Bentgo Backpack Review: A Good 2-in-1 Bag for Kids?

It’s not easy to find a good school backpack for a child that’s well-made, comfortable to wear, durable enough to last more than one school year, and functional enough that they can fit everything they need for a school day inside it. The Bentgo 2-in-1 backpack is a rare example that checks all those boxes, so keep reading if you’re looking for a good backpack for kids!

This is a 2-in-1 backpack with an insulated lunch box compartment because Bentgo is famous for its Bento-box style lunch boxes. It’s a really good bag and it’s got better features than some adult backpacks, so it’s certainly a worthy option for your little one. Plus, with 14 different designs on the body of the bag, it should be super easy to find a style your child loves!

Materials and Durability

The Bentgo kids’ backpack is made from EVA polyester. The material is non-toxic and BPA-free, so it’s perfectly safe for children. It’s also very durable; maybe not as durable as ballistic nylon used in adult backpacks, but durable enough that it can make it through the school year (and longer) with your little one.

The backpack is water-resistant, so everything inside it should stay dry in the rain or if something gets spilled on the bag. The exterior is also easy to clean, which is essential for school backpacks.

Another thing worth mentioning in terms of materials is that the backpack uses kid-friendly zippers. This is great because it makes it effortless for the child to use their own backpack, and they won’t struggle to open or close any of the compartments. The zippers are still good quality and are in no way worse than classic zippers on adult backpacks.

Design

Another thing that’s important to mention in this section is that this backpack is available in 14 different designs. They’re all priced the same and have identical features, so it comes down to the pattern or prints that your little one is going to like the most. I think all the prints are adorable, and it’s possible to purchase a matching Bento lunch box for every backpack.

Comfort

The Back Panel

This backpack features a padded back panel with breathable mesh. It’s great for carrying comfort because all the padding provides a nice barrier between the child’s back and the contents of the pack, plus the breathable mesh ensures great ventilation and airflow.

Honestly, this backpack has a better back panel than some (pricier) adult backpacks, so there’s nothing to worry about in terms of carrying comfort.

Shoulder Straps

Just like the back panel, the shoulder straps also feature thick padding and breathable mesh. They are easily adjustable, and even the kids should be able to quickly adjust the fit of the bag on the go.

Additionally, the shoulder straps can be secured in place with a sternum strap, which is an excellent addition. The sternum strap is great because it makes the straps sit tightly on the child’s body, which helps a lot with load distribution. It also ensures that the straps can’t slip off and that can be helpful if the kids are running or messing around.

The sternum strap is also easily adjustable for maximum carrying comfort.

Organization And Accessibility

The Main Compartment

The main compartment of this backpack is very roomy and features three additional open pockets. It’s got enough space for all the books and notebooks your little one would probably want to pack inside the bag, plus the open pockets are great for keeping the smaller items easily accessible and organized.

Also, the main compartment of the backpack is spacious enough to hold a pencil box in addition to other stuff.

Insulated Lunch Box Compartment

The insulated lunch box compartment is one of the best features of the Bentgo Kid’s backpack. It’s situated at the bottom of the bag, features insulation throughout the entire compartment, and can easily fit Bentgo lunch boxes.

This is an excellent feature because it means the temperature of the food will be preserved in this compartment, whether you’re packing your children a hot or cold lunch. There’s an additional zippered pocket inside this compartment.

One thing you should keep in mind is that Bentgo lunch boxes feature a different design from standard lunch boxes. They are not as tall and are wider, so it’s likely that a basic lunch box from a different manufacturer would not fit inside this backpack. Ideally, you should buy a Bentgo lunch box to use with this pack, but it’s worth noting that they cost almost as much as the backpack itself.

Front Organizer Compartment

The front compartment features an organizer panel with three open pockets and three pen slots. It probably can’t fit a proper pencil case since it’s a very slim compartment, but I think you could squeeze a slim pencil case inside this compartment.

The open pockets are big enough to hold a wallet, calculator, or whatever else your little one might be carrying to school and they’d like to keep it separate from their books and food. The three pen slots are great because they offer easy access to pencils and markers.

Stretchy Side Pocket

This backpack also features a stretchy mesh pocket on the side, which is perfect for water bottles. The pocket is compatible with Bentgo’s water bottles, and I have to point out that you can get a bottle that matches the design of the backpack.

On the other hand, you can also store pretty much any water bottle inside this backpack. There’s a drawstring cord at the top of the pocket that will keep any smaller bottles in place and keep them from falling out.

Versatility

The Bentgo backpack is very versatile for a children’s backpack. It’s one of the main reasons this is an awesome bag for all kids. It’s not just a bag they can carry their books in, but rather a bag they can comfortably take on field trips, picnics, and even on family trips.

The main compartment is very roomy and can easily hold a change of clothes and a few other essentials. The insulated compartment can hold quite a bit of food even if it’s not stored in a lunch box, plus the front organizer allows to keep all the important items easily accessible.

Also, the carrying comfort of this backpack is superb, and it’s another reason why your child can wear this bag anywhere. With padding and ventilation in the back panel and shoulder straps, plus the sternum strap, your kid can easily wear this backpack on family hiking adventures. What’s funny is that they’ll probably be more comfortable than you with your giant hiking pack.

Value for Money

The Bentgo backpack usually retails for approximately $15, but at the moment of writing this it’s discounted by 30% and there’s an additional $5 coupon available, which means that I can currently buy this for some $30.

Whether you spend $30 or $50 on this bag, it’s still a really good deal. Naturally the cheaper it is the better, but even at full price it’s not a wildly expensive backpack, especially because it’s so well-made and versatile. It’s a backpack your child will be able to use until they grow out of it, plus it works for so many different scenarios.

If you look at brands that manufacture high-quality backpacks and offer options for children, they’re all more expensive than the Bentgo 2-in-1 bag. And what’s worse is that none of those backpacks feature an insulated lunch box compartment, so they’re definitely not as convenient as this one.

Rating

The Bentgo backpack for kids earned a rating of 92, so it did really well against our system. It’s a comfortable backpack to wear with lots of convenient and useful features, plus versatile and reasonably priced.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Bentgo backpack waterproof?

The Bentgo backpack is not waterproof, but it is water-resistant. The main issue is that the zippers are not waterproof, so liquids can seep in (and out of) the bag through the zipper.

How should the Bentgo backpack be cleaned?

The Bentgo backpack can easily be spot cleaned. Just apply some mild detergent on the stains, rub it in until you get the stain out, and then rub it again with a clean, wet/damp cloth. This backpack is not machine washable because of the insulated compartment, and throwing it in the washer will damage the integrity of the insulation and render it useless.

Does the Bentgo backpack come with a warranty?

Yes, the Bentgo backpack comes with a 2-year warranty. If anything happens to the backpack within the first two years, the company will usually send you a brand-new bag, which is pretty amazing.

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