The Osprey Jib – A Serious Backpack for Kids
I’m not sure why companies like Osprey make real backpacks for kids. I don’t imagine that the quantities sold can justify the R&D and production but maybe I’m wrong. Whatever reason they have for doing it, I am grateful because there is nothing that will submarine a backpacking trip with a kid faster than a crappy pack on their backs.
If you’re thinking about taking your kid backpacking here is my advice: get them a REAL backpacking pack, not a suped-up book bag, not a Justin Bieber Walmart special…buy something made by a company that makes the backpacks that YOU would wear.
The Osprey Jib and Ace are essentially full-featured, miniature versions of an adult pack with a frame, contoured air space to keep the pack off of your kids’ back, and a hipbelt that is real, adjustable and essential. It has a whistle built into the sternum buckle (important for any hiking kid), a built-in rain cover and a stuff-it pouch handy for that stuffed animal that is coming along whether you approve it or not.
It’s lightweight, tough, well-designed and my kid likes wearing it. Thumbs up, Osprey.
