Kelty Journey PerfectFIT Elite Child Backpack Provider Evaluate

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The Kelty Journey PerfectFIT Elite is Kelty’s premium providing in its little one service lineup. We discovered the Elite supplies glorious consolation, sturdiness, and considerate options for each caregivers and little adventurers. Whereas not drastically completely different from the PerfectFIT Signature, the Elite consists of the identical PerfectFIT adjustment system, making certain a personalized match for numerous physique sorts, good for households sharing carrying duties. 

The padded shoulder straps and hip belt present glorious weight distribution, even throughout prolonged hikes, whereas the built-in sunshade and spacious zippered storage compartments make it a sensible selection for all-day outings. With the Elite model, you obtain a big, lined decrease pocket for straightforward cleansing and a sleeve appropriate with a 3-liter hydration bladder.

For folks searching for a reliable, feature-rich service thoughtfully designed for households, the Journey PerfectFIT Elite supplies excellent worth. Discover our information to the high child backpack carriers for additional comparisons.

And for more information, take a look at a few of our different fashionable gear guides:

How We Examined

We examined the Kelty Journey PerfectFIT Elite over a number of months, taking it on hikes by way of the Colorado foothills, navigating snowy trails, and utilizing it for on a regular basis errands. Our analysis included each a 7-month-old and a 3-year-old to evaluate its consolation, sturdiness, and performance throughout numerous terrains and actions.

Consolation

The Kelty Journey PerfectFIT Elite excels within the consolation division for each caregivers and children. The standout characteristic of the PerfectFIT adjustment system is its capability to supply a simple and exact match for numerous physique sorts. When you’re like us, consistently switching the torso size between caregivers, you would possibly typically accept a “shut sufficient” match that isn’t all the time perfect. 

With this method, you’ll be able to shortly obtain a safe and balanced match, even for prolonged hikes, making it good for households who share carrying duties. Certainly one of our testers, who usually struggles with pack changes, appreciated how intuitive and fast it was to dial within the good match.

For caregivers, the padded shoulder straps and large hip belt excel at distributing weight evenly, lowering pressure on longer outings. Throughout our hikes by way of the Colorado foothills, the pack maintained consolation even when loaded near its most capability. The air flow on the again panel carried out effectively in cooler climate, although it may really feel considerably heat on sizzling days in comparison with extra breathable packs.

Children additionally profit from the considerate design. The cockpit is well-padded, and the plush chin guard serves as a comfy pillow for nap time. Adjustable foot stirrups maintain little legs comfy and assist preserve correct posture, even on bumpy trails.

Options

A major benefit of the Kelty PerfectFIT line is how feature-rich these carriers are, and the Elite model elevates issues additional. As all the time, the standout characteristic is the PerfectFIT torso adjustment system, which makes attaining the appropriate match fast and straightforward—perfect for households who typically share carrying tasks.

The built-in sunshade with mesh sidewalls is one other win, offering glorious solar safety whereas giving children a spot to relaxation their heads for a nap. That stated, we nonetheless want it provided a bit extra headroom for taller riders. Moreover, the big, adjustable stirrups are a considerate addition, permitting children to relaxation their ft comfortably and serving to to stop leg fatigue on longer hikes.

The Elite model distinguishes itself with helpful upgrades, akin to a lined backside pocket that’s tremendous straightforward to wash—perfect for snacks or messy gadgets—and a devoted hydration bladder sleeve for staying hydrated on the go. The extra handles are one other standout characteristic, making it simpler to raise the pack on and off with out tipping your little one. These considerate touches make the Elite really feel like a premium, family-friendly service designed with practicality in thoughts.

Sturdiness

The Kelty Journey PerfectFIT Elite is a dependable and well-built little one service that feels able to endure years of journey. From the second we picked it up, the sturdy development impressed confidence, which is what you need in something involving your children.

The body consists of sturdy aluminum, providing a stable and steady base with out pointless weight. The thick cloth feels sturdy sufficient to face up to heavy use, even on rugged trails.

The stitching all through the pack is exact and strengthened in high-stress areas such because the hip belt and shoulder straps. Even after our testing on uneven trails with frequent loading and unloading, the pack exhibited no indicators of fraying or weak factors. 

