-
New
New Arrivals
Lookbook
Trending Now
-
Shop By Room
Shop By Room
Shop By Style
At Home With:
Room Makeovers -
Collaborations
Partners for Progress
- Best Sellers
- Sustainability
Hit the halls in comfort and style with a schoolbag that's designed for your personal needs. Buying a schoolbag requires a certain level of commitment; after all, you're going to carry it around all day, every day, and not all bags are created equally. Although backpacks and messenger bags are equally useful, they each have significantly different benefits. Pottery Barn Teen wants to help you narrow down your options with our gear guide and our roundup of some of the key features to consider when you're thinking about how to choose a schoolbag.
Backpacks are designed to carry heavier loads. They typically feature two shoulder straps to distribute the weight of the load evenly while keeping your arms free and unencumbered if you need to tote something else in your hands. These benefits explain why backpacks are so popular among sports enthusiasts, hikers and travelers who want to pack many goods into a compact space. Backpacks excel at providing packing efficiency and work well with a variety of contents, ranging from school supplies and clothing to laptops and electronics.
Messenger bags are designed to give you easy access to their contents, but they typically require carrying a lighter load. Wear the single strap on your shoulder or across your body for a more comfortable fit. These schoolbags double seamlessly as laptop bags, and they offer a more professional looking aesthetic. You can fit a fair amount of school supplies into a messenger pack, but you should keep the load fairly light. Messenger bags offer sleek style and less body contact, which makes them useful in warm climates.
Selecting between these two choices can be a difficult decision. Both schoolbags offer substantial merits, but they each offer a different look and different benefits. To choose the right bag for you, ask yourself the following questions:
How much do I carry every day? If you're constantly carrying a large load of books, art supplies, sports equipment or other heavy items, opt for a backpack to add comfort to your daily hauling. If you have a lighter load and you need to get in and out of the bag quickly to grab specific items, opt for the easy access of a messenger bag.
What is my personal style? Fortunately, both backpacks and messenger bags come in a variety of colors and patterns so you can find a bag that works with your comfort level and keeps your back-to-school look on point. If you're a traditionalist, you might want to stick with a tried and true backpack. If you're more experimental with your style, try a messenger bag this year.
Do I need extra comfort? Many backpacks come with padded straps for optimized comfort even when you're carrying a heavy school load on your back. Some backpacks feature breathable fabric so that your back doesn't get hot while you're walking, biking or hiking.
Depending on what you carry every day, the security of your schoolbag might be an important factor to consider. Because you wear a messenger bag close to your body and near the front of your bag, it's easier for you to get into the bag and more difficult for someone else to reach in without your knowledge, which makes it more ideal for carrying electronics securely. Backpacks are harder for you to access, but usually feature zippered access that's out of your line of sight.
Whether you choose a messenger bag or a backpack, look for something that has the features you need first and the style you want second. You want to look fashionable while roaming the halls, but you need to be able to carry your books comfortably to keep poised posture.
