Toddler Backpacks

“Anyone have any recomendations? My 2yo son has outgrown his backpack and I want to get another one for him so that he can enjoy our dayhiking.
Nayione have any experience with them? I have seen the kelty ones and the seem to be the most popular any other brands out there?”

“Remember the 20% rule.
That poor kid shouldn't have to carry more than 20% of his body weight in his backpack! ;)”

“When I took my 3 1/2 yo hikng on Manituo Island, he used a pack that came with his sleeping bag. It was bought at like Toys R Us, or something. He'll still wear it for another year. I'd check into something along those lines. I wouldn't suggest investing in something high end and what ever you by, make sure it's light (with contents), cuz you'll wind up carry it for a few. Good Luck!”

“We have a 5 year old and a 2-1/2 year old. Our oldest carries her "toy" day pack and the youngest doesn't carry anything.”

“LT, You're taking this "lighthiker" philosophy to extremes! You'll never fit in a kiddie backpack!”

“Abby's plastic backpack blew out recently and we found the best fit for her to be a little Jansport pack, bought at sports authority for $16, on sale, reg $19. I had to cut down the straps a bit to make them tight enough for her, but it works. She's 3'9" and 31#, the kelty kids smallest pack is still too big for her.

Our peditrician said no more that 10% of her weight in her pack. That works out to be one babydoll, one blanket and a water bottle and snack, lol. And we do end up carrying the pack and her after 2.5 miles.”

“Ooopss I meant to carry him in!”

“when i was a real little one i carried a backpack with my own diapers in it...”

“LOL@LtHiker, just yanking ya chain!”

“Oh, well the Kelty kid carriers are fantastic! We have an expedition , barely used (maybe 10x) that we'd let go for $120. Email if your interested.”

“Come on SS he is going to be my sherpa in a couple of years got to start training him.”

“We also have the Kelty Expedition. On a recent 2-mile round trip day hike our oldest walked the whole way while the youngest walked about 90% of the way. I just carried her on my shoulders for those times she felt "tired".”

“Sas thanks for the offer lst me see if I can find any info on that model. do you use it for dayhikes or overnights?”

“I used it for both. It has up to 3500 cu inches of storage space, diaper deck, kid pack that zips off and can carry up to 60 pounds tops. It has stirrups so the kid isn't kicking you the whole time, a rain and sun cover and I have mosquito netting that fits over it. The pack itself weighs about 9#s with all the bells and whistles on.

The model was recalled at one point becasue some straps weren't stiched correctly but our pack wasn't affected, it was stiched right.

Depending on how big your two year old is you may not want a carrier anymore. They get to be awfully wiggly and heavy, real fast.”

“Here are a coupla links: a review and and a feature list and picture”

“Yeah, I am wondering how long I could actually carry him. He just isn't able to walk for very long over rough ground.”

“He is about 30lbs now”

“Well, the Kelty expedition is good for kids up to 45#s. I guess it depends on your child. Ours is about the same age (will be 3 in late January) and is just too heavy and wiggly for us to carry in the carrier anymore. We end up with her on our shoulders more often than not. She sits on top of our packs pretty much. It's not very comfortable but she's with us and is learning to love the outdoors and that's what's important, not our back health, lol.”

“here's my 2 cents. i had a Kelty and hated it. too heavy and difficult to adjust, so i returned it. i bought a Madden Caravan and i LOVE it. 2800 cubic inches of storage capacity, rated to 75 pounds, and it weighs around 5 pounds, less than any comparable Kelty. i've carried my son for miles and miles in it and i love it.

we bought a used REI Piggyback, and it's the carrier my husband prefers. it doesn't have much storage capacity, but you can easily tie stuff sacks into the frame.

Deuter makes carriers, and Yakima does too. they're both being reviewed over at backpackgeartest.org.”