School Backpacks – Our Checklist for Buying

Ready, set, go: The first day of school is just around the corner. Many parents now face the challenging task of finding a suitable school backpack for their soon-to-be ABC beginner. Not so easy with the colorful variety – especially since the fit must be right, and the backpack should also look good. It’s important to take your soon-to-be schoolchild along when buying.

But first, a special question always comes up: When should you buy a school backpack?

We recommend the spring before school starts. At that time, you will have plenty of choices, as the manufacturers’ new models come onto the market!

Good teamwork is essential here

Start by choosing a simple backpack so your child isn’t distracted by its appearance right away. The focus should be on the weight and a good fit on the back. The little ones can decide on the look later. Of course, you can also order one or two models conveniently to your home and try them out calmly — try wearing the backpack both with and without a jacket; test it not only empty but also loaded — after all, your child will be carrying lunch boxes, pencil cases, and many schoolbooks and notebooks.

The 12 most important criteria on our checklist for buying a school backpack: What should I pay attention to?

1. Browse the colorful selection together with your ABC beginner, try on backpacks, and let the child have a say.

2. Good workmanship and stability: The material and shape must be sturdy to ensure a certain inherent stability and optimal weight distribution along the spine. Maybe the material is even water-repellent or waterproof to protect textbooks from rain showers.

3. Ideally, choose backpacks with adjustable carrying systems that adapt to the child’s back at all times.

4. Pay attention to the back panel, which, besides good padding, must fit comfortably against the back. Does the backpack press in any spot? Does it fit well on the back and end just above the hips? We recommend trying the backpack with a thick sweater or jacket and just a T-shirt. Depending on the season, your child will wear more or fewer layers.

5. Shoulder straps should be softly padded and as wide as possible; about 4 cm wide is a good guide. Length depends on the child’s size, with at least 50 cm being a good baseline. Also, shoulder straps should be easy for small hands to adjust and should sit loosely around the neck.

6. Closures are not always easy for small hands to operate. When buying, test if your child can open all compartments alone. Quality is important here too, as the backpack will be opened and closed several times a day.

7. Pay attention to the weight of the new backpack. As a guideline, an empty backpack for elementary school children should not weigh more than 1.2 kg. Be sure to try the backpack loaded with contents to simulate real use.

8. To better distribute the backpack’s weight, a chest or hip strap is recommended. The chest strap prevents the shoulder straps from slipping, and the hip strap distributes the weight toward the hips to relieve the back.

9. Safety first: Reflective strips and reflectors on the backpack are important so the child can safely make the way to and from school even in the dark. At least 10% of the backpack’s surface should be covered with reflectors and 20% with fluorescent materials, such as reflective strips.

10. Quality seals and test results give parents confidence when buying. Common marks include DIN standard 58-124, TÜV, and GS seals (tested safety). The more seals a backpack has, the better. The DIN standard 58-124 specifies equipment and safety features every backpack should meet (e.g., waterproof, sufficiently wide straps, safety). The GS seal from TÜV Rheinland tests materials for harmful substances, among other things.

11. Does the model offer enough storage space for all books and notebooks? Also, the drinking bottle and lunch box should not be forgotten. Make sure your child can optimally use the daily companion’s space.

12. Does your little ABC beginner like the backpack? Besides all the important criteria, the design should not be neglected. The child should like the pattern and motifs long-term since they will have to carry it to school with joy. It’s important that the look stays “trendy” for an extended period. After all, the new backpack should be used at least until the third grade.

Discover our current range of school backpacks in our online shop. Don’t hesitate to ask for advice at Sakoi. Our staff at the Leipzig and Dresden stores will be happy to assist you. You can also book a personal consultation appointment conveniently online in our shop.