The holidays are almost over, ushering in a special time that many parents and teenagers know: the purchase of school supplies. But before shopping, it is important to bring the most important object, the backpack.

At school, at university or at work, this object is not just an accessory, it is your work tool. However, there are many models and the loads they can tolerate can affect your health and more specifically your back. Whatever bag you choose: lightness, strength, comfort and design are essential. Here are the models to favor according to the age groups.

Schoolbag, backpack or wheeled bag? The number one criterion to consider is weight. Between the binders, the numerous notebooks and the books of the various school subjects, the child must bear heavy loads all day long. So no need to add more weight. According to doctors, the bag should not exceed more than 10% of the child’s weight. Rolling school bags can be appealing to many parents. Practical for the multiple compartments and the long distances covered by the child in the establishment. But in reality, it would be a bad idea.

Usually schoolchildren pull the load from one and the same side, this can lead to a twist in the back. Stairs can also present a risk to the child with this type of model. “On average, a sixth-grade satchel weighs 7 to 11 kg!”, tells LCI Claire Bouard, osteopath in Gargenville and member of the Ostéopathes de France. “It’s like asking an adult to carry two packs of water every day”, She adds.

It is then preferable to orient yourself towards the schoolbags. These can easily be suitable for young children. The straps are suitable and the construction material can be light. In addition, it is worn higher for school children, an important recommendation to take into account. Between sports items, supplies and books, the numerous compartments offer an undoubted advantage to schoolchildren.

College is the most crucial time. If the children are much bigger and stronger, health problems can quickly be felt. “The bag must remain close to the body and be as spaced as possible from the back,” explains Claire Bouard. “Ideally, it should be torso height and stop two inches above the pelvis. In addition, so that the upper back is not too strained, it is imperative to carry your bag on both shoulders to avoid directing the pressure on one side and thus creating an imbalance. Finally, organizing your bag properly is also useful for preventing pain: anything heavy should be placed as close to the back as possible ”, She says.

It is best to orient yourself towards a backpack, rather than a shoulder bag, with the latter the weight is concentrated in a single area.

According to specialists at the American HuffPost, the bag should:

• Be the height of the torso and end at 5cm from the waist. If it is too heavy, it leads to a forward sag (with the upper back rounded). The head tilted and the neck stretched out can cause pain in this area but also in the shoulders. (The muscles as well as the ligaments will experience difficulty in keeping the body upright).
• The bag must be worn on both shoulders, on one, too much pressure can weaken the spine. 
• The weight of the bag should be 10-15% of the child’s weight.

For middle and high school girls: even if the latter will experience more lightness over the course of their schooling, backpacks are also the most suitable for the same reasons as boys. However, the star and the trend for many years in schools is the handbag. Difficult then not to adapt to the needs of his teenager. Fortunately, there are handbags with several compartments, this allows you to intelligently distribute your belongings. Unlike a large “tote”, where only one arm is used and all the weight is concentrated in one and the same area. Thus the back and the chest will weaken since they will strongly compensate, leaving room for sequelae or changes in the future.

From university to your first steps in the world of work, the choice of a good satchel or a bag is undeniable to ensure the well-being of everyone throughout the year. Like children and adolescents, it will accompany you throughout your working days to help you carry your belongings. A computer, files, a notebook… It is important to take into account its weight and capacity. For adults the rule does not change, the bag or satchel must not exceed 10% of your weight.

If you need space, school bags will be the most suitable. On the other hand, if you need mobility and comfort, backpacks and shoulder bags will be more suitable for your daily commutes.