When shopping for back to school, do you automatically get new backpacks?

[calusari]

I have two girls in elementary school (3rd and 4th grades), and up til now, I have bought new backpacks each year. While I was going through their clothes to weed out the outgrown stuff, it occurred to me...why buy new backpacks unless they actually NEED new ones? I don't buy other things unless they need new (coats, shoes, etc...).

What about you?

[hriabywx4]

Nope. Only as needed. My oldest used the same pack 5th and 6th grade.

[haileys_mommy06]

This is dd's second year of school. We bought her a new one because the one from last year definitely needed to be replaced! I'm sure will be only be buying new ones if they are needed.

[PensFan99]

Yes i buy then each year. He always picks a comic character or something, so the next year it might be too babyish. Or too small. This year he got a plain Shaun White one, i told him if it is good quality he can use it next year too. I also told him add he gets older he won't need a new one each year.he is only nine now. Good point you bring up.

[angelgrl5200]

we buy them as needed and unfortunantly it seems while in elementary school they need new ones every year! but this year we got a steal! our habitat restore had brand new $13-20 back packs for $3-8 so it was super cheap! they seem to get a lot of walmarts stuff lol

[coolmommy2x]

No. Both kids have LL Bean backpacks which are guaranteed to last "from grade to grad school." if it needs to be replaced, they'll give you a 100% refund on it which you can use toward a new one or just walk away. They're the ONLY backpacks I will buy.

[kblpooh]

I used too when the girls got the cheaper back packs. They would fall apart by the end of the year. Now we have LL Bean back packs and we are going on our third year with them.

[jillbailey26]

Only if they need it.  The ones they have now were used last year.

[deltadawn1975]

It all depends on what condition her backpack is in after the school year ends. Her backpack from last year was tearing up so we let her pick out the one she wanted this year

[Tara922c]

I bought DD a new backpack this year because she is going into kindergarten. She has several backpacks at home but wanted a more "grown-up" backpack for school. Considering the backpacks dd normally picks out are less than 20 bucks, I will probably buy her a new backpack every year for the time being. Once she is older (like maybe middle school), and wants expensive backpacks, she will have to make them last.

[ButterflyGenie]

Yes unless they pick a black one because you can't see the dirt. If it looks dirty they get a new one.