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#124792 - 12/06/09 01:00 AM 9yo 1st pack
Joseph hodgkins Offline
newbie

Registered: 09/20/09
Posts: 2
Loc: florida ,usa
Hey everyone. my little girl is wanting to come out hiking with me. I have had her try on diferent packs where ever we go. I cant fidn one that isnt super loose on her. Would any of you know which pack woul be good for her? I am wantin something that she can carry some if not most of her gear in andhas a "camel back".

Thanks for your help

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#124800 - 12/06/09 09:56 AM Re: 9yo 1st pack [Re: Joseph hodgkins]
balzaccom Online   content
member

Registered: 04/06/09
Posts: 2232
Loc: Napa, CA
Hi Joseph

If it were my daughter, I would have her carry her own school backpack. That way she has something that she is used to carrying, and will hold a fair amount of stuff. I wouldn't worry so much about the camelback.

But a word of advice! Check our her backpack first, to make sure she doesn't have a ton of extra stuff in it from when she takes it to school. Six "my little ponies" and all their gear adds some unnecessary weight to her pack!

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Check our our website: http://www.backpackthesierra.com/

Or just read a good mystery novel set in the Sierra; https://www.amazon.com/Danger-Falling-Rocks-Paul-Wagner/dp/0984884963

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#124802 - 12/06/09 10:56 AM Re: 9yo 1st pack [Re: balzaccom]
OregonMouse Online   content
member

Registered: 02/03/06
Posts: 6799
Loc: Gateway to Columbia Gorge
Good luck. I haven't been able to find a supportive pack for kids in which the pack doesn't weigh 2.5-3 lbs.

One of the biggest complaints from young children is that the pack straps put too much pressure on their shoulders. A pack with a good hip belt and load lifters really helps this problem. Unfortunately, only a few of these are made and they are, as I said, heavy! It's a shame when half the recommended weight for the average 7-year-old is the pack itself!

Definitely do not use her school backpack unless it has a good supportive hip belt!

Yes, do watch what she brings!

EDIT: There's quite a bit about kids' packs in the "Hiking with Kids" section of this forum.


Edited by OregonMouse (12/06/09 10:59 AM)
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May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view--E. Abbey

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#124804 - 12/06/09 11:06 AM Re: 9yo 1st pack [Re: Joseph hodgkins]
Glenn Offline
member

Registered: 03/08/06
Posts: 2617
Loc: Ohio
REI had 4 listed - I glanced briefly at the Comet pack. You might take a look.

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#124808 - 12/06/09 12:05 PM Re: 9yo 1st pack [Re: OregonMouse]
balzaccom Online   content
member

Registered: 04/06/09
Posts: 2232
Loc: Napa, CA
Oregon--good point about the shoulder straps. I guess I remember my own kids, and how much weight they were willing to carry. We generally ended up with less than ten pounds: a sleeping bag and their clothes. That would just fit, and weighed something like 7 pounds total.

With that kind of weight, the shoulder straps aren't quite so critical. But if you are carrying any more than that, I certainly agree.
_________________________
Check our our website: http://www.backpackthesierra.com/

Or just read a good mystery novel set in the Sierra; https://www.amazon.com/Danger-Falling-Rocks-Paul-Wagner/dp/0984884963

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#124810 - 12/06/09 12:35 PM Re: 9yo 1st pack [Re: Joseph hodgkins]
Andy Offline
member

Registered: 06/27/09
Posts: 52
Loc: Ohio
As OM stated, you should be looking for a pack with good hip belts. This will carry most of the weight. She should be carrying very little weight on her shoulders.

The Deuter Fox is a good, lightweight children's pack. It also has a hydration pocket inside.

<edit: just re-read your post and you don't say whether you are dayhiking or backpacking. Camelbak makes a mini-MULE kid's pack that carries a 1-L bladder and has around 500 cu inches of storage for other small items. It's a good hiking pack, both my kids share it alternately or fight over it, if we're all going out.>


Edited by Andy (12/06/09 12:39 PM)

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#124892 - 12/07/09 10:56 PM Re: 9yo 1st pack [Re: Joseph hodgkins]
Kieran Offline
member

Registered: 06/24/09
Posts: 46
Loc: Seattle, WA
I picked this up for my 7yo son - good price, and it appears to be a good pack. no idea how he likes it yet - it'll be under the tree for him in a few weeks smile

Deuter Climber Backpack

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