Osprey Jib 35 Pack
The Osprey Jib 35 Pack is one of the best children's backpacks on the market, and sized for youth between the ages of 7 and 14. With 2,100 inches of carrying space, there is plenty of room for carrying a sleeping bag and clothing like a windbreaker. The best part of the Jib 35 is that it has an adjustable torso length, so that as your child grows, the pack will still fit them. The hipbelt also has a couple of zip pockets so kids can store snacks or items they find on the trail.
Deuter Climber Kids Pack
The Deuter Climber Kids Pack is a scaled-down version of the Deuter Guide pack, which is an ideal climbing pack for adults. The Climber Kids keeps many of the same features, including external loops for carry trekking poles, compression straps, and large mesh pockets for carrying water bottles or wet clothes. The sternum strap comes with an emergency whistle in case your child wanders off, and the hip belt has gear loops that kids can clip carabiners to.
Kelty Kids' Yukon 2900
The Kelty Kids' Yukon 2900 is a throwback to the popular backpacks of the early 70s, which all had external frames. External frame packs are very efficient at carrying gear, and work well on all but the steepest mountain terrain. The Yukon 2900 has an adjustable torso suspension, so that you can size the pack to your child as he or she grows. An internal pocket holds a Camelback or similar water bladder. The pack has a separate sleeping bag compartment on the bottom with its own zipper, and an external mesh pocket for carrying a water bottle.
