Before you send your kids off for the day, make sure they're properly equipped with a backpack that will comfortably hold a water bottle, some spending money, ID in case they get lost, a few toys, books, markers, some outerwear and several jangling keyrings for decoration.

A great model from Tough Traveler (800/GO-TOUGH) accomplishes this in style. The Super Padre comes in sizes extra small to large (meaning adults can wear it too) and runs from $89-$156.  This "Back Friendly" pack has a great list of recommendations, with celebrants including Good Housekeeping and The Today Show. The Super Padre is an Allied Health Chiropractic Center of Wisconsin recommended backpack, with review based on adjustability, ergonomics, weight distribution, and material quality. The backpack is useful to teens and adults taking the weight of heavy books off shoulders and upper backs as well and performs double duty for school and hiking. 

The smallest sizes have been skillfully designed for the narrow shoulders, long torsos, and skinny hips of younger children by this leading manufacturer of infant carriers. Regan Bozeman, age 6, gladly switched from a Jansport daypack because he felt more secure with the Padre's chest and hip straps fastened. His comments: "I like to keep toys on the outside and stuff on the inside. The straps are really neat to chew on."  

The Super Padre also has an internal frame, padded back panel and shoulder straps, room for large books, an outer mesh sneaker/sweaty T-shirt compartment, and a secret inner pocket for storing Magic cards or love notes.  Says reviewer Jesse Spielman, age 11, "I can't figure out what everything's for and my water bottle falls over a lot, but it's awesome and is sort of an Army color, which I like, and now that my Mom adjusted the straps better, my books aren't so heavy."

The pack comes in many colors like raspberry, black, navy, teal, and slate. Though more costly than some competitor's models, these tough traveling companions wash well and will provide years of service.   

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