Tips for choosing a backpack for college and high school

The middle and high school years are certainly the ones that have marked you the most, but now that you are the parents of a teenager, this period raises other questions. Whether it's about orientation, friendships, or the mood swings of your young adult, your daily life is sometimes eventful.

But as the back-to-school season approaches, there is another point that concerns you: the choice of backpack that your teenager will carry.

You don't want your child to be the laughingstock of the middle or high school because of an outdated backpack, and on the other hand, you don't want to compromise on the quality of the bag.

So, to help you in your choice, we have listed the main points to consider when choosing a backpack for a middle or high school student.

Backpacks for middle school

Make room for electronics

Backpacks for middle school students will likely need to have space for a laptop. Classic brands like American Tourister now offer backpacks with special storage pockets for laptops or tablets.

For example, the URBAN GROOVE laptop backpack has a padded interior sleeve that fits a 15.6-inch laptop.

With laptops and tablets, you might think that middle and high school students have fewer heavy books. However, digital trends do not necessarily mean lighter loads. They have their whole lives in their backpacks - not just books and electronic devices, but also things for extracurricular activities. Just make sure that the backpack is not overloaded.

Look for backpacks that stand out

Remember the peer pressure of middle school, when you had to have the bag of the season or the rest of your life would be ruined? This generation is not like that.

Among younger students, elementary and middle school, we have seen trends such as color-changing glitter backpacks in recent years. This group is looking for fun and is also attracted to unique looks.

Generation Z is more likely to want to stand out, rather than fit in, in terms of fashion, and 77% of 13-17 year olds tell us they like to dress in their own style.

Comfort is key

When looking for the best backpacks for middle school students, do not overlook the comfort factor. 54% of middle and high school students use the word "comfortable" to best describe their personal style, while 77% said that comfort was their number one priority in what they wear. For this reason, backpacks with a sporty style are a huge trend for this age group.

These young consumers are more open to wearing logos than millennials, which heralds a bit of a return of logo mania - if they are passionate enough about the brand. Favorite backpack brands for this age group include Eastpak and JanSport.

Backpacks for high school

Bags should go beyond the classroom

High school students are so busy that they often don't even have time to stop at their lockers. Their backpacks must be able to contain multiple types of items.

One option is the Eastpak PINNACLE backpack. Its durability and features have made it the best choice for a high school backpack. With a capacity of 40 liters, it offers excellent storage capacity, there is also room for a 15-inch laptop, with dedicated spaces for a tablet and a cord, and two water bottles.

The best backpacks for high school students include features such as expandable front pockets, external bungee cords, and spaces for electronics.

A trendy, sportswear, and stylish backpack

Among high school students, sporty styles continue to be the preference, but we also see models that combine this style with details such as bright and bold colors and prints. Again, the Eastpak brand is certainly the one that stands out the most with a wide choice of models. There are fairly plain backpacks, in solid colors, and other more extravagant models with patterns and bright colors.

We are sticking to practical and, above all, durable backpacks that can follow the student from middle school to high school without any problems.

However, students should use both straps of their backpacks. It may seem cool to wear a backpack on one shoulder, but it can lead to long-term injuries and problems with the spine. Studies have also shown that carrying loads unevenly, such as when a child carries a backpack on one shoulder, can lower the most frequently loaded shoulder and cause lateral curvatures of the spine.

So, as cool as the backpack you are going to choose for your teenager's back-to-school season may be, remember to remind them that it is essential to carry their backpack properly.