Backpack Season: 7 Tips Toward a Comfortable Pack by BPT - City News Group, Inc.
View Upcoming Events View Your Local Sales

Community Calendar

◄ OCTOBER ►
S M T W T F S
27 28 29 30 01 02 03
04 05 06 07 08 09 10
11 12 13 14 15 16 17
18 19 20 21 22 23 24
25 26 27 28 29 30 31
View Events
Submit Events

Backpack Season: 7 Tips Toward a Comfortable Pack

By BPT,
September 7, 2016 at 11:44am. Views: 44

Racks of colorful backpacks are hitting the shelves at retailers nationwide, reminding us it's time for students of all ages to start picking out their school supply packs for the coming year. It's tempting to simply let your child pick out the model emblazoned with his favorite superhero, but ergonomics experts say parents should think twice about how that selection is likely to affect his musculoskeletal health. The wrong choice could mean an aching back for your child over the course of the school year; in fact, some 14,000 children are treated for backpack-related injuries each year according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Fortunately, such issues can be easily prevented by strategizing backpack selection instead of just grabbing one from the store display. The following shopping tips are offered by the American Occupational Therapy Association and Karen Jacobs of Boston University's Department of Occupational Therapy. 1. Instead of succumbing to an impulse buy, seek out a specialty vendor like eBags.com that offers a better selection of brands, styles, fabrics, features, colors and price points. Buying from such an expert allows you to conveniently compare features among hundreds of different models, and eBags is just as convenient as in-store shopping because of its 110-percent price match guarantee - and in many cases, even free shipping. 2. Choose a correctly sized pack, adjusting for a child's year-to-year growth. The height should extend from about two inches below the shoulder blades to waist level or slightly above. 3. For maximum protection, look for padded shoulder straps, a padded back, chest and hip straps and a reflector. 4. Backpacks offering a hip belt can improve balance and take strain off sensitive neck and shoulder muscles. 5. Once packed, a backpack should weigh no more than 10 percent of a student's body weight. If the student needs to carry more weight, a wheeled bag should be strongly considered. 6. The choice of fabric can greatly impact a pack's durability, strength and washability. Nylon and polyester fabrics usually offer all of the above without adding additional weight. 7. Finally, it's important to find a backpack your child will be glad to bring to school. Fitting in can be crucial to children, and you're doing him a favor if you can find a model that fits both your criteria and his - whether those standards involve a superhero or not. eBags.com offers a handy shopping filter tool to help you search for the best backpacks based on criteria you select, such as durability, organization, style, or most recommended. It also contains listings of top-rated models based on customer reviews, ranking and recommendations. These top customer picks can help you determine the backpack that's right for your child.

Related Articles

Photo Courtesy of: Dr. April Clay

By Carl M. Dameron, Contributing Writer

October 14, 2026 at 11:03am. Views: 811

“When we support parents, we support children,” says Dr. April Clay, LMFT.

Photo Courtesy of: AI-generated by ChatGPT.

By Amanda Spencer, Community Writer

September 29, 2026 at 10:13am. Views: 1278

The San Bernardino Symphony Orchestra celebrates its founding in style with a Roaring Twenties-themed gala fundraiser on October 17 at 5p.m. The orchestra invites supporters to celebrate the community, music, and legacy it has built over nearly a century.

Photo Courtesy of: Colton Joint Unified School District

By Amanda Spencer, Community Writer

October 20, 2026 at 05:05pm. Views: 646

Music students at Colton High School will soon enjoy a larger space with more storage, practice rooms, better acoustics and better space for creating, learning and performing. Construction on the Buildings is Set to Start in 2027

Photo Courtesy of: San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools

By Justus Baker-Postell, Community Writer

October 14, 2026 at 11:05am. Views: 1300

State, Local Education Leaders Highlight Nearly $162 Million in CalKIDS Scholarships Available to San Bernardino County Students.

Photo Courtesy of: CIty News Group

By Ruby Stephenson, Community Writer

October 20, 2026 at 04:11pm. Views: 1017

An October 2026 study from Loma Linda University suggests a simple dietary change may influence inflammation-related measures in older adults. A bowl of walnuts sits alongside a nutritious breakfast, illustrating the everyday dietary choice examined in Loma Linda University research.

Photo Courtesy of: City News Group

By Stella Pierce, Community Writer

October 20, 2026 at 04:28pm. Views: 1123

San Bernardino Drug Take Back Day 2026, prescription medication disposal, San Bernardino Police Department, October 24, medication safety, National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. Community collection efforts offer families a convenient way to remove unwanted prescription drugs from their homes while promoting public safety and protecting the environment.

Photo Courtesy of: City News Group AI-generated illustrations

By William Cortez, Community Writer

October 20, 2026 at 04:24pm. Views: 566

Long before modern freeways reshaped the Inland Empire, the railroad helped establish San Bernardino as a transportation center. Trains brought passengers, goods, workers and new business opportunities into the region, connecting a growing Southern California community with destinations across the country.

Photo Courtesy of: California Historical Society Collection, USC Libraries Special Collections.

By Ruby Stephenson, Community Writer

October 20, 2026 at 04:22pm. Views: 705

As Redlands continues to grow, its surviving citrus groves offer a living connection to the industry that shaped the city's neighborhoods, economy and identity. Orange trees heavy with fruit line a grove in Redlands around 1900, with snow-covered Mount San Bernardino visible in the distance. The photograph documents the citrus industry that played a central role in the city's early development.

Photo Courtesy of: City News Group

By Stella Pierce, Community Writer

October 20, 2026 at 04:19pm. Views: 1553

The City of Redlands will host Plane-or-Treat at Redlands Municipal Airport on October 25, featuring trick-or-treating, entertainment and family activities. An AI-generated illustration

Photo Courtesy of: City News Group

By Stella Pierce, Community Writer

October 14, 2026 at 11:03am. Views: 950

Festive University of Redlands Homecoming celebration, with alumni, students, and families gathered on campus wearing maroon Bulldogs apparel. A bulldog mascot greets attendees while cheerleaders and a marching band perform near decorated tents and balloons, with university buildings and mountains in the background.

Photo Courtesy of: City News Group - AI-generated illustration

By Stella Pierce, Community Writer

October 20, 2026 at 04:11pm. Views: 622

Moreno Valley is preparing to celebrate one of Mexico's most meaningful cultural traditions with an evening dedicated to remembrance, family and community.

Photo Courtesy of: City News Group - AI-generated illustration

By Amanda Spencer, Community Writer

October 20, 2026 at 04:11pm. Views: 590

Moreno Valley Unified School District is continuing its parent education efforts with an October workshop focused on social-emotional learning, positive behavior and bullying prevention.

--> -->