Abstract: A backpack attachment is provided for use with backpacks that have a bag-like body and a pair of shoulder straps, in particular backpacks used by school attendants, which is effective to distribute the backpack weight in a rationalized fashion across a user's shoulders. The attachment includes essentially two curved members arranged to stiffen substantially the sections of the shoulder straps that lie closest to the upper region of the bag-like body. These members may replace or be associated with sections of the shoulder straps, and include a pair of substantially inflexible curved members being each a one-piece construction, or several pieces jointed to one another. In a preferred embodiment, the attachment includes a pair of members formed each of several pieces which can be associated detachably to the shoulder straps, at least one of them in a locked fashion.