With every academic year, it is only natural that your child’s school bag gets heavier and heavier. From thicker textbooks to the additional school supplies they’ll have to pack into their backpacks, the weight that they’ll have to bear on their backs will only get more intense. And not to mention the personal learning devices that most students will have to jam into their bags for lessons.
According to guidelines set by the Health Promotion Board, children should not carry more than 15% of their body weight. But since many students do not have the benefit of leaving their study materials in their lockers, the constant back and forth with these heavy weights will eventually impact their posture in the long run. Choosing the right back-to-school bag for kids thus becomes crucial when looking for ways to prevent a child from suffering from back and neck pain. Of all the different options in school bag shops in Singapore, ergonomic school bags are known to mitigate the effects associated with backpack strains such as poor posture and shoulder aches. But how do you choose the right ergonomic school bag and maintain it throughout your child’s school years? We cover them in this blog.
How to Choose an Ergonomic Backpack
As with any school bag, choosing the right ergonomic backpack requires much consideration. While they may indeed be some of the best backpacks to promote good posture and tend to be extremely lightweight, there are several key elements to look into to ensure that your child will truly benefit from all that an ergonomic school backpack has to offer. Besides looking for aesthetically pleasing designs, consider the following:
1. Waist Belt
Have you seen the abundance of travel or hiking backpacks with waist belts? There is a reason for that! Several kilograms of weight is a lot to put on one’s shoulders, which is where waist belts come in. These straps efficiently transfer the weight from your shoulders to the hips. Some hiking and camping experts even state that a hip belt can transfer up to 80% of the weight to the hips - that means taking approximately 80% of the weight off your child’s shoulders! Waist belts also provide extra stability, reducing the swaying of the school bag.
2. Padded and Ventilated Backrest
Like almost every feature of an ergonomic backpack that is designed to distribute weight and reduce strain, a padded backrest does the same. However, the main function of the additional padding and ventilation on the backrest is to increase the level of comfort. Add to that the fact that ergonomic school bags come with posture guiding backrests, you can rest assured that carrying the bag is not only more comfortable but long-term effects such as poor posture will be nipped in the bud.
3. Padded Straps
Since the bulk of the school bag’s weight will be on the shoulder of your child - if they do not use the waist belt - it is important to look for thickly padded and wide straps to make carrying the load more comfortable. Unlike thin straps that might cut into the shoulders, soft padded straps will sit comfortably. Moreover, these straps will also distribute weight evenly across the shoulders and keep everything nice and snug.
4. Durable Material
Last but not least, you’ll want to pick a bag that boasts a sturdy structure and is made of durable materials. This will ensure the longevity of the school bag and long-term provision of the benefits ergonomic bags are known for.
Ergonomic School Bags Cleaning and Maintenance Guide
Let’s face it - when purchasing an investment piece like an ergonomic backpack, we all want them to last long. And this necessitates proper cleaning practices and maintenance to keep them in tip-top condition. With little ones probably throwing their bags on the school floor, in the canteen, or even running in the rain, how can you keep their ergonomic bags clean?
Firstly, avoid throwing the ergonomic school backpack into the washing machine. The feather-light weight design and sturdy structure of these bags that promote spinal health are all made possible due to the special materials applied within the bag’s structure. Therefore, machine washing the bag is a big no as this can not only destroy the special materials but also distort its signature shape. If the bag really has to be washed, handwash the bag quickly and without using too much force or abrasives. Also, be sure to air dry the bag thoroughly before the next use. Avoid drying the bag directly under the sun to prevent the risk of the ultraviolet light fading the material’s vibrant exterior colours and coating. You wouldn’t want the bright hues of the IMPACT 1M-00D01 Ergonomic Daypack fading, would you?
If you simply need to remove any dirt on the inside or outside of the bag, it is best to use a damp cloth. But if there are stubborn stains, use a diluted cleaning solution and a soft brush like a used toothbrush to gently scrub off the dirt. For more information on how to wash and clean your ergonomic school bag, refer to our FAQ Page.
Buy Ergonomic School Bags that Are Good for the Spine
If you’ve always found yourself questioning “which bag is best for school?” or “which school bag is good for the spine?” look no further than the extensive selection of ergonomic school backpacks on Ergoworks. Our Ergo Junior collection literally has your kid’s back with options that promote better posture and spinal health with features like an S-type multi-directional support system, abrasion and UV resistance, high-density textured nylon exteriors and more. Moreover, we only carry ergonomic school bags from the renowned brand - IMPACT - which is the only ergonomic brand that is internationally recognised and recommended by the Singapore Physiotherapy Association and the Chiropractic Association.