Kids pack recommendations

[rough60]

Hi all,
I'm after a pack for my 7 year old and would like some recommendations on ones anyone has used.
I'm not a huge fan of Kathmandu but they have a 20L hobbit pack on sale at the moment for $40.
Also the Osprey Jet 18L youth at Paddy Palin for $60.
Or the Deuter 22L Climber, but can't found these in Aus?
Her back length is 35cm if that helps with suggestions.
Cheers.

[Drifting]

I have bought 2 different packs for my daughter- who was a large-sized 5 when I got the pack, but it a large-sized six now. The first was one of the kathmandu children's packs, and the second is a tatonka daypack (around 12L I think). She exclusively uses the kathmandu pack for bushwalking now. Don't know the Osprey pack, but $60 is alright.

Some observations:
1) THey can only carry around 1-2 kg max for any great distance, and being able to cram volume in the pack is better than weight. Laura usually carries her sleeping bag, a small drinking bottle, a small bag of snacks and Gerald the giraffe. You can also get her a "special hiking friend" who is smaller.

2) Adult daypacks tend to not be good for volume IMHO

3) IMHO if the pack is big enough or heavy enough to require anything other than shoulder straps, it's too big, and can hurt her.

Also, Osprey makes a pretty fancy-looking scaled-down rucksack for kids when she is around 10. Buy from the US and use a re-mailing service, as imported osprey stuff is grossly over-priced.

I've bought a North Face Blue Ridge sleeping bag for my daughter- it'll fit her until she is 5 foot, and in my experience is good to below zero. It weighs around 1 kg. Don't buy a down bag- if they pee in them you've got big problems.

Boots have been our biggest problem. The couple of brands you can get here are just outrageous, and really poor products. We've bought several pairs of waterproof lace-ups from http://www.llbean.com and been very happy with them. We buy a tad big for her in the winter, when she wears thick socks, and then let her grow into them. Remember US sizes are different to Aussie sizes- measure her feet.

Cheers

[rough60]

Thanks very much Drifting,

I had a look at some today and wasn't that impressed with the Kathmandu Hobbit, the osprey was pretty flash, so was the deuter and I went with that because it's hydration compatible, and she'll think that's cool.

Cheers.

[Drifting]

let us knows how it goes. I couldn't find anything on the Osprey- does it fit her back ok?

A gear report would be handy!

The kathmandu one I have isn't a hobbit- it's just a generic school-type bag, but it's well-made.

[nickL]

hi

i too have been thinking about packs for my 8 and 10 year olds - i have wondered about making a pack with them for them as part of getting organised to go bushwalking - i did a little research and ray jardine sold a kit with all the bits included - i didnt get much further than this so cant give details about price

nick

[rough60]

Making a pack would be pretty cool, and I've seen on his site that the kits a very customizable!

The hobbit didn't really impress because it had no inner frame or support which I didn't like, but for $40 it's probably an ok buy.
The osprey was nice and fitted good, she wanted more of a 'hiking style' pack and it wasn't hydration compatible. http://www.paddypallin.com.au/default.aspx?page=78&product=1932&Group=61
I would have also liked to check out the tatonka mowgli as it looks similar to the deuter but comes in pink, which would have been 'the bees knees' as she put it but couldn't find anyone who had one in stock in my area. http://intranet.tatonka.com/infosys/infocgi/artinf2b.dll?1806_Mowgli&014
I'll report back after she's used the deuter climber a couple of times but it fit equally as well as the osprey, but with extra features she liked (especially hydration compatible).http://www.deuterusa.com/products/productDetail.php?packID=Climber&sub=family&tert=family

Cheers

[rough60]

Just noticed I hadn't updated this like promised.

Well when I went to get the climber they could not get one in and didn't know when one would come in

So I went with the Hobbit. decent little pack, and does the job well, it's hydration compatible but doesn't come with a hydration port, just the pouch to hold the bladder.

My daughter loves it but and it's held up well sliding down rocks and has taken a beating.

If you pick one up on sale I reckon they are a pretty good buy.

Cheers

[geoffmallo]

We have used the hobbit too with good success on a 10 day hike. The key is getting the whole harness fitting properly. Adult day packs etc don't work for this reason. As for features it's typical Kathmandu stuff and won't excite you too much but will work. It's too heavy for what it is, but strong enoug to be pack hauled. Needs a good pack liner or everything will get wet. And the top pocket is just ok. Good for a zip bag of snacks and a head torch.

I modified it by adding some closed cell foam as a waist belt to prevent rubbing on a longer hike (the 10 day one). My son was 7 when we did the longer walk and my daughter is 6 and is happy with hers. She has used it canyoning and shorter trips only.

I find that the shoulder straps are just a tad close at the top where they join the pack as there really isn't any shape in them like say an Aarn pack. They can rub on the side of the neck at times which is not cool. Interestingly only my daughter has this problem. Her pack is newer than her brother's so I'm not sure if they are 100% identical.

We're planning on doing the John Muir Trail this coming year so we'll be making a cuben pack for that. About the same volume as the hobbit. Dry bag style roll top and pocket for a bottle on the side. We don't use hydration bladders anymore unless biking so that's really of no interest to our design quest

Cheers
Geoff