Backpacks

By Paul Ritchie Ingersole

In many countries, backpacks are heavily identified with students, and are a primary means of transporting educational materials to and from school. In this context they are sometimes known as bookbags.. Typical school backpacks generally lack the rigid frame of an outdoor-style backpack and include only a few pockets in addition to the main holding space of the pack. While traditionally very simple in design, school backpacks are often made with padded straps and backs as well as additional reinforcement to hold large numbers of heavy textbooks, as well as safety features such as reflective panels to make the wearer of the pack more visible at night. It is very common for schools (especially colleges and universities) to sell backpacks decorated with the school logo.

Backpacks are sometimes worn as accessories, in which they perform the same function as a purse Some such backpacks designed specifically for women are no larger than a typical purse, and are generally associated with younger, often college-age women.