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It’s back to school time and clothing and shoes aren’t the only things you need to make sure fit your child well and last through the school year. Backpack fit and durability are just as important.

Where a backpack sits on a child’s back, how straps are adjusted, and how much a pack weighs can each have an impact on your child’s back, causing unnecessary pain or strain.

Tips for Buying Packs that Fit

Here are 4 tips from Consumer Reports to help you buy a school pack that fits:

1. One size does not fit all: Ideally, the bottom of the backpack should align with the curve of the lower back, and not more than four inches below the waistline. A backpack’s shoulder-strap anchor points should also rest 1 to 2 inches below the top of the shoulders.

2. Inspect before you invest: Things to look for on the inside and outside of a backpack before you buy it include.

• Sloppy stitching or loose threads, which can indicate poor manufacturing
• Raw, exposed fabric edges, which can fray and weaken the fabric, and possibly get stuck in the zipper
• Zippers without covering fabric flaps. In our rain test, zippers that were not protected by flaps of fabric allowed water to seep in.

3. Comfort, convenience, and safety are important: Features to look for include wide, padded, contoured shoulder straps that distribute the pack’s load over a large area of the shoulder, an abdominal strap, which can help distribute the pack’s weight evenly on the back, waist, and hips, and reflectors or reflective fabrics on the pack to add visibility when kids travel to and from school at dusk or dawn.

4. Prevent injury with a lighter load: To prevent discomfort and injury, load and wear the backpack correctly. The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) recommends carrying no more than 15 percent of your body weight in a backpack. Visit the AOTA for more information on how to load a backpack and adjust the straps properly.

image credit: aota.org

The best way to make sure a pack will fit is to have your child try it on in the store. Adjust the straps, see where the bottom of the pack falls relative to her or his waistline, and inspect the pack’s quality. You might also want to think about the weight of your child’s school books and supplies. If the backpack is too heavy for them, consider using a book bag on wheels.

Sources:

Backpacks shopping and fitting guide, Consumer Reports, July 2009
Backpack Awareness for Students, AOTA