Kelty Journey PerfectFIT Elite Child Backpack Provider Assessment

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The Kelty Journey PerfectFIT Elite is Kelty’s premium providing in its youngster provider lineup. We discovered the Elite supplies glorious consolation, sturdiness, and considerate options for each caregivers and little adventurers. Whereas not drastically totally different from the PerfectFIT Signature, the Elite contains the identical PerfectFIT adjustment system, guaranteeing a custom-made 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 simple cleansing and a sleeve suitable with a 3-liter hydration bladder.

For fogeys in search of a reliable, feature-rich provider thoughtfully designed for households, the Journey PerfectFIT Elite supplies excellent worth. Discover our information to the prime child backpack carriers for additional comparisons.

And for more information, try a few of our different widespread gear guides:

How We Examined

We examined the Kelty Journey PerfectFIT Elite over a number of months, taking it on hikes by means 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 youngsters. The standout characteristic of the PerfectFIT adjustment system is its potential to supply a straightforward and exact match for numerous physique sorts. For those who’re like us, continually switching the torso size between caregivers, you would possibly usually accept a “shut sufficient” match that isn’t at all times ultimate. 

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. One in every of our testers, who sometimes struggles with pack changes, appreciated how intuitive and fast it was to dial within the good match.

For caregivers, the padded shoulder straps and extensive hip belt excel at distributing weight evenly, decreasing pressure on longer outings. Throughout our hikes by means of the Colorado foothills, the pack maintained consolation even when loaded near its most capability. The air flow on the again panel carried out nicely 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 hold little legs snug and assist keep correct posture, even on bumpy trails.

Options

A big benefit of the Kelty PerfectFIT line is how feature-rich these carriers are, and the Elite model elevates issues additional. As at all times, the standout characteristic is the PerfectFIT torso adjustment system, which makes reaching the best match fast and straightforward—ultimate for households who usually share carrying tasks.

The built-in sunshade with mesh sidewalls is one other win, offering glorious solar safety whereas giving youngsters a spot to relaxation their heads for a nap. That stated, we nonetheless want it supplied a bit extra headroom for taller riders. Moreover, the massive, adjustable stirrups are a considerate addition, permitting youngsters to relaxation their toes comfortably and serving to to forestall 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—ultimate for snacks or messy objects—and a devoted hydration bladder sleeve for staying hydrated on the go. The extra handles are one other standout characteristic, making it simpler to elevate the pack on and off with out tipping your youngster. These considerate touches make the Elite really feel like a premium, family-friendly provider designed with practicality in thoughts.

Sturdiness

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

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

The stitching all through the pack is exact and bolstered 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 worth, you count on your funding to carry up nicely, and the Kelty Journey PerfectFIT Elite feels constructed to final and may simply deal with the calls for of standard outside use, making it a terrific selection for households in search of a reliable provider.

Storage & Group

The Kelty Journey PerfectFIT Elite actually excels in storage and group. It’s stuffed 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 simple cleansing, which is a lifesaver after snacks inevitably get smooshed or while 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 need to seize shortly with out digging by means of the primary 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 normal stash spot for snacks or keys, however the different unzips to create a small water bottle holder. It’s not big, but it surely’s good for fast entry while you don’t need to cease.

Weight

The Kelty Journey PerfectFIT Elite just isn’t the lightest youngster provider accessible, but it surely 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, because of its sturdy building 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 absolutely loaded with gear and a wiggly toddler, it felt balanced and didn’t pressure our shoulders or hips.

That stated, if you happen to’re tackling lengthy, steep hikes or actually worth ultralight gear, you would possibly discover the added weight in comparison with less complicated fashions. Nonetheless, for day hikes, household outings, or average adventures, the trade-off feels worthwhile, particularly given the consolation, storage, and sturdiness that the Elite gives.

Ought to You Purchase the Kelty Journey PerfectFIT Elite?

The Kelty Journey PerfectFIT Elite is a wonderful selection for households in search of a premium, feature-packed, and sturdy youngster provider for normal use. With its PerfectFIT torso adjustment system, built-in sunshade, and ample storage, this pack is right for fogeys in search of versatility and luxury on day hikes and longer outside adventures. It’s significantly well-suited for caregivers who share carrying duties, due to 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 building ensures it may possibly stand up to years of outings with little ones in tow. The lined backside pocket for simple cleanup and devoted hydration bladder sleeve are standout options that exhibit how a lot thought went into this design.

Nonetheless, if you happen to’re in search of a brilliant light-weight provider or primarily tackling brief, straightforward outings, a less complicated mannequin is perhaps extra sensible. For these in search of a premium, user-friendly provider for frequent adventures, the Elite is unquestionably price contemplating. Take a look at our information to the very best child backpack carriers for extra choices.

What Different Child Backpack Carriers Ought to You Contemplate?

For those who’re exploring choices past the Kelty Journey PerfectFIT Elite, there are a number of nice youngster carriers to contemplate. Take a look at our information to the greatest child backpack carriers for extra much more choices.

Osprey Poco Premium Assessment: For fogeys 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 Assessment: This premium provider excels in consolation and air flow. That includes an built-in sunshade, hydration bladder compatibility, and considerate storage, it’s ultimate for fogeys in search of top-tier sturdiness and options for frequent, longer hikes.

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