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Need suggestions for a personal bag for 11 year old girl (UPDATE: found one)

Many of you know I'm taking my grandkids to London and Paris in the spring. I've already bought them both suitcases, toiletry bags, and a few other odds and ends, but I want to get my granddaughter a backpack that she can use as a personal bag. I'm thinking somewhere in the 10-15L capacity range. She's 11 but is tall for her age, so an adult size would work. Hopefully it would be fairly lightweight, a fun color (no beiges, greys or blacks) and sturdy (i.e., not a packable/foldable backpack). She will probably be bringing her iPad, so a pocket for that would be nice but not a dealbreaker.

And I'd like to keep the cost as low as possible; definitely under $50 and even lower would be better. Any suggestions?

LLBean has a few choices in 17 liter size in fun colors, under $50. Plus, there is a holiday discount code.
Keep in mind - these are for short people. I know I get comments on this - but, torso length is a thing for me. Measure from the “knob” at base of neck to mid-lumbar or slightly longer area. Try to get a pack in this range. Especially for the tall 11 year old.

Posted by
17557 posts

This Cotopaxi might be the one I was thinking of:

https://www.cotopaxi.com/products/batac-16l-pack-del-dia?variant=32161708426&utm_campaign=NE%7CGoogle%7CShopping%7CConversion%7CStandard%7CNA%7CUS%7CEcomm%7CTravel%7CNonBrand&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADmisfsadLGQX8zpdGNeyqRiXO3nd&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIiZjmmfCBigMVotDCBB0huxXVEAQYByABEgLqgfD_BwE

$35.75 ( reduced from $65) in this colorful combo, and a good rectangular shape.

If that link does not work, Google “Cotopaxi Batac 16 Liter Backpack Del Dia”. It is 19 x 11 X 4. Here is the website description:

Our bestselling Batac 16L Backpack is a streamlined pack that deploys for fast-and-light daytrips, hikes, and other excursions. It’s unstructured for easy loading and features a main zippered compartment along with a front vertical-zip pocket and two mesh water bottle pockets. Available in two sizes; the 16L is the smaller size.
Blockquote

I am getting one for my 10-year-old granddaughter.

And then there is the REI brand kids’ 12 L daypack:

https://www.rei.com/product/234943/rei-co-op-tarn-12-pack-kids

This could be a winner - Osprey daylite cinch pack. Various colors. Could “grow” with her. 15 liters. Simple design, but nice. $35 - $55. Osprey.com or Amazon. Plus, some Black Friday sale stuff going on at Osprey.com.

Posted by
8156 posts

Thank you both so much for the suggestions! I decided to go with the LLBean Original Book Pack 24L in the tie-dye print.

Sunbaked, thanks for the LLBean suggestion. I think the Junior was too short but this one will be a good fit. I keep all the kids' measurements updated regularly since I sew for them, and this size should be perfect. Plus I know she will love the tie-dye print! That is the third thing I've ordered from LLBean this week, lol! Luckily I have an LLBean card so I can get free shipping. I don't know why I didn't think of looking there for the backpack, so thanks for the idea!

Lola, thank you so much! I loved that Cotopaxi Batac backpack, but I think her style would be more geared to something like the LLBean bag. But I might get that for my daughter, so thanks for that suggestion! The REI bag would be too short, I think. I probably should have been more specific with her height. She is around 5'3" tall. She's already past her mom in height (who is short) and is fast catching up to me (I'm 5'4"). :-)

By the way, if you like Cotopaxi, Sierra has a lot of Cotopaxi bags deeply discounted right now. Not the Batac, though.

Hey! I had one more suggestion coming. I am posting it anyway. Enwild.com - 2 models of Osprey daylite packs in various colors, and Deuter 17. (Note: someone botched the dimension listing for the Deuter 17. So, a phone call or youtube video may be in order.)

Posted by
8156 posts

Sun-Baked, the more the merrier as far as I'm concerned. I will keep coming back here for future purchases!

Posted by
10282 posts

I heard somewhere there is an Ori/Roka sale on, and that people really like those bags . . . and they have fun colors

Posted by
8156 posts

Hahahahahahaha!!!! Kim, you're so funny! ◔_◔

Seriously, I did consider the Roka for her, but I think the medium is a bit too big and the small would be too small. Plus she's 11, so not sure if she'd be open to that cool Roka vibe, lol!