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Sharing an outdoor adventure with your child can be wonderful. If your little one is old enough, they can even pitch in and carry their own gear. With the right backpack for kids, the trip can be a lot more enjoyable for both yourself and your little one.
Choosing the best hiking backpack for kids is pretty similar to choosing one for adults – it needs to be comfortable to wear, well-made, and offer enough storage space. On top of this, it also needs to fit the child’s body frame.
To help you decide, our kids hiking backpack reviews will present the best kids hiking backpacks currently on the market. In addition, we will also talk about everything that a good backpack needs to have so your child can get the most out of every adventure.
Deuter Fox 40 Kids Hiking Backpack
- What Makes This Kid Hiking Backpack Stand Out
- Large 40-liter capacity is great for multi-day adventures
- S-shaped shoulder straps improve carrying comfort
- Additional zippered access on the backpack bottom
- Padded hip fins help transfer weight on your hips
- Compatible with most standard hydration systems
Best For: Multi-Day Adventures
Volume: 40 liters
Material: Ripstop Nylon
Internal Frame: Yes
Torso Length: 11 to 18 inches
Hydration Compatible: Yes
Dimensions: 27 x 12 x 9.4 inches
Weight: 2 pounds 15 ounces
- What Makes This Kid Hiking Backpack Stand Out
- Functional 18-liter storage is perfect for short hikes
- Ideal fit for children that are 8 to 12 years old
- Side compression straps make the backpack balanced
- DWR coating on the nylon shell helps repel raindrops
- Padded hipbelt comes with a stash pocket for valuables
Best For: Short Hikes
Volume: 18 liters
Material: Ripstop Nylon (Recycled)
Internal Frame: No
Child Age: 8 to 12 years
Hydration Compatible: Yes
Dimensions: 16.5 x 9 x 4.5 inches
Weight: 17 ounces
Osprey Jet 18 Kids Hiking Backpack
- What Makes This Kid Hiking Backpack Stand Out
- Chest and waist strap make the backpack balanced
- Daisy chain attachment points for hanging gear
- Reservoir sleeve provides hydration reservoir compatibility
- Dual stretch mesh side pockets for water bottles
- Front Shove-It pocket for clothing and small items
Best For: Older Kids
Volume: 18 liters
Material: Nylon
Internal Frame: No
Child Age: 8+ years
Hydration Compatible: Yes
Dimensions: 18 x 10 x 9 inches
Weight: 7.2 ounces
- What Makes This Kid Hiking Backpack Stand Out
- Compact size is ideal for children between 2 and 4
- Reflective loop patch improves visibility in low light
- Four convenient pockets for easily organizing gear
- Lightweight but strong 600D polyester shell fabric
- Foam back panel makes it very comfortable to wear
Best For: Young Children
Volume: 10 liters
Material: 600D Polyester
Internal Frame: No
Child Age: 2 to 4 years
Hydration Compatible: No
Dimensions: 11 x 9 x 7.5 inches
Weight: 9 ounces
Quechua Athletic Kids Hiking Backpack
- What Makes This Kid Hiking Backpack Stand Out
- Strong nylon shell with impressive water and tear resistance
- Roomy interior offers space for gear, snacks, and water bottles
- Adjustable suspension allows the backpack to fit perfectly
- Attractive price considering the material and construction quality
- Available in 10 great colors so your little one can find their style
Best For: Rain Protection
Volume: 10 liters
Material: Nylon
Internal Frame: No
Child Age: 8+ years
Hydration Compatible: No
Dimensions: 15.7 x 9.1 x 3.9 inches
Weight: 5.6 ounces
- What Makes This Kid Hiking Backpack Stand Out
- Panel load access for easily getting gear in and out
- Mesh back improves ventilation and wearing comfort
- Fleece-lined shoulder harness feels great on longer trips
- Separate sleeve provides hydration bladder compatibility
- Small zippered pocket inside for keeping valuables secure
Best For: Carrying Comfort
Volume: 12 liters
Material: Nylon
Internal Frame: No
Child Age: 3 to 7 years
Hydration Compatible: Yes
Dimensions: 15 x 7 x 9 inches
Weight: 13.2 ounces
Osprey Ace 50 Kids Hiking Backpack
- What Makes This Kid Hiking Backpack Stand Out
- Backpack with an adjustable torso fits both younger and older kids
- Fit-on-the-Fly hipbelt provides ideal weight distribution
- Zippered hipbelt pockets for keeping money and phone
- Comes with a rain cover for additional protection in bad weather
- LightWire peripheral frame makes the backpack firmer and stronger
Best For: Heavy Gear
Volume: 50 liters
Material: 400D and 600D Nylon
Internal Frame: Yes
Torso Length: 13 to 17 inches
Hydration Compatible: Yes
Dimensions: 27.6 x 13.4 x 11.8 inches
Weight: 3 pounds 11 ounces
- What Makes This Kid Hiking Backpack Stand Out
- Cute and compact day pack works great for toddlers
- Small 7-liter capacity for carrying snacks and water
- Polyester shell is made from recycled plastic bottles
- Adjustable shoulder straps for finding the right fit
