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How to choose a backpack or school satchel for first grade

Quick answer

How do you choose a school bag for a first-grader?

How to choose a school bag for a first-grader so that it really fits? Go by your child's height, not their age. A good school satchel or backpack has a reinforced back, a hip belt and a chest strap and lasts until the end of grade 3. The weight of the empty backpack matters less than people say: with the Active AIR FLX backpack, the backpack itself makes up only 23% of what a first-grader carries on their back. Our BECKMANN ranges fit children from 116 to 150 cm.

Three first-graders with BECKMANN school backpacks on their way to school

How to choose a backpack for first grade in 4 steps

  1. Measure your child

    Classic, Active AIR FLX and the Premium AIR school satchel fit children from 116 to 140 cm. Classic Max fits taller children from 122 to 150 cm.

  2. Satchel or backpack

    A school satchel has a rigid structure, stands up on its own and has a lid that closes with a magnet. Backpacks are lighter, weighing 940 to 1100 g.

  3. Look at the back

    All ranges have an aluminium stay, a hip belt and a chest strap. The Airflow cushion transfers up to 62% of the weight from the shoulders to the hips.

  4. Try it on and adjust it

    Try the backpack on in our shop, or order online – you can return it within 45 days. Then adjust it at home using our guide.

Is the lightest school satchel the best one for a first-grader?

No. It's the load that weighs the most, not the backpack. An example using the Active AIR FLX backpack for grades 1–3: textbooks, folders and exercise books weigh 1.9 kg, snack and drink 0.8 kg, a filled pencil case and pencil pouch 0.6 kg and the backpack itself 1.0 kg. That comes to 4.3 kg, of which the backpack makes up only 23%.

1.9 kg

textbooks, folders and exercise books

0.8 kg

snack and drink

0.6 kg

filled pencil case and pencil pouch

1.0 kg

the Active AIR FLX backpack, i.e. 23% of the total

Small differences in backpack weight are therefore not what matters. You'll save more weight by looking at what your child packs. The carrying system, which transfers the weight from the shoulders to the hips, is important too. We explain how to pack a backpack in our article Heavy items go closest to the back.

Satchel or backpack for first grade?

It depends on what suits you and your child better. The Premium AIR school satchel has a rigid, stable structure, a flat base that lets it stand on its own and a magnetic lid that a first-grader can close in one movement. It weighs 1300 g. The Classic, Classic Max and Active AIR FLX school backpacks are lighter. Active AIR FLX also has a side zip that increases the capacity from 20 to 25 litres.

The Premium AIR satchel and the Active AIR FLX backpack have the same foam-and-air Airflow cushion in the back. Our article Ergonomics test of BECKMANN school backpacks for first-graders shows how the weight a backpack transfers from the shoulders is measured.

Comparison of the BECKMANN school satchel and backpacks for first-graders

Data from the product descriptions

Differences between the BECKMANN school backpack and satchel ranges for first-graders
RangeClassicBestsellerClassic MaxMost spaciousActive AIR FLXMost comfortablePremium AIRSchool satchel
Size
For child's height116–140 cm122–150 cm116–140 cm116–140 cm
Capacity22 l28 l20–25 l20 l
Weight940 g1100 g1000 g1300 g
Back
Back systemPadded back with an aluminium stayPadded back with an aluminium stayAirflow cushion and aluminium stayAirflow cushion and aluminium stay
Transfers from shoulders to hipsup to 55% of the weightup to 55% of the weightup to 62% of the weightup to 62% of the weight
Features
Type and closureBackpack with bucklesBackpack with bucklesBackpack with a zipSatchel, magnetic lid
Capacity expansion––+5 l with the side zip–
Choose ClassicChoose Classic MaxChoose Active AIR FLXChoose Premium AIR

Classic

Bestseller

Child's height116–140 cm

Capacity22 l

Weight940 g

From shoulders to hipsup to 55% of the weight

TypeBackpack with buckles

Choose

Classic Max

Most spacious

Child's height122–150 cm

Capacity28 l

Weight1100 g

From shoulders to hipsup to 55% of the weight

TypeBackpack with buckles

Choose

Active AIR FLX

Most comfortable

Child's height116–140 cm

Capacity20–25 l

Weight1000 g

From shoulders to hipsup to 62% of the weight

TypeBackpack with a zip

Choose

Premium AIR

School satchel

Child's height116–140 cm

Capacity20 l

Weight1300 g

From shoulders to hipsup to 62% of the weight

TypeSatchel, magnetic lid

Choose

What all four ranges for first-graders have in common

The ranges differ in size and in the back. The essentials are the same.

Healthy backs from first grade

  • Anatomically shaped aluminium stay in the back
  • Padded hip belt and adjustable chest strap
  • Reflective elements on all sides and a rain cover included

How to adjust your BECKMANN backpack →

Safe materials

  • Tested to the EN 71-3 toy safety standard
  • Textiles certified to OEKO-TEX® Standard 100
  • 4-year warranty

Material safety →

FAQs about choosing a school satchel for a first-grader

Didn't find the answer? Write to us or drop by our shop.

Ask us

How long will a school satchel last?

The BECKMANN school satchel and school backpacks for first-graders are designed for grades 1–3. Classic, Active AIR FLX and Premium AIR fit children from 116 to 140 cm, Classic Max from 122 to 150 cm. The warranty is 4 years, and from grade 4 the Sport school range follows on.

How much should a school satchel for a first-grader weigh?

Our school backpacks for first-graders weigh 940 to 1100 g, the Premium AIR school satchel 1300 g. The load matters more, though: in our example the contents weigh 3.3 kg and the Active AIR FLX backpack 1.0 kg, i.e. 23% of the total.

Which is better, a satchel or a backpack?

Both are a good choice as long as they have a reinforced back, a hip belt and a chest strap. The Premium AIR school satchel stands up on its own and closes with a magnet, while the Classic and Active AIR FLX backpacks are lighter. Both Premium AIR and Active AIR FLX have the Airflow back cushion.

Which backpack for a first-grader by height?

Classic, Active AIR FLX and Premium AIR fit children up to 140 cm, all of them from 116 cm. Classic Max, with a capacity of 28 l, fits children from 122 to 150 cm. Our backpack advisor will give you a precise recommendation.

Can I try the backpack on or return it?

Yes. You can try it on at our shop in Ostrava, where we stock the full range, or at our stockists in Prague and Brno, which carry selected products. If you order from the online shop, you can return it within 45 days. Shops and contact →

Choose a school satchel or backpack that fits your first-grader

You'll find all four ranges for grades 1–3 together, on their own or in good-value sets.

Backpacks and satchels for first-graders School sets for first-graders

Updated: November 2026

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