This post is an honest Pottery Barn backpack review– something I wish I had for myself back when I was searching for the best backpacks for kids!
With the school year quickly approaching, so many parents are on the search for a good backpack for kids. Pottery Barn backpacks are always a popular choice, because, well, they’re so darn adorable! Every year, they come out with the cutest designs that kids love (and parents don’t disapprove of! Who wants to see a giant Hulk face in their mudroom?!).
But are these PBK backpacks a good choice for your younger kids? Are the PB teen backpacks the right choice for your older kids or teens?. In a nutshell, I vote yes. And as a mom of 6, I’ve had quite the share of kids’ backpacks in our home.
But there are a few things you should consider before purchasing- quality, material, cost, and the various sizes available. I’m going to share with you my Pottery Barn backpack review and give you a closer look into what I love about it, what I don’t, and some tips that will help you choose the perfect backpack.
And don’t forget to read my super popular blog post on the Pottery Barn Water Bottle Review!
Let’s dive into the details!
*Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. All opinions and recommendations are my own.
Pottery Barn Backpacks
With 6 kids, we have a whole lineup of backpacks in our home! This year, our kids are entering middle school, fourth grade, first grade, junior kindergarten, preschool, and parent-tot. And when our kids have friends come over after school, it looks like I opened up my own personal backpack (and shoe) shop.
Pottery Barn backpacks have been some of our absolute favorite backpacks!
Since we have had both Pottery Barn Kids and Pottery Barn Teen backpacks, I’ll share some differences between the two, and also go over the pros and cons of each.
Pottery Barn Kids Backpacks Vs. Pottery Barn Teen Backpacks
What are the main differences between the Pottery Barn Kids backpacks and the Pottery Barn Teen Backpacks?
Sizing:
PBK backpacks tend to be offered in more size options than PB Teen backpacks. Some styles even include a mini size backpack, perfect for young toddlers. However, once you get to the largest size backpack from PBK, it’s very similar to the backpack sizes offered at PB Teen.
(PBK on left, PB Teen on right)
Features:
Many features tend to be the same, however some material may change for an “older” look. For example, some styles from PB Teen lack the zipper feature on the front pocket. Instead, they may have a faux leather strap and pouch that looks a bit more “grown up”. Again, not ALL of the PB Teen backpacks are the same, so some may be VERY similar to the Pottery Barn Kids backpacks, especially in regard to the main compartment.
I’ve also noticed that on a lot of the girl backpacks from Pottery Barn Teen, the water bottle pockets on both sides of the backpack are more of a canvas material vs the stretchy mesh. Which is fine for an older girl who is a little more careful with putting down her backpack, vs a younger girl who may throw the backpack on the ground and have their water bottle fall out a bit more easily.
Not a big deal, but worth noting in case it’s important to you.
Cost:
The cost of a backpack from either PB Teen or PBK can really fluctuate, depending on whether it is on sale or even a clearance item. I’ve seen a range from about $29-$109! (This includes the “rolling backpack” style). But a smaller size backpack is going to be cheaper (generally) than a larger size backpack, unless you snag one on sale (which I highly recommend waiting until these backpacks go on sale!)
Style:
While some Pottery Barn Teen backpack styles are geared toward high school students or younger teens, there are some beautiful styles that would appeal to younger kids as well! From NFL team backpacks for sporty kids or gorgeous floral backpacks for younger girls. Again, they’ll just come in a size that’s a bit larger.
Signs of Wear:
Surprisingly, our backpack from PB Teen (Northfield style) that has the faux leather features and canvas material has shown the most signs of wear overall. This specific style (while GORGEOUS) is harder to clean, and the faux leather material can wear down overtime. My daughter has had this backpack since 2nd grade, and now going into 4th grade it still looks great, but if you look closely you can see a bit of wear. Whereas our Pottery Barn Kids backpacks have held up incredibly well and are much easier to clean.
Pottery Barn Teen Backpacks Pros and Cons (To Sum It Up)
Since I already touched on the main differences between PBK and PB Teen backpacks, I’ll sum up my thoughts on whether Pottery Barn Teen Backpacks are worth it.
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE many styles from PB Teen. If I needed a backpack for myself I’d consider buying one from here for sure!
While PBK backpack styles can sometimes feel a bit more “little kid”, the PB Teen backpacks have more options for the older crowd (although once in a while you have a random Hello Kitty backpack from here too…(?)…). But there are neutral backpacks, beautiful floral backpacks, and sport backpacks all found at PB Teen!
One of the only cons of the backpacks from PB Teen is that they can be harder to clean and might experience a bit more wear. If you’re looking for a backpack that can take some major wear and tear, then I would wait until kids are a little older to buy one with the faux leather features, and opt for a backpack you can throw in the wash and have it come out looking brand new!
