13 Gum Brands Everyone Had in Their Backpack
These 13 gum brands were popular staples in backpacks during school days, known for their bold flavors, fun packaging, and instant popularity.
- Sophia Zapanta
- 4 min read
Chewing gum was a big part of school life in the ’80s, ’90s, and early 2000s, often shared between friends and tucked into backpacks or pencil cases. Certain brands stood out for their flavor, packaging, and lasting appeal. These gums became familiar favorites across lunchrooms, lockers, and classrooms.
1. Big League Chew
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Big League Chew came in a pouch and looked like shredded tobacco, made to copy what baseball players used. It had a strong fruit flavor and soft texture that made it easy to chew and share. Kids liked the sporty theme and the idea of holding a pouch instead of a regular pack. It felt different from other gums and stood out right away.
2. Juicy Fruit
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Juicy Fruit was a simple stick gum with a bright yellow wrapper and a sweet, fruity taste. The flavor was strong at first but faded quickly. It was easy to find, cheap, and came in packs that were perfect for sharing. Almost everyone had a piece of Juicy Fruit at some point.
3. Doublemint
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Doublemint had a minty flavor and was often marketed with twin-themed ads. It came in neat green packs and was considered a little more mature than some of the fruitier gums. Many kids kept it for after lunch or before class presentations. It was classic and easy to chew for a long time.
4. Hubba Bubba
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Hubba Bubba came in large square pieces and had flavors like bubblegum, sour apple, and watermelon. It was known for being soft and easy to blow bubbles with. The packaging was colorful and fun, which made it stand out in stores. Kids liked it because it felt like a treat, not just gum.
5. Bubble Yum
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Bubble Yum was one of the softest gums and came in a wide range of sweet flavors. The bright packaging made it look exciting, and the gum was extra thick. It was often a top choice for bubble-blowing contests during recess. The flavor and size made it memorable.
6. Trident
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Trident was seen as the “healthier” gum because it was sugar-free and advertised as good for teeth. It had a more mature look, but a lot of kids still kept it in their bags. It came in slim packs that fit well into any small pocket. It was a good option for people who wanted gum without all the sugar.
7. Bazooka
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Bazooka gum came in small wrapped bricks with mini comics inside. The flavor was strong at first but didn’t last long. Still, the comic was part of the appeal, and many kids collected them. The gum was cheap and easy to find in most stores.
8. Extra
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Extra was another sugar-free gum and often had long-lasting mint and cinnamon flavors. It came in flat cardboard packs that were easy to keep in a wallet or backpack pocket. Older kids and teens often preferred it. It was common for after-school activities or sports practice.
9. 5 Gum
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5 Gum became popular in the early 2000s and was known for its sleek black packaging and bold flavors. It was marketed as intense and modern, with flavors like “Cobalt” and “Rain.” Teenagers especially liked its strong branding and long-lasting taste. It felt more stylish than other gums.
10. Orbit
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Orbit gum came in clean, organized packaging with a smooth texture and fresh taste. It was easy to carry around and usually lasted longer than cheaper brands. Many students liked its clean image and used it after eating. It was seen as a more “grown-up” gum.
11. Dentyne Ice
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Dentyne Ice was known for its strong, icy flavor and small rectangular pieces. It came in compact packs and had a sharp, fresh feel that people noticed right away. It wasn’t meant for bubble-blowing but more for staying fresh. A lot of students chewed it before talking to someone they liked.
12. Fruit Stripe
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Fruit Stripe gum had colorful zebra-striped wrappers and gum pieces with bright designs. It had five different fruit flavors, but the taste faded within minutes. Still, the design and zebra mascot made it fun to buy and share. People often remembered it more for the look than the flavor.
13. Eclipse
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Eclipse gum focused on strong breath-freshening and came in hard-coated pieces. It was sold in durable containers that didn’t get crushed in backpacks. It wasn’t flashy but was very dependable. It became popular among teens and college students who wanted something that worked fast.