Good Hiking Pack for Kids?

Emma

We're interested in getting a sturdy backpack for our oldest daughter. I'm willing to spend around 100-150 dollars if I know that it can be passed down through all 3 of our kids until it's completely out grown by all of them. I'd rather an external frame pack (it's what I'm familiar with) but if you know a really high quality internal frame I'll take it into consideration.

The kids right now are 7, 5, and 2 years old. We're thinking our first hike-in trip will be in 2 or 3 years when the little one is old enough to walk the trail by herself. My husband and I would bear the brunt of the gear, the oldest a little gear in the pack we're looking for, the middle one some dry food in a regular book-bag, and the youngest would just walk without anything.

Just so no one freaks out, we're not being unreasonable in our plans. My husband is an Eagle Scout and is an experienced hiker. I have only done drive-up campsites but have been camping since I was a baby and spent some time in the Army so I know how it feels to haul 70lbs of gear over several miles. As a family, we did some 1 mile hikes last year when the middle kid was 4 years old and we currently do 2-3 mile day hikes every few weeks, so we know that a 5 year old can keep up as long as you don't push too hard. In fact, this weekend we did a 3 mile 200 vertical foot trail with the Big Girls walking, the little one was carried in a pack, and finished in just over an hour.

All that aside what I'm looking for is a good quality, durable, external frame pack for a kid in the 9-11 year old range.

Answer
With the exception of the 7 year old they are to young yet for any large capacity back packs so simple day packs that you can get at any sporting goods supplier will do. In that pack they should carry some water, some snacks, a flash light, a whistle, a space blanket, a fire starter, a multitool, a signal mirror and a two way radio (and know how to use them).

Long treks 2-3 years from now? your eldest could probably use a JanSport Scout Pack or the Kelty Jr. Pack and be able to carry around 25lbs on an external frame pack. However for a young frame internal frame packs are better to use for balance, control and comfort and instead of carrying the weight of a metal frame they can carry more gear they need. There are many high quality packs and you should try before you buy, rent them if you can. REI is one place that rents gear and they have reviews available for the gear the do sell. Check them out

Do you have A tent link this?

Dane_62

I'm considering buying a Northwest Territory 18 x 17 ft. Eagle River Dome Tent w/Screen Porch from Kmart for 94.00 ($56 off). (link http://www.kmart.com/shc/s/p_10151_10104_9990000023613611P?vName=Fitness+%26+Sports)

However I have not been able to find any reviews on it. I'm looking for someone who owns this tent, has used this tent, or owns a similar Northwest Territory tent. Please let me know what you think of it.

Also if you own any tent close to this size 18X17X6.5 do you have trouble finding campsites where you can set up a tent this big?

Answer
I think you get what you pay for, and this brand, from this store that isn't very much. It might last a couple of seasons, but I wouldn't put it through a rain storm or any significant wind.

Also the size seems way overkill. If I was car camping with a large family I'd prefer if we kept it two, or maybe three, people to a nice sturdy dome tent. Then you could put up a screen tent for sitting around together. Those smaller tents could also be used for other things, like kids camp outs, backpacking trips, while this giant tent is only good for one thing.

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