For the value, you anticipate your funding to carry up effectively, and the Kelty Journey PerfectFIT Elite feels constructed to final and might simply deal with the calls for of standard outside use, making it a terrific selection for households looking for a reliable service.

Storage & Group

The Kelty Journey PerfectFIT Elite really excels in storage and group. It’s crammed with options that simplify staying organized on the path with out feeling over-engineered.

The big, zippered backside pocket is a standout—it’s lined for straightforward cleansing, which is a lifesaver after snacks inevitably get smooshed or if you’re packing damp jackets. Above that, there are three higher zippered pockets with stretchy mesh sleeves inside, good for maintaining sunscreen, first-aid kits, or different small necessities simply accessible.

One factor we liked about this model is the 2 mesh facet pockets. They’re nice for water bottles or something you wish to seize shortly with out digging by way of the principle compartments. Plus, there’s a devoted zippered sleeve for a hydration bladder, so that you don’t must sacrifice space for storing to remain hydrated.

The hip belt pockets additionally deserve a shoutout. One is your commonplace stash spot for snacks or keys, however the different unzips to create a small water bottle holder. It’s not enormous, nevertheless it’s good for fast entry if you don’t wish to cease.

Weight

The Kelty Journey PerfectFIT Elite is just not the lightest little one service out there, nevertheless it balances weight and options successfully. Weighing simply over 7 kilos, it’s heavier than stripped-down minimalist choices, however the added weight comes with noticeable advantages.

The pack seems to weigh greater than it really does, as a result of its sturdy development and feature-rich design. Kelty has efficiently managed to maintain the burden cheap with out sacrificing consolation or performance. Throughout our testing, even when the pack was totally loaded with gear and a wiggly toddler, it felt balanced and didn’t pressure our shoulders or hips.

That stated, when you’re tackling lengthy, steep hikes or really worth ultralight gear, you would possibly discover the added weight in comparison with easier fashions. Nonetheless, for day hikes, household outings, or reasonable adventures, the trade-off feels worthwhile, particularly given the consolation, storage, and sturdiness that the Elite affords.

Ought to You Purchase the Kelty Journey PerfectFIT Elite?

The Kelty Journey PerfectFIT Elite is a wonderful selection for households searching for a premium, feature-packed, and sturdy little one service for normal use. With its PerfectFIT torso adjustment system, built-in sunshade, and ample storage, this pack is right for fogeys looking for versatility and luxury on day hikes and longer outside adventures. It’s notably well-suited for caregivers who share carrying duties, because of the simply adjustable match that accommodates quite a lot of physique sorts.

Whereas it’s not the lightest pack available on the market, the considerate design makes the additional weight manageable, and the sturdy development ensures it may possibly stand up to years of outings with little ones in tow. The lined backside pocket for straightforward cleanup and devoted hydration bladder sleeve are standout options that exhibit how a lot thought went into this design.

Nonetheless, when you’re searching for an excellent light-weight service or primarily tackling brief, straightforward outings, an easier mannequin is perhaps extra sensible. For these looking for a premium, user-friendly service for frequent adventures, the Elite is certainly price contemplating. Take a look at our information to the perfect child backpack carriers for extra choices.

What Different Child Backpack Carriers Ought to You Think about?

When you’re exploring choices past the Kelty Journey PerfectFIT Elite, there are a number of nice little one carriers to think about. Take a look at our information to the finest child backpack carriers for extra much more choices.

Osprey Poco Premium Evaluate: For folks who prioritize storage and luxury, this pack supplies 36 liters of carrying capability and options an anti-gravity suspension system. It’s barely heavier than the Kelty, however the added room makes it a stable selection for all-day adventures.

Deuter Child Consolation Professional Evaluate: This premium service excels in consolation and air flow. That includes an built-in sunshade, hydration bladder compatibility, and considerate storage, it’s perfect for fogeys looking for top-tier sturdiness and options for frequent, longer hikes.

Kelty Journey PerfectFIT Elite Evaluate: When you just like the design of the Elite however don’t want as many bells and whistles, the Signature affords the same degree of consolation and performance at a lighter weight. Whereas it sacrifices a couple of premium options, such because the lined backside pocket and hydration sleeve, it stays a superb selection for informal hikers or shorter outings.