So tired of having to buy new backpacks every school season because of poor quality.  Yes, it did cost more--probably 3 times as much as I paid at local discount stores.  BUT, it's sturdy. The zippers aren't falling off. It's a quality item and I expect it to last and last with integrity --not just ignoring the malfunctioning zippers and the hole wearing at the bottom as I have had to do with others.  Jansport has been around a long time (my husband still has one my sister got him about 25 years ago!) and there's a reason for that.