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Picking your pack

By: Staff Writer

Posted: 09/11/2012 10:05 AM | Comments: 0

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All school bags from Mountain Equipment Co-op. (CP)

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(CP)

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There is no shortage of stylish school bags in supply for the fall season. From basic black to colourful shades, plaids and florals, bright zippers and reflective strips, there are myriad options to suit an array of tastes.

But whether you're swinging on a backpack or slinging on a messenger, function should also be front of mind in selecting the bag used to tote your binders and books.

Eric Clifford, community outreach co-ordinator for Mountain Equipment Co-op, said the most important thing parents and kids need to look at prior to purchasing a pack is the prime purpose for its use. Will it be strictly for school? Will they be travelling by bike? Or will it also be used for outside activities?

"The other thing is obviously the safety, making sure it's ergonomically correct, it's the right fit, particularly with little kids,'' said Clifford. "You want to make sure you're getting one that matches their body type accordingly.''

Clifford said a good rule of thumb is that a child shouldn't be carrying more than 10 to 12 per cent of their body weight.

"If your child's 40 kilos (90 pounds), you're looking at like (nine or 10 lbs.) in their bag. And unfortunately, you do see a lot of kids who are just weighted down. So it is something to be conscious of -- that's what's going to cause a lot of problems.''

For younger children, Clifford said parents will need to select a kids'-specific bag to ensure everything is proportionate: the straps, cushioning and frame shape.

"The cut may look good on paper for their child, but until they have it on them, that's when you start feeling the nuances of the bag and say: You know what? This strap may be the wrong strap. It's digging in or the way the padding is just not right. So that's really important to try it on.''

Clifford recommends younger kids opt for a backpack and use both straps, which will better help distribute the weight accordingly and better work with their body's frame, versus a one-strapped bag.

"The one strap puts a lot of pressure on one part of your body,'' he said. "The messenger bag is definitely popular and it definitely has its function; but particularly for kids, the backpack is the better way to go.''

-- The Canadian Press

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