

With snags, tears, loose threads or stuck zips unlikely, this timeless number will see kids through years of playground fun, and no doubt through the holidays too. They receive the most use and the most injury of any school supply. It may be at the pricier end of the scale but think of the Kanken as an investment piece. Backpacks are critical components of any school year.
BEST BACKPACKS FOR MIDDLE SCHOOLERS FULL
The zips go all the way down to the base of the bag (almost like a suitcase), so you can pack it full of stuff. It looks compact, but the boxy shape helps to keep things organised and enables you to fit way more than you may expect. Plus, the range of colours is incredibly cool.

The special-edition rainbow version has everything we love about the traditional Kanken – a smart boxy shape, oversized handles, and the red fox logo, but the rainbow accents (something that’s long been a symbol for diversity and equality) gives it a fun, spirited twist.

From city living to family hiking holidays in the Lake District, this brand ticks every box in terms of style, comfort and practicality – plus, they’re just as much a hit with adults as they are with teens and older kids. Originally created as a school bag for children in 1978, there’s a reason you’ll spot the trusty Kanken everywhere. Look for bright colours and fun prints that encompass kids’ interests and sense of style, while adhering to any bag policies your child’s school might have.
BEST BACKPACKS FOR MIDDLE SCHOOLERS PLUS
Smaller children are likely to need less – a water bottle, lunchbox, a reading book and raincoat – while those in secondary school will need space for all the above, plus A4 folders and stationery, wallet, phone, sports kit and perhaps even a laptop or tablet.īut as well as being large enough to accommodate these items, it needs to be relatively proportionate to your child’s width and height, with padded, adjustable straps that accommodate young, growing bodies, for maximum comfort.Ī backpack also needs to be durable and able to survive the somewhat rough treatment our beloveds bestow upon their belongings – being dragged across classroom floors and dumped in lockers, inevitable lunch spillages, the rain (and other elements), not to mention countless spins around the washing machine.īut while quality and fit are the biggest factors, it should also be something your child will wear with pride when they head back to school in September. Size is the first thing you should consider. Likely to become one of the most hardworking items on your shopping list, the best school backpacks and rucksacks need to be practical, comfortable, and strong enough to withstand daily use, as well as being something kids are keen to wear. Similarly, when it comes to finding a school bag they’ll be proud to sport in the playground, little ones can be a tough crowd. Sorting out all the bits and bobs kids will need for school isn’t always the easiest of tasks, whether you’re shopping for a lunchbox they’ll actually want to use, a new school uniform or a pair of school shoes that fits comfortably.
