! (my recommendation)

LL Bean is another good option... i got one in jr high and in college the zipper started ripping... i called them and they said to send it in for a repair... so i did... i got a phone call that it would be less expensive for them to give me a new one if i wanted or they would fix the old one. I was attached to the color and style of the old one, so they fixed the zipper and i still have it today to use when we travel

Re: Kindergarten & School-Aged moms - Backpack at last! (my recommendation)

Definitely spend the money on backpacks...the cheap ones DONT hold up...

Another couple of tips...for older kids...Abercrombie sells bags that can be used for books. They go on sale in October for like half the price, are washable, and hold up amazingly...I highly recommend them. We are on year #2 of both of ours...

A good ol Jansport backpack withholds the test of time as well...

Thanks for the Lands End tip...I'll have to keep that in mind...

Re: Kindergarten & School-Aged moms - Backpack at last! (my recommendation)

Couldn't agree more. Both my kids have a Lands' End backpack and lunch bag. My DS will be using it for the 3rd year and its still looks brand spanking new! I ordered it over the summer a few years ago and got free shipping and it came in 3 days.

Re: Kindergarten & School-Aged moms - Backpack at last! (my recommendation)

thank you. I notebooked this for when the time comes.