"Hello First Grade": The Great Backpack Test by Maariv
A huge selection of backpacks awaits students and their parents ahead of the first day of school. From Barbie and Stitch to One Piece and POP-K, including ergonomic back systems, padded shoulder straps, and built-in wheels.
Modan
Modan offers a wide variety of school backpacks this year, maintaining a focus on quality and comfort. The collection features designs inspired by social media trends like Brainrot, as well as themes from football, gaming, and space, alongside beloved characters like Sonic, Lilo and Stitch, Barbie, and Hello Kitty.
The orthopedic backpack includes the Air Flex Bag system with a supportive back, padded straps, and dedicated compartments for food and a water bottle. This year, a matching pencil case is included with every backpack, and packages are available with complementary accessories such as a trolley handle, a bottle, and a lunch box.
Noam, entering 5th grade: "The backpack is comfortable, and even when there is equipment inside, it feels light. There are enough compartments, including a small one for a phone." Price: backpack with a matching pencil case - 239 NIS. Packages starting from 229 NIS.
Kal Gav
Kal Gav is launching a collection of orthopedic school bags, with an emphasis on comfort, organization, and adaptation for young students. A highlight is "The Perfect Package for 1st Grade," which includes an X-FIX orthopedic bag with a light back system, a carrying trolley, an expandable pencil case, an insulated lunch box, and a water bottle.
Eve, entering 1st grade: "I liked that all my things arrived together in the same design. The backpack is beautiful and has room for everything I need. I especially liked the pencil case and the trolley option for when it's heavy." Price: 449-499 NIS.
Kal Gav — BRANDS
The branded collection returns with designs from worlds loved by children and teens, including sports teams and brands like Disney, Marvel, and Fortnite. The backpacks feature a padded, ventilated back system, a large central compartment, a padded laptop or tablet sleeve, and water-repellent fabric.
Ariel, entering 5th grade: "I chose the Real Madrid backpack because I love football. I like that it looks like a backpack for big kids. It has plenty of room for notebooks and books and is comfortable to wear." Price: Real Madrid backpack - 279 NIS; matching pencil case - 55 NIS.
Palphot
Palphot is launching a wide collection combining popular pop brands with functional solutions. Options include Squishmallows, K-Pop Demon Hunters, Barbie, Stitch, Kuromi, Smiley World, and more, alongside orthopedic and ergonomic designs.
Emilia, entering 1st grade, chose the Squishmallows package. Emilia: "I chose it because I love the characters. I liked that everything matches. I have room for everything I need, and it's comfortable on my back." Price: starting from 260 NIS (trolley not included).
Palphot — DRIPS
The DRIPS collection features urban designs with characters like SpongeBob, Garfield, and Felix the Cat, alongside pop culture themes like One Piece, "Stranger Things," and K-Pop. The backpacks include an ergonomic back system and dedicated compartments for laptops and tablets.
Tal, entering 4th grade: "I chose the SpongeBob backpack because it looks different from regular ones. It has plenty of room and can be used after school too." Price: 299 NIS.
Adidas at the Stock chain
adidas Originals backpacks combine the brand's iconic design with practical storage. The set includes a backpack and pencil case with the Trefoil logo. The backpack features a spacious central compartment, a laptop/tablet sleeve, a front pocket for small items, and two side bottle pockets.
Yahli, entering 8th grade: "The backpack is relatively comfortable and not heavy. The two compartments are enough for my gear and lunch box. It's beautiful and suitable for use outside of school." Price: 149 NIS. Available at Stock chain branches.
Max Stock
Max Stock's new collection offers a wide variety of backpacks for kindergarteners and students, focusing on comfort and accessible prices. A key innovation is the orthopedic bag for 1st-2nd grades with built-in wheels, which can be carried or dragged as a trolley.
Eli, entering 1st grade: "I liked the colors and the unicorn drawing. And the backpack has wheels inside, so I can roll it instead of carrying all my books on my back." Price: 139 NIS.
Skip Hop
The new Besties Squad collection from Skip Hop features four colorful animal characters: a cat, a dinosaur, an elephant, and a unicorn. All products are BPA-free. A new service this year is personal embroidery of the child's name on the front of the backpack (available online for an additional 19.90 NIS).
Yam, entering kindergarten: "I liked that the backpack looks like an animal, but mostly that my name is on it. Now everyone knows it's mine." Price: 89.90 NIS on sale (instead of 139.90 NIS).
Kravitz — Street Art
Kravitz offers a wide variety of backpacks, including the Street Art house brand, inspired by graffiti and street art. The chain also carries leading brands like JanSport, Herschel, Outdoor, Marshmallow, Nike, and Adidas.
Eden, entering 8th grade: "It was important to me to choose a backpack that wouldn't look like everyone else's. I love the graffiti design with the teddy bear on the pink background. It's beautiful and feels high-quality." Price: 79.90-469 NIS.
SCOOP
SCOOP offers backpacks for children and teens, focusing on current designs and comfort. The collection includes minimalist and urban styles in black, beige, and cream shades.
Roni, entering 8th grade: "This year I wanted a more mature-looking backpack. I chose the black one with the PAST inscription because it fits everything and looks simple and clean." Price: 39.90-249.90 NIS.
