Bushwalk Australia

I'm looking for a good daypack for my 8yo and 6yo. Something just to carry their lunch, water, outershell, towel etc - all the usual stuff. Anyone able to recommend a good model and supplier?

Umm, do I know you??

I'd start with op shops and tip shops if you have them. With the kids' needs changing a fair bit in the next few years, I wouldn't be going specialist outdoor brands. I've picked up a couple of good day packs for kids from op shops. Lots of packs for kids are way too deep, so the weight hangs too far away from their backs.

Recently I got an excellent Outgear zip-off-from-a-big-pack slim-line day pack for $3.

weeds wrote:Umm, do I know you??

I believe we've met once or twice

Tortoise wrote:I'd start with op shops and tip shops if you have them. With the kids' needs changing a fair bit in the next few years, I wouldn't be going specialist outdoor brands. I've picked up a couple of good day packs for kids from op shops. Lots of packs for kids are way too deep, so the weight hangs too far away from their backs.

Recently I got an excellent Outgear zip-off-from-a-big-pack slim-line day pack for $3.

I agree about the fact that kids grow out of things far too quickly for what I'd like. I need to make sure they're comfortable, to lessen the risk of complaining Oh yeh, and lessen discomfort, there's always that!

They won't be carrying much, but I'd like to think there's a day pack that would last at least 5-10 years. Too small is probably far less a concern than too big, provided the straps still fit. Not planning on spending a fortune either, but most kids backpacks (be it for hiking, school, or whatever) seem to be fairly poor quality, throw-away designs.

Do you think waist/chest straps are essential? I know even with my day pack they aren't really designed to lower the COG, they stop it from flopping around. Also, aeration between the pack and the back can make a difference on a hot day.

Oops, I meant not buying specialist brands new - I agree many packs for kids look like they'd last 5 minutes.

My thoughts - chest strap very unlikely to be needed on a day pack for young 'uns, and waist strap would be hard to get to fit them. Not sure that the same pack that works for a 8yo would realistically work for a 13-18 yo down the track.

An item of 'clothing' that would last 5-10yrs for a kid who is 6-8? You are dreaming! They grow fast. I'd suggest for the tiny amount of gear, one of those light weight compressible carrier with shoulder straps would be more than enough for kids in that age group. No need for anything serious looking.

GPSGuided wrote:An item of 'clothing' that would last 5-10yrs for a kid who is 6-8? You are dreaming!

Not sure who that's aimed at? I reckon a day pack that's suitable for a 6-8 year old should still be useable well into their teens - only the straps would really need to be adjusted. Too big is an issue, but too small would just mean not much room if needed.

ryangus wrote:Not sure who that's aimed at? I reckon a day pack that's suitable for a 6-8 year old should still be useable well into their teens - only the straps would really need to be adjusted. Too big is an issue, but too small would just mean not much room if needed.

Well, guess it depends on the level of fit. By adult standard, a typical fitted pack would only have a relatively narrow range of suitable sizes. Of course, if you are just looking at one of those 'no fit' backpacks, then sure, it might even works into adulthood. Like one of these...



There's no way a pack that's fitted for hip/back length at the age of 6-8 would still fit well in 5-10 years time. The child would have well grown over the design limit of such a pack. As suggested, it's really not needed for the little bit of gear/goods to be carried.

From what I've seen, daypacks seem to come in 2 vague sizes - kids or adults, hence I assumed that there's a fair bit of leeway for each size. Even then, the kids versions aren't really that common. I 'spose Mum and Dad often end up as the pack mule

I take your point though - I'm probably overestimating what they need, but would rather err on the side of caution.

In my experience, Kathmandu are the place to get packs for kids (at least in Launceston). I don't normally shop there, but we found that they were the only place that had a decent packs for our 2 & 4 yo (very tiny packs, but enough to make them feel like they're pulling their weight), and later for our 6 & 8 yo (somewhat substatial packs, so they can carry almost all their own gear apart from sleeping bag and food).

They are actual real kids packs... not just adult day packs with the straps tightened right up.

PS. I'm sure other stores/brands have good kids options, but in Launceston, Kathmandu was the only shop that had decent kids backpacks actually in stock when we visited (both times, both ages).

One should also be cautious of excessive weight on those growing bones... Needs to be said. Their physiology and morphology are different to mature adults.

GPSGuided wrote:One should also be cautious of excessive weight on those growing bones... Needs to be said. They physiology and morphology are different to mature adults.

Yep. For the first few years, we got them to carry just enough so that they get used to the idea that bushwalking involves carrying stuff in a pack. It was a very tiny pack, and not full.

Ordered a couple of these http://www.kathmandu.com.au/sprocket-pa ... lue-1.html - if I'm convinced otherwise or I don't like the look of them when I collect them, I'll get a refund.

We have Kathmanudu Hobbit packs which the boys have used for years now. Kids love them and they go on school excursions, overnight walks and we steal them too

ryangus wrote:Ordered a couple of these http://www.kathmandu.com.au/sprocket-pa ... lue-1.html - if I'm convinced otherwise or I don't like the look of them when I collect them, I'll get a refund.

@ $35 you could go wrong

weeds wrote:

ryangus wrote:Ordered a couple of these http://www.kathmandu.com.au/sprocket-pa ... lue-1.html - if I'm convinced otherwise or I don't like the look of them when I collect them, I'll get a refund.

@ $35 you could go wrong

Yep, definitely better than $100!