Bags you carry on your shoulders have been around for centuries, but the term backpack is only about 100 years old. Before that, backpacks went by the names rucksack or knapsack. Today backpacks are an essential school accessory for grade school children. Like any boys' accessories, you have to find the one your child will like and will want to carry to school. That's where thredUP's affordable and hand-picked stock comes in.

Backpacks come in many styles and colors. If your child is an NFL fan, you can find backpacks featuring favorite football teams on thredUP. Simple colors, such as black, make it easier for stylish children to accessorize their look with colorful shirts, boys' belts, and great shoes. Other kids prefer to let the backpack make the colorful statement and gravitate toward bright colors like blue or orange.

Get the Right Fit

Finding the perfect backpack for school is like searching for boys' ties and suspenders: It doesn't matter how great the backpack is if it doesn't fit. Adjustable straps, waist buckles, and the right amount of padding keep the bag comfortable on a child's shoulders.

Shop for a backpack with extras, such as mesh pockets on the sides perfect for water bottles or small exterior pockets that can hold pens, phones, and chargers. Don't forget to consider how much the backpack weighs. A young boy doesn't have as much to store in his bag and needs something he can wear while still being active. A lightweight backpack with fewer pockets is perfect. Teens, however, have much more to carry and probably appreciate the extra organization that pockets provide.

Think About an Internal Frame

For boys with lots of books and school supplies to carry, a backpack with an internal frame is a smart idea. Internal frame bags have built-in shelves or pockets within the main carrying segment to distribute the weight inside the bag more easily. Boys can carry heavy books without them all falling to the bottom of the bag, putting less pressure on the neck and shoulders.

Some internal frame backpacks are long and bulky, designed for hiking and camping. Your boy doesn't need that much space to carry books. You can find great options with internal canvas pockets from JanSport and the North Face that are the perfect size for school.

Internal frame bags aren't as popular as school bags with one or two big main pockets, so you'll have to look harder to find them. They also tend to be more expensive, because of the extra construction. Searching on thredUP gets you up to 90% off, so that perfect backpack is affordable for almost any budget.

Backpacks are great for carrying books during the school year and other gear during breaks. Search designer brands up to 90% off retail prices when you shop for boys' backpacks at thredUP.