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Pack Picks: How To Choose The Best Backpack For Your Child

There’s more to selecting a back-to-school backpack than meets the eye, especially when it comes to finding one for your child. Discover how to pick the right size and style to ensure a proper fit and lasting comfort.

Elisse Gabriel Senior Writer & Editor

Back-to-school time is just around the corner, and thankfully this year it means actually going back to school — an enormous relief from just one year ago. With the physical return to school comes shopping for supplies, clothes, and of course, a backpack to tote belongings.

With so many backpacks to choose from these days, where do you begin? Here are a few things to consider when selecting a pack for your kid:

Keep it light

Children’s backpacks should be no more than 10–15% of their body weight when filled. If your child weighs 50 pounds, for example, the backpack should weigh no more than five to ten pounds (including stuff). Heavy backpacks force kids to bend forward to support the extra weight, causing back and neck strain.

One size doesn’t fit all

While it’s tempting to buy a backpack that your child can have for years, the reality is that a too-big backpack is neither comfortable nor practical. The temptation to stuff it with way too much will likely make it too heavy, and the extra length will inevitably create discomfort. As a rule of thumb, a backpack should be no longer than your child’s back.

Padded straps are best

Wide, padded straps help relieve shoulders from added pressure, while non-padded straps tend to dig into them. Make sure the straps are fitted to your child, since too-loose straps can cause back pain, as does wearing a backpack over one shoulder. Jem & Bea’s Eco Backpacks are wonderfully padded for kids of all sizes, in addition to being ultra durable and super fun.

Choose quality over quantity

Rather than purchasing a backpack that’s cheap and trendy but will likely fall apart before the school year’s over, pick one that’s made to last. It will offer more support and not sag, tear or split open when least expected. One good pack is worth several flimsy ones, so invest in a quality bag from the get-go.

Consider what needs to be packed

Will your child be taking a water bottle to and from school? If so, look for a backpack with a pocket to stow one like State Bag’s Kane Cranes backpack. What about pens or pencils? If so, you’ll need a pocket to separate writing utensils (although you can also stash them in a separate zippered pouch, too). Make sure the main opening is large enough to fit a standard lunch box and basic school supplies while maintaining ergonomic guidelines. For students who take their laptop or tablet to and from school, look for a backpack with a protective, padded sleeve, like State Bags’ The Kane’s Glitter Stripe backpack, which holds up to a 13″ computer.

Let your child decide

Give your child a few choices of packs that you already know are a good fit for their size and weight. Kids feel far more excited about wearing and using packs they helped pick out — and the options these days are more appealing than ever!