BOBs for kids?

[Metrocruiser]

Hi all,

Im trying to find some backpacks for my kids. I dont really want to use a Thomas the train or Disney type bag. Has anyone seen any smaller sized bobs anywhere? Planning to stuff them with a change of clothes, snacks and some toys for them.

[bacpacker]

How old, big are they? Here are a couple models that might work depending on the age and size.

http://www.rei.com/product/796743/osprey-jet-daypack-kids

http://www.rei.com/product/808324/rei-sprig-12-pack-kids

[msomnipotent]

I bought my 7 year old a back pack from Lands End. She uses it every day for school and Girl Scouts, and it still looks new. It feels like it is good quality. The one I have doesn't have the waist belt, which I really wanted, but it does have a sternum strap.

[Metrocruiser]

How old, big are they? Here are a couple models that might work depending on the age and size.

http://www.rei.com/product/796743/osprey-jet-daypack-kids

http://www.rei.com/product/808324/rei-sprig-12-pack-kids

Hey backpacker Ty for the links.

I forgot about rei. Wife doesn't like the prices there lol.

I have to keep telling my wife "cheap=no good, no good=cheap"

[Metrocruiser]

My kids are young, 3 and 5.5.
Im going to start some fun hikes with them soon with buried surprises at the end destination.. I've got to teach myself the compass and map reading / orienteering first.
I wonder if geocaching is any fun??

But them carrying their own water, socks, snacks and misc gear etc will really help me lots because ill be dealing with demon pup lol.

[bacpacker]

I have a buddy that loves geocaching. He says its good to help learn gps nav. With the little trinkets and stuff it would most likely be fun for the kids as well. For me though, i dont count a huge amount o gps. That could go away way too easy. Heavy cover, heavy cloud cover, dead batteries, unit failure, or sat failure and it done. IMO map and compass is much more reliable. I do pretty good with that but would love to get some real training with it.

With the packs look for something adjustable for the suspension if you can find it. That will give you more use for a longer period of time. Cheap is certainly not good. The two I linked for you appear to be good packs. The Osprey brand I knpw is. My wife has a 25 liter model and loves it. .

[izzyscout21]

Depends on how much you are looking to spend Metro.........

I have a friend that makes custom gear. He made my girls pint size assault packs for Christmas. Pics after they unwrap them.........

[The Stig]

Might try Maxpedition. They make some smaller bags that might be utilized as kid-packs.

[Metrocruiser]

Depends on how much you are looking to spend Metro.........

I have a friend that makes custom gear. He made my girls pint size assault packs for Christmas. Pics after they unwrap them.........

Cant wait to see them :)

Im ready to spend 30-40 but methinks wife is in 10-20 range lol.

[izzyscout21]

Cant wait to see them :)

Im ready to spend 30-40 but methinks wife is in 10-20 range lol.

I'll post them up. What we basically did was take the design from a standard Eagle A-III Assault pack:

http://www.skdtac.com/Eagle-AIII-Assault-Pack-p/eag.552.htm

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t173/Eroc1911/EAG552-2T.jpg

We then reduced the size by 1/3 and added water bottle holders to the sides. They will fit the Camelback type sports bottles or no-spill sippy cups.:o

We Made the back panel out of breathable padded mesh instead of straight cordura, so it would breath obviously.

My guy then specially designed the waist belt so it could adjust and expand as they grew. The excess can be neatly hidden/ tucked away for now.

Lastly, he had their names embroidered into the back, to give it a personal touch.


As they are only 3 right now, the pack is a tad big, but give them another 6 months to year and they will grow right into it. They should be able to wear it on into their early teen years or even farther as a small day pack.

He makes bomb-proof gear, so the price I paid for it was well worth the backpacks they would have otherwise went through.

[izzyscout21]

Cant wait to see them :)

Im ready to spend 30-40 but methinks wife is in 10-20 range lol.

I'll post them up. What we basically did was take the design from a standard Eagle A-III Assault pack:

http://www.skdtac.com/Eagle-AIII-Assault-Pack-p/eag.552.htm

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t173/Eroc1911/EAG552-2T.jpg

We then reduced the size by 1/3 and added water bottle holders to the sides. They will fit the Camelback type sports bottles or no-spill sippy cups.

