Best time to buy a backpack for school without overpaying

Verdict: Buy in late summer if it fits, otherwise wait for fall clearance. The sale matters less than the fit.

When is the best time to buy a backpack for school? In most years, late summer is the best mix of choice and price. Stores lower prices in the weeks before classes start, and the shelves are still full. Fall clearance can be cheaper, but sizes and colors are limited.

The reason is simple. A backpack is a small item that stores use to pull in shoppers, so it gets marked down often. Dates change each year, so watch the price for a few weeks before you buy.

What rule should you use?

Pick by fit first. Check the strap padding, the zippers and the back panel. A bag that hurts the shoulders or breaks a zipper in October costs more than any sale saved. Look at the size too. A bag that holds a laptop and a binder should have a padded sleeve.

After that, use a simple price check: look at the last 30 days and the last 90 days for the exact bag. If today's price is at the low end, buy. If it is at the high end, wait a week or two. See how to check price history before you buy.

When does the answer flip?

Buy early if the child is hard on bags and you need a backup, or if the school list asks for a specific type. Buy later if the old bag still works. A backpack that is fine until October can be replaced at the fall price.

Also skip the sale if the "deal" bag is a cheaper line made for the event. These often have thinner fabric and weaker zippers. Compare it with the regular line before you buy.

For other school items and their windows, see when to buy school supplies to pay less.

What should you check in the store?

Pick the bag up, fill it with books and try it on. Look at the stitching on the straps and the bottom. Zippers should run smoothly. A cheap bag that tears in a month is not cheap. Check the return window if you buy online, since fit is hard to judge from a photo.