Phew! Back to school is over… This return to reality is never so simple. This topic could spark several discussions, but today I wanted to talk to you about the physical stress imposed by the famous school bags (more commonly called satchels).

Last week I saw too many young people with bags that were much too big, much too heavy. The question is worrying!

I grant you, the choice of bag is complex, very complex! There is the style, the size and the ergonomics to respect. Unfortunately, style is often preferred to ergonomics! I will explain my point.

Did you know that the average weight of a student's backpack is 8.5 kg, or 20% of their body mass? Did you know that it should not be more than 10%?

Did you know that a backpack that is too big, too heavy, does not only have negative consequences on the shoulders? Its weight can have negative consequences on the neck, upper back, hips and knees. How about physiotherapy sessions?

How to find an “ergonomic” bag?

This word is magic. It solves all the problems! I’m kidding. It’s often a great marketing strategy to make you buy the products. So, in the next few lines, I’m going to explain how to choose a backpack that suits your child. I imagine that by now you’ve already bought it… at least, I hope so for him! You’re keeping these valuable tips for next year or to offer an original and practical Christmas gift.

Let’s start:

Activity

The first thing you need to think about is your child’s activity. You need to choose a bag that suits his activity:

  • Is he in elementary school, middle school, high school?
  • Will he have to carry a tablet or a computer? If not, there is no need for a pocket for these tools. More compartments = more weight.
  • Is it necessary to have two different compartments to put your things in? The deeper the bag, the more the student will tend to compensate for the weight by leaning forward. The bag should stay as close to the body as possible.
  • Does he have to walk a long time or very short distances? Is the ground paved or concreted? Does he have to walk in the snow or on slippery ground? Depending on your answers to these questions, the wheeled bag may be an option and your child's spine could thank you for it.
  • Does he have a white cane or a guide dog? Depending on the case, you will have to think about compartments for the cane or for the dog's water bottle, kibble, leash, etc.
  • Does he have technical aids to carry? Does he have technical aids AND textbooks AND notebooks? Depending on your answer, it may be worth considering a belly band. The belly band allows 70% of the weight of the bag to be transferred from the shoulders to the hips.

Morphology

Then, I advise you to look at your child more closely and assess his size. Is he small or tall? Fat or thin? Backpacks have sizes and criteria that must be considered and related to the physical characteristics of the person who will wear it.

  • The width of the straps
  • The spacing between the two straps at the neck.
  • The height should be the same as that of the torso; and if possible 5 cm shorter.
  • Lightweight materials for a light body.

Would you go to work with 30 or 40 kg on your shoulders every day? Keep in mind that the child's spine is growing until the age of 18.

Happy school year!