As I mentioned previously, the backpacks without the zipper front flap are more prone to have small items spill out, but again, only if it’s getting knocked around by a younger kid.
Lastly, on the Northfield style backpack from Pottery Barn Teen (with the faux leather details) it doesn’t have as much padding on the back as our backpacks from PB Kids. Be sure to check if your backpack has a padded back or padded straps IF that is important to you.
Pottery Barn Kids Backpacks (Full Review)
While styles, materials, and sizes might be different based on the specific backpack, they’re generally all similar, so keep that in mind with this Pottery Barn Kids backpack review.
If you’re in the market for new backpacks, I’d highly consider buying a Pottery Barn backpack- they’re high quality, comfortable (kid testers approved!), spacious, and very durable.
Sizing:
PBK makes the perfect size options for both smaller kids and bigger kids alike. The Mini Backpack is just the right size for the youngest toddlers- 18 months to 2 years old (give or take). Some parents love having a mini size so it is easy for their little one to manage on their back, but at the same time, you can’t fit a ton inside- a water bottle, extra set of clothes, snacks, and some smaller items.
If you don’t want to have to buy a new backpack in a year, then maybe consider jumping to the Small Backpack. The small size backpack is the best option for a first backpack that will last a few years. The small backpack is a great option for preschool or even kindergarten because it’s large enough to fit a lunch bag, school supplies, and an extra set of clothes.
The next jump is to the Large Backpack, which is the best backpack size for younger elementary school students. My taller kindergartener even had a large backpack (it honestly might’ve even been an XL), that was just a tad big in the beginning of the year last year, but then really ended up being necessary for those longer school days and all of the snow gear and lunch/snacks he needed to pack! I’d suggest kindergarten or first grade as the starting point for the larger backpack size.
There really isn’t a big size difference between the Large and X-Large Backpack, except that the XL backpack gives you one more inch in width. So if you’d rather jump from the small to the XL for the sake of the extra space, I’d recommend it! (Or you could wait until second or third grade if you prefer, or if you have a super small kiddo).
The XL size backpack could last through middle school or even junior high.
Quality:
There’s no doubt about it, PBK makes quality backpacks. They’ve been a top performer in our house- even with the wear and tear of our 5 older kids, (including 3 boys, so extra wear and tear…), they are solid backpacks that LAST. And since most are made from water-resistant fabric, this helps keep the material looking new, even after coming home from school/camp in the rain/snow.
Cost:
Buying a Pottery Barn Backpack can be a bit pricey, especially if you’re buying multiple new backpacks for the school year for multiple kids. They’re not as expensive as the popular State backpacks or other trendy options, but they usually have a higher price tag than backpacks you’ll find at Target.
However, for how LONG a Large/XL size backpack can last, I think it’s a great value (especially when you can snag one on sale!). If the backpacks are on sale or clearance, you might be able to get one around $30, but they can be listed at upwards of $50-$80 depending on the style of backpack (which could include a rolling backpack, similar to a rolling suitcase, perfect as a travel backpack).
Definitely try to buy one during a sale! It’s 100% worth it. There are multiple sales throughout the year, but I’ve noticed there is a backpack sale / back-to-school sale every mid-July.
Easy To Clean:
Unless there is a “different” material (maybe one with glitter, or one made of Canvas like some at PB Teen) I’ve always ignored the “spot clean only” and can confirm that they are machine washable! I have thrown ours in the washing machine countless times, as well as the dryer, and they come out looking brand spankin’ new!
Style:
Pottery Barn Kids backpacks come in the CUTEST styles! From whimsical florals, to solid colors, to sweet hearts, to colorful designs, to sports, to even a Spider-man option (that is cute, and not “in your face Spidey”, which I appreciate it). Plus, most styles have a matching lunch box! (And some even have a matching water bottle, too!). Side note- I ADORE their lunch boxes!
Features:
Other than having the cutest styles, this is where PBK backpacks truly shine! They have so many great features: from padded shoulder straps, adjustable straps, a zippered pocket (or 2!), a headphone hole, 2 side mesh water bottle holders, ample space for books/gear/school supplies, a padded sleeve (which is particularly great as a padded laptop sleeve for the older students!), a chest strap/ sternum strap, and extra outer buckled straps which are perfect for bringing a towel to camp in the summer!
(Always make sure your particular style has all of these features, or at least the ones that are most important to you!)
Most have the option to monogram, and many of their backpacks are also made from recycled materials– love this!
Comfort:
Most importantly, since PBK backpacks are padded, they’re perfect as book bags for carrying heavy loads as kids get older, and they are super comfortable!
Overall, I absolutely recommend Pottery Barn backpacks. I love them, my kids love them, they’re fantastic quality, super cute, and have lasted us years (through multiple kids!).
I hope this Pottery Barn Backpack review was super helpful! Happy Back-To-School!
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