Quick answer
They solve different storage problems: the Hudson Pencil Bag is a small, portable pouch for loose supplies, while the Ellis Backpack 20L is a full school bag for a laptop, binders, and books. Most families need the backpack first and add the pencil bag for easy access to small items.
Capacity and what each one actually holds
The Ellis Backpack 20L is built for ages 6 to 8 and fits a laptop or tablet, a 2-inch 3-ring binder, spiral notebook, folders, books, and a sweatshirt. That makes it the primary carrier for a school day. The Hudson Pencil Bag is a multi-purpose pouch with a double zipper top and an expandable mesh pocket, sized for pencils, cosmetics, or travel supplies rather than books or a laptop.
The practical difference is volume and structure: the backpack has padded sleeves and adjustable straps to distribute weight, while the pencil bag is a handheld organizer. If you are choosing one, the backpack covers the school day; the pencil bag covers the small loose items that otherwise rattle around inside it.
Age fit and independence
The Ellis Backpack 20L is explicitly designed for ages 6 to 8, so it suits early elementary schoolers who need a bag that fits their frame. The Hudson Pencil Bag has no age range in the catalog; it is a general-purpose pouch, which means it can work for a kindergartener or a high schooler depending on what you put inside.
That difference matters for independence: a child who can manage the backpack's adjustable straps and zip pockets can also use the pencil bag's wide-opening double zipper to grab a pencil without unpacking everything. The trade-off is that the pencil bag offers no carry system beyond its attached handle, so it is not a substitute for a backpack on days with books.
When one bag inside the other makes sense
The Ellis Backpack 20L has small zip-closure pockets and two expandable bottle sleeves, so it already provides some internal organization. The Hudson Pencil Bag adds a dedicated, removable layer for supplies like pencils, erasers, or a small calculator. Because the catalog notes the Simple Modern Hadley lunch bag can fit inside the Ellis, the backpack is roomy enough to hold a lunch bag plus a pencil pouch, though the catalog does not specify a dedicated pencil-bag compartment.
The honest trade-off: adding a pencil bag inside an already organized backpack can create duplicate small pockets. If your child tends to lose items in deep pockets, the Hudson's wide opening and mesh pocket make it easier to see what is inside; if your child prefers one bag with everything built in, the Ellis's own zip pockets may be enough.
Key trade-offs
- Storage scope: The Ellis Backpack 20L holds a laptop, 2-inch binder, folders, books, and a sweatshirt; the Hudson Pencil Bag holds pencils and small supplies. Choose the backpack for the full school day and the pencil bag for loose items. If you can buy only one, start with the backpack.
- Portability: The Hudson Pencil Bag has a handle and opens wide for quick access; the Ellis Backpack 20L has adjustable straps and a luggage strap for carrying on the back. The pencil bag is easier to hand-carry to a desk, but the backpack is the only one that carries a full load. Plan for the pencil bag to travel inside the backpack, not replace it.
- Age and independence: The Ellis Backpack 20L is sized for ages 6 to 8; the Hudson Pencil Bag has no stated age range. Younger children may need help with the backpack's straps, while the pencil bag's double zipper is simple for most kids to open. Match the backpack to your child's age, and treat the pencil bag as an add-on for any age.
- Organization overlap: The Ellis Backpack 20L already includes small zip-closure pockets; the Hudson Pencil Bag adds a separate removable pouch. If your child uses the backpack's pockets well, the pencil bag may be redundant; if small items get lost, the pouch adds a visible layer. Check whether your child actually uses the backpack's built-in pockets before adding a pouch.
Product facts
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Ellis Backpack 20L: Designed for ages 6 to 8 with a padded laptop sleeve, luggage strap, small zip pockets, adjustable straps, and two expandable bottle sleeves. This is the primary school bag for early elementary kids, with enough structure to carry a laptop, binder, and books comfortably.
Ellis Backpack 20L
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Hudson Pencil Bag: A multi-purpose pouch with a double zipper top, expandable mesh pocket, and attached handle, suitable for pencils, cosmetics, or travel supplies. It keeps small loose items contained and easy to grab, but it is not designed to carry books or a laptop.
Hudson Pencil Bag
Who should choose which
Best for
- Families who need a full school bag for a child ages 6 to 8, with room for a laptop, binder, and lunch bag
- Kids who need a simple, wide-opening pouch to keep pencils and small supplies from scattering inside a backpack
Not for
- Shoppers looking for a single bag to carry both books and loose supplies; the Hudson Pencil Bag is too small for books or a laptop
- Older students who need a larger backpack than the Ellis 20L's age 6 to 8 sizing
