Stationery and School bags

[jesschan]

In my son’s school, the teachers will keep most of their books in school for the lower primary children, hence it is quite manageable for the children. But this year, my boy is in P4 and his bag is much heavier at about 5.3kg. And I have checked his bag - there isn’t anything that I can take away to reduce the weight. Luckily he is quite strong and fit - but I pity those children who are smaller built at about 25kg and below. How will they manage? Their class is on the 6th floor and they are not allowed to use the lift…

[Buckbrick]

I’m new here. So I like to contribute by posting a summary from my search for dd’s bag:


1. Backpack or trolley? Backpack. Students are not allowed to use lifts, so imagine lugging a trolley up stairs.
2. Ergo or not to ergo? Some say that this thing about ergo is a marketing gimmick. They’re not cheap. So if you have a non-ergo bag, just let the bag sit as high up the back as possible.
3. Lightest ergo bag. Deuter has the lightest bags around. Impact and Lego bags are the heaviest, followed by SPI. Due to more padding.
4. Best place to compare: OG Orchard (SPI, Deuter, Impact), then to Centerpoint (SPI, Lego).
5. Cheapest place: OG Orchard during sale. Elsewhere all standard price. SPI limited to 10% off.
6. Ergo brands: SPI, Lego, Impact, Firefly/Popular brand, Deuter. Crosscom has some bags for serious money. Artfriend at Ngee Ann City has a German brand Herlitz that has a great large bag for older kids at a reasonable price.

I got the Deuter small scholar act for my dd, nice and light.

[sssdarlings]

Buckbrick:

I'm new here. So I like to contribute by posting a summary from my search for dd's bag:


1. Backpack or trolley? Backpack. Students are not allowed to use lifts, so imagine lugging a trolley up stairs.
2. Ergo or not to ergo? Some say that this thing about ergo is a marketing gimmick. They're not cheap. So if you have a non-ergo bag, just let the bag sit as high up the back as possible.
3. Lightest ergo bag. Deuter has the lightest bags around. Impact and Lego bags are the heaviest, followed by SPI. Due to more padding.
4. Best place to compare: OG Orchard (SPI, Deuter, Impact), then to Centerpoint (SPI, Lego).
5. Cheapest place: OG Orchard during sale. Elsewhere all standard price. SPI limited to 10% off.
6. Ergo brands: SPI, Lego, Impact, Firefly/Popular brand, Deuter. Crosscom has some bags for serious money. Artfriend at Ngee Ann City has a German brand Herlitz that has a great large bag for older kids at a reasonable price.

I got the Deuter small scholar act for my dd, nice and light.

Excellent tips! I notice that SPI has improved vastly in its design. Deuter is a great choice. Nearly got that for ds then I reminded myself of dd's non-brand ergo bag costing less than $40, which saw her thru for 3 yrs and still going strong... Its all abt structure of bag- padding on straps and back, firm base and straps to hold books close to body. - SK

[Buckbrick]

Really, ergo or not, I’d make sure that it comes with waist and sternum straps. I’ve seen kids carrying the latest shiny ergo bag but slung so low (like how sec school kids carry them these days) that it negates the benefits.


I’d look out for straps or bands that allow you to pack the books close to the back. All brands have this. it’s great that some schools keeps their students books. Even then, you have maybe 3 textbooks, 2 exercise books, notebook, pencilcase and water bottle… I was surprised at the weight and the bag was not even half full! Made me glad I did not get a heavier padded bag.

[manakoleng]

Buckbrick:

I'm new here. So I like to contribute by posting a summary from my search for dd's bag:


1. Backpack or trolley? Backpack. Students are not allowed to use lifts, so imagine lugging a trolley up stairs.
2. Ergo or not to ergo? Some say that this thing about ergo is a marketing gimmick. They're not cheap. So if you have a non-ergo bag, just let the bag sit as high up the back as possible.
3. Lightest ergo bag. Deuter has the lightest bags around. Impact and Lego bags are the heaviest, followed by SPI. Due to more padding.
4. Best place to compare: OG Orchard (SPI, Deuter, Impact), then to Centerpoint (SPI, Lego).
5. Cheapest place: OG Orchard during sale. Elsewhere all standard price. SPI limited to 10% off.
6. Ergo brands: SPI, Lego, Impact, Firefly/Popular brand, Deuter. Crosscom has some bags for serious money. Artfriend at Ngee Ann City has a German brand Herlitz that has a great large bag for older kids at a reasonable price.

I got the Deuter small scholar act for my dd, nice and light.

I was searching the web on this topic and found this excellent summary - answered most of the questions I wanted to ask. Thank you.

[katongmum]

We went ahead to use the trolley bag she got as a present. And it is giving way now (only one term). Considering now to get a ergo backpack. Waiting for school holidays next week, hope there will be sale. Anyone know of any already?


So after this term, any new comments on which is a better ergo bag- SPI, Impact, Deuter? I read earlier post seems price can differ a lot from OG and Taka, is that right?

[watmekiasu]

Altho my own child is using a Chiropak ergo bag, I recall reading this article in the ST some time ago that gave the highest points to Lego and Deuter for comfort. Mind you, that article was like 2 or 3 yrs back. They tested out Deuter, Lego and SPI. Not sure if Impact was included.

[katongmum]

I bought a SPI Target bag on Fri. For those who are interested, Kinderfun has $40 off selected SPI models till 21 Mar 10.

[janet88]

Trolley bags don’t last. My son’s bag gave way after a short period of time when he was in P1.


Like what Buckbrick mentioned, kids cannot use lifts and pulling that trolley bag up few flights of steps is crazy. A friend got my son the Lego SPI bag as a gift…lasted for 3 years.

SPI (Kinderfun) has discount during school holidays. I’ve yet to buy a school bag for my gal who’s going to P1 next year. She’s very petite.

[Buckbrick]

katongmum:

We went ahead to use the trolley bag she got as a present. And it is giving way now (only one term). Considering now to get a ergo backpack. Waiting for school holidays next week, hope there will be sale. Anyone know of any already?


So after this term, any new comments on which is a better ergo bag- SPI, Impact, Deuter? I read earlier post seems price can differ a lot from OG and Taka, is that right?

Hi! Check out those bazaar sales at expo by robinsons, metro or others for deuter. You might find it for 89sgd or so for the older models. Newer ones are 100+. Great bargain!

I love the Lego bags but they're just too huge and cumbersome. Just find the smallest and lightest that fits an A4 folder is enough!