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If you have a lot of shoulder pain from using backpacks and want to switch to a less stressful alternative, you may want to take a close look at Ameribag packs. Ameribag has created a healthy back bag design that helps reduce the stress placed on your shoulder or your back. This useful and innovative bag design supports the weight of your load throughout the entire pack instead of having all that weight hang from your pack’s shoulder straps.

While the majority of Ameribag’s healthy back packs are made in the sophisticated sling style, you can find these packs in more traditional back pack styles, as well. The traditional pack style may look the same as other backpacks at first glance, but you’ll feel the difference when you are wearing it. This pack is designed so that your hips hold the majority of the weight, allowing your back and shoulders to be pain free.

Unlike some manufacturers, Ameribag didn’t sacrifice functionality for health benefits and style. These bags have plenty of pockets for organizing your items. In fact, most of them even include key ring clips and credit card organizers, which means you can leave your wallet or purse at home when you hike.

We’ve featured tons of Back To School backpacks here on Backpackopedia, but in an effort to help anyone out there that has last minute Back To School shopping to do and is looking to save money, here are some more great ideas for affordable kids’ backpacks.

fūl Tony Stewart $17.99	adidas Allie XS $20.00	Jansport Spring Break $24.90
Jansport Mesh $24.90	CalPak S Curve $24.99	Handy Manny $24.99

Whether you’re headed off to college or sending your kids back to grade school, Kipling has everything you bag you need. Shop Kipling Backpacks and Bags at eBags.com and enjoy Free Shipping over $50 for a limited time.

Child’s Backpack	Medium Backpack	Messenger Bag
Pencil Case	Wallet	Cosmetic Bag

Are you considering a backpack in something other than black, gray, or brown? Have you thought about pink? We’ve posted a couple of times on Backpackopedia about stylish and fashion backpacks, but did you know that pink backpacks can actually help the fight against breast cancer?

eBags.com will donate 10% of the retail sales price of any pink product purchased on their site to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. For more information, read about Pick Pink on the eBags website.

So when you’re looking around for your next school bag, daypack, or backpack purse, and you want it in a color other than black, consider something in pink. It’s stylish and for a good cause.

fūl	Nike	Kipling
Vera Bradley	Wildkin	California Leash Company

Hey - for anyone who is looking for an incredible deal on the North Face Surge laptop backpack, eBags.com is selling last year’s version for just $89.99.  I’ve looked around and can’t find any other sites selling it for this low…they’ve only it in got Black, but heck who cares at this price?!  In fact, eBags has something like 75 different bags from The North Face on sale right now, and free shipping applies to most of them (over $50).

One of the most recognizable brands, Mountain Hardwear is now at eBags.com.  This product is top of the line for all of your outdoor activities.  Their daypacks, backpacking packs, and duffels are perfect for hauling the laptop to and from campus, or hauling all your gear in the outdoors.  Also, there happens to be a sale going on right now!

Save your brain cells for chemistry class. We’ve made your backpack shopping a no-brainer.

Durability is the most important feature when selecting a backpack. The design and fabric must withstand constant abuse and be able to survive the school year. Don’t be lured into buying a cute bag that’s cheap. Instead opt for one of these three backpacks that combine functionality and style.

Victorinox delivers reliable luggage and bags that are sleek and timeless. For the single-strappers out there (those who shun the traditional method of backpack wearing with dual straps), we suggest the Lingo Lifestyle Round Trip.

The Lingo Lifestyle Round Trip features a padded monostrap, which is comfortable and hip. For those going to school in the steamy southern states, you’re going to love the moisture-wicking fabric on the back that keeps you cool and dry. Music fans will appreciate the fleece-lined pocket for iPods and the like. ($39.73)

Under Armour prides itself on the toughness of their products. The Varsity Backpack is no exception. Even the bulkiest lineman on the football team would struggle to demolish this bag. Constructed from hexagon ripstop and ballistic nylon, this backpack will undoubtedly make it until spring final exams. We found the anatomically shaped shoulder straps extremely comfortable - even when the bag was fully loaded with textbooks. ($49.99)

JanSport is a well-trusted name in the world of backpacks. From trail packs to school packs, they’ve got a bag that fits the bill. One of our favorites among the school backpack offerings is the Big Squirt. Choose from great colors like Purple Echinacea and Citronella Green. What else is there to this bag? How about a fully integrated hydration system! Load up your favorite beverage into the side pocket and hook up the beverage tube and you’ll be sipping your way to happiness - with your hands free. Neat freaks will be thrilled with the front utility pocket - it’s a perfect spot to keep life’s essentials. ($27.93)

Picking the right backpack is essential to getting the new school year off to a flying start. And remember: don’t put your back-to-school shopping off until September. For the best selection of backpacks, start shopping now.

Article by Nicole Feliciano from AssociatedContent.com

You have never used both straps on your backpack and you never plan to do so. However, you must admit that it could be better balanced and your shoulder is a bit sore from using your pack this way. Why doesn’t someone realize that about half of the world’s population of backpack lovers does not have any plans to use both shoulder straps? There should be a way to modify the pack so it only has one strap and is a bit more balanced. Actually, that pack already exists. Sling bags are a modification of the traditional back pack design where the pack only has one strap. Since it is designed to be worn on one shoulder, the strap is wider than those on a traditional pack and stays on your shoulder without slipping out of place. Without a second strap getting in the way, the pack fits a bit better, too.

When shopping for a sling bag, you should:

• Consider looking for a bag that has a second detachable strap for more versatility. A sling bag that is crammed with heavy equipment or your entire collection of textbooks is still going to put a lot of stress on one shoulder. When you carry heavy loads, you can convert the sling to a pack and wear it the old-fashioned way.
• Look for other support options, such as a waist belt, to help you keep a heavy bag in place.
• Make sure there are plenty of compartments to make it easy for you to organize everything.

These days with rising food and gas prices, it’s hard to think about Back To School shopping costs on top of that. If your budget is suffering, whether you have shopped for Back to School or not, you need to check out eBags’ Wishin’ For Tuition sweepstakes. You can enter daily to win over $25,000 in cash and prizes.

When you enter, you have a chance to win one of the weekly $1,000 cash prizes or instantly win one of more than 200 great laptop bags from the following brands: Timbuk2, Victorinox, and Nike.

The sweepstakes lasts until September 14, 2008 so there’s still time to enter today and once daily.

Still need to find a school bag for your child but can’t afford a lot? Check out these backpacks under $20 from eBags as well.

Columbia $19.99

High Sierra $19.99

fūl $17.99

Dakine $19.99