Types of school bags
Hard-shell school bag, soft backpack or pencil case: each type of school bag corresponds to an age and a quantity of items. The empty weight and A4 size are more often decisive than the design.
A school bag is chosen based on three measurable criteria: the empty weight, compatibility with the A4 rigid format, and back support. The design matters to children, but it doesn’t affect the duration of a year.
School bags and rucksacks, two approaches
School bags maintain a rigid structure that protects notebooks and stands on its own. They tend to weigh more when empty. A rucksack, which is flexible, weighs less and is easier to store, but it can cause things to get crammed. Rigidness is helpful as long as the child carries large notebooks.
Pencil cases and small storage
Pencil cases come in two sizes: the simple case, which contains writing tools, and the foldable case, which holds coloured pencils and flat markers. The latter takes up more space in the bag but prevents everything from spilling onto the table. Check the zip closure, as it’s the only point that tends to break.
Choosing a type of school bag based on weight
The Ministry of National Education recommends that a school bag should not exceed 10% of the child's weight. A school bag that already weighs one kilo when empty uses up this margin even before being filled. With the same design, compare the empty weight listed: that’s the figure that really affects the day.
Types of school bags and satchels
- School rucksacks
- Pencil cases
- Satchels
