I tried cheap school backpacks – the £14 winner was a perfect size and so easy to clean
WHILE uniform rules are pretty strict at most schools, that is not always the case with school bags.
Style will always be the biggest concern for most children with kids choosing everything from Spider-Man and Paw Patrol to more grown-up designs for their belongings.
But you also need to pick a bag that fits their homework, water bottle, pencil case and anything else they pick up in the playground.
Comfort is key too, with some backs feeling too heavy and some shoulder straps not always fitting properly.
You’ll also need to consider how many pockets and compartments your child needs.
Lynsey Hope has tested a range of backpacks with her children Jacob, ten, Olive, seven and Ivy, four.
Here she reveals which came top of the class.
Helly Hansen Marka Juniors’ Backpack
£55, hellyhansen.com
I wouldn’t have wanted to fork out £55 for this bag before seeing it, but actually I was impressed.
I really liked the sporty vibe and the mesh stuff pockets on either side of the bag are perfect for keeping water bottles and other necessities in reach.
The adjustable top lid and side compression straps work together to compress or expand the pack, keeping your cargo from shifting while you are on the move, while the adjustable shoulder straps and harness allow for a more custom fit and comfort.
It also has a reflective patch on the front and reflective piping on the shoulder straps which could be a huge benefit for older children who walk home alone in the winter. A good investment.
9/10
Mountain Warehouse Bookwork Backpack
£12.99, mountainwarehouse.com
I was surprised by how lightweight this backpack is. Olive, seven, was very keen to take this on her first day and loved the matching pencil case that comes with it.
The shoulder straps were padded, comfy and easy to adjust.
There’s also a mesh pocket for drinks bottles.
It’s a good size and an even better price.
8/10
Hello Kitty and Friends School Backpack
£24.99, minisoshop.co.uk
A fun and vibrant Hello Kitty design, which is sure to appeal to younger schoolchildren.
The bag feels well made and was substantial enough to hold a few books and school essentials. It was light to carry.
The shoulder straps did slip a little bit and would have benefitted from a chest strap to keep the bag from slipping.
The front pocket was a generous size and it had lots of compartments to help keep items separate.
6/10
Flying Tiger Iridescent Backpack
£10, flyingtiger.com
This really drew the admiring eyes of my daughters with its captivating multi-coloured sheen.
It’s small, holding up to around 1kg max, and not really big enough for school books.
It’s pretty though and a lovely fashion accessory.
It’s also light enough for little ones to carry a few accessories or snacks on days out.
Well made and good quality for the price.
7/10
Smiggle Limitless Classic Attach Backpack
£42, smiggle.co.uk
Smiggle’s substantial backpack has three zipped compartments to store stationary, tech and snacks.
It also has a bottle sleeve on the side and padded, adjustable shoulder straps which the kids said were amongst the comfiest they tried.
Lots of great designs but our favourite was this mint unicorn pattern.
Both girls wanted it – the only downside is the price as it felt quite a big outlay at the start of term.
7/10
M&S Kids Paw Patrol Backpack
£14, marksandspencer.com
Paw Patrol fans will be ready for adventure with this cute backpack.
It’s made with Stormwear innovation material for shower protection and closes with an easy zip fastening.
There is a top handle as well as adjustable shoulder straps.
We liked the pocket options which helped keep things organised, including the zipped pocket on the front and slip pockets on the side which fitted a drinks bottle.
It’s not full-sized so might be a squeeze if you wanted to fit in an A4 folder.
You can pop it in the washing machine at 40C which was fab for keeping it clean as new.
10/10
Trixie Backpack Mrs Cat
£39.95, scandiborn.co.uk
Super soft and comfy, this is a great option if your child generally finds carrying a bag hard work.
The fabric is soft and comfy and the shoulder straps are padded and adjustable.
There is also a chest strap which stops the straps from constantly falling down.
It’s a decent size with a handy front pocket and the zipper was easy for children to open themselves.
It’s made of recycled cotton but has a water repellent coating. Pricey – but top quality.
8/10
Disney Spider-Man Backpack
£13.99, disneystore.co.uk
A great quality bag for less than £14. It’s a super cool design with web embroidery on the back panel.
There’s a handy front zip pocket and a mesh pocket to hold a drinks bottle on the side.
It’s fully lined with adjustable padded shoulder straps.
Beware it is wipe clean only, but it didn’t show up muck and dirt too easily.
Any Spidey fans will love this for their school adventures.
7/10
Sonic Prime Plush Backpack
£19.99, amazon.co.uk
A bag with a soft, plush feel to it so kids can imagine they are cuddling up with Sonic himself.
The straps are adjustable, allowing for a good fit and it’s comfortable to carry.
It’s not huge – and wouldn’t fit a pencil case or a book so this is more for play than for school. But it is super cute and cuddly.
6/10
Maped Helix Harvard College Backpack
£18, waitrose.co.uk
A great option for older school children, this has a large main compartment and a separate padded compartment that would fit a laptop.
There’s also a zipped front pocket and netting on the side for a drinks bottle.
It’s made from recycled polyester with a durable PVC coating to protect the inside of the bag from spills and leaks. Wipe clean finish.
The back panel was ventilated which was great in the warm weather. My sonJacob, ten, loved the design too.
8/10
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