The jeans and sneakers may be the first items at the top of the back-to-school shopping list, but backpacks are not far behind. And instead of choosing one just because it has Barbie or Batman plastered on the front on it, how about checking out the comfort factor?

While breaking the bank when you're buying a backpack this fall is not cool, hurting your back is not the greatest idea either. Here are some tips from Lands' End on choosing the right backpack:

— Assess the storage needs of each student based on age, amount of schoolwork and involvement in extracurricular activities. (And if they're like my daughter consider how many times they go to their locker during the day!)

Look for packs with organizational panels, special pockets, and other features that meet their individual needs and help them transition smoothly from home to school to after-school activities.

— There are many "extras" that create more convenient backpacks for kids now: external bungee systems make attaching a jacket a snap; mesh side-pockets hold water bottles; MP3/CD player pouches and cord ports for listening to tunes on the ride home.

— Determine what size pack is appropriate. Smaller backs will need smaller packs to avoid straining. Parents should remember that a backpack has to weigh less than 10 percent of a child's body weight. Kids that are constantly carrying overloaded packs should consider one with wheels to minimize strain.

— Choose a pack that can be identified easily. If there are 10 "Hannah Montana" bags in a classroom, there could be some confusion at lunchtime. It's easier for kids to find their backpacks if the packs are simple to recognize.

There are many ways to personalize a backpack. Color-coding packs, lunch boxes and other back-to-school items is another good method to help kids keep track of them.

— Search for features that maintain kids' comfort and assist in protecting backs, necks and shoulder from strains. Features like padded, C-shaped shoulder straps and lumbar panels, as well as waist belts, aid kids in carrying their loads more easily.

— Find packs with 360-degree reflective material. It will help kids to be more visible to buses and cars, keeping them safer on their way to and from school.

Sharon Mosley is a former fashion editor of the Arkansas Gazette in Little Rock and executive director of the Fashion Editors and Reporters Association. To find out more about Sharon Mosley and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

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