It’s back-to-school time again and unless you’re a student, or a parent of one, the thought of wearing a backpack or shopping for one probably hasn’t crossed your mind since college. But this fall, the backpack has jumped from school hallways to fashion runways.
In numerous styles and colors for both genders, the backpack has reemerged in current and upcoming collections of designers like Gucci, Marc Jacobs and Dolce & Gabbana, and store brands like J. Crew and Assembly New York. And if you think the double strapped satchels are still predominantly made from nylon, think again. Some of the most popular materials include cashmere, leather and neoprene (a material used in wetsuits).
In keeping with the continual going-green trend, eco-friendly backpacks made from recycled plastic bottles are also being snatched up by students of all ages. One brand called Earthpak says that each of its backpacks saves more than 12 two-liter bottles from ending up in a landfill.
But despite the wide variety, the key to choosing the right backpack is knowing what you intend to put in it. Of course, if you’re in search of a backpack to tote lightweight daily essentials (i.e., your wallet, cell phone), the options are endless. But while some can be used for a variety of purposes, others are intended for transporting specific items such as laptops. The laptop backpack has become an increasingly popular alternative to the traditional briefcase carry-on (that commonly includes a detachable shoulder strap) not only for its hands-free advantage, but because single shoulder strap bags or backpacks are suspected of causing back strain. Carrying excessive weight on one shoulder can obviously feel painful, but it can also cause curvature of the spine or tingling in the neck, arms and hands.
Perhaps most at risk of developing these symptoms are students, many of whom spend the school year lugging around heavy books and sporting equipment. In 2008, 12,309 backpack injuries that resulted in visits to the doctor, hospital or emergency room occurred among youths under the age of 18, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Doctors and physical therapists recommend that people carry no more than 10 percent to 15 percent of their body weight in their packs. (The backpack of a 120-pound person should weigh no more than 12 to 18 pounds). To minimize injury, the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons recommends backpacks with wide, padded straps and padded backs to help distribute weight more effectively.
Signs that a backpack may be too heavy include a difference in posture when wearing it; difficulty putting it on or taking it off; and red marks on the skin left by the straps, the U.S. National Safety Council reports.
While you may buy a new fashionable backpack for your youngster, the old one isn’t rendered useless, especially in the midst of wildfire season. Instead of throwing it away, consider turning last year’s backpack into an emergency supply kit with spare clothing, cash, food and other supplies in case of evacuation.