View Full Version : Pack suggestion for a 6 year old?
Can anyone suggest a pack, or what I would look for in a pack for a 6 year old. We have a nice little blue day pack that holds some snacks and a hydration bladder (with sawyermini attached!),but its just too small for some overnight trips we are going to take. Would need something that can carry a sleeping bag, pad, and some light gear. Where would i start?
donthaveoneyet
11-05-2015, 18:13
I bought my son one of these when he was 7 or so -
http://www.rei.com/product/864787/kelty-sanitas-pack-youth
He's turning 12 soon and it still fits him fine. Carries quite a lot of stuff. He has a small Osprey, as well, and tends to prefer the Kelty.
Just Bill
11-05-2015, 18:40
These days I'd hit an REI and look at the hydration packs and smaller women's packs (short torso). See what you find...
Osprey makes a kid specific line- http://www.ospreypacks.com/en/segmentation/kids_packs
When I was younger though we all used kelty's like Don posted. They can grow with you, which is a big plus.
It's up to you, every kid is different, but 1/3 their weight should be a max carried weight, 1/4 a better target IMO.
So in the interest of not burning up too much weight on the pack itself-
One other one on the UL end- http://gossamergear.com/kids-mariposa-ultralight-backpack.html
just dad
11-05-2015, 19:55
Look at the Deuter Fox 30 pack. ULA also makes an adjustable sizing pack for kids. My kids had grown past the ULA adjustable pack by the time it was introduced, but I can't say enough good things about ULA. I'd suggest starting with that pack if it fits your 6 year old.
saltysack
11-05-2015, 21:03
Look at the Deuter Fox 30 pack. ULA also makes an adjustable sizing pack for kids. My kids had grown past the ULA adjustable pack by the time it was introduced, but I can't say enough good things about ULA. I'd suggest starting with that pack if it fits your 6 year old.
Just dad's deuter fox 30 still going strong on my skinny 9 year old....he loves the pack. His next pack will be a ula for sure. http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/11/05/7239dd8b5c803d38fcd3e1ac8c550edd.jpghttp://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/11/05/38702cafd73e2996786e2ab9db8ea7f2.jpg
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Slosteppin
11-05-2015, 21:11
About 6 years ago I bought my granddaughter an REI pack that looks similar to the REI Passage 38. This summer she carried that pack on three four-day hikes with her clothes, sleeping gear and food. We have had to adjust a few times and it still looks like she can use it for another year or two.
In a related data point, doctors recommend school book bags weigh no more than 10% to 15% of body weight for a child. (This didn't make any difference to the school administration for my daughter, who was carrying 20 lbs of books when she weighed 60 lbs :mad: grrr ). Overloaded school bookbags are causing a lot of children to have back injuries.
That said, this recommendation is about school book packs. They say when the backback has a significant waist belt that transfers the load, more weight is ok, but I can't find anyone willing to give a number. I think Just Bill was on target... I'd go 20% to 30% as a good max, depending on the "sturdiness" of the kid.
saltysack
11-06-2015, 13:52
In a related data point, doctors recommend school book bags weigh no more than 10% to 15% of body weight for a child. (This didn't make any difference to the school administration for my daughter, who was carrying 20 lbs of books when she weighed 60 lbs :mad: grrr ). Overloaded school bookbags are causing a lot of children to have back injuries.
That said, this recommendation is about school book packs. They say when the backback has a significant waist belt that transfers the load, more weight is ok, but I can't find anyone willing to give a number. I think Just Bill was on target... I'd go 20% to 30% as a good max, depending on the "sturdiness" of the kid.
Yep...ridiculous...my daughter had to have major surgery on her back for scoliosis not saying heavy book bag caused it but surely didn't help!!! Her damn bag was way heavier than my loaded circuit during the winter! http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/11/06/e25c5484f048f5aa4c62bf0d5b093153.jpg
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Thanks all! It gives me a great place to start.
HooKooDooKu
11-06-2015, 16:28
In a related data point, doctors recommend school book bags weigh no more than 10% to 15% of body weight for a child. (This didn't make any difference to the school administration for my daughter, who was carrying 20 lbs of books when she weighed 60 lbs :mad: grrr ). Overloaded school bookbags are causing a lot of children to have back injuries.
That said, this recommendation is about school book packs. They say when the backback has a significant waist belt that transfers the load, more weight is ok, but I can't find anyone willing to give a number. I think Just Bill was on target... I'd go 20% to 30% as a good max, depending on the "sturdiness" of the kid.
20% is the number I've heard and always used with my kids. Given that when they started, they only had to carry their sleeping bag, sleeping pad, and cloths, I never had a problem keeping them at or below the 20% number.
Feral Bill
11-06-2015, 16:37
My kids had small REI packs growing up. Every year we would go to the store for a refitting. It's a valuable service.