It is back to school season once again and many of us moms are struggling to find the right back pack for our children. For smaller children it seems so much easier to find “the one”. Most times they simply want their favorite color, which often changes or they want the in characters. For younger girls it tends to be Princesses and Dora. For the middle school girls, they still are in the pinks and purples or maybe even classic characters such as Hello Kitty. But what happens to teen girls? They are growing into their own person and might not want a Little Mermaid book bag. They might not want a traditional backpack either, they might want a sling or a messenger, depending on their personal style. Also, being older they might not have a place to hang their book bag while they sit in class. The bags of high schoolers often end up on the floor next to their desk where they are stepped on repeatedly. In addition, teens might be more willing to toss their bag in a friend’s car or in a field during practice. The high school years are definitely the years to invest a little more money into a book bag. You might also want to consider your students back and shoulders, picking bags that have thicker strap padding or even back padding are excellent choices. A good brand to look out for that stands the test of time is Jansport. They have an excellent array of styles and colors to choose from, and while they might seem pricey, they last longer than most other bags. I went on their website www.jansport.com and picked a few bags that I think teen girls would love to be seen with. All of their bags range in price based on where you purchase them, but generally you can expect to pay at least twenty dollars for one.
The first bag I looked at is called the Superbreak. They are the classic Jansport backpack and come in an array of colors from black to pink and brown polka dotted. One of the most popular colors aside from the traditional blacks and pinks, is without a doubt Buffalo Plaid. The over all design of the backpack makes it a keeper. The Superbreak is made from a sturdy denier polyester. According to its description it can carry two to three textbooks, a large binder, two to three spiral notebooks, several paperbacks, a calculator, pens and pencils, a bag lunch, a cell phone, and an MP3 player. This is one comfortable book bag as well. It boasts padded shoulder straps and a back pad for comfort to carry items to and from class.
The second bag I looked at is called the Super FX series. They come in an array of patterns and textured. They are a bag that was made to gain attention. These are a bag for the girl who loves to stand out. You cannot find a solid black book bag in this collection. They are not only stylish patterns but they boast the same amount of room as the Superbreak. They also have the same padded features. The only difference between these and the Superbreak you ask? These bags are much more flashy and for the girl who wants to be noticed.
The third bag I looked as is called the Super G. The Super G series is a more laid back series of book bags. They do not have the back pads and do not hold as much as the Superbreak or Super FX. While they are the same material as the other two styles, they come in an array of unique colors. This bag only has one main compartment, so it only holds a binder and a textbook combination. It does have a front pocket for pens, pencils, a calculator, a cell phone, or an MP3 player. It is good for someone who has time between their classes to stop at a locker.
The fourth and fifth styles I looked at are both from the Sole series of bags. They do not come in a lot of colors yet, but they are definitely something for a girl who is required to carry a laptop to class. The first is the Sole Pack which is a traditional back pack style. It has padded shoulder straps. One large main compartment.A padded sleeve that fits a 15″ laptop. A front utility pocket with retractable cord organizer keeps essentials handy. A fully padded back panel for cushioning comfort and some have screen print embellishment while others are solid colors. The Sole Pack also has a rubber soled bottom similar to the Chuck Taylor Converse sneakers. The second style is the Sole Vert, which is a vertical messenger bag. The Vert is styled after the classic 70s puffer jackets and has the same soled bottom as the Pack. Its strap is similar to a seat belt and fully adjustable. It has one main compartment, zippered security pocket, key ring clip and padded sleeve that fits a 13″ laptop. Both are pretty nice styles for girls who need their laptops for class.
Now, of course there are two other styles that Jansport sells. These are the totes and messenger styled bags. They are not as roomy as the above, but they come in a few styles and colors. If students are not allowed a larger book bag, or your daughter does not want a large bag, these are definitely a good choice.
