Of all the things you need to buy new each year, back-to-school clothes, notebooks, shoes and lunch boxes, a new backpack may be the most unnecessary. Not that every child doesn’t need a backpack these days to cart home the ever growing pile of assignments designated. “homework”.

It’s just this shouldn’t be something you have to buy every year. With the slumping economy and the increased focus on living life a little less materialistic, this is a great time to teach your child to buy quality things that last.

OK, sure, your child is clamoring for the latest commercial character on their backpack and you can pick them up cheap, but a hip color or design and nifty REAL backpack (i.e. the kind made for people who actually go backpacking) features have their own “cool” factor.

The JanSport Super Break Backpack is the number one seller for students around the world and it comes in a variety of stylish design. Sturdy enough to last for years, the Superbreak backpack has a large main compartment and a front pocket big enough to store pens, pencils and an ipod. Both the shoulder straps and the back are padded for extra comfort while carrying those heavy books home.

Though, don’t expect that to be any consolation when your child expects you to explain everything in those heavy books to him or her!