**UPDATE**

We have had this backpack for two years now.  Compared to the cutesie tootsie ones you find at Walmart or Target for kids, it has been more durable.  None of the zippers have broken (that's great), but, the zipper pulls fall off constantly.  At first, we were lucky to find the pulls and with a pair of pliers, we secured the once again.  Two years later, we are missing about three pulls.  That means that to zip up the bag, we have to reach way down into the zipper track to try to coax the zipper head up so that we can grab it and zip it.  This is such a pain.  Most of the time when my son or his parents are zipping the back pack, we are in a hurry and need to GO.  To have to dig for the zipper heads is super annoying in my opinion.

The fabric continues to be a bit stiff, but no holes have shown up in the bottom which is typical with stiff fabric on backpacks.  That's a good point.

It seems to be comfortable enough for my son (but he doesn't have to haul much heavy stuff yet).  It might not be roomy enough for middle school life.  We'll see.

I bought my middle schooler a backpack at Eddie Bauer MAINLY because it is guaranteed for life.  If a zipper breaks or the pulls fail, all I have to do is go to the mail.  At back-to-school time, they are 25% off.  I think I spent $65, and I/we know that this backpack will last her all through college.  (We told her to pick a color that she would continue to like!)  We plan to buy our son one there, too, in time for middle school.

Just wanted to add an update on the on-going zipper pull issue.
Super frustrating, but this bag is def. more durable than the kind of backpacks you find at discount stores.  Keep a pliers handy and it just may be the bag for you.

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We've had this back pack a few weeks now and my 8 year old son likes it, but we have had a few issues.  The zipper pulls on the main compartment keep coming off.  You can take the pulls and click them right back on, but it's just a matter of time before my young son loses them altogether and then we'll be stuck zipping the largest compartment with our fingers.

The fabric is a little stiff so this young son of mine has a little trouble quickly zipping things shut.  He has to make sure everything is perfectly straight and upright or the zippers just don't move, if that makes sense.  (My daughter's backpack has held up for years and somehow, the fabric--while durable--is soft and flexible which makes zipping a breeze.)  I think it's the waterproof coating that is the culprit.