The best satchels for first graders: a review of manufacturers and popular models for 2020

Getting your child to school is always troublesome and costly. I would like not only to buy everything "according to the list", but also not to make a hole in the family budget. And, most importantly, buy quality and reliable items.

One of the most important school supplies is the satchel. He should not only like the child outwardly, have a fashionable print, but also be safe and practical. The latter characteristics should be checked by parents. Therefore, the editors of the site "I found" offers you instructions for purchasing the best satchel for a first grader. We will understand the main characteristics, consider the rating of quality models in 2020.

Criteria for choosing a backpack for primary school

Let's figure out what to look for when buying a backpack.

Weight

The weight of the backpack is determined by the national standard. For children of primary school age, the maximum is 1 kg (without school supplies). With all its contents, the bag should weigh no more than 10% of the baby's total body weight. Usually it is 2-3 kg.

When purchasing a thing, do not forget to look at the marking indicating the age for which the product is designed.

The size

The first-grader's bag must be rectangular so that all books and an album for drawing can fit in it normally.

Design features

Almost all manufacturers offer backpacks with orthopedic or ergonomic backs. What is this and is there a difference? With the same word, manufacturers denote that their product has a firm back, while it has the correct anatomical shape and has soft ergonomic roller inserts that follow the curves of the body. The correct wearing of such a bag is the prevention of spinal curvature. If your child already has impaired posture, consult a doctor before purchasing a backpack.

Wide, soft shoulder straps significantly reduce the load on the baby's spine. But to be useful, they must be regulated. The most comfortable straps are 5-8 cm wide.

It is even safer for the spine and more comfortable to wear a model with chest or lumbar straps, which allow you to transfer some of the load from the shoulders to the hips.

It's good if the school bag contains not one compartment, but several. Then the accessories do not mix, the notebooks do not wrinkle. It's great if the manufacturer has made more than one compartment, at best dividing it with a thin fabric partition, but two with separate locks. It is very convenient if the bag has a pocket for your phone, tablet or small laptop.

The more pockets the better.Internal and external pockets make it possible not to lose small items in the large compartment - keys, pencil case, hat, sandwich or apple. Some manufacturers make external side pockets out of mesh. It is very convenient to put water bottles in them.

Materials

A high-quality product can be easily identified by the fabric, well-finished seams, and a clear pattern.

At the moment, the most popular materials for making backpacks are (in descending order):

• polyester;
• Oxford;
• EVA;
• artificial leather;
• neoprene;
• nylon;
• cotton;
• taslan.

If you want the item to last longer and maintain a decent look, take a model made of waterproof fabric. Such a bag will calmly survive rain, snow, falling into a puddle, riding a slide, spilled tea or coffee. It will be much easier to clean.

Models with a hard plastic bottom are also good. Such a bottom is better than a fabric bottom for two reasons: it even better protects the insides from getting wet, and prevents the bag from rubbing from the bottom.

Accessories

Most brands produce models equipped with additional accessories: a bag for removable shoes or sports uniforms, a pencil case with stationery, a wallet, a folder.

The advantage of such sets is that all items are made in the same color scheme, it is beautiful and practical. The child will no longer confuse his pencil case with someone else's. In addition, by buying a fully equipped backpack, you significantly save your time.

Baby design and safety

There must be reflective elements on the body of the bag and straps. It is good if the knapsack itself or the drawing on it is bright, contrasting. All this makes a child much more noticeable in the dark, in fog, cloudy weather.

If the purchased model is dark or not equipped with a sufficient number of reflective stripes, they can be purchased in the form of stickers or key fobs.

Selection errors

Purchasing a product without trying on

The first thing that may not go according to plan is that it is highly likely that the child may not like the look of the thing. And the kid will remember such an offense for a very, very long time. After all, he should walk with this backpack, not you. Well, secondly, the product may not fit well.

Purchase "for growth"

A dangerous strategy is that some parents buy a backpack not for a year or two, but almost for the next five years. Children grow up quickly. If a child goes through all the primary classes with a heavy bag that is not for his age, then the curvature of the back will be difficult and expensive to correct, if at all possible.

Soft backpack - cheap and cheerful

And it is disastrously harmful to the spine. Everything is similar to the previous point. Plus, a padded backpack is basically just a bag to put things in. It is almost impossible to evenly distribute the load in this case. Moreover, small children are rarely neat, and it is quite difficult to put things in such bags without wrinkling or mixing them.

Narrow shoulder straps

The straps should only be wide and soft. Variants of bags with cloth tape straps are harmful for babies - they will rub shoulders, ruin clothes.

Bad fittings

The child should open all pockets and compartments easily, quickly and without effort. Therefore, in priority, fasteners with magnets or metal zippers with large, sturdy dogs.

It is undesirable to purchase models with Velcro: they become unusable too quickly.

The best backpack and satchel manufacturers

Thinking about which company is better to buy a satchel, many turn to a variety of sources: advice from friends, recommendations of sellers in stores. Our list of trusted first-grader backpack manufacturers is based on numerous customer opinions. All of these brands make their products from high-quality materials that are safe for children's health, and the designs comply with the state standard.

• Grizzly;
• Belmil;
• Coulomb;
• DerDieDas;
• Erich Krause;
• Hama;
• Hatber;
• Herlitz;
• Hummingbird;
• Mag Taller;
• Target.

The best backpack models for first graders for 2020

We offer you an overview of the highest quality, safest, as well as popular models with detailed descriptions, their pros, cons. The rating has options for any wallet: from inexpensive to premium.

