Back-to-school season is already upon us and it’s time to start looking for those supplies that kids and students will need.
Something all kids and students of any age will need is a good backpack. When purchasing your next backpack consider one that serves a good cause, helping a student or underserved youth in the U.S.
Sydney Paige has backpacks, accessories and children’s books that does just that. For every product sold, another (exact matching) is donated to a student in need. The backpacks donated are filled with age-appropriate school supplies too.
Before I get more in depth about what Sydney Paige is all about, let’s take a look at their products. Primarily the backpacks.
The backpacks and accessories are in four category products:
• Little Learners – kids up to 3’ tall (preschool)
• Young Explorers – kids up to 3’-4’ tall (K-2nd/3rd grade)
• World Changers – kids 4’-6.5’+ tall
• Difference Makers – young adults
All products and styles have quality construction to last the school year with details and full amenities that kids and students will love. Product features will differ between the product lines, but all include: padded reinforced bottom, large main compartment with easy access double zipper, expandable side pockets, padded back and ergonomic shoulder straps, accessory hooks on front zippers.
You can add a bit of personalization to your product (for an additional fee). You can have your name or monogram embroidered on the products, which would be pretty nice for a gift.
Little Learners – Thayer backpacks ( Dino or Owl design). Each has a coordinating lunch bag and nap blanket, sold separately or can be purchased in a bundle pack. Backpack size is 9”x12”x4”. Lunch bags have PEVA interior, size is 8”x9”x4”. Nap blankets are made from soft polar fleece with coordinating embroidered character and sized 27”x35”.
Young Explorers – Valencia backpacks (Blue Tents, Orange Tunnels, Purple Spotlight, Pink Camo or Blue Camo). Each has a coordinating lunch bag and pencil case (except for the Camo designs), sold separately or can be purchased in a bundle pack. Backpacks include front accessory pockets with ID holder, key fob and pockets for supplies, a sternum strap, reflective piping on front of bag for safety. Size is 11”x16”x6”. Lunch bags have PEVA interior, size is 8”x9”x4”. Pencil case has top zipper access with reinforced ends, size is 8.5”x2.75”x2.75”.
World Changers – Raleigh backpacks (Silver Lining, Olive Branch, Royal Blue, Turquoise or Purple Patch) and Taggart backpacks (Black, Orange, Green, Turquoise, Purple, Blue Denim Camo, Green Camo or Pink Camo). The Raleigh backpack style include padded laptop sleeve in main compartment to fit up to a 15” laptop, top zipper pocket to hold phone of MP3 player with earbud port, front accessory pockets with ID holder, key fob and pockets for supplies, reflective piping on front of bag for safety. Size is 13”x18”x7”. The Taggart backpack style include padded fleece-lined laptop sleeve in main compartment, top zipper pocket to hold phone or glasses, front accessory pockets with ID holder, key fob and pockets for supplies, ladder webbing rows on front to hang favorite accessories, reflective piping on front of bag for safety, vest-like front to hang jackets/sweatshirts through. Size is 13”x17”x7”.
Difference Makers – Guidi backpacks (Gray Skies, Midnight Blue, Black Night, Army Green). Canvas with leather details and metal zippers, large main compartment with drawstring and magnetic closure, padded fleece-lined laptop sleeve, 1 front and 2 side accessory pockets with metal zippers and leather pulls. Size is 11.5”x18”x6.5”.
The backpack I took a look at was the Guidi in Army Green. This one is very different from the other three product categories in terms of style and design. It is well-built, durable and has sturdy construction that is made to last. It has a very relaxed style, which is perfect for a teen or college student. But because of its large compartment design it is perfect for a weekend trip, a nice hike or a person that is always on-the-go. It has more than enough room for your laptop, a few cords, some quick change of clothes, snacks and whatever else you might need. I only had my iPad, a small container and windbreaker jacket in the backpack when I used it while trying to catch some Pokemon over the weekend.
I normally carry a messenger type of bag when I’m on-the-go around town and travel with a much more heavy-duty laptop backpack when I go out of town on long trips. I could easily use this bag on a weekend trip, at the beach and works better than my messenger bag when I’m out at the mall.
The only thing I had a problem with was the Velcro closure for the laptop area on the inside. When the wire side of the Velcro flap touched the interior of the padded fleece, it would stick to it. When I peeled the flap, I thought it was pulling the fleece material a bit. But that was not the case and it was all fine.
Here is the main thing that I really like about the Sydney Paige products, which is their mission statement of giving back. As I mentioned in the beginning, for every product sold, another (exact matching) is donated to a student in need in the U.S. Supporting a child’s education can give them the right tools to help build the confidence they need to a much better and brighter future.
Donated products are distributed in-person at Sydney Paige Inc. Give Events; through their National giving partner, Kids In Need Foundation; and through a qualifying 501(c)3 of your choice within your local community. When you order a product through the online store, there are donation options for you to choose from on the right side of the page.
So give your back-to-school backpack purchase a thought this year. Buy one that serves a purpose and can make a difference in the life of another child’s education.
For more information or to purchase a Sydney Paige product, visit www.sydneypaigeinc.com. Follow them on social media for sales, donation events and news.
*Dean received a Sydney Paige backpack for editorial purposes. Opinions are his own.
