Messenger Bags for School

[GeeCee]

Hi,

I'm looking for good quality messenger bags/satchel type for school [Grade 7] but am disappointed with the quality available. Walmart/Staples/ Superstore/Winners -- all are hardly sturdy , with poorly stitched seams & very fragile linings. I'd be surprised if they'd last a month of school wear & tear at the least....

The only choice seems backpacks which seem more durable, but my kid is extremely disappointed .... as he had been longing for such courier bags since 3 yrs & we promised him one for middle school.... but now am unable to find anything even remotely good enough .

The sales clerk in Staples suggested a shop called 'Roots' but said they may be pretty expensive & are mostly in pure leather ....
Can someone point me to the right stores please ?

Thanks.

[Medwards]

Try Bentley in some of the malls? They have like 10 locations in Edmonton... but you can check to see what they have here: http://www.onlinebags.com/

[EveB]

You could try Mountain Equipment Co-op. I've had the same problem with my book bags which are heavy and take a beating. My current bag which I bought for the same price as the cheap ones at Staples and such is over a year old and look almost like new (except for the slight mud stains on the bottom because of my lack of care).

Eve

[Tiran]

I have had a MEC messenger bag for 15+ years right now. I beleive it was slightly more expensive (like maybe 10$) than the similar ones else where and I have used it hard and it is still going strong.

[kgb81]

you can try old navy / gap for cheap ones.

if you want a good quality one that will actually last... then probably looking at something that is out of your budget for a teenager. i know i wouldn't buy my kid a louis vuitton!

[HarjotG01]

I would recommend buying a laptop bag from either Future Shop or Best Buy. Longest lasting bag I've ever had. Bought it in grade 10 and I still use it for university. Make sure you don't get the single strap over the shoulder ones because those will cause shoulder and back problems.

[jstock]

My bag is made from recycled seat belts. Won't break for decades!

http://recycledseatbelts.ca

[AShetsen]

Just make sure it's leather, with thick stitching. A good leather-goods store will do.

Fabric doesn't last. I have such a satchel I got in 1988. It's worn, but hangs together strongly. No fabric bag or knapsack I've ever had has lasted half as long. Bentley's would be the first place to go to, I think.

[cantilever]

I'll put in another recommendation for MEC.

Their speciality is outdoor gear, and so their urban/day to day stuff tends to be made of the same super hardy materials. Their customer service tends to be excellent on their product as well, if you have any stitching or zipper problems they tend to give replacements no questions asked.

I've got a bike pannier that has survived 3 years of all weather conditions and being thrown around haphazardly, with the only tiny mark on it (not even a tear) from when I took a spill and slid on the bag.

[Gord Lacey]

I have a great MEC backpack, BUT, whatever material they put on the back of it would rub on my shirts and wear them out. I stopped using it because of that. Please keep in mind I bought this a few years ago (3-4), and they've probably changed it since then.

[GeeCee]

We went to Old Navy - they didn't carry any bag of any sort ; Gap - only backpacks ; Canadian Tire - very good/durable but backpacks only .
Had planned to go to MEC tomorrow during lunch break or while returning from work but so so happy to find a very good one in Bentley - [Southgate Mall] which he also really really liked. It was just under $40 & a bit sturdier than a similar $29 one, which I think would do for smaller grade kids.

Thanks a ton for all your suggestions folks !!

[Legacy]

Try Eddie Bauer too.