Backpacks for Teens

Choosing just the right backpack is a difficult decision when you're a teen. Just think. you will be seen carrying it all year, in school and out. As the mother of four and the grandmother of seven I have spent time researching the various aspects of choosing just the right back to school supplies and I had no idea there were so many things to consider. I have put together some of the important aspects of choosing just the right size and style for school aged children. .

Important message for parents:

There are backpacks, and then, there are the right backpacks- read on to see all the 'right' backpacks and pick your favorite.

photo by Viktor Nikitin | Dreamstime.com

These backpacks are perfect for the teenager and very popular with the boys I have talked to. The important fact that these guys should be aware of is not to sling that backpack over one shoulder, wear it with both straps as it is designed to be used. The one strap over the shoulder may look cool but it is very strenuous on your back and shoulders and with all the books and computers being carried today it can cause future damage.

1. Don't overload the backpack. Your child should not carry more than 15%-20% of his or her weight.
2. Heavy items should be placed close to the child's back.
3. Wide, padded shoulder straps will help to prevent the straps from digging into the shoulder.
4. Make sure your child uses both shoulder straps to prevent lower back pain and muscle spasms.

Weighing in at under two pounds this backpack is slightly larger than most and carries pretty much everything. There is even a special pocket for your MP3 player with headphone port.

This backpack has turned into one of the top favorites for teens and college students who carry loads of books and other necessities throughout the day - has VERY GOOD reviews.

Price is not always the most important factor when selecting your child's backpack. There are several factors to consider when selecting a backpack for the school year and just because one is expensive does not mean that it is the best choice.

Here are some of the factors to consider when buying that backpack.

1. Larger teens backpacks start at about 1,500 cubic inches of storage space to be useful and can even start at 2000 cubic inches when there are many items to carry.
2. Well padded shoulder straps and padded back straps are one of the best features of a comfortable backpack.
3. Some waterproofing is a nice feature to keep the books and homework from getting wet when running from the bus to the school.
4. The right size is important. According to the consumer resource center, " Packs are sized by torso length, not overall height, and knowing your torso measurement can help you get the right size. Measure from the bony bump at the base of your child's neck (your 7th cervical vertebrae) to the top of the hipbones. " This measurement will help you to select the size that will be comfortable for your student.

Teenaged girls, like my granddaughters, love the style and colors of these. Not only are there backpacks made with color and style but comfort and ease of use is important too. This backpack is perfect for any teenage girl to use.

Here's Why..........

More than 79 million students in the United States carry school backpacks.

More than 2,000 backpack-related injuries were treated at hospital emergency rooms, doctor’s offices,

and clinics in 2007.

It is recommended that a loaded backpack should never weight more than 10% of the student’s total

body weight (for a student weighing 100 pounds, this means that the backpack should weight no

more than 10 pounds).

In a study on the effect of backpack education on student behavior and health, nearly 8 out of 10

middle school students who changed how they loaded and wore their backpacks reported less pain

and strain in their backs, necks, and shoulders.

Thanks to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission for these facts.