Gearing Up for Back to School with MOLLE Backpacks

We’re just about a month away from “back to school” in many districts, which means now is the time to start thinking about gearing up the kids for another year of academic pursuits.

One of the most important pieces of gear you’ll need to get together for your kids, whether they’re little tykes or getting ready to graduate from high school, is a solid backpack.

If last year’s pack is on the way out the door, or has seen just a few too many “back to school seasons” gear up with a new one.

If you get the right one - like a MOLLE backpack or a camo backpack - your kid will be able to use it for more than just school.

Why MOLLE Backpacks Are a Solid Bet for Back to School

Not familiar with “MOLLE” yet? No worries - unlike ALICE packs, they’re actually relatively new on the scene, and didn’t really see widespread use until after 2000, although they were introduced slightly earlier.

Pronounced “Molly,” MOLLE stands for “modular lightweight load-bearing equipment” and consists of a system of webbing straps and loops that are designed to be modular and configurable, making it possible to expand the system through clips, buttons, and hook and loop closures.

MOLLE backpacks make excellent school packs, first and foremost, because of their versatility. While they’re usually thoughtfully organized on the interior, it’s the exterior that really highlights their expandability. Because of this versatility, it also makes it easier to distribute the weight of heavy loads - not necessarily something you’ll deal with at school, but a nice feature for extracurricular activities.

Pens and other school supplies can be clipped to the webbing on the outside for easier access, not to mention this configuration will help prevent small items from getting lost in the dusky recesses of the bottom of the pack.

Also, you can attach other packs and pouches onto the outside of the pack using the same system - which also afford easy access, not to mention you can really open up the bag’s volume with an easy and reversible customization.

                  

This is one of the things that makes MOLLE backpacks great, and not just as school packs. Because of their versatility, they can be used on the weekend as camping, hunting, hiking, boating, airsoft and paintball packs - or for a million and one other uses. Really what matters is what you pack in it, and a MOLLE backpack is endlessly configurable.

Beyond that, there’s also the undeniable cool factor, which in this case is not just your typical cool, but a “tacticool” factor, towards which some students naturally gravitate.

Either way, a MOLLE backpack isn’t going to be a match for every kid, but if your kids are into outdoor sports, general preparedness, or just a backpack that can adapt to changing needs, MOLLE packs are a solid bet.

The All-Around Camo Backpack

                  

Not sure if a MOLLE backpack is the right bet for your kid but you’re still interested in a backpack that he or she can use for more than just school? Get a camo backpack!

Camo backpacks don’t just make a statement. While camo can be a great fashion statement, it’s just as important to recognize that camouflage was designed with a purpose in mind - and it wasn’t to be seen; in fact, it was the opposite!

Say, for instance, your kid is into hunting, airsoft, or paintball. In those scenarios, having a camo backpack is a real asset, especially if it’s matched to the camo of the rest of their clothing and gear.

We sell a wide range of camo backpacks representing a good cross section of many different camo patterns, including vintage US Woodland, Vietnam tiger stripe camo, digital camo, and much more.

Whether your kid is a bowhunter that needs to sneak up close for a shot or just likes to play in airsoft competition on the weekends, a solid camo pack can be a real asset. Make it a MOLLE backpack and you get concealment, expandability and improved access to gear all rolled into one package.

Now, let’s say you’re looking for a versatile pack that can be used for more than school but don’t want to commit to the (ironic) flashiness of camo? Consider a different pack in a solid, earth-tone color like FDE, olive drab or OD Green. These can be just as useful in the field as they are in the class, and can also aid in concealment when engaged in outdoor activities.

And the best part is that a single camo MOLLE pack can be just as useful in the classroom as it is in the field, provided you pack it wisely and enable your kid to expand and reduce the overall footprint as determined by the circumstances.

What to Pack in Your Kid’s Back to School Pack?

Once you settle on a new backpack for your kid, whether it’s a camo pack or a MOLLE backpack, you’re going to have to make sure you send them off with the essentials for a successful first day back at school. Here are some must-pack items:

• Pencils, pens, and paper
• Pencil case
• Erasers
• Highlighters
• Planner
• Notebooks and binders with loose leaf paper
• Personal items (phone, charger, etc.)
• Calculator
• Ruler
• Textbooks (if necessary, schools often provide them)
• Reusable water bottle
• Hand sanitizer
• Basic first aid essentials

Many of the items your kid will need for school will only be revealed after the syllabi have been distributed. Teachers will make lists of necessary items that will vary according to the subject matter - understandably, art classes, science classes, and shop classes all have different needs.

But for the first day, even the first week, that crash-list should set your student up for success!

Shop ALICE Packs, MOLLE Backpacks And More

Before you can pack up your kid’s back-to-school backpack, you need to get it, and we carry tons of useful and unique designs and patterns. Shop camo backpacks, MOLLE packs, and more in a wide range of sizes and designs, along with ALICE packs and other historical rigs.

We have what you need for back to school - get it here and plan ahead for a successful first day back!