Sprayground bookbags have been popular with pre-teens and teenagers for several years, and you have probably seen them many times. One of the most famous designs is the shark mouth, which features sharp teeth, a thick black outline, and a bright, colorful background. This school year at Saluda Trail Middle School, students and administrators have noticed a big increase in these unique and eye-catching bookbags across all grade levels.

“I have a purple Sprayground Bookbag with eyes on the side and mouth and words on it,? said Ninah Lewis, a 7th grader. “I love it because it has pockets and a lot of them.  The bookbag is just very cute.”  Ninah, said she got it for back to school and it cost $80.

Jordan Hamilton, also carries a Sprayground Bookbag”  “I have a Sprayground bookbag.  It has a cruise ship on it and a scuba diver with treasure in the ocean,” he said.  “I think my mom paid 100 dollars for it.” Jordan, who also got it for back to school said he likes the design and ” all the compartments it has.”

Sprayground bookbags were originally made for street artists to carry spray paint and other supplies. Over time, they became a fashion trend with pre-teens and teenagers around 2011 and 2012. The company was founded by David Ben-David, who began selling the bags in 2010. He created them because there were not many stylish or creative bookbags at the time. Some of the first designs featured the words “Hello My Name Is…” in big, bold letters. While the bags were first made to be durable and functional, they quickly became a worldwide fashion trend.

McKenzie Saunders, a seventh grader, said she likes them because “they are pretty and because of the colors.” Red Gonez-Iglesih, a sixth grader, said his bookbag has a computer design that says “Six Compact.” He added that he likes Sprayground bookbags “because they have a lot of pockets.”

Alaiyna Parker, 7th grade, also likes that her My Little Pony Sprayground bookbag has a lot of pockets. “The inside has a lot of room for materials,” she said. “There are a lot of pockets that have a good amount of space,” she added.  Parker admitted the bags can be price, however she added that they are “fashionable.”

Not everyone is a fan, though. Dr. Williams, the 6th grade administrator at STMS, shared concerns about the hidden pockets on some Sprayground bookbags. He explained that the extra compartments can make it easier for students to hide items they should not bring to school.

Whether students like Sprayground bookbags for their colorful designs or their extra pockets, they have become a popular fashion statement at Saluda Trail Middle School. These bags allow students to express their personalities through bold and creative designs.