Whether you’re looking for a backpack for your child as he or she heads back to school or need a decent backpack for hiking, shopping online is the way to go. There’s no need to spend money on gas to travel to a store and then having to stand in line waiting to check out. With the following tips, you can find exactly what you’re looking for at the right price!

Decide what type of backpack is needed

A backpack for school doesn’t need to be as rugged as one for hiking and camping. Here are some things to consider when choosing a backpack.

• Backpack for school
For smaller children, you’ll want to purchase a backpack that is lightweight and that your child can easily put on and take off by himself. You also want to make sure that proportionally it fits the child. Too often little children struggle with backpacks that are intended for older children. Some kids prefer a backpack that can be toted like a suitcase on wheels. This makes it a lot easier to get a backpack on and off the bus and if your child has to walk a fair distance from one class to another, it takes the strain off his back.

Middle school and high school students will need semi-rugged backpacks. Often they will need to carry two or more textbooks which is a lot of weight. Students also prefer backpacks that have plenty of compartments or pockets to hold pens, calculators, a water bottle, etc. You especially want to look for a backpack that can easily be used over one shoulder or has a handle grip and can be carried like a tote. It’s also important that the straps are padded and adjustable.

Most school backpacks are made out of nylon, cloth or mesh. Some schools require that students only use clear backpacks. These backpacks are typically made out of sturdy clear PVC or breathable mesh. Although they may look cheap in design, clear backpacks are just as rugged as the other types.

• Backpack for the outdoors

Daypacks. Daypacks typically are used for hiking, biking, walking or other outdoor day activities in which you need to carry a few items with you. These backpacks are frameless (soft-backed) and are designed to carry 10 to 15 pounds. Daypacks are designed to be worn on the back. In addition to the shoulder straps, the backpack might have a hip belt to keep the backpack from bouncing as the person moves.

Internal frame backpacks. Internal frame backpacks are used when there is a need to carry 15 pounds or more. The frame, made of aluminum, plastic frame sheets or curved Delrin rods, is located inside of the backpack. The backpack is designed so that the weight is being carried on the hip area rather than the back. Internal frame backpacks work well for climbing and skiing.

External frame backpacks. For people who love to do trail walking, the external frame backpack might be the best option if you need to carry a heavy load. With this type of backpack, the load is carried farther away from the back, causing less strain. The person is able to walk more upright and it allows airflow between the backpack and the person’s back.

Where to look online

When it comes to choosing a backpack for school, the sky’s the limit! Little kids tend to want ones with their favorite character, while older kids will go for bold colors, plaid, camouflage, etc. Check online retail stores such as Target, Walmart, JC Penney or Sears for a wide selection of backpacks. Several online clothing stores also carries backpacks. Be sure to read the product descriptions so that you select a backpack that will fit your child or teen. Usually there will be a few photos of the backpack so that you have a good idea of what it looks like inside and out.

Although outdoor backpacks can be found in online retail stores, you will also want to check out sites that cater towards outdoor activities, such as Sports Authority, North Face and Outdoor Products. Some of these sites offer Live Chat where you can let a customer service know what type of outdoor activity you need the backpack for and they will assist you in finding one that will meet your needs.

It’s also worthwhile to check out sites such as eBay and Amazon. Quite often you can find new, or almost new, backpacks for a fraction of the cost. Be sure to read the product descriptions and to ask questions before placing a bid on eBay.

Money saving tips

As you’ll discover, the cost of backpacks greatly varies. If you have a child who tends to misplace his backpack and you end up buying two or three backpacks each year, you probably want to purchase backpacks that aren’t too expensive. If your child is expected to make it through a year or two using the same backpack, then you want to invest in a backpack that is durable and big enough to hold the necessary school items. The same holds true when shopping for an outdoor backpack. A good outdoor backpack should last a few years. In the long run, it is better to invest in a high quality backpack, than having to replace it every one or two years.

Here are some tips on how to save money while shopping for a backpack online:

• Look for sales. For school backpacks, many sites will offer “back to school” deals where backpacks will be deeply discounted. A couple of months prior to warm weather, sites will offer good deals on outdoor backpacks.
• Wait for free shipping and handling. Most store sites offer free shipping and handling at least once every two or three months. This will greatly reduce the overall cost of the backpack.
• Look for coupons. If you’re ordering from a site for the first time, you can sometimes get a coupon for 10% or 20% off on one item. Do a search for the store, such as Google, and see if a coupon is available. If you’re a Facebook user, you might discover that there are ads for backpacks. Once you start a search, Facebook pops up ads for those items. Often there are coupons with these ads.
• Make sure there is a guarantee. Wherever you choose to purchase your backpack, make sure it comes with a guarantee. Chances are you’ll be very pleased with the backpack, but if for some reason there is something wrong with it, you want the assurance that you can send it back.
• Compare sites. Take the time to check out the prices at a few different sites. Be sure to factor in whether or not there are any discounts or if you have to pay shipping and handling. There are sites such as Google Shopping, that will make comparisons for you. However, you may come across a great deal that isn’t on their list.
• Place the item in your shopping cart. Sometimes, if you find the item that you’re looking for and leave it in the shopping cart for a few days, you’ll receive a notice that you have items in the shopping cart. You’ll need to start the checkout process so that the online store has your email. When you receive the notice, they might offer a special discount if you choose to purchase the item.
  • Check the clearance sales. Many online stores have a clearance section. If they only have a few backpacks left from a particular line, they’ll sell the backpacks under the clearance section. Also, once school starts up or winter kicks in, you might find backpacks on clearance.

Lastly, if purchasing a backpack is a new experience for you, you might want to actually go to a store that carries a good line of backpacks and try a few out. Once you find a backpack that fits you well and has the compartments and such that you’re looking for, write down the information. Snap a picture of the backpack with your phone. Then shop online for the best deal for that particular model.

Happy backpacking!