Backpacks or Book Bags: What’s the Difference?
Backpacks. Much like the number two pencil and the mysterious lunch lady hair, our school years are hard to imagine without them. But unlike that homeroom teacher who always called you by your older sibling’s name, backpacks, or book bags (as they’re also known), haven’t been around forever. In fact, they’re a rather recent—and accidental—addition to the school scene.
The happy accident is now seen on kids of all ages throughout their school years. Backpacks have even made their way into offices and on hiking trails.
1. When did backpacks become popular?
The very first proto-backpacks were just leather straps that American school children used in the first decades of the 20th century to transport their books. It wasn’t until the zipper came along in 1938 that backpacks began to resemble what we see used in school hallways, airport concourses, and hiking trails today.
2. What is the difference between a backpack and a book bag?
The line has blurred considerably in the last fifty years, but backpacks were originally made for hiking and other outdoor activities. It was only by accident that clever students started purchasing nylon, water-resistant backpacks to safely transport their books in the rain. Naturally, manufacturers took notice and started producing backpacks with reinforced bottoms and more rectangular shapes to better accommodate a weighty load of bulky textbooks.
Today, the terms “backpack” and “book bag” are largely seen as synonymous. While some backpacks are obviously intended for more strenuous outdoor activities, most backpacks can also function as book bags. In the book bag vs. backpack topic, there really isn’t much of a difference. The two can be used interchangeably to describe the popular school bag.
3. Can I use a book bag for sports?
A book bag or backpack can absolutely be used for sports. However, you may want to ask yourself this question beforehand: how much will you mind letting the funk of used gym socks get inside?
As an alternative, consider picking up a cinch bag that will be used exclusively for that purpose, so you won’t have to think twice about storing your items in a book bag or backpack that could be a little sweaty or dank-smelling. The simple, unstructured nature of a cinch bag also means that it can be easily washed out with a little bit of soap and water in the sink for an instant refresh.
4. What material is a backpack made out of?
The first backpacks were made out of canvas, and canvas continues to be a popular backpack material. But today, many backpacks are made from nylon or polyester, which come with the added bonus of being water-resistant (not to mention stain-resistant in the case of spilled lunchboxes. To ensure that your backpack will last, you’ll want to pay attention to something called the denier scale, which is a way of measuring the toughness of polyester fabrics. The higher its score along the denier scale, the harder wearing and tougher the backpack will be.
5. When were backpacks first used in schools?
The first backpacks were actually used on college campuses by clever students who wanted to keep their books safe from rain spells. These early adopters bought backpacks that were intended for outdoor use but turned out to be just as adept as holding textbooks and school supplies, too. As backpacks saw increasing use as book bags, manufacturers began to design them explicitly for elementary and high school use. The first backpacks for school use began to appear in the 1980s and have remained a classic childhood staple in the years since.
6. Why was the backpack created?
For centuries, outdoor enthusiasts and hikers would carry gear and supplies in large packs known as “rucksacks,” which were worn on the back. The creation of the zipper in 1938 inspired one outdoor enthusiast to make his own version of the rucksack, one that had a zipper compartment that could be easily reached during wear. This was the very first backpack, and the rest is history.
7. Why do we need backpacks?
Backpacks are not only great ways to carry our belongings, but they are better for your back than one-shouldered totes—especially for growing, school-aged children. Backpacks put an even amount of weight on both shoulders so that the wearer is not weighed down by the contents inside. Carrying something heavy on just one side of your body constantly can result in sore shoulders or arms. And do you remember how heavy school books would get? Textbooks are thick and heavy, which is why it’s important that the weight is evenly distributed over our backs.
8. What are the benefits of using a backpack?
Beyond the even distribution of weight when using a backpack over a tote, backpacks also provide many additional benefits. When wearing a backpack, your hands and arms are free to move around, making it easy to pick up an additional canvas tote bag. if you’re traveling or hold a to-go cup of coffee if you’re out running errands.
There’s also plenty of room for items large and small in backpacks, so it’s less likely that you’ll forget something important after leaving the house. Plus, they come in all different sizes, so you can get the backpack that is best for you, your child, or your grandchild. Choose from backpacks for kids, larger high school and college backpacks, and even backpacks for specific items like backpacks with laptop compartments and backpacks that are ideal for activities like yoga and hiking.