We Made the back panel out of breathable padded mesh instead of straight cordura, so it would breath obviously.

My guy then specially designed the waist belt so it could adjust and expand as they grew. The excess can be neatly hidden/ tucked away for now.

Lastly, he had their names embroidered into the back, to give it a personal touch.


As they are only 3 right now, the pack is a tad big, but give them another 6 months to year and they will grow right into it. They should be able to wear it on into their early teen years or even farther as a small day pack.

He makes bomb-proof gear, so the price I paid for it was well worth the backpacks they would have otherwise went through.

[ladyhk13]

Geocaching is a lot of fun. We took my son, niece and nephew (all were teens) and even we had a good time. You can look up your area and chose your route so you can do one in a park, near a lake or where ever it fits the age group of your children. It would teach them patience, situational awareness, how to think outside of the box (they are hidden in weird places), hiking skills just to name a few things. Pack a lunch and enjoy the day. They will be good and tired and ready for bed when you get home.

[Gunfixr]

Smaller day packs can often work, depending on their ages and size.
When they're young you can only expect them to carry so much.
My idea was mainly that they could carry their clothing, some toiletries, a personal mess kit and water. If somehow they got separated, while they were too young to cook, if someone else cooked, they could eat, change clothes, see to their own hygiene.
Of course, they're much older now than when I planned this.

[MegaCPC]

My kids are young, 3 and 5.5.
Large ALICE :p


But them carrying their own water, socks, snacks and misc gear etc will really help me lots because ill be dealing with demon pup lol.
It sounds like a simple school backpack will do the job for you, but there are some other options some of which have been mentioned, Maxpedition, Osprey...

If you're willing to spend a little money on something that won't get outgrown or destroyed immediately, check out Camelbak. I own a few of their products and have been satisfied with them. I even dragged one (MULE) across a rocky trail with my dumb ass still attached to it (falling off my mountain bike) and inflicted no damage to the pack. No tears or rips, etc.

Most of their stuff is compact, lightweight, and comfortable, but limited in cargo capacity. Most packs will have enough room for the basics for a kid's pack though: change of clothes, trail snacks, map, compass, a multitool, a small first aid kit, toothbrush, etc. In my experience, the built in hydration is key for young kids to keep them moving and focused on the trail, as opposed to stopping every so often for water breaks and getting distracted.

Camelbak has a military section too, in case it has to be camo.

[GunnerMax]

Battlelakeoutdoors.com has a good variety of optios, made in america, and good quality.

[izzyscout21]

Cant wait to see them :)



Here you go, Metro:

http://i764.photobucket.com/albums/xx288/2crgrunt/New%20Years%20Campout/DSCF5977_zpsce8af956.jpg
http://i764.photobucket.com/albums/xx288/2crgrunt/New%20Years%20Campout/DSCF5971_zpsf8fa1a32.jpg
http://i764.photobucket.com/albums/xx288/2crgrunt/New%20Years%20Campout/DSCF5975_zps468db39b.jpg
http://i764.photobucket.com/albums/xx288/2crgrunt/New%20Years%20Campout/DSCF5972_zpsb796fa17.jpg

[Grumpy Old Man]

^^^ It's a good thing they take after their Mom Izzy! Those 2 are getting cuter by the day. Your gonna have your hands full in about 10 years. Good looking packs, maybe you should market them.

[mitunnelrat]

You were right. The sternum strap is awesome. I may have to modify my own pack now.

[Metrocruiser]

Wow nice,

I like the size of the packs, the kids can mule some equipment for me :)

Beautiful children you have!!

Thanks for posting.

[bacpacker]

Nice looking packs. Awesome looking girls.

[izzyscout21]

Thanks, guys. The gentleman who made them is talking about possibly marketing them.........since I funded the R&D and prototypes:o

[Katrina]

Izzy
the girls are adorable and to think I used to tie a piece of binding tape across the boys chests along the straps with their backpacks for school.