Here's where to find wheelchair backpacks for school

Wheelchair backpacks are perhaps the single most important school supply for students with mobility disabilities, in addition to traditional crayons, pencils, notebooks, and binders.

Many backpacks or bags can be slung over a wheelchair, but there is a special place in my heart for backpacks for school that are created specifically for those with unique mobility needs. These bags for wheelchairs have space for a feeding tube, medical supplies, and a mounting option to keep the bag upright and close to the wheelchair itself.

I’ve researched five different backpacks for wheelchairs for kids and adults to find out which ones might best complement wardrobes for the new school year.

1. Target

Target’s school shop includes a wide selection of adaptive backpacks for all ages. The Cat and Jack wheelchair bag is $20 and comes in a variety of fun designs like unicorns, navy space, and skateboards. These designs make Target’s offering a great option for those seeking kids backpacks for an elementary school crowd.

There is space for a laptop, books, and a strap to hang a feeding tube bag, which is next to a port for the tubing to snake out of the bag. This pack can be worn like a typical backpack but can also be mounted close to a wheelchair with short straps up top. It also features a mesh water bottle pocket.

The Embark, which seems more tailored to college students, is sold in black, lavender, and navy designs. Both bags have a pocket to tuck away the back straps and come with a one-year limited warranty. The checkered wheelchair backpack is square and costs $40. It has one deep pocket, two smaller pockets, and a water bottle holder.

Shop at Target

2. Kohl’s JanSport adaptive backpack

Kohl’s sells the JanSport Central Adaptive Backpack, which is praised by reviewers for its roomy compartments, durability, and wheelchair-specific features. Zippers are designed for easy opening at atypical angles, push handle loops exist to attach the bag directly to the chair, and dual water pockets to accommodate dexterity weaknesses on any particular side.

Should the wearer not necessarily use a wheelchair all the time, there are also tuck-away shoulder straps on the back that can be exposed and retracted as necessary. And, in keeping with the demands of modern technology, there’s an individual sleeve made to store a 15-inch laptop. While we wish this design could be repurposed for more kid-friendly designs as well, its neutral aesthetic works well enough for middle school and beyond.

$45 at Kohl’s

3. Samdew Wheelchair Backpack

This black Samdew Wheelchair Backpack has multiple mounting options and lots of space. My favorite feature is the thermal-insulated zipper pocket in front for medication. Two large side pockets can hold a variety of items like an umbrella or water bottle. There is storage for a laptop, lots of space inside for large items, as well as pockets to separate smaller items.

$50 at Amazon

4. Walmart

Walmart sells a black, waterproof wheelchair bag from Colaxi for $37. It has adjustable straps for the back of a wheelchair, a water bottle pocket, and front pocket. This bag is classic looking and can be used for school or as an all-purpose laptop backpack. They also sell a smaller square bag with mounting straps and a more streamlined design.

$37 at Walmart

5. Newton Backpack

This weather-resistant, grey Motion Composites backpack has wheelchair straps and back straps, with a section to tuck the back straps out of site. The zippers have large loops for anyone with finger dexterity concerns. The bag has a large area with compartments for small items, as well as a water bottle holder.

$104 at Spinlife

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Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.