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?

[Mom2jngnc]

No, I don't. 

I started buying LL Bean bags when my older two were going into 5th and 1st. Then we replaced/upgraded in 10th, 6th, and 3rd (we bought his the same time as the other boys). 

In 3 or 4 yrs I will upgrade the younger ones. I see no sense in spending the money like that. My oldest two went through 2 bags a year before I made the switch. 

[kmrtigger]

I only buy a new one if it is needed. I make sure I buy a quality backpack that will last a few years.

[pinkcsmtlgy]

I won't buy my son a new backpack unless he needs one.

[La_Vie_en_R0se]

No, lol, I do not.  I have had to size up once or twice, but that's it.  If they are in good shape, they do not need new ones :)

[Qsmiling]

Not really . This year she is using a new one i got from target last year on sale. New to her, but not bought at this time.

[othermom]

Nope, not unless it is needed. Although we did get my daughter a new one to replace her how to train you dragon one. My son won a new one ast year so he will be using that one even though his other one is still good

[CDMelty]

I automatically get them new backpacks, shoes, and school supplies. I know moms who just tear out the used pages from notebooks and reuse folders but I don't. I keep last year's supplies for at-home use and send new stuff to school every year. And I've never had a backpack come home in good condition at the end of the year, but I buy cheap backpacks and the schools send home heavy books.

[JuliaWoods99]

Nope

[little.worthen]

I always buy a new one because he always has a new cartton or movie or something he likes. I think of it like a memory for that year, what was awesome to him. Like last year was transformers, this year it's avengers. eventually he will look back and have memories. I like being able to contribute to them (=

[thumphrey]

I look at my kids backkpacks and if they can go two years I will have them use the same one.  The longest I've ever had a backpack make it is 2 school years though.