Jansport Reversibles: Cool Backpack Style, with Wild, or Mild choices

Cool reversible backpack for a tween.

Jansport's Reversibles are great for middle school students...two styles in one backpack! Wilder designs are available, with an alternate, inside out simple (mild) choice. Great for tween boys, or girls, these are a fun way to provide some expression, and variation in a traditional backpack style.



Jansport Cisco: One Strap Sling Backpack

Jansport is a top name in backpacks...ask many former college students about the familiar favorite from the campus bookstore! The one strap style sling bag is a newer trend, but displayed here from an older, trusted name in packs.

Jansport Cisco Sling is available in many colors,
making it a cool one strap backpack for many tween interests.

School Bags in Stock?

I tend to notice timing on the back to school supplies being populated on the shelves of my local big box store, as well as with Christmas displays, and other holidays. The unique thing I'm noticing this year, though, is the significantly lesser amount of school bags for kids on the shelves. There are plenty of materials, but only a handful of backpacks. There are, in fact, only two styles that are obviously feminine, intended for girls, in matching floral designs, one pink, the other blue. Several solid color backpacks don the area, and I see no signs of childhood favorite characters. Meanwhile, at my favorite grocer, there are a total of 4 backpack styles, with only 2-3 of each in stock. Two of the 4 styles are childhood characters, and smaller in size, aimed at younger children.

Given economic conditions, it's likely that a lot of kids are recycling their school bags this year. If you need to replace a bag in a small shopping community, your options may be very limited. However, there are plenty of inexpensive backpacks for both boys and girls, available online. Watch for shipping discounts to make the most, if you are looking for something a little more unique than what your big box store has to offer...check out the under $25 selection of school backpacks for tweens and kids at Amazon.

One Strap Backpacks by Levis

One of the more popular backpack styles this year is the unistrap, or one strap backpack.  The shape is unique, slightly asymmetrical, and the one strap style is well-suited to the manner in which so many students already carry backpacks, slung over a single shoulder.  Based on the sole review at Amazon, thus far, there can be space limitations for middle and high school students, if heavier books and materials consume their locker space.  However, a unistrap bag is a great idea for carrying gym clothes, or for the upper elementary tween, who isn't into all the cartoon character bookbags, but doesn't have a heavy slate of books to tote.  Check out the images below, clickable for up to date Amazon pricing and availability.

Levi's Railer Unistrap/One Strap Backpack for Boys

Levis Grey Cross Check One Strap Backpack for Boys

Jansport Backpacks for Middle School Boys

When you are looking for a school bag for your middle school son, there seem to be less interesting options than are available for girls. Aside from the fact that tween boys are ready to ditch the superheroes and cartoon characters of earlier years, there is the challenge of middle school social life. Attracting too much attention with an obnoxious backpack style could mean frustration in the difficult social environment of middle school. However, cool geometric graphics, with subtle colors, can be a great choice. You can find a great selection of Jansport school bags suitable for the middle schooler, at BagKing, whether you are interested in simple, subtle graphics, or solid colors. Jansport is one of the top names in school bags and backpacks, and provides numerous styles.

Jansport Deranged Backpack is a cool and simple motif,
perfect as a more laid back version of the popular brands backpacks appropriate for middle school boys.

Cool backpacks for middle school boys can be hard to find in stores, and online sources are great for getting off
the beaten path.

Jansport Felon design doesn't live up to its name...
the graphic is interesting and unique, making this another great backpack for tween boys.

Jansport Thrash is a good style, conducive to organization and
cool enough to keep your middle schooler from being frustrated by peer criticism.

Each item pictured links to product details and additional color selections.

Ogio Backpacks for Middle School Boys

If you are looking for a simple backpack for your tween son, Ogio offers quite a number of sleek, cool styles, with simple graphics and logos. Plaids are extremely popular, and are great in a white on black contrast. As well, a solid colored school bag, with a contrasting logo, is a style that works well for the middle schooler.

Ogio Backpacks for Middle School Boys
This design is available in at least 10 color and print combinations,
perfect as an interesting but cool design for tween boys.

Dickies Backpack Styles for Middle School Boys

You might not expect to find cool backpack styles for tween boys from a name like Dickies, but think again!  With geometric graphics, and simple colors, Dickies has actually produced some vivid styles that will work perfectly for storing his school books, and getting him off on the right foot, this school year.  The selections featured below are clickable, for up to date pricing and availability at Amazon.

Black and White Checkered Backpack

Dickies Black and Red Plaid Backpack

Retro Geo Illusion Backpack By Dickies

Black and Grey Plaid Backpack

Black/Blue/Grey Plaid Backpack

Black Checkered Backpack with Multicolored Lines

Camouflage Backpack by Dickies

Gridiron Backpack in Black and Blue

Basic Backpack

Fox BackPacks for Middle School Boys

Backpack selection for middle school boys is a little challenging, but there are several companies that provide tasteful, yet cool, backpack designs.  Some of these entail interesting graphics, whether geometric, or unusual, while others incorporate contrasting colors, often a bright highlight against a dark bag.  Fox is one such company, and highlighted below are some choices, perfect for that middle school age range, and up.

Urban Sport School Bags for Middle School Boys

School bag choices for tween boys can be a little more restrictive than those for girls. However, there are many companies that create great backpacks for boys, and that incorporate appropriate colors in interesting designs. Urban Sport has some nice options, available through Amazon. Images below are clickable, for current pricing and availability.

Urban Sport School Bag in Orange

Camouflage School Bags for Boys

Sling Style One Strap Backpack for Boys

One Strap Backpack for Boys

Black Urban Sport Backpack

Blue Urban Sport Bookbag

Urban Sport Backpack for Tween Boys, in Green