Hey folks, planning a family hike but my 4-year-old daughter has Spina Bifida and can’t use her right leg. Any recs for a sturdy backpack that can carry her? She’s around 40 inches tall, 35 pounds. Thanks…
I’ve only used the Deuter Kid Comfort for my kid, It’s very comfy and supportive for both of us. 35 pounds should be no issue, and it’s adjustable for their size btw.
Osprey Poco Plus. Used it when my son was about that size—great support, plus it got room for snacks.
My son has some mobility issues and i’m also hoping this pack would be a lifesaver.
You should also check out the Kelty Journey PerfectFIT. It’s affordable, comfortable for both of you, and has a sunshade, bonus.
Good options here but i’d recommend trying them on at REI. My little one hated the Osprey (too stiff for her), but loved the Deuter. Every kid’s different, so test it out first if you can.
I’ll toss in another vote for the Kelty. Carried my nephew for hours, no complaints from either of us. Plus, plenty of pockets for toys and snacks (you’ll need those).
Thanks, everyone. It sounds like the Deuter is popular, but I’ll check out the Kelty too. Love the idea of the sunshade—sounds like a game-changer.
The sunshade is EVERYTHING. Kept my kid from turning into a lobster on sunny days, and it’s easy to pop in/out when you don’t need it. Let us know what you pick.
You won’t regret the Deuter either. My back appreciates the extra support after a long day. Let your daughter try sitting in it too—comfort is key. You’ll thank me after mile 5.
Agreed. My daughter would nap in the Deuter, and the adjustability made it perfect for switching between my husband and me. No complaints from either of us (or her).
@Ricardo Just a heads-up, if you’re hiking in hot weather, consider something with good ventilation. My Osprey got sweaty fast. Backpacking and a sweaty back is NO fun.
Yeah, Osprey can be a bit warm. I always ended up drenched in sweat—probably why my son loved it so much, he was chilling in the breeze while I melted.