Scoring the Hottest School Gear

With summer winding down, parents and kids are getting ready for the opening of shcool.

Which items are essential for students this year?

David Gregg, senior editor of BehindTheBuy.com, told "Early Show" viewers Thursday about the hottest back-to-school items, from back-friendly backpacks and the best computer deals to eco-friendly supplies for students.

Back-To-School Back Packs

Lands End Wheeled Classmate Studyhaul Bag
Sized for kids ages 8-14
Two big compartments organize their stuff
Lunch box back strap slips over the handle for "no-hands" carrying
Mesh side pockets hold water bottles
Padded back panel for comfort when they carry Inline skate wheels roll smoothly
Removable organizer pouch keeps school supplies straight
360° reflective trim helps keep kids visible
Hide-away C-shaped shoulder straps let them carry it too
Reinforced bottom and resin bumpers for durability
MP3/cell phone pocket on one shoulder strap
Glow-in-the-dark zipper pulls on main compartment
D-ring to clip on lunch box
$59

Ortlieb Velocity Backpack
This waterproof backpack has a maritime look that incorporates comfortable foam back andadjustable waist and chest straps. Food, books and electronic devices can be easily stowed away thanks to its convenient roll-top closure. It features a removable inner pocket for organizing small items like keys, money and cell phone. This new pack has a foam back with improved ventilation, protected base by means of edge protectors and bottom feet. Optional accessories: cell phone holster for shoulder strap, Notebook Insert.
$110

Jansport Classic Superbreak
JanSport gives its classic SuperBreak silhouette a revamp utilizing high performance Cordura fabric to obtain maximum color and added durability. This new pack is available in three classic colors: Red Curtain, Black and Electric Purple and features padded shoulder straps and back panel as well as a quick stash front utility pocket that makes this bag, the Perfect Score.
$40.00

Kootie Killer Hand Sanitizers
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommends using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with a concentration of 60% or higher to be effective against common disease agents. Kootie Killer Hand Sanitizer can help in preventing H1N1 influenza (swine flu). The recommends alcohol-based hand sanitizers as part of good hygiene when soap and water are not available.
Prices vary by size

Back-To-School Tech

Acer Aspire One Netbook
One of the hottest deals in the netbook category is a $299 Acer Aspire One with a 10.1-inch display, N270 Atom processor, 1GB memory, 160GB hard drive, Windows XP and 3-cell battery. It is available at Walmart, Target, Amazon and dozens of other retailers.
$299

Seagate Free Agent Go External Storage Device
If you've ever lost all your data due to a computer crash you now know the importance of backing up your content. Seagate's line of FreeAgent Go portable storage devices are capable of saving up to 640GB of content - that's the equivalent to 5 laptop computers! The only way to make sure you never have to worry about losing your favorite photos, videos, movies, music and oh yeah…homework is to back it up! A rainbow of colors are available and there's even a model that is available in a blinged out special edition with chrome detailing. To add a little more style to your external drive Seagate has created an exclusive partnership with MusicSkins. You can put your own personal signature on your drive by picking a skin from your favorite artists or musicians. Free Agent drives are compact, easy to use and are available for Windows and Mac OS's.
Prices start at $100 for the 250GB version.

Back-To-School Eco-Friendly

IKEA Sunnan Work Lamp
This lamp will help save energy and reduce your footprint.
Runs on solar cells that transform sunlight into electricity, it requires no electrical connections.
Also, for each Sunnan solar cell powered lamp you buy, Ikea donates one to UNICEF. These environmentally friendly lamps will go to children in developing countries, so they can read, write and study after sunset, even if their homes have no electricity.
Solar cells transform sunlight into electrical energy -- requires no electrical connections.
LED consumes 70 percent less energy and has at least four times longer life than incandescent bulbs in similar decorative lighting.
Recharging time is 9-12 hours in sunlight, but over 12 hours on a cloudy day.
When the battery is fully charged, the product will give shine for approx. 4 hours.
Light diodes are not replaceable; diode life approx. 50,000 hours.
When the solar panel is fully charged the light intensity is 400 to 500 lux at its starting point. After 3 to 4 hours the light intensity has lowered to about 300 lux.
$19.99

Eco-Friendly School Supplies

Staples Eco Easy core (notebooks, pencils, scissors, etc.) products include:

Eco-friendly brand notebooks are made from 80% bagasse, a sugarcane waste. The bagasse line also uses eco-conscious vegetable and water-based inks for printing.

Hilroy exercise books are made from 30 per cent post-consumer waste and environmentally friendly ink.

Westcot KleenEarth scissors have green handles made from 70 per cent recycled plastic. The microband handles also have antibacterial protection against the growth of bacteria.

Staples Eco Easy biodegradable report covers are not only reusable they are also biodegradable. When you are done using them you can throw them away as they have a starch based cellulose additive that makes them biodegradable in a landfill.

Avery 100 per cent recycled chipboard binders are both stylish and eco-friendly.