Can you trust what you feel, when it comes to buying Book-bags, and Backpacks?
Submitted by volunteer47305 on Sun, 08/01/2010 - 1:42pm.
For many years now, I have posted that a lot of the price reductions taking place in sewn products is a result of a form of manufacturing, I consider deceptive. Point in case being "most" of the lower priced backpacks, book-bags, being offered through the big box stores; and often offered as free to many needy families with school age children.
What makes these products deceptive aside from their low price, is their seriously deceptive materials used in the main construction of such sewn products. This would not be so bad, if they were marketed as disposable bags for a seasons worth of use; but they often look like quality workmanship but without the substance of the better materials.
Sure they cost less to produce, market and in fact may be suitable for a person, who really cares for their belongs; but this hardly describes the average school student. Many a parent is quite possibly trying to get the best value for their expenditure and hoping they will buy a bag or backpack that will last a few school years at least, to ease the budget. After all, all the latest consumer information pouring out is that consumers are being much more cautious; but it is one thing to be cautious and penny wise and pound foolish when it comes to such buying decisions. This calls for being a better discerning consumer, one who can inspect the sewn product and know if it is worth purchasing or if it would be better to spend a "few" more dollars and really get the quality that would make a difference regardless of the child's handling habits using it.
The most evident thing to watch out for when buying a bag for school use, is to watch out for the "Lining" material used; because, that is were most of the deception is taking place. In years past the better name brand manufactures used heavy 1000 denier nylon "coated" with a good half to three quarter OZ of polyurethane, and had a durable water proofing on the outside as well. . . so except for the seams and zippers, the bag was waterproof coated. . . and very durable against punctures, scraping, and easily maintainable. A true backpack or book-bag worth spending money on.
But today, many of the marketers are insisting on bags the look the part, but can be sold at very low prices. This has cause over the past years an introduction of many a sewn product that has a nylon outer shell, but has a very different backing PVC seems to be backing of choice these days; as it can make the lighter nylon shell feel much more heavy then it really is, and what is worse, is that it does not tolerate seam stress very well at all. . . you know the place I mean?
Where the straps are attached, or where stuffing causes seams to bulge to the max and often results in tear outs. What is happening is the backing of PVC is perforating, then the light weight nylon is shredding. To combat this many a manufacture has used "LONGER" stitch lengths so as to reduce the perforation potential, sometimes it works, and many times it does not. It is all dependent on the end user.
I see quite a few parents who bring in their students bags for everything from strap reattachment to zipper repair or replacement, so I get to see the effects of quality VS. Price in these sewn products. I even have a few that bring in brand new bags for inspection (FREE) and if they want them beefed up, I can reinforce (preventive sewing) the strap attachments with better materials usually about $5.00. And yes there are replacement buckles at JoAnn Fabrics I know of, or we have many ourselves.
Another area that is often too easily sacrificed is in buckle materials, and is really hard to discern unless you know the source and are buying direct for the purpose of quality. Any "Reputable" manufacture, would only choose to use Acetyl Delrin plastic products, rather then ABS or nylon buckles that can bend, distort, and break more easily.
This could be a word to the wise; and a caution, to the less knowledgeable on such matters, but nothing will replace a student caring properly for their belongings provided them for an intended use. Many things are beyond ones control in life, but how we care for the things we use? Should not be one of those things beyond our control.
So armed with this new information, you can go forth and buy with confidence at your local shops and I hope you choose quality, over replacing bags yearly. And remember if you need repairs? We have the know how to help.
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