Kids and toddlers love backpacks and the opportunity to carry their own stuff to school/daycare, while traveling, and on the hiking trail! Before you and your little ones load up and go however, consider the following tips on choosing a backpack for your child and how it should be worn for maximum comfort, safety and fun.
• Keep your child’s size and age in mind when choosing a backpack. Some packs are designed small enough for toddlers while others are better suited for older kids.
• Look carefully at the overall dimensions and weight of the pack (empty) to determine if it is an appropriate size for your child and their shoulders. Shoulder straps should rest comfortably on shoulders and not hang off the sides or be too close together.
• Look for backpacks with padded and adjustable shoulder straps that won’t dig into shoulders, as well as a padded back to protect against sharp edges on objects inside.
• A waist strap and/or sternum strap (across the chest) are a big plus since they help to distribute weight more evenly. This is especially important for older children who might carry heavier loads.
• Some backpacks come equipped with hydration reservoirs that allow your child to have water on hand while out exploring or biking. These hydration packs are great for kids who are outdoors regularly in hot climates.

Tips for fitting your child’s backpack
• Always encourage your child to use both shoulder straps so weight is distributed evenly across their shoulders.
• Tighten the straps so the pack fits close to the child’s body.
• The bottom of the pack should ideally rest in the curve of the lower back and not more than 4 inches below their waistline. Proper positioning approximates the body’s center of gravity and has the least negative effect on posture.
• Pack light! Try to keep the weight of contents no more than 15% of your child’s body weight. Refer to the guidelines below to determine appropriate weight for a child to carry comfortably and safely.
• Pack heavier items like books closest to your child’s back and use all of the pack’s compartments for better weight distribution.

Backpack size and weight guidelines
In general, it is recommended that children carry no more than 15% of their body weight in a backpack. Refer to the information below for a quick size and weight reference.
• 35 lb child should carry no more than 5.25 lbs.
• 40 lb child should carry no more than 6 lbs.
• 50 lb child should carry no more than 7.5 lbs.
• 80 lb child should carry no more than 12 lbs.
• 100 lb child should carry no more than 15 lbs.

Most older kids (generally ages 10 and up) and teens can use an adult size pack but the recommendations above still apply - try to find a pack that is appropriate for their size and height. For older kids who will be doing hiking and backcountry adventures, a number of companies make framed packs designed to distribute weight more evenly for longer wear.

Some suggestions for high-quality toddler and little kids packs include the Kelty Minnow, Grommet, Starfish and TC 0.5 as well as the Fox 30 and the Kids backpack by Deuter.

Categories: Gear 101 Guides, Kids Outdoor Gear, Travel with Kids
Tags: kids backpacks, toddler backpacks