Backpack briefing: The Monday Consult
It may be just the beginning of August, but moms are already thinking about getting kids ready for school. We're checking the supply lists, scoping out the sales, and getting the kids to settle on that all-important backpack choice.
With that in mind, I thought we'd make today's Consult about backpacks. ConsumerReports.org recently published an informative tip sheet, and the results of an interesting test they performed on backpack weight.
The Web site recommends that backpacks and their contents not go much over 10 percent of a child's weight...
(Old Navy backpack photo courtesy of the Associated Press)
But when ConsumerReports.org weighed some students and their backpacks, the testers found that the packs for sixth-graders weighed more like 17.2 percent of the child's weight. (The second- and fourth-graders seemed to be carrying safer loads, well under 10 percent of their weight.)
The site recommends that backpacks be worn about 2 inches above the waist and with both shoulder straps on, close to the body, to avoid injury. Here are more ConsumerReports.org tips:
Shoulder straps that are contoured and padded to soften the load.
A waist belt to stabilize the pack and transfer weight to the hips.
A padded or quilted back or one with mesh fabric to make the bag less sweaty on steamy days.
Compression straps on the sides to tighten a partially-filled backpack.
Multiple pockets: small ones for a calculator, a cell phone, and keys, and a concealed inside pocket for cash.
Dual zippers for the main compartment.
Waterproof, colorfast material.
Have you found any great backpacks to recommend?
Comments
A complication to all of this is the fact that BCPSS middle schools require clear or see-through net backpacks...and the lockers are too small to accommodate rolling backpacks, which are the best way to deal with the heavy middle school book load...
Posted by: Baltomommie | August 4, 2008 9:48 AM