Budget options

Hama Monsters (139072)

The product from the German brand Hama is equipped with a rigid frame that maintains the correct shape of the back. This stylish backpack is likely to appeal to both boys and girls who love monsters, aliens and various kinds of mysticism.

Average price: 2700 rubles.

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Hummingbird Forever friends (NK5)

A wonderful choice for a little girl. A backpack made of lightweight Eva-composite and with an original print - a cute, friendly bunny, not only looks beautiful, but can also withstand even the most unusual children's adventures.

Average price: 2990 rubles.

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Belmil Click Flamingo (405-45 / 779)

A lightweight polyester bag with a sturdy frame and an anatomical back will be the best learning assistant for a young schoolgirl.

Average price: 2700 rubles.

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Erich Krause Cars Retro Rally Prime 42412

Compact backpack with a comfortable, ergonomic, rigid back. The main compartment is divided into two parts by a padded partition, there is also a small pocket for coins or keys.

Average price: 2753 rubles.

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Average price category

Grizzly Rav Series Satchels

In the series of RAv backpacks, two innovative features have been applied that have made the product even more convenient, comfortable, modern and ergonomic.

The first is a molded plastic bottom - 100% sure that the contents of the backpack will remain intact in any puddle. And after such an experiment, the knapsack will keep a neat look as it is easy to wipe it with a damp cloth.

The plastic bottom is often found in models of Western firms - but these products have a very high selling price and are not so adapted for the Russian market - for example, the zippered flap on the RAv model is better suited for operation in rain and snow than the flap on the fastener in similar species backpacks.

For the first time, a model with a plastic bottom - at an affordable price.

The second point is the ergonomic backrest of a special design - (GRIZZLY know-how) with removable side cushions - support that distributes the load on the lumbar spine.

Average price: 4 890 rubles.

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Herlitz Loop Plus Blue Hearts with filling

Lightweight bag made of water-repellent foam with anatomical back, adjustable shoulder straps. This cheerful drawing in the shape of a heart will appeal to many girls.

Average price: 5104 rub.

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Mag taller ezzy iii cat

Bright pink satchel with a cute playful kitten is sewn of durable moisture-resistant polyester. Weighs only 0.9kg, perfect for schoolgirl's fragile shoulders. The rigid body is complemented by an ergonomic backrest with gentle curves that follow the contours of the body. The main department has a fabric partition - notebooks will not mix with textbooks, they will not wrinkle. The set of accessories includes: pencil case with stationery, shoe bag.

Average price: 5191 rub.

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Hatber Compact Plus Start (NRk_14027)

A stylish, laconic bag in a sporty style will suit not only a boy, but also a girl who loves sports.

Average price: 7990 rubles.

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Target 5 in 1 Sweet Harmony (19661)

Delicate, original design with two ballerinas will sink into the hearts of many young dancers or simply lovers of everything bright and graceful.

Average price: 8550 rub.

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Premium class

Coulomb (BL.RX.0020)

The famous Japanese Randoseru satchel made in China will suit both a small but stylish first grader and an older schoolgirl.

Average price: 13993 rub.

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DerDieDas ErgoFlex with filling

The model from Germany complies with domestic and European quality standards. Weighs only 0.8 kg, sewn from polyester with a special water-repellent impregnation. The bold design and reflective patches provide extra safety for your child on busy city streets.

Average price: 14,900 rubles.

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How to wear a backpack

A thing can harm your posture even when it is selected taking into account all the requirements and norms (weight, height, etc.).

Let's figure out what mistakes lead to posture disorders and general fatigue. And then we will retell it to the kid.

• Overload. We remember that the weight of the knapsack with all its contents should not exceed 10 percent of the child's weight. For primary school children, this is 2-3 kg. Well, you may have to negotiate with a friend and share one book for two. Or find a compromise with a teacher and read from an e-book, tablet.
• Wear the thing correctly. No orthopedic back will help if a child carries a backpack on one shoulder. Therefore, the first rule is to always wear a satchel on both shoulders. And second: do not drag the product over long distances by the small handle. Although, most manufacturers make the handle so small that it does not work except to hang the bag on a hook for it.
• Not adjusted fit. A quality product has an orthopedic back, as well as adjustable shoulder straps. The anatomically shaped back follows the curves of the spine, so it is very important that the bag fits snugly, like a puzzle, to the baby's back. By adjusting the shoulder straps, place the upper edge at shoulder level and the lower center pad against the waist. It is good if the model is equipped with a chest strap or a waist belt. This reduces the strain on the shoulder muscles.

• Uneven distribution of load inside the bag. Be sure to collect the backpack with your child several times. The basic idea is simple: you cannot shift the center of gravity. This is easy to achieve: the heaviest items are textbooks, put them closer to the back, and the lighter ones are notebooks, office supplies, farther or on the sides. The bag assembled in this way places less stress on children's muscles and joints.

How to put on a schoolbag by himself

So that the first grader does not panic and can cope with the task himself, teach him a little trick. In order to put on the backpack, you need to put it on a desk, high chair or window sill, then turn your back to it and pull both straps at the same time. If the baby does not succeed, let him loosen the straps a little, and then, without moving the bag from the table, tighten them back.

Conclusion

We hope our recommendations will help you navigate the school bazaar and now you know which is better to buy a satchel for your child.

If you and your children have experience using one of the backpacks described in this review, or you know a more interesting, high-quality model, you can share your impressions in the comments.