- Available in a large number of great-looking colors
Best For: Toddlers
Volume: 7 liters
Material: Recycled Polyester
Internal Frame: No
Child Age: 2 to 4 years
Hydration Compatible: No
Dimensions: 11.4 x 7.9 x 5.1 inches
Weight: 12 ounces
Osprey HydraJet 12 Kids Hiking Backpack
- What Makes This Kid Hiking Backpack Stand Out
- Equipped with a 1.5-liter Hydraulics hydration pack
- Webbing daisy chain attachments for securing gear
- Adjustable chest strap improves backpack stability
- Small zippered pocket for keeping items close to hand
- AirScape mesh back panel prevents excessive sweating
Best For: Hiking Hydration
Volume: 12 liters
Material: Nylon
Internal Frame: No
Child Age: 4 to 12 years
Hydration Compatible: Yes (1.5-liter Bladder Included)
Dimensions: 15 x 10 x 8 inches
Weight: 19 ounces
- What Makes This Kid Hiking Backpack Stand Out
- Alpine back system keeps the backpack secure in difficult terrain
- Chest and waist straps improve the load distribution
- Padded hip fins improve the kid comfort when the pack is full
- Separate compartment for a 2-liter hydration bladder
- Highly adjustable and suitable for kids over 6 years of age
Best For: Climbing and Intense Activities
Volume: 22 liters
Material: Polyamide
Internal Frame: No
Child Age: 6+ Years
Hydration Compatible: Yes
Dimensions: 21 x 13 x 3 inches
Weight: 1.9 pounds
How To Choose A Kid Hiking Backpack – Buying Guide
Size and Fit
Properly sizing the backpack and finding the right fit will determine how easily your child can carry it on the trail. Children grow very fast, so these are often sorted into age categories (toddler, younger children, and older children). For best results, make sure to measure your child’s torso and get a model that fits them properly. It’s always a plus if backpacks for kids come with adjustable torso length because this will allow your little one to use them for a larger number of years.
Related Review: Adjustable Length Backpack
Related Post: How To Measure Torso
Weight
While most of these backpacks for kids are fairly light, technical models can be too heavy for young kids to handle. Because of this, we advise that you always check the specs and see if your little one has the strength to handle the pack with the load inside.
Storage
Similar to adult models, the best hiking backpacks for kids usually have the main compartment and several zippered pockets inside and outside. The capacity is measured in liters and shows you how much gear you can pack inside. We would advise that toddler packs don’t exceed 10 liters, while older kids (8+) can usually handle packs up to 40 liters.
Related Post: How To Pack A Backpack
Water Protection
Water protection generally increases with the bag’s technical capability. While smaller backpacks for kids designed for shorter hikes are rarely water-resistant, larger models designed for the trail can usually block light to moderate rain. In terms of water protection, a nylon shell with a DWR coating is the best choice.
Color
Even though this isn’t particularly important in terms of functionality, the choice of color might be beneficial for two other reasons. First, it allows your little one to find their style so they will enjoy wearing the backpack more. Secondly, bright colors will make the kid more visible so it’s easier to keep an eye on them.
FAQs
Q: Does My Kid Need His Own Hiking Backpack?
This mainly depends on the enthusiasm of your child and the activity that you are taking part in. For example, if you have a toddler and you’re going on a shorter walk, chances are they won’t need a backpack. However, if you have a slightly older child and you’re hitting the trail, they will need their own backpack.
Q: Are Hiking Backpacks Too Heavy For Kids?
No, not at all, because the weight of the backpack itself is very low. However, you need to pay attention to what you put inside the pack so the load doesn’t overburden your little one while walking.
Q: What Is The Recommended Age For A Child To Start Wearing A Backpack?
They can wear a backpack as soon as they become stable when walking. However, children grow fast, and not every backpack is suitable for every age group. For this reason, our list features models for all age categories (toddlers to older kids).
Globo Surf Overview
Whether your child wants to get more involved when hiking or carrying everything is a bit too much for you, getting them their own backpack is a great way to boost their independence and take a bit of weight off your shoulders. Hopefully, this guide has made your decision easier so that you can choose a pack that will fit your little hiker perfectly and allow both of you to enjoy the hike even more.
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- Gore Tex Jacket
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- Wireless Trail Camera
- Base Layer For Women