Back to School Backpack Guide

At Irv’s Luggage we love The North Face line of backpacks; especially for students. They have to carry around books, electronics, gym clothing, lunch, school supplies and many other items so a quality backpack is a must-have item. The reason we recommend The North Face is because the quality of materials and the affordability they offer is unparalleled. However, they do offer many different lines of backpacks so selecting the right one can be difficult. Below are a few tips to help you out.

The first step is to pick a size. Generally, The North Face divides their backpacks into two sizing categories, medium and large. In the medium category (30 liters or less) the top sellers are Jester, Pivoter, and Borealis. We recommend the Jester or Pivoter for students who only have to carry a few items with them, because those backpacks use lightweight but less durable polyester materials (see this blog for explanation of materials). The Borealis is a good choice for the student who wants a durable all nylon backpack but doesn’t need the size of the large backpacks.

The most popular large backpacks (over 30L) are the Recon, Surge, and Router. These are perfect for students who have to haul all their books and gear back and forth every day. All three packs feature all nylon construction for extra durability. One thing to consider, if the student is going to be carrying a laptop with them, is that most backpacks are designed for 16’’ or smaller. Only the Surge and Router can fit a 17’’ laptop, so check the dimensions of the laptop before you buy.

Once you have decided on the line, the last decision is color. Black is often very popular because it is very neutral and doesn’t show any dirt. If a student is just using the backpack to get back and forth to school then black might be a good choice. However, if a student has to carry the backpack all day to class then a color will help them to know which bag is theirs, because black is so common.

Because of the quality of The North Face, I recommend that you pick out one that you think will be happy with throughout high school. The backpack, chosen wisely, should be a companion during this journey in life and maybe even the next. School is hard, let’s make going back as easy as possible.

North Face Backpacks Take You From School To College And Beyond

The North Face Recon Backpack

When summer ends, it means school begins and time for a new backpack. What is wrong with my children’s backpack from last year?  Nothing.  But they tell me it is just not as exciting as the new North Face Recon backpack I can buy at Irv’s Luggage.  I think they may be right.  The colors are awesome.  With the Fiery Red Plaid and the Leopard Yellow, I will always be able to spot them from the carpool line or at recess. My kids love the comfy FlexVent shoulder straps.  The large compartment is perfect for all their books.  No excuses for leaving anything at school. (Well, I’m sure there will still be some.)  There is even room for their laptop.  It’s great to see student backpacks with style and functionality.  This year I don’t mind buying a new backpack. Leave it to those boys from North Face to know how to design a backpack.  After all, the company has been designing backpacks since 1968, when gas was only .33 cents a gallon.

Did you know you can use your North Face backpack to learn about geography?  The  company’s logo is the 1/2 Dome Rock at Yosemite National Park. Today the North Face logo — the 1/2 dome — is probably as recognizable as Mt. Rushmore. Let your kids show you where Yosemite is on the map.  Can you find it?  Just be careful.  Next summer’s trip maybe to Yosemite.

 

The North Face Jester Backpack

Don’t worry.  North Face has a backpack for everyone.  Snacks, gear, and travel items can all be easily stowed in the the large and roomy North Face Jester laptop backpack.  If viewing beautiful nature isn’t enough and you need your laptop,  this backpack can safely accommodate a laptop.  There is a handy front side electronics organizer too. Take your iPod and your phone and you’re ready to go.

 

College students are also flocking to buy the North Face Jester.  With 2015 cubic inches of space, students can pack all their books for class and eliminate extra trips back to the dorm. Students may not be skipping to class, but the lightweight design won’t slow them down either.

 

The North Face Surge II Backpack

My next trip I am taking the North Face Surge II backpack. As a travel bag, I can fit several days of clothes and toiletries.  When I arrive, I can unpack and easily use the Surge as my daybag. This backpack meets airline regulations for a carry-on even with its roomy size.  Travelers give this bag a thumbs up for the comfortable padding. It’s easy on the back.  The great inside pockets let you organize and find pens, maps and other small items.

TSA regulations require you to pass everything through airline security.  This can slow you down if you have to dig for your laptop.  With this laptop backpack, you can easily grab your laptop from the padded sleeve and breeze through airport security.  Every minute saved, lets you start your trip sooner.

Hot backpacks for back to school

The start of school comes like clockwork. With it, comes the inevitable list of school supplies, the need for new clothes (when did those kids grow) and the search for a new school backpack.

So, what are the favorite brands? The North Face, Jansport and High Sierra are the top selling backpack brands of the back-to-school crowd. The major factors in the yearly backpack purchase are quite simply brand, color and style. The words ‘Oh Mom, that’s so last year’ still rings in my head. By far, the overall favorites this year are the Jansport Backpacks – Plaids; popular for the guys seems to be the High Sierra Swerve (with a padded computer sleeve); and for the little tikes, the JanSport Half Pint Backpacks, a huge hit, perfect for their lunch and their little take-home papers and projects!

My middle school son, soon to be an 8th grader, is actually leaning away from the traditional school backpack … Right now, his choice seems to be the Timbuk2 messenger bag, largely because it is a laptop messenger bag. He no longer carries books, as his laptop actually has all the text books loaded, so he really just needs enough space for the computer and what he calls ‘his school supplies’ aka: junk.

My other middle school daughter, has clearly become very fashion/brand conscious. This year’s choice appears to be a North Face backpack…the North Face Jester; fortunately, a more reasonably priced North Face and available in some great colors.

Last, for my grade school son, our youngest, the High Sierra Swerve Daypack in blue. The kid is not into color, style or brand… he’s about as plain as unlined paper, so I’m guessing he’ll stay with this High Sierra next year as well, it will certainly hold up.

Last but not least is the niece who lives with us. She’s in her final year of college and finishing nursing school. Her choice is a leather backpack from Clava Leather Bags. It is the perfect size, has lots of pockets and is a beautiful leather bag. Most importantly it holds her laptop and, of course, her myriad of nursing tools. This leather backpack will be carried long after her graduation.

Lots of backpacks, great values and plenty of great brands to choose from…