Choosing among the best school bags for kids in Classes I and II starts with a figure from the Ministry of Education, which recommends a bag weight of 1.6 to 2.2 kg for those classes.
The recommendation sits in the Policy on School Bag 2020, issued by the Department of School Education and Literacy. An Expert Group constituted in October 2018 drafted it. The empty weight of a bag takes part of that range before a single book is packed, so the four backpacks below are compared on listed weight first.
What the policy sets for Classes I and II
The policy lists an average body weight of 16 to 22 kg for children in Classes I and II. Its table of recommended bag weights then rises class by class up to Classes XI and XII.
Beyond the numbers, the policy describes a bag that is lightweight and has proper compartments. Interior compartments are meant to stop the contents shifting from side to side, and two padded, adjustable shoulder straps should sit squarely on both shoulders.
Higher classes have higher limits. The table lists 2 to 3 kg for Classes VI and VII, and 3.5 to 5 kg for Classes XI and XII. Class I has the lowest range of any class that carries a bag.
Those design points give a parent something to look for on a product page, apart from capacity in litres.
Wheels or backpack
The same policy says wheeled carriers should not be allowed, as they may hurt children while climbing stairs. Trolley school bags are left out of this comparison, and every pick here is a backpack with shoulder straps.
No brand page read for these bags states that the bag meets the policy. The comparison relies on figures printed by the brands and on the policy ranges, and it does not rate any bag as compliant.
Empty weight against the weight range
American Tourister lists the Swiddle 3.0 (14 L) at 0.25 kg. If the recommended range is read as the weight of the loaded bag, the Swiddle leaves about 1.35 to 1.95 kg for books and a lunch box in Classes I and II.
The Harissons Jazz lists 300 g, which is 50 g more empty weight than the Swiddle and leaves slightly less room in the same range. Harissons gives dimensions of 28 x 38 x 17 cm and states no litres.
American Tourister lists the Toodle 4.0 XXL at 0.6 kg, and its page describes it as designed for growing students, with an age range stated. The page gives two capacities, 32.5 L in the description and 35 L in the specifications, so the volume is unclear. At that empty weight, it uses a larger share of the range the policy sets for the older primary classes than the lighter bags do.
Safari lists no weight for the Genius Cosmo 23 L, and the Size and Dimensions heading on its page is empty. The weight arithmetic cannot be done for that bag.
Size and shape of each bag
Dimensions are listed for three of the four bags. The Swiddle measures 28 x 37 x 15.5 cm as length, height and width, the Jazz measures 28 x 38 x 17 cm, and the Toodle measures 30 x 47 x 25 cm.
Tallest and deepest of these is the Toodle, and its page places it with older primary students. The Swiddle and the Jazz are close to each other in every dimension, and both pages list a bottle pocket. Safari gives only a litre figure of 23 L for the Cosmo.
Straps, back panels and compartments
Strap and back details differ across the four pages. The Swiddle lists ATErgo weight distribution, a sippy bottle pocket, a polyester body and a lining made with recycled technology. The page does not mention a padded back, padded straps or a chest strap.
Ergonomic straps, a sternum strap and back support are listed for the Toodle, along with fine twill polyester fabric and an included rain cover. The page does not mention a padded back or a bottle pocket.
Bottle storage is listed in three different ways. The Swiddle has a sippy bottle pocket, the Jazz has a bottle pocket, and the Cosmo has side mesh pockets that hold a bottle or an umbrella. The Toodle page does not mention a bottle pocket, and the Jazz alone lists an organiser.
Harissons lists a ventilated back panel on the Jazz, with a bottle pocket, an organiser and a quick access front pocket. A quick grab top handle and a spacious main compartment are also listed. The page states no material and no class or age range.
Safari describes the Cosmo as polyester that is water and dust resistant, with a padded back and padded shoulder straps. It has two main compartments, side mesh pockets for a bottle or umbrella, and a name tag. Of the four, the Cosmo is the only listing that states padded shoulder straps, which is the wording closest to the policy’s description.
Harissons also lists an Air Kids model, which has padded and adjustable backstraps, a bottle pocket and an organiser. Its page gives no weight.
Who each bag suits
The Swiddle suits a parent of a Class 1 or 2 child who wants the lightest listed empty bag and a bottle pocket, though its page says nothing about padding. The Jazz suits a parent who wants a light bag with a ventilated back and a long registered warranty, and its page leaves out the litres.
Safari’s Cosmo suits a parent who wants a padded back and a name tag in a mid size bag. The Toodle suits a parent of an older primary child who carries many books, and it carries the largest share of the weight range.
Warranty terms and gaps on the pages
Both American Tourister bags carry a 1 year warranty that covers manufacturing defects only and applies to the first purchaser. Harissons states a warranty of up to 48 months on the Jazz, with registration needed within 15 days of delivery and terms applying.
Safari lists no warranty on the Cosmo page and no recommended age. Its collection page for school bags for 7 to 9 year olds names the Cosmo among best sellers, although that collection showed no products, and whether the bag could be ordered was not clear in November 2026.
A parent of a Class 1 or 2 child has the weight ranges and the strap details to go on. Among the four, only the Toodle page states who the bag is designed for. A parent should check the weight range and the strap details against the child’s size before anything else, since those are the figures the pages actually give.