STURDY Backpack Recommendation, please

 Every September, for the past few years, I have had to buy new
backpacks for my two girls, as one school-year is, apparently, the
maximum life-expectancy of any school backpack (even those so-called
"high-end" ones such as Roots or Swiss Gear).

Growing up, my brothers and I went through exactly 3 (leather) school
bags each:  one for elementary and middle school (which was actually
passed down from one child to the next), one for high-school and one
for university.   Of course, then, planned obsolescence had not taken
over America.

Can someone recommend a backpack that would last AT LEAST a couple of
years?

TIA

Bianca

 
If you want heavy-duty stuff, check out the military surplus stores.

The backpacks I used in grade school were military surplus from WWII,
made from heavy waterproofed canvas, with thick canvas straps liberally
reinforced with metal rivets. They lasted longer than my need for them
since backpacks were no longer cool once you reached junior high.

When my kids needed backpacks, I noticed the local surplus store
had lots of similar stuff from the newly-dismantled East German Army.

Maybe these days, the stores carry Iraqi army surplus.

Don

 Bianca wrote:

My sister ran into this exact issue when she was in college.  She
ended up getting a backpack from JanSport because it had a "lifetime"
warranty.  I don't know if she still has it, but I do know she sent
it in and had it repaired for free at least once and maybe a few
times.

Looking at their web site, they have an FAQ about warranties, and
it says this:

    When you say "lifetime warranty," whose lifetime does that
    refer to?

    The pack's "lifetime" means the life of the pack, or when,
    through normal use and general deterioration, the pack can
    no longer function for the purpose intended.

    http://www.jansport.com/js_faq.php?type=warranty#110

So it would appear that this does not mean you can buy a single
backpack and use it for the rest of your life.  But it may mean
you can get more out of than a regular backpack.  Still, I think
you would have to pay to ship it to be repaired (although with
backpacks being fairly light, shipping shouldn't cost a lot).

Also, the same FAQ also mentions that they won't pay for getting
the backpack repaired at a "local repair service", so maybe it's
a reasonable strategy to instead buy any random but decent quality
backpack (not necessarily a JanSport) and get it repaired when
necessary, ideally before a small tear turns into a gaping hole.

   - Logan

 

I can second Jansport, and also eastpak (sp?). I don't drag a pack every
day, but do use them at airports instead of briefcases now, to simplify
those inter-terminal forced marches, and have gotten good service from my
Jansport. If cost is no object, there is always north face or one of the
other outdoor gear companies. Dirty little secret- likely they are probably
all made in the same Pacific rim plant these days. My Columbia rain jacket
was made in freaking Viet Nam, of all places.

For a kid, a 20 dollar pack from Sam's club will likely do them fine. Note
that school packs are a fashion thing, not just a bookbag, so even if last
years is in fine shape, they will want whatever their friends have. Also
note that many schools, at least in big cities, now require clear or mesh
packs, the better to search the little dears. Probably worth looking through
the paperwork they sent, or calling the school, before you spend money.

aem sends...

 
My experience was that Jansport DOES honor their warranty, without any
tricks to stop you from using it.

I had the zipper on a pack replaced at least 3 times, for free.  I'd
rather they just improved the zippers, but short of that, I was glad
Jansport lived up to their warranty.  I'm using an LL Bean right now,
but Jansport is definitely on my short list.