This Backpack Is Still Going Strong After a Whole Year of Kindergarten (And It’s 50% Off!)

Back-to-school season is here, which means you might be on the hunt for a great new backpack. By great, I mean comfortable, aesthetic, and spacious. (It’s wild how many things such a small person needs!)

When my 6-year-old son was entering kindergarten last year, the first place I looked was Lands’ End (it’s been my mother-in-law’s go-to brand for decades). She told me about the ClassMate backpack, which has been a brand staple for over 30 years and comes in dozens of styles. I got a medium size for my son, and even after he’s used it for a year of kindergarten and two summers of day camp, it’s still going strong for first grade. Best of all, the ClassMate backpack is currently 50% off with promo code BUTTONDOWN. Here’s my review.

The Lands’ End ClassMate backpack is a little pricier than some other backpack options you might come across; however, Lands’ End offers lots of great sales throughout the year (now especially) that can make it very budget-friendly. You can choose from sizes small to extra large, so there’s a broad range for littles through bigger kids. I went with medium, and it’s been a durable essential for kindergarten and, soon, first grade.

The collection includes over a dozen patterns, featuring eye-catching metallic finishes (which I secretly wish came in adult sizes) alongside classic solid colors. My son selected a dinosaur and lightning print, though that specific style is unfortunately no longer available. Constructed to be both lightweight and rugged, the backpack features a moisture-repellent exterior that’s great for the occasional rainstorm. The inside contains a cushioned sleeve (it’s meant for a laptop or tablet but it worked perfectly for holding my son’s art folders), complemented by two interior drop pockets for smaller items and a secure zipped compartment on the outside.

There’s reflective trim on the front and back to help kids stay visible in the dark. Small loops along the front are great for attaching charms, keychains, or a lunch box, while two side mesh sleeves are perfectly sized for water bottles. A chest clip plus cushioning along the straps and rear panel ensure an ergonomic and comfortable fit for daily wear and tear.

This has been a busy year for my son, and the ClassMate backpack has held up to school days, school trips, day camp, swim lessons, library visits, and more. Space-wise, the medium size can fit a water bottle, Lands’ End lunch box, school supplies, a towel, and a change of clothes in the summer. It’s big enough for first grade, but I’ll probably size up to large for second grade. And through all of this, I’ve only had to spot clean the bag — although it’s machine washable.

The zippers show slight fraying after a full year of use, though a quick trim easily cleans that up. Aside from that minor wear, the main compartment’s dual zippers slide smoothly, allowing my son to open, close, and access his belongings when I’m not around. The front loops are also incredibly convenient, offering a handy place to attach a lunch box when the interior is packed to the brim.

Remarkably, my son hasn’t voiced a single complaint about the fit of the straps (a miracle given how much he usually grumbles), which shows that the padding and front chest buckle do a good job keeping him comfortable and well-supported throughout the day.

Important note: Experts say it’s not safe to personalize backpacks, lunch boxes, or other publicly visible items, as doing so can be a way for strangers with bad intentions to pretend they know your child’s name. Read more here.

Following a yearlong trial, I highly recommend the Lands’ End ClassMate backpack (and the matching lunch box!). Built for kids, its tough construction handles numerous activities with ease, making me certain it will hold up through another school year. Plus, my son says, “It’s cool!”

Buy: The Lands’ End Kids ClassMate Medium Backpack