How to Buy a Backpack for Back to School

Investing in Your Child's Back Health

Backpacks are arguably the most convenient way to carry books and supplies the whole way through our school careers. Unfortunately, too much focus is often put on how cool they look in the hallways, rather than whether they may be damaging growing backs. Over 50% of school aged kids experience back pain directly related to the poor use of their backpacks. It can frequently be attributed to an ill-fitting pack, too much weight, the lack of education on how to prevent back injuries, amongst many other reasons.

This article will walk you through the process of picking out the right backpack for your child – from their very first exciting year, right through to their college and university years. Think of a backpack like a pair of running shoes – one size doesn't fit all, and functional design is key for proper fit and optimal back health.

What to look for
What constitutes as a good fit
Making a lasting investment

Key Design Elements that will Protect the Back

As a parent you will make many compromises while back to school shopping, but it is imperative to be on the same page with your kids when it comes to their back health. Backpack purchases from year to year should strike a good balance between style and ergonomics.

Size – buy the smallest pack possible that will still accommodate your child's essentials. It should never be wider than your child's torso.
Weight – lightweight materials like nylon are not only durable but do not add extra weight to the bag like leather would, for example.
Wide, padded straps – shoulder straps should be at least 2” wide and should be padded so as not to cut into tender shoulders. Most shoulder straps on a good pack are contoured for additional comfort.
Additional straps – weight can be better distributed with a sternum strap and waist strap. These both help to remove weight from the shoulders. Compression straps on the sides or bottom of the pack will help stabilize articles.
Pockets – multiple pockets help to distribute weight of smaller items throughout the pack, and also make it easier to organize and find them.
reflective tape – it goes without saying that the more visible your child is to motorists, the safer they will be!
Bells and whistles – some styles may be constructed with a lightweight frame, which assists in distributing pack weight. Wheels are useful because they remove the pack from the back altogether although they are banned in some school, and they can be tough to drag over anything other than smooth surfaces. They also may not fit into lockers very well.
Sex – some backpacks are specifically designed for women and are therefore able to distribute weight to the hips. These packs will be narrower from shoulder to waist, and wider through the base that sits near the hips. Conversely, men carry the majority of pack weight with their shoulders and back, and the majority of packs are designed to accommodate this.

What Constitutes a Good Fit

A well-fitted backpack has comfortably fitting straps that do not dig into the shoulders and, as mentioned above, should never be oversized to fit more “stuff' that is necessary. The bottom of the pack should rest in the curve of the lower back should not hang lower than 4” below the natural waistline. You should be able to fit your hand between the pack and the back for the most comfortable fit.

How to Safely Use a Backpack

Kids often need a little nudge when it comes to dropping the cool factor in favour of a healthier back! The following tips however are a good reminder for us all:

Always use both shoulder straps to avoid offsetting weight balance.
Pack heaviest items at the bottom of the bag, and only carry what is absolutely necessary.
Never pack more than 20% of a child's body weight into their backpack.
Use the legs to lift backpacks by kneeling or squatting before picking them up.
Place the pack on a counter or table before putting the shoulder straps on.
All straps should be properly adjusted. This includes shoulder, waist and sternum straps.
Using only one shoulder strap puts stress on the muscles and joints in the lower back.

Making a Good Investment

Back health should be your number one concern when purchasing a backpack but construction quality and design are also determining factors in a solid financial investment.

Theme – depending on how many years you want to get out of your investment, it is best not to get too focused on colour and theme. Younger children are likely to zone in on the theme of the moment featuring popular cartoon characters. More often than not, these themes will fade quickly, so to get the most out of your investment, try to settle on something your child will be happy to wear for an extended period of time. Lighter colours are hard to keep clean and will begin to look disheveled a lot sooner than darks.
Zippers – look for double-headed zippers for functional use, and make sure they are of durable quality.
Construction – do a quick once-over of the general construction of the pack. Make sure the stitching is not unraveling anywhere and that the corners are sturdy and reinforced. Corners are often the first to go because fabrics tend to fray easily with heavy use.

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