Trendy Sling Backpacks: One Strap Designs for Middle School

Colorful One Strap Backpack for Middle School Girls

I'm impressed that some of the mainstream school bag companies have picked up on the trendy one strap backpack for tween and teen students.  The example pictured here is so much nicer than those I saw just a couple of years ago.  The colorful design is appealing, and the bag style is much more spacious than the early examples.  The sense in the design is based in the fact that most tweens and teens don't use both straps on a traditional backpack.  First, this isn't seen as very cool.  Secondly, tweens tend to give the minimum, especially when it comes to carrying school bags.  The two strap varieties almost always lead to one strap carrying.  Might as well eliminate the obsolete strap!


Check out some of the following sling pack options, or check here for more ideas.

Zebra Print Purple Sling Pack for Middle School

One Strap Camo Backpack for Tween Boys

Plaid Sling Pack for girls

Sling Pack for Middle School Boys

Boys or Girls One Strap School Bag

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.

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

Sports Team Backpacks for Middle Schoolers

If your middle school son is an avid fan of a particular sports team, then a team-themed backpack or book bag can be a great way to get the year off to a good start.  My first year teaching at that level showed me that a youngster who loves his team will go all out for it...endless debating over which team rules doesn't matter, he will be loyal, and love to express it!

Logo Baseball Backpack
Available in many team logos.

One strap sling backpacks are popular this year, and whether you opt for a logo sling pack, or for a traditional backpack with a team logo, are good choices if your son loves a particular team.  Featured below are a few examples of logo backpacks and sling backpacks in a sports team theme, clickable for current pricing details at Amazon.

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

Sling Backpacks for Tween Boys: One Strap Backpacks

K-Cliffs Sling Backpack
***Images are Clickable for Current Amazon Pricing

For years, students have carried backpacks by slinging one strap over one shoulder.  While a hiker may appreciate a two-strap backpack, a middle school student, or older, tends to casually carry that school bag backpack over just one shoulder.  Very few middle schoolers use the two strap carry method, so a one strap backpack sling bag makes perfect sense for the tween age group, and up.

Look for a roomy enough sling backpack, that books and school materials will fit adequately.  Tween school bags can be a little lacking in organization, so pay attention to your tween's management, and take time to review the condition of his pack here and there.  If you run into challenges with grades, the backpack is one of the first things to check, for clues to the source of problems.  Explore this post for some fresh new sling backpacks in 2013.

Khalon Sling Backpack Bags by Under Armour

Adventurer Sling Shoulder Backpack

K-Cliffs Navy One Strap Backpack

Amerileather Cross Body Sling Backpack

Cuscus One Strap Backpack in Red

Blue Trail Maker Sling Backpack

Mono Strap Backpack in Black

Mono Strap Backpack in Royal Blue

Jordan Jumpman Sling Backpack

New York Yankees Camo Design Sling Shoulder Pack