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Back-to-School Essentials: Top 10 Items You Need This School Year

Expert Advice

Back-to-School Essentials: Top 10 Items You Need This School Year

Jul 17, 2023

You’ve already done the whole back-to-school shopping thing by stocking up on enough No. 2 pencils, highlighters and red pens to last two school years, buying a half-dozen colored binders and investing in the holy grail of scientific calculators. But what about the things you need beyond your basic back-to-school essentials? Hibbett | City Gear has the hookup on all the back-to-school deals, including middle school must-haves, back-to-school outfits and back-to-school shoes, you need for a successful (and stylish) first day of the new semester!
Back-to-School Backpacks

Back-to-School Backpacks

This first one’s a no-brainer. What’s school without a new, trendy pack? Hibbett | City Gear’s selection of back-to-school backpacks includes stylish prints, recognizable brand names and bags that offer more than sufficient storage for all your books and binders. Trek across that college campus with a backpack by The North Face loaded with class materials, or send your kids off to their first day of high school with a rugged, ultra-durable Nike backpack. Not sure what exactly to look for in a back-to-school bag? Check out our Hibbett How-To: Pick Your Pack for Back to School.

Shop Backpacks
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Nike Big Kids' Brasilla All Over Print Backpack-Black/White - BLACK/WHITE
Nike Big Kids' Brasilla All Over Print Backpack-Black/White
$42.00 $23.98
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JanSport SuperBreak Plus Backpack-Multi-Color - MULTI-COLOR
JanSport SuperBreak Plus Backpack-Multi-Color
$50.00 $37.98

Lunch Totes

If your books get to ride around in an ultra-cool carrying case, your lunch deserves a little love, too! Our go-to totes from Nike, adidas and Under Armour offer sturdy construction, cool-keeping insulation and multiple compartments. One of our top back-to-school essentials picks is an adidas lunch box with the Santiago 2 lunch bag. The lower portion serves as storage for ice packs to keep food cool, while the upper portion stores food.

Sports Bags and Sack Packs

Shoving sweaty gym clothes into your backpack potentially means soggy books and notebooks that smell like feet — yuck! Let a lightweight sack pack do the heavy lifting instead. Your kid can store their P.E. or after-school practice clothes in a Nike gym sack that features mesh-material construction and a pull-string closure. Looking for something a little sturdier for football cleats or volleyball knee pads? Shop our collection of sports bags from industry-favorite brands RIP-IT, Mizuno, Rawlings, Nike, DeMarini, Easton and more.

Shop School Bags
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Nike Heritage 2.0 Small Items Crossbody Bag-Green - GREEN
Nike Heritage 2.0 Small Items Crossbody Bag-Green
$32.00 $17.98
Under Armour Hustle Sport Backpack
Under Armour Hustle Sport Backpack
$45.00

Water Bottles

Stay hydrated and stylish this semester! Sports-style squeeze bottles from brands like Nike, Gatorade and adidas are high school and middle school must-haves thanks to ergonomic designs and easy-squeeze, leakproof tops. These slender containers also fit easily into sports bags and new back-to-school backpacks.

If you’re looking for a water bottle that you don’t have to continuously refill all day, go with a half-gallon water jug or one that features a self-misting function so you can freshen up with a light spray before class or after practice.

Shorts

Help your favorite students further build their back-to-school outfit arsenal with the help of Hibbett | City Gear’s shorts selection. Pair PUMA shorts with a casual tee or a hoodie. Snag a pair of Jordan basketball shorts for P.E. classes and extended recess. Or invest in some Levi’s denim shorts for traditional classroom settings.

Graphic Tees

Graphic Tees

Kick back in your favorite comfy-casual tees while you study. Hibbett | City Gear has all the relaxed-fit, V-neck, crew neck and cropped tees and shirts you want to create slammin’ back-to-school outfits. Check out boys’ and girls’ Nike logo tees or graphic tees from Jordan, Under Armour, PUMA, Champion and adidas. Or choose from JuicyCouture, Tommy Hilfiger, AKOO, Born Fly and Never Broke Again. Plus, our athletic tees from performance brands like Nike, adidas, PUMA and The North Face come in a wide range of colors and prints and are crafted with materials like ultra-soft jersey cotton and moisture-wicking fabrics.

Shop Graphic Tees
Columbia Men's Bigfoot Graphic Tee-Off-White - OFF-WHITE
Columbia Men's Bigfoot Graphic Tee-Off-White
$24.00 $14.98
Post Human Women's Butterfly Graphic Tee - Orchid - PURPLE
Post Human Women's Butterfly Graphic Tee - Orchid
$40.00 $14.98
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AKOO Men's Ransom Tee - Sand - SAND
AKOO Men's Ransom Tee - Sand
$35.00 $13.98

Jeans and Denim Apparel

No matter what grade you or your child enters this year, they’ll never say no to this always-in-style, back-to-school outfit staple. Shop our collection of men’s denim from Smoke Rise, Levi’s and Grindhouse, and more available in various cuts, including knee-length shorts and full-length jeans. Not exactly sure how to find your favorite denim fit? Check out our Denim Fit Finder before you shop!

Socks

You can never have too many socks. Before purchasing a pair, make sure you know the sneaker style your kids prefer, the sport they play and the comfort level they desire. For higher-cut shoes, select ankle-height or quarter-height socks. If comfort and support are the main concerns, seek out socks with targeted cushioning and reinforced arch supports. In need of socks that go the distance? Look for athletic and training socks constructed with moisture-wicking materials and anti-odor technology.

Sneakers

Sneakers

Hibbett | City Gear is your headquarters for back-to-school shoes. Look for everyday kicks for little ones, like the adidas Forum or a classic Nike shoe. Running from sociology to spin class? Browse our lineup of men’s and women’s running shoes. Cute casual kicks more your speed? Our inventory of adidas Originals Superstars, Air Force 1s and Jordan Retros are synonymous with style.

Shop Sneakers
Nike Air Force 1 LE "White/White" Grade School Kids' Shoe
Nike Air Force 1 LE "White/White" Grade School Kids' Shoe
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Nike Air Max 95 Recraft "Photon Dust/White/Dark Pony/Picante Red" Grade School Boys' Shoe - WHITE/RED
Nike Air Max 95 Recraft "Photon Dust/White/Dark Pony/Picante Red" Grade School Boys' Shoe
$145.00 $87.98
adidas Originals Samba OG "Core Black/Cloud White/Gum" Men's Shoe - BLACK/WHITE
adidas Originals Samba OG "Core Black/Cloud White/Gum" Men's Shoe
$100.00
New Balance 9060 "Sea Salt/Silver" Unisex Shoe - WHITE/SILVER
New Balance 9060 "Sea Salt/Silver" Unisex Shoe
$150.00

Slip-On Shoe

Have kids schooling (or just studying) at home? Let them slip into some Champion or Jordan slides or cozy up in a pair of UGGs or Crocs slip-on shoes. Slides and slip-on shoes are also ideal for long stretches of homework along with after-school clubs.

Shop back-to-school essentials online and in-store at Hibbett | City Gear today. And be sure to check out our stash of back-to-school savings and additional back-to-school stories from the Unboxed Blog, like our Best Kids’ Shoes for Back to School or Back-to-School Sports Season Schedule posts.

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