Purchasing Book-Bags
There are many factors to take into consideration when purchasing a backpack, whether it is for yourself or for your child. You want to be sure that the backpack fits well and can support the amount of objects you intend to transport inside of it. You may also want to look at the size of the backpack to be sure it is appropriate for the wearer and the intended use. Finally you want to consider features. You may need to carry more than just books and papers; you may need a storage compartment for your cell phone or other electronic devices, a laptop, a water bottle, or just a convenient place for your pens and pencils.
If purchasing this book bag to be used to carry school books and papers, you will want to look for back pack that features two straps. Recent studies revealed that 64% of children experience back pain. This is often due to over loading or improperly fitting book bags. It is essential to learn to wear and use a back pack properly. You want to ensure that the load of the weight being carried is distributed evenly. A book bag that features two straps as opposed to just one allows for weight distribution over the entire body instead of just on one side. A back pack featuring one strap is only ideal for transporting light loads; like a change of clothes or some papers.
You also want to look for book bags that feature wide straps that are padded. Wider straps help to evenly distribute weight over more surface area; reducing the risk of injury. Straps should be a minimum of two inches in width. Padded straps also assist in distributing the load and alleviating pressure points.
In addition to the straps being padded, the back should be padded as well. Padding featured on the reverse side of a book bag assists in alleviating and pressure points. It also helps to protect the back from whatever items may be transported in the bag.
An optional feature to consider are waist or chest straps. Waist straps assist in directing the mass of the load from the shoulders and redistributing it to the waist and hip muscles, which tend to be much stronger in comparison. A chest strap aids in proper positioning of the book bag. This helps to eliminate slipping and load shifting. It also causes the wearer to fight the urge to slouch.
Size is just as important as carrying a two strap opposed to a one strap style. A book bag should not be larger than the wearer's back. It should fall comfortably 1-2 inches below the shoulders and rest no farther than 4 inches below the waistline.
You also want to ensure that you are choosing a lightweight book bag. The lighter the bag you choose the better. If the bag is light is will help to reduce any stress caused by the weight of the contents.
Finally, you want to consider what kind of compartments you may need in the back pack. Compartments can help you to organize the contents and keep them where you need them to be. You may want to consider a back pack that offers you a place to store your cell phone or even a water bottle.
Book bags are practically an essential part of the schooling experience. They primarily assist in carrying books and papers from one location to another safely. It is important to choose a book bag that contains the appropriate features for its intended use.
