How to Choose an Ergonomic Backpack for Kids

August 11, 2023

Whether hauling books back and forth to school or pajamas and toiletries for overnight sleepovers at a friend’s house, backpacks are necessary equipment for our children. There are a variety of factors to consider when searching for the right kids backpacks, including size, cost, material, durability, and more.

For their kids' comfort and health, parents can also look for ergonomic benefits when choosing school backpacks. Are they made of lightweight materials? Do they sit in the right position on your kids’ backs? Are the shoulder straps padded?

To shoulder some of the weight of your backpack-buying decision, here are some ergonomic factors to consider.

Why Are Backpack Ergonomics Important for Kids?

Kids spend a lot of time carrying their backpacks, whether they are laptop backpacks, rolling backpacks, waterproof backpacks, or another kind. Statistics show that the wrong backpack may contribute to health and posture problems.

For example, some studies have revealed that more than half of students may be carrying backpacks for school that are too heavy for them, possibly playing a part in developing musculoskeletal issues and postural difficulties.

By choosing a backpack with the right ergonomic features (and stressing their proper handling), parents can take a proactive role in helping their kids not carry the weight of the world on their shoulders.

What Makes a Backpack Ergonomic?

An ergonomic backpack needs to fit a child properly, be the right size for their back, distribute its load in an optimum fashion, and be made from light but durable materials. Backpack manufacturers are well aware of the demand for ergonomic features. They’re now trying to incorporate them in a wide range of styles and colors, including clear backpacks, black backpacks, pink backpacks, leather backpacks, and many others.

Ergonomic features can be worked into the backpack’s design or implemented in how a child wears or lifts this essential piece of school equipment.

5 Tips for Choosing an Ergonomic Kids Backpack

There is a huge variety of childrens backpacks — different kinds, brands, and variations (like bookbags and iPad cases). Here are five tips that can help you whittle down the range of appropriate choices for your kids’ backpacks and find a good ergonomic model.

1. Choose the Right Size Kids Backpack

One way to choose the right backpack for your child is to use a sizing chart as a rough guide. For example, an average 4-year-old might need a 6-by-11-inch model, an average 10-year-old would use an 8-by-15-inch pack, and an average 19-year-old would use a 9.5-by-19-inch pack.
Backpacks should be centered between the shoulder blades, engaging the core and hip muscles for support. Measure from the shoulder line, where the straps rest, and down to the waistline or navel, then add two inches to find the right height for a backpack.

2. Look for Wide Backpack Shoulder Straps
When looking at a backpack's shoulder straps, wider is better than narrower (at least by a couple of inches). Wider shoulder straps distribute the load over a larger area, so there won’t be as much weight on nerves, which can be especially important for large backpacks.
The load on your kid’s neck and shoulders can also be lessened if the shoulder straps are well padded. The strap edges should be soft so they don’t rub and irritate the skin, and the shoulder straps should be adjustable so you can find the right fit. A backpack should not be wider than a kid’s torso and shouldn’t hang more than a couple of inches below the waist.
Shaped straps may also fit the curves of the body better than straight straps, and can even reduce rubbing and chafing. It’s always a good idea to try the strap material on bare skin to check for scratching or irritation.

3. Consider Backpack Chest and Waist Straps
According to the National Safety Council, a good ergonomic backpack should have waist and chest straps. A good hip belt can work to transfer pressure from a child’s shoulders onto their hips. And the chest strap can serve to take some of the pressure off their shoulders and redistribute to their upper body muscles.

4. Compression Straps Can Also Be Useful
Compression straps on the outside of the backpack can keep contents compact. You can tighten these straps to keep the pack’s contents close to the body, reducing the leverage on the back. They also let you strap some items to the outside of the back — such as shoes and water bottles — to better distribute the weight.

5. Lightweight Backpack Materials Reduce the Load
To keep the actual weight of a backpack down, you can check to see that it is constructed of lightweight material like nylon or polyester. Even canvas can be lightweight, as it uses a variety of fibers rather than just cotton. Canvas will still be heavier than other choices, but it provides extra sturdiness in return.
Many light backpacks have stretchy mesh pockets on the back or side to stow gear that’s easy to access, such as a water bottle, or enable you to air out wet clothing while on a walk.


Tips for Backpack Safety and Posture

Of course, the weight of a backpack is not just determined by its materials, but by what your child puts in it. Some experts insist that its weight should be no more than 10% of the child’s weight, or they might risk discomfort in the back, neck, and shoulders (and experience poor posture in return).

To keep the weight down, it’s worthwhile to do regular audits of the backpack to see if there are items that can be trimmed. For example, are heavy textbooks really needed at home? Do the running shoes required for gym class on Tuesday need to stay in the backpack on Wednesday?

A lot of kids like to sling their backpacks across one shoulder. This puts undue pressure on one side of the body and can cause stress and poor posture. The backpack should be properly secured in the middle of the back, below the shoulders, and above the hips.

It’s good to have a backpack with lots of compartments and outside pockets to distribute the load evenly. Consider putting the heaviest items, such as laptops or textbooks, in the middle of the pack (not on one side or the other), closest to your child’s back. It can make the backpack feel lighter, just as a bag of groceries feels lighter when held close to your body.

Try to teach your child to lift the backpack properly — not bending from the waist but squatting straight down and using the legs to lift the weight. It’s also a good idea to try teaching children to take advantage of breaks to get relief from the backpack load. For example, they can take off the backpack and rest it on the ground while they wait for the school bus. It’s good to have a backpack that stands up vertically or is waterproof for these instances.

Find a Great Ergonomic Backpack for Your Kids

While you may want a good ergonomic backpack for your child — one that fits properly and distributes the load evenly — kids are probably more motivated by the “cool factor” with great styles and colors. Fortunately, you can have both with a wide selection of backpacks, including JanSport backpacks, High Sierra backpacks, Samsonite backpacks, Eastport backpacks, and Targus backpacks.

The right backpack can lift the weight off both of you.

 

About the Author

Peter Giffen is a freelance writer who wears a backpack when he works at coffee shops or libraries, where he creates branded content, advertising, and marketing communications for a variety of clients.

All content provided herein is for educational purposes only. It is provided “as is,” and neither the author nor Office Depot, Inc. warrant the accuracy of the information provided, nor do they assume any responsibility for errors, omissions, or contrary interpretation of the subject matter herein.