Best Kids Hiking Backpack: Buying Guide for Young Explorers

The Deuter Fox ticks every box there is to be ticked and is a great choice for older youths and teens.

It gets high marks in comfort thanks to its plushly padded straps, hip belt, and back panel, and the rear contouring that permits enough airflow to prevent saturation with sweat.

It has a solid and durable design that helps ease the weight, especially on longer treks. Highlights include the pulled-forward hip fins, a load adjustment strap, adjustable sternum strap, and adjustable hip belt. It also boasts the company’s custom “Alpine” back system to optimize ventilation.

Deuter’s “VariQuick” back length adjustment system can easily be tweaked as your child grows, accommodating torso lengths from 11 to 18 inches.

The main compartment of this pack is accessible from the top or bottom. Other organizational features include a sleeping bag compartment divider, five pockets, attachment loops for trekking poles, and a separate bottom compartment with a removable base. It’s also compatible with a 3- liter hydration system.

The company’s lifetime warranty seals the deal to make this our favorite youth backpacking pack.

The Osprey Ace 38 is a good-sized bag that works for both younger, smaller kids and teens. It showcases a lot of similar features to adult packs, just child-sized.

Torso adjustment straps and an adjustable hip belt that features Osprey’s “Fit-on-the-Fly” system mean this pack can grow with your kids, making it one of the best hiking backpacks for kids on the market in terms of value for money.

The organizational features in this pack are on the nail. You can load gear from the top or bottom and a sleeping bag compartment lets you separate wet gear from dry and sleeping gear from the rest of your gear. It also has several pockets on the sides, lid, and front, as well as hip belt pockets and a stretchy external stash pocket for extra layers.

Osprey also uses their own LightWire Frame system for flexibility and stability, which helps with carrying heavier loads, while the AirScape back panel provides the extra ventilation needed on hot days. This pack also features dual side compression straps and an integrated rain cover.

The REI Tarn 12 is an excellent lightweight backpack with enough storage space for small children.

You get ample space in the main zippered pocket, five exterior pockets, and a side mesh pocket for water bottles. There’s also a large front stash pocket that’s handy to stuff extra items your kid might need quickly, like a rain jacket or mid-hike eats. It’s also compatible with a hydration reservoir.

The pack’s fabric is durable and features a water repellent (DWR) finish that is easy to clean and will keep your kid’s kit dry in moderate rain.

The shoulder straps and back panel are well-padded for such a lightweight pack. It also includes a built-in airflow channel in the back panel for ventilation, while an adjustable hip belt and sternum strap allow you to dial in the fit. A hidden pocket stows the belt away when it’s not needed.

The only downside to this pack is the lack of padding in the hip belt, which might make it a little uncomfortable after a long day on the trail or with a full pack.

This high-quality pack has a durable construction and excels in price and organization.

The Nano includes an internal hydration sleeve for a water reservoir and a hydration port, and two side mesh pockets for water bottles.

The Nano’s die-cut foam back panel allows for good airflow and the breathable shoulder harness provides enough comfort for long days on the trail. It’s also easy to adjust the torso, hip belt, and chest strap as the young hiker grows. Another highlight is the reflective webbing loops for better visibility.

This pack is also available in a ‘plus-size’ for bigger kids.

As the biggest pack on our list, the Wander 50 is ideal for older kids and teens ready to up the ante on the trail. It has similar features as an adult pack, but with youth-sized components.

The handy U-shaped zipper allows for front-loading/unloading and provides easy access to your sleeping bag and sleeping pad, which are generally packed at the bottom. The pack also has six external pockets, including two mesh side pockets, and is compatible with a hydration reservoir system.

Gregory’s “VersaFit” suspension system provides 5 inches of adjustment for growing hikers. The torso length is adjustable from 13 to 18 inches and the waist belt adjusts from 22 to 48 inches. A back panel made from 3D foam provides decent airflow.

It also includes a fitted rain cover, reflective lash points, and key clip, and the sternum strap buckle features a safety whistle.

The padded hip belt and straps fit snug against the body, which is good when hiking in rugged backcountry, as it won’t feel loose when your young hiker is clambering over uneven terrain.

The only real downside to this pack is that it’s a bit heavy at just over 3 pounds.

This medium-sized pack can be used for day hikes or short overnight trips that don’t require a lot of gear.

It includes a hydration compartment for a water reservoir and numerous pockets, including a stretch pocket on the side for a water bottle.

Although there are no external mesh pockets, the zippered top pocket provides easy access to the main compartment. The daisy chain, gear loops, and compression straps come in handy for attaching items to the pack’s exterior if you’ve maxed out internal space.

Deuter’s Alpine harness system allows for good ventilation and back support while keeping the pack close to the body’s center of gravity. The pack also features an adjustable sternum strap and load lifters.

A good-sized pack with fun designs. This pack is also sturdy and well built, and the fabric cleans easily. The Schmusebar also has reflective accents for better visibility.

A single clip opens to the main compartment, while the exterior water bottle pockets are flexible and easy to access, even on-the-go.

The shoulder straps on this pack have comfortable padding and the contoured back panel allows for plenty of airflow in hot weather or when your kid’s hiking hard. The S-shaped shoulder straps wrap around the child’s shoulders and have a soft-edge finish for added comfort.

Deuter’s lifetime warranty for kids hiking backpacks is also highly reassuring. If your kid’s pack comes to any kind of harm on a hike, the company will repair it free of charge.

This adorable little backpack is perfect for short day hikes and allows tiny trekkers to have fun on the trail by carrying a pack that’s just like mommy or daddy’s.

The Pico has well-padded shoulder straps with an S-shaped soft-edge design that allows the pack to sit comfortably on your kid’s shoulders. While there’s no hip belt, an adjustable sternum strap ensures the pack won’t be bouncing around on your kid’s pack while they’re on the move.

The Pico is very lightweight but is made with sturdy, durable materials. The fabric is also easy to clean, so post-adventure laundering is a breeze.

Features-wise, the Pico isn’t a standout, but it does have a duo of mesh water bottle pockets that are easily accessible for big or little hands.

Other kid-friendly design features include a name label on the inside and child-friendly buckles.