Cool Backpacks

Given the trend of increasing school bag weights and the number of injuries associated with them, is there any reason not to dispose of the traditional strap pack design

and buy one of those cool backpacks for your child? Actually, there is. Before you buy for your child a new roller backpack, here are some things to consider.

Are they allowed in school?

First and foremost, what you are getting for your child should be allowed in his/her school. For some reason, there are schools that prohibit the use of roller backpacks by students.

Some schools think of these cool backpacks as tripping hazards. If every student came to school with a roller backpack, it would take much more space for the children to move around since all the bags now occupy space on the floor.

It is then understandable that children might trip over each other¡¯s backpack if they are not careful. There are also other more traditional schools which frown upon roller backpacks as an unwelcome fashion statement.

Whatever the reason might be,  if it's a no, then your child won¡¯t be bringing one to school until rules change.

Rollers not a smooth ride

It may come as a surprise to you, but these cool roller backpacks may sometimes create more problems than convenience for your child. 

They have wheels designed to travel in a straight line with limited or no turning flexibility. It would take your child more effort to manoeuvre the roller backpack than carrying it on his/her back.

You may have experienced the same frustration the last time you were towing your roller luggage bag around the airport.

This is especially true in a crowded area. To move around in the crowd, your child will have to twist and turn with the roller backpack many times.

Encouraging heavier packs

The ease of not having to carry the backpack's weight may encourage your child to pack less frequently or to stuff more items than necessary into his/her backpack.

But no matter how convenient these cool backpacks may be, it is unavoidable that it will occasionally need to be carried. It may be a simple curb or a challenging flight of stairs; either way, your child is exposure to the risk of injury from carrying a weight that he/she is unable to handle.

Weight limit

Roller backpacks may not be able to carry all those heavy textbooks that your child has to bring. Rollers, because of their design are limited in its load capacity by the strength of the pack's handle or wheel. In general, handles and wheels of roller backpacks are made of light weight plastics to prevent the backpack itself from being excessively weighty. These light weight plastics may wear out quickly and fracture under heavy loads, resulting in a short life for your roller backpack. This is especially true if your child is tall and need a longer handle. The longer the backpack's handle, the more prone it is to breaking from its weight.

Wheeling out the look

Rollers backpacks, with its wheels and handles make them look similar to adult roller luggage bags.  Young children may dislike it for this reason. On the contrary, older children prefer the rugged feel of backpacks and consider roller backpacks juvenile. If your child is the only student carrying a roller backpack, he/she may feel self conscious easily.

Map the Terrain

Take a walk with your child along his usual route to school and also observe the school design in general. Roller backpacks are useful on well maintained roads and pavements, but they can be a hassle on uneven terrain. Drains or potholes can often topple the backpack sideways when the wheels go over. Your child may be required to use the stairs a lot in school. All these, make roller backpacks counterproductive. 

The advantages may appear overwhelming at first sight. But take to time to think what's best for your child.