I basically have to replace my dd's backpack every year because she's rough on them. That's anywhere from $15 - $20 a pop! I received an LL Bean catalogue in the mail last week and saw a backpack (wheeled) that would work for her. It costs about $80 though.

Do these things really last forever? Would it be worth it to spend so much money on a backpack?

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You cannot discover new oceans unless you have the courage to lose sight of the shore.

Yes! My oldest ds has had his L.L. Bean backpack for 4 years now, and it still looks new. They are well worth the money IMO.

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Formerly Kimberly75!

Definately! I think good quality backpacks are totally worth the investment. My kids had LandsEnd or LLBean backpacks from preschool onward. They used them up to last year (so 9 years for my older son and 7 years for my younger son) when they decided they wanted a change and got The North Face ones. The old ones still look great though! We use them for traveling, sports etc They wash great in the washing machine (I line dry). The lunch boxes from LLBean and LandsEnd also are great.

OK, some other questions -- the main thing that seems to wear out almost immediately are the shoulder straps. Even though she mostly wheels it around, sometime she wants to carry it on her back. 1) The straps drag on the ground (even when we tuck them in the pockets) when she wheels the backpack and they break and 2) carrying a wheeled backpack can be uncomfortable. For those who've owned the expensive wheeled ones, are they easier to carry or is there some way to detach the wheeled mechanism for easier carrying?

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You cannot discover new oceans unless you have the courage to lose sight of the shore.

I bought an Eastpack backpack after having several cheap ones tear up. It was expensive, but came with a lifetime warranty. If it tears, the zipper breaks, etc., all I had to do was send it back to them, and they would repair it at no charge. If it couldn't be repaired, they would replace it.

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Any time God closes one door, She always opens another, even though sometimes it's Hell in the hallway.
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Personaly, I would say no. I buy my kids ones from Target or WalMart Or thrift stores and they last for years. We usually replace them when they are sick of them.

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And that would be the other problem. My dd's tastes change like the wind.

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You cannot discover new oceans unless you have the courage to lose sight of the shore.

I have been thinking about splurging and spending some more money for better backpacks for the kids. I too buy them from Target or Walmart and they all end up being junk. Last year both kid had to get a new backpack in the middle of the year because they were falling apart-bottoms were getting holes in them or zippers were broke. Whichever website I get them from (LL or landsend) I am going to make the kids pick out which color they want. That way I dont pick out the wrong color.
So are they on sale yet on either website??? Gonna have to take a look at that this week.

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If her tastes are going to change, I say don't spend the $. BUT as far as quality goes, they are well worth the money. I got one 21 years ago and it's still in great shape.

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DS's Lands End backpack is 12 years old and still in great shape.

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DS-17
DD-14
DD-6
DS-4