preschool backpack suggestions

[La Bibliotecaria Feroz]

So I was thinking of replacing Big Brother's backpack soon.

Then I spilled ranch dressing all over the inside of it. (His snack from school exploded.) So the timeline just got WAY accelerated.

Anyway, who has brand suggestions? I am looking at LL Bean, of course, but his current backpack has a water bottle holder on the outside and I worry he will miss the bottle holder. (His current one is a Crocodile Creek that I got at Goodwill, but they no longer have water bottle holders.) Or maybe he won't? Is it important?

[Student loan stomper]

Not sure if they have kid size but I bought a High Sierra pack about 6 years ago and used it daily my last year of college and all traveling since(I.e. Any time I take my laptop anywhere).  I found it for <$20 at Ross and it even has a pack cover for the rain that zips into a secret compartment.  Anyway that is the only real brand I have bought...  I would look at Ross for packs too as around now they have good deals.  Also plato's closet if you have one near you this is a really good time for nice inventory at both places because of the holidays.   

[justajane]

Yeah, the smaller sized LL Bean backpack is really the best on the market for the price. I think I paid $30. My kid has used it for two years (preschool and then kindergarten right now), and it still looks new. The only downside is that it will likely be too small for 1st or 2nd grade, but I have another kid so he'll use it. I intentionally didn't monogram it for this reason. My older 2nd grader has a Land's End monogrammed one. It's his second one after the first one that lasted two years had a broken zipper. I had to pay the shipping to return it but was able to get the second one for only $6.

IMO I don't want to scrimp on backpacks. The cheaper ones at Target aren't that much cheaper and they are just not as nice.

[MayDay]

Mine had the ll bean ones. They wear like tanks. They aren't big enough once you start packing a full lunch in k/1st.

I, too wish they had a water bottle pocket. We replaced the toddler ones with full size PBK ones with water bottle pockets. After 3 years of use they are starting to get holes, and no warranty like ll bean.

I will replace with full size ll bean and just see in a water bottle pocket if I have to!

[La Bibliotecaria Feroz]

Mine had the ll bean ones. They wear like tanks. They aren't big enough once you start packing a full lunch in k/1st.

I, too wish they had a water bottle pocket. We replaced the toddler ones with full size PBK ones with water bottle pockets. After 3 years of use they are starting to get holes, and no warranty like ll bean.

I will replace with full size ll bean and just see in a water bottle pocket if I have to!

Good warning--I was looking at small sized PBK. Maybe I will get the age 6 and up LL Bean; he's almost 5.

[La Bibliotecaria Feroz]

Damn it, the red LL Bean is backordered. Grrr.

[justajane]

Damn it, the red LL Bean is backordered. Grrr.

Mine was when I bought it too. I think I had to wait about six weeks for it to arrive.

[La Bibliotecaria Feroz]

Damn it, the red LL Bean is backordered. Grrr.

Mine was when I bought it too. I think I had to wait about six weeks for it to arrive.

Maybe I should chance it and let be a birthday gift in January. I got most of the ranch dressing out of the old one!

[meep]

I had the Pottery Barn Kids backpack. It did well until it burned in a house fire lol.

[La Bibliotecaria Feroz]

I went ahead and ordered the LL Bean. I figure he can learn to put the top on his water bottle tightly enough that it won't leak and I like things with a guarantee! Plus, it seems like all those exterior bells and whistles are the things that wear out.

Meep--YIKES. Since you end with "lol" I assume everyone was all right, but still--that's scary shit!

[muckety_muck]

We use PBK, backpacks but we get them used at the local thrift store for like $2 in great shape.

I did not know that about LL Bean warranty... Perhaps we will switch to LL Bean once the current ones wear out!

[gooki]

Our Skip Hop backpacks have worn well. Has side pocket for a bottle, large tags on the zips, fun designs to choose from, and is actually a good size for a small kid.

[kimmarg]

Can't beat LL bean for durability. I'm 32 and still using one my sister got in middle school. If you  live near an LL Bean outlet it's easy to unmonagram them and they always have a bunch of returns with the wrong name for cheaper.

[FLBiker]

May be late to the party, but I love Jansport -- lifetime warranty, no receipt, no questions asked.

I was given a big ol' backpack by a friend, I used it for years, the zipper broke, and I sent it to Jansport.  They gave me a brand new deluxe backpack (because the old one was so big).  I imagine I will have this backpack (or it's replacements) until the day I die.  Then I will pass it on to my daughter. :)