Shopping Help

[pippadaisy[$]]

It's that time of the year: school supplies.

I'm trying to buy things little by little so we don't suddenly go bankrupt in September. I also want to buy some things that LAST, like backpacks that last for at least a year?

I have friends who say the LL Bean/Land's End don't necessarily last any longer than the ones you get in Target. G has a Jansport he's had since college, but those aren't "cool enough" for the elementary set, apparently.

Anyone have experience with Hanna Andersson packs (seeing as their clothes are the best there are)? Or have any other suggestions for stylish yet study?

[jgibson2[$]]

Land's End USED to last forever. Unfortunately they've outsourced virtually everything and they're selling the same crap as everyone else, just for more $$.

LL Bean, OTOH, still has their guarantee. Your kids might be able to break it, but you can send it back for a new one. Of course it will probably cost you as much to do that as to buy a new one at Target unless you have an LL Bean store in your area.

[thinkerlady[$]]

My kids had Jansport all through grade school, high school and college. Sometimes places like Penney's have "cooler" looks. If you want it to last, you can't beat Jansport.

[Helen_B[$]]

Bump. Our L L Bean backpacks have lasted through highschool and university and are still going strong.

[pippadaisy[$]]

Thanks Helen. They haven't had much luck with them here. I'm not sure if something is different or the kids are just carrying too much.

We ended up with one Jansport (in camouflage, no less) and one Eastpak. I'll be sure to post findings.

[magenta321]

My LL Bean lasted me about a month before the zipper broke. We sent it back and got a new one, and that one lasted me all through high school.