Ergonomic school bags are designed to distribute weight and reduce strain on backs. So carting all those school books around won't be quite as weighty after all…
Every kid goes through growing pains as they get older, and one of the biggest pains? Having to lug more and more textbooks to school each year. This is where ergonomic school bags come in! The recommendation from the Health Promotion Board (HPB) is for children to carry no more than 15 per cent of their body weight (about 3.5 to 5kg). But, the combined weight of textbooks, worksheets, water bottles, and the miscellaneous junk kids insist on carrying around can easily smash that number. Enter ergonomic bags! These school bags are specially designed to reduce strain on your child’s back by distributing the weight and encouraging proper wear. We’ve picked out a few kids’ ergonomic school bags for you to add to your shopping list of essential school supplies before that growing pain becomes chronic!
Risk of heavy backpacks or improper use of bags
Those overloaded school bags aren’t just a hassle to lug around; they pose real health concerns. Senior Principal Physiotherapist from SingHealth shares, “Heavy backpacks representing 30 per cent of the body weight and above may modify posture and gait.” Studies have also shown how carrying heavy bags on a daily basis may lead to poor posture, back and shoulder pain, and more importantly, spinal issues in teens or tweens. It does take toll on our children’s growing bodies, which will, in time to come, affect their overall well-being.
How to choose your ergonomic school bag
1. Fit the bag to your child’s torso length
A properly fitted bag sits between the C7 vetebra (or the bony bump at the neck) and the hip bone. Anything that’s too long will cause your child to hunch forward and strains their back.
2. Look out for these straps and belts
Choose wide, padded shoulder straps. They’ll help to distribute the weight and ensure that they don’t dig into your child’s shoulders. More than discomfort, it can also compress nerves and blood vessels. You’ll also want an ergonomic school bag that comes with a sternum belt – a strap that connects the shoulder straps across the chest – for more stability. And get one with a waist belt that helps to redistribute the load across the hips. If their bag gets really heavy, you might also consider an ergonomic school bag with compression straps. These are straps that run across the bag to prevent the bag’s contents from shifting around, while keeping it snug against the back for better balance.
3. Choose ergonomic bags with multiple compartments and openings
Don’t overlook the compartments, pockets, and openings. It’s not for putting in more things but to organise and hold things snugly in place. A “saggy bag” strains the back! Having side pockets for water bottles reduces the bulk to the main bag and just makes it easier for the little ones to reach for hydration in this hot climate.
4. Check that the backrest is padded and well-ventilated
A padded backrest cushions your child’s spine from the books or devices in the ergonomic bag. While a mesh-style backrest can provide ventilation, much welcome in Singapore’s climate.
5. Choose waterproof materials
It does rain quite a bit in Singapore and we want to keep the contents in the bag safe and dry. An ergonomic bag made with waterproof or water-resistant materials will do the job, and bonus, if they come with reinforced zippers to keep the water out.
Best ergonomic school bags for kids in Singapore
1. Ergokid school bags
If kids are literally trekking to school, the Ergobag is the bag for them. Ergobags is suited for children aged five to 12 (up to 1.5m in height). The back-padding moulds to the spine curve, and the adjustable chest and hip belts help distribute the weight to the pelvic area. Also, the base is mounted with feet to keep the bag dry when placed on the ground, and a gym bag can be securely fastened to the bag to make it hands-free. Ergobag also has an eco-friendly and stylish upgrade for adolescents too: Satch backpacks. Satch backpacks are made from recycled PET bottles and are suitable for kids up to 1.8m in height.
Where to buy: Ergokid, 23 New Industrial Rd, #05-09 Solstice Business Centre, Singapore 536209, or buy them online
Price: Ergobags and Satch ergonomic backpacks run from $198
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2. IMPACT school bags
IMPACT Spinal Protection Backpack is a multi-award-winning brand pitched as the only ergonomic bag brand to be endorsed and recommended by the Singapore Physiotherapy Association and The Chiropractic Association (Singapore). Weighing about 1.05kg, its Patented Orthopaedic Spinal Protection System (OSPS) moulds to the back, and the bag comes with stress-free straps, a detachable waist belt, parachute pull rings for easy adjusting and reflective material, so your child is always visible. IMPACT also has roller bags to take the weight off your kid’s shoulders altogether.
