Back to School Backpacks - Frugal Upstate

Although summer seems to have just begun in earnest, it always seems to race by. Before you know it, “Back to School” will be here and we will all be shopping for that endless school supply list, a new fall wardrobe and of course a new school backpack!

This year Walmart sent me three of their new backpacks to test out and tell you about.

Back to School Backpacks at Walmart

The first backpack is the Basic 16″ Zip Front Backpack for just $3.97. That’s right, this bag comes in at UNDER $4!

I didn’t expect much from a bag that cost so little, but this one had some construction details that impressed me. It’s made from a sturdy polyester that seems water resistant-I wouldn’t expect it to keep books dry through a deluge, but if it’s just sprinkling on the way to school I think your kid’s stuff would stay dry. The zippers are strongly sewn in with a double row of stitching, and where the buckles are attached to the straps there is reinforced stitching as well. The buckles are plastic, but didn’t seem flimsy. And what impressed me most was that the raw edges of the fabric are covered with a bias tape. I’ve had more than one backpack start fraying on the inside seams, then all that thread gets caught in the zipper and jams it up. Not fun.

The one I received was gray with lime green accents, but you can get it in several color combinations. A 16 inch bag isn’t particularly big–it wouldn’t be large enough for my middleschooler and highschooler–but this bag would be great for a child in primary school. It would also be a fantastic bag to stay all packed up with what you need for a particular activity–like soccer, scouts, dance, or music lesson. For $3.97 you could buy one for each lesson, sport or activity and really keep thing organized.

Next up is the 17.5″ Classic Backpack for $9.88.

This bag is bigger than the basic and has more features. It’s made of sturdy polyester and has a reinforced vinyl bottom. I like that because not only is it stronger (and kids do love to drag their bags along the ground) but also it will protect the contents if the bag is accidentally set down in some water. The back and straps are padded, the buckles are the same plastic as you see in the basic. Besides the front zip pocket, this bag features an interior pocket that will fit a 15″ laptop. Again there are double rows of stitching for the zippers and bias tape to cover the raw fabric edges.

This bag comes in several patterns besides the Aztec print I was sent, and also can be found in solids. I think this would be a great basic bag for kids of any age.

Finally we get to the No Boundaries Printed Canvas Backpack for $18.88.

The jump up in price comes with an step up in style. This pretty flowered bag is made of cotton canvas with faux leather trim. There is a pull string to close up the main compartment, but then the over flap is secured by a snap (even though it appears to be a fashionable buckle). I was impressed with the way the snap closure was made–they have it loop up so you can get a finger underneath and really pinch the snap closed! Inside the main body of the bag there is a small zippered pocket, and on the exterior there are three pockets. The flaps of all the pockets and main compartment are lined, and the entire main compartment is fully lined! Everything is securely sewn down. The straps on this bag are cotton webbing with adjustable metal slides–and the webbing is well sewn into reinforced faux leather accents for strength.

Any teen or tween would love this bag–I know Princess does. She not only claimed it immediately for her own, but told me she had already seen several of the most fashion conscious girls in her school sporting this exact bag before school ended.

The No Boundaries Printed Canvas Buckle Flap Backpack Isn’t the bag (and the girl) pretty?

Of course these aren’t the only bags Walmart will be selling. So no matter what your budget is for the coming school year, you know you’ll be able to find a bag that fits it (and your kid’s style) at Walmart!