Ergonomics
Yes, you want backpacks for school that are the right size, but there’s another consideration to balance with equal, shall we say, weight. Today, kids are under a lot of pressure, and sadly, much of it is from their backpacks.
According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, a child’s backpack should not weigh more than 10% to 15% of your child’s body weight. Go ahead and weigh your child’s backpack. You’re likely to be surprised at just how heavy it is.
After weighing your child’s full back-to-school backpack, you might need to help them brainstorm how to make it lighter — such as leaving heavy textbooks at school or only bringing them on certain days.
According to the National Safety Council (NSC), you can focus on the shoulder straps, which should be padded and wide, and your child should wear them over both shoulders for better posture and help prevent lower and upper back pain and neck and shoulder strain. The NSC also recommends backpacks for school not hang more than 4 inches below the waistline, which can cause your child to lean forward due to increased weight on the shoulders.
Consistently carrying an overstuffed backpack can lead to trouble today and down the road.
How much will your child be in and out of the backpack? Since many children usually go class to class and use different books or supplies throughout the school day, consider a backpack with multiple pocket configurations and compartments so they can easily find what they’re looking for. Many of today’s backpacks have features like a water bottle holder, mesh pockets, and bungee cording.