Where to buy: Ergoworks, Raffles Boulevard, 6, Marina Square, #03-140/141, Singapore 039594
Price: From $29.90
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3. Affenzahn eco-friendly backpacks
Kindergarten-aged kids (one to five years) are sure to love Affenzahn kids’ rucksacks. These eco-friendly bags put the fun in functional and come in cool animal and creature shapes in all sizes and colours. They even double up as cuddle buddies with retractable tongues, arms and buckles – pick from a range of small to large ‘Friends’.
Where to buy: Ergokid, 23 New Industrial Rd, #05-09 Solstice Business Centre, Singapore 536209, or buy them online
Price: Affenzahn ergonomic backpacks run from $45
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4. IVAR patented design school bags
IVAR bags have a patented IVAR-LIFT design, which reinvents a normal bag compartment into a tiered shelf system designed to even out weight distribution. No more rooting around their bags – kids will be able to keep their books perfectly organised. Kind of. Plus, this ergonomic school bag’s minimalist design will be a hit with the tweens and teens in your kid’s school.
Where to buy: IVAR bags on Amazon
Price: From $39
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5. Nikidom trolley bags
Looking to take the load off completely? Nikidom lets kids roll their books to and from school easily on wheels. The handle is designed to allow kids to push the bag in front of them to reduce the strain of dragging it behind them. This bag is completely strapless, so kids won’t be able to carry it, which means no chance of back pain: hurrah! The oversized wheels let kids roll their bags up short flights of stairs with ease, but it’s probably not the best option if their classroom is a few storeys up. Do check if your kids’ school allows bags with wheels before you purchase.
Where to buy: Ergokid, 23 New Industrial Rd, #05-09 Solstice Business Centre, Singapore 536209, or buy them online
Price: Nikidom ergonomic backpacks run from $178
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6. Dr Kong
Dr Kong specialises in shoes that promote feet and spinal health. Naturally, in line with the latter, it has a collection of backpacks called the Spine Pressure-Free School Backpacks. The ergonomic backpacks come with a patented spine pressure-free design that reduces pressure on your child. The hollow tunnel design ensures there’s no unnecessary impact on the spine during movement. The inclusion of a waist belt helps distribute some of the weight away from the shoulder to the waist. Even your toddlers can get a kid’s backpack from this place!
Where to buy: Dr Kong Singapore, various locations including Singpost Centre, Northpoint, Jem, and more.
Price: From $69.90
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7. Pottery Barn Kids
Having an ergonomic school bag doesn’t mean it has to be plain and boring – Pottery Barn Kids have proven otherwise. The brand stocks an impressive range of backpacks that come in various colours and designs. Consider the glow in the dark ones to up your child’s cool quotient! You can even personalise your kiddo’s backpack by embossing their name on it. Each backpack contains plenty of pockets and loops, as well as features matching water bottles, lunch bags, and even pencil cases. Another plus? Pottery Barn Kids ships to Singapore. Too cool for school, indeed!
Where to buy: Buy Pottery Barn Kids online.
Price: From US$22.50
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8. Materns
Here’s another fun, colourful option to shop at. Materns’ backpacks are designed to be tough, durable, and ergonomic for your kids. They are made of high-quality materials in various colours and have fun and edgy designs. Don’t forget the cool features, such as the magnetic side clip, side pocket, and adjustable shoulder straps. Can we get one for ourselves, too?
Where to buy: TakeAseat.sg, showrooms are located at Woodlands Close and Oxley BizHub 2
Price: From $39.90
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9. TrioKids
TrioKids’ backpacks combine three things that we’re on the lookout for – ergonomic designs, comfort, and cute styles. Just what the little ones need! The backpacks come with many compartments, so your children won’t lose anything, and they are spacious, even though they don’t look like it. And they’re affordable too!
Where to buy: TrioKids, 37 Jln Pemimpin, #03-10 Mapex Building, Singapore 577177
Price: From $37.06
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10. Deuter
A time-tested brand that went from making military backpacks to becoming one of the leading makers for outdoor and hiking gear, this says a lot about its quality! Deuter’s focus has always been on functionality and quality, which can be found in their range of ergonomic bags for children. They may be designed for outdoor and hiking use, but they come with all the components we’d like for ergonomic school bags. Think reflective prints, easy-to-access compartments, adjustable chest strap, and even an ergonomic backrest (padded and mesh) that contours itself to your child’s back. Plus, some of their bags are made out of recycled PET bottles, too!
Where to buy: Backpackers Gallery, 1 Queensway #01-41 Queensway Shopping Centre, 149053
Price: From $79
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So, it’s time to look after your kid’s back and get shopping for these ergonomic backpacks!
