Having the right bag can make or break your day -- and your back.
Struggling with a cumbersome load of books can make your walk across campus miserable -- now and later on. Researchers at the University of California, Riverside, found that 64 percent of surveyed students ages 11 to 15 experienced back pain from overloaded packs. The ideal bag to carry your textbooks, notebooks and/or laptop depends on your needs.
Backpacks
Doctors recommend that students carry a backpack weighing less than 15 percent of their body weight.
Backpacks rate as an obvious choice when considering a bag for school, offering the largest capacity for students who need space for large textbooks. Sometimes, all that space can lure you into carrying too much; in fact, the KidsHealth website reports that doctors advise against carrying a pack weighing more than 15 percent of your body weight. Backpack owners should employ both shoulder straps to safely distribute the weight of the bag, and use a locker to store heavy items as often as possible. If you don't have access to a locker at school, a rolling backpack with a retractable handle lets you pull, rather than carry, larger loads.
Messenger Bags
Messenger bags strap tightly to the body, making them preferred by cyclists.
Messenger bags, while similar to backpacks in some respects, feature one strap worn over the head and shoulder. Popularized by bicycle couriers, this style serves perfectly for carrying laptops -- some computer manufacturers, such as Hewlett-Packard, even pack and ship laptops in messenger bags to reduce packaging material waste, writes InformationWeek's Antone Gonsalves. Look for a messenger bag with a built-in padded sleeve to protect your computer, and a main compartment large enough for anything else you need to carry.
Tote Bags
Tote bags are the ultimate blank slate.
Tote bags don't have the strength or handy compartments of a backpack or messenger bag, but definitely rank as the cheapest option if you only need a notebook and a couple of paperbacks for class. Grocery stores, retailers and bookstores often sell bags with eco-conscious slogans, or make your own design on a plain bag from a hobby or craft store. These machine-washable sacks prove easy to personalize with fabric paints or patches.
Satchels
Satchels let you stay fashionable in and out of the classroom.
For a more professional look, leather satchels combine the capacity of a book bag with the grown-up style of a briefcase. Satchels often have detachable shoulder straps, offering you the choice of carrying it by the hand strap. Know exactly how you want to use a satchel before you settle on a size, though: Some can't hold a computer or large binder, while others won't fit into a locker.
Tags: body weight, make your, Messenger bags, shoulder straps, than percent, Tote bags
