Families looking for different backpack models can visit the backpack fair held until September 6 in the central square of “Vilnius Outlet”. For other school preparation items – clothes, shoes, sportswear, and stationery – you can find discounts ranging from 30 to 70 percent every day in the “Vilnius Outlet” stores.
Read more Zelensky faced a new problem
The marketing manager of the largest bookstore chain in Lithuania, Tautgirdas Budrys, says that a backpack should first be seen not as just another school purchase, but as an item used daily.
Just liking the color is not enough
According to T. Budrys, backpacks should not be chosen solely based on a photo seen online or a color the child likes.
“What you definitely should not do is choose a backpack based on an online photo or a favorite color without trying it on the child,” he says.
When measuring the backpack, it is important to assess its position. The top part should be roughly at the child’s shoulder line, and the bottom should not rest on the buttocks. The backpack should sit high and stable, not hang at the waist or sway while the child is walking.
A firm, padded back panel that fits snugly against the back is also important. It is recommended to choose wide, soft, and easily adjustable straps. Younger students benefit from chest and waist belts that help stabilize the backpack and transfer some of the weight from the shoulders to the hips.
True comfort is shown by the weight
An empty backpack in the store may seem comfortable, but its qualities are best revealed only when books are placed inside.
“An empty backpack on the back always looks comfortable and nice, but when a few kilograms of weight are added, a low-quality or age-inappropriate backpack pulls the shoulders down and swings while walking. More will become clear in a few minutes than in an hour of reading descriptions online,” says T. Budrys.
Therefore, when choosing a backpack, it is worth putting a few books inside and letting the child walk around for at least a few minutes. While the child is walking, observe whether they are slouching, raising their shoulders, or if the backpack tilts to one side. It is important to ask the child if the straps are not too tight and if it is comfortable to move and bend.
How much can a school backpack weigh?
According to T. Budrys, an empty backpack intended for a primary school student should weigh no more than about 700 grams. The weight of an older student’s backpack can reach about 1–1.2 kilograms.
A full primary school student’s backpack should not exceed about 10 percent of the child’s body weight. For example, if a first grader weighs 25 kilograms, the backpack with all its contents should weigh no more than about 2.5 kilograms.
Read more It was a mess, new houses are rising: some Vilnius residents call these constructions barbaric
A teenager’s backpack can make up to 15 percent of their body weight, but older students are also advised to carry only what they really need every day.
Item arrangement is also important
Even a suitable backpack can become uncomfortable if items are packed disorderly. The heaviest textbooks and larger books should be kept as close to the back as possible, while lighter items should be placed in front compartments and pockets.
“If all items are thrown disorderly into one large compartment, even the most ergonomic backpack will not be comfortable because its center of gravity will shift to a different place each time,” emphasizes T. Budrys.
Therefore, it is advisable to choose a model with several clearly arranged compartments. This not only helps maintain order but also allows for better distribution of the carried weight.
Quality is revealed not only by the exterior
When choosing a backpack, it is worth carefully inspecting its stitching, zippers, bottom, and inner lining. For daily use, dense, water-resistant fabric that can protect books and notebooks from rain or spilled water bottles is best.
It is important to check if the seams are strong, the material does not tear easily, and the zippers open smoothly. T. Budrys recommends also inquiring about the product’s origin and conducted tests.
Products sold in the European Union must comply with the chemical substances regulation REACH, and some manufacturers additionally test backpacks in independent ergonomics or health institutions.
Best to choose together with the child
For the child, the appearance of the backpack is usually the most important, while for parents, its ergonomics, weight, and durability matter. Therefore, T. Budrys advises making the decision together.
Parents can assess the practical features of the backpack, and the student – the design and functions important to them. This way, it is easier to find a model that the child will want to carry and feel comfortable with every day.
You can prepare for school and visit the backpack fair at the central square of “Vilnius Outlet”, V. Pociūno St. 8, near the capital’s Western bypass. The fair will run until September 6.
Read more The question that brought tears: «I know I will be a good dad»
