As kids return to school backpacks become an important part of their daily lives, and appropriate sizing is important to good ergonomics. Backpacks should be no longer than a child’s back. The ideal height and width can be found by taking 2 measurements of a child’s back, or by using an average child size chart (see Below) and adjusting as necessary. Show
The core and hip muscles carry much of a backpack’s weight so support is key. For the best support backpacks should be centered between the shoulder blades. To find the right width measure between the ridges of the shoulder blades and add an extra inch or 2. To find the right height measure from the shoulder line where the straps will rest to the waistline or belly button. Add 2 inches to that measurement and that gives you the maximum height for your child’s backpack. A good ergonomic backpack should fit up to 4 inches below the waist and 2 inches below the shoulders. Impact of inappropriate backpack size on your child’s spine.Back pain in children is on the rise. According to a study done of the University of California one third of all children age 11-14 report back pain. A common theory among pediatric health care professionals is that backpacks are a leading cause of this back pain. Why is a heavy backpack an issue? The force on the spine from a heavy backpack causes muscle strain, distorts the natural curves of the spine and compresses the intervertebral discs, which are the shock absorbers between the 33 bones that make up the spine. These outcomes can occur in several different ways. The first is that to compensate for a heavy backpack children lean forward which leads to rounded shoulders and a curve in the upper back leading to unnatural compression in the upper spine. It can also increase the chances of falling. Often children will wear a backpack using only one strap. This unequal distribution of weight will cause a lean to one side, which strains the neck and shoulder muscles and creates imbalance. But there is good news! The damage done by a heavy backpack that has been worse incorrectly is completely reversible. Follow the guidelines listed above and get your child’s spine checked on a regular basis by a chiropractor to ensure that those pesky backpacks aren’t causing irreversible damage to your child’s spine! Sources:
School backpacks: What you need to know.Whether you're looking for a backpack to hold their first-ever school books or re-equipping them for senior year, there's a good chance backpacks will be on your shopping list soon. To make that process just a little bit smoother here's our cheat sheet to Backpacks 101 (there will be no pop quiz). First of all, is it called a backpack or a bookbag?We like to think of the relationship between a backpack and a bookbag as being like a violin's relation to a fiddle. The violin and the fiddle are, in fact, the exact same instrument: it simply comes down to how the instrument is played. A violin played classically is a violin, but it becomes a fiddle when it is used to play folk music. In this same way, a backpack becomes a bookbag whenever it's used to transport books. But books or no books, it remains a backpack. What are the best backpacks made of?The best backpacks are made from hardwearing fabrics like durable cotton canvas or polyester. In the case of the latter, you'll want to look for a high denier count, which is a way of measuring how thick the fibers are in a given fabric. The higher the denier count, the tougher the fabric. The most dependable backpacks will also have a reinforced cloth bottom made from fabric with a much higher denier count than anywhere else on the backpack. But durability isn't the whole picture-it's important to look for comfort, too. Looking at the straps can tell you whether or not a backpack is well-made. Backpacks with foam padding straps at the back panel and shoulder straps to help ease the burden of carrying their weight. How heavy is the average high school backpack?The weight of the average high school backpack has been estimated to be between 12 and 20 pounds. How heavy is the average elementary school backpack?A 2009 study found that elementary school backpacks were an average weight of 18.4 pounds. How heavy should a child's backpack be?According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, the weight of a kids backpack should fall within the range 10 to 20% of their overall body weight to avoid lower back pain. What size bag is best for high school kids?Generally speaking, high school kids will need larger backpacks as they are more likely to be carrying a greater workload, and consequently, a greater amount of books. But accounting for the needs of high school kids involves more than just size. As high school kids are increasingly more likely to be using electronics like laptops and tablets as part of their education, you'll want to be sure the backpacks they use come equipped with specialty compartments, like a backpack with laptop sleeve, to keep electronics safe during travel. What size bag is best for elementary school kids?Small or medium bags are a better match for elementary school kids. As elementary school coursework typically involves a smaller amount of books, there will be less need for a larger backpack. But aside from course load, you will also want to avoid overburdening an elementary school student's backpack as younger students will be more susceptible to experiencing back pain as a result. Related Articles
Is an 18 liter backpack big enough for school?Up to 18 liters for a backpack is considered a compact size, although don't let that fool you. If something is built well, utilizing the size and offering some features, it can fit a laptop, and more. Here's a packing list of what you can fit into a 16-18L backpack.
Is a 30L backpack too big for school?Is a 30L backpack big enough for school? We recommend a 30L backpack for school if you plan on carrying a lot of bulkier items. This includes textbooks, binders, clothing and sports equipment, shoes or a lunch. A 30 liter backpack may be too large for students who only carry a few notebooks and a laptop.
What is the ideal backpack size?Understanding Backpack Sizes
As a rule of thumb, 25-30 liter backpacks are best for shorter weekend trips, while 30-45 liter backpacks are best for longer trips or long-term travel.
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What size backpack is best for school?
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