Best Backpacks & BOB Bags for Kids

Discussion in 'General Survival and Preparedness' started by IndieMama, Jan 28, 2014.


  1. IndieMama

    IndieMama Monkey+++

    Does anyone have a review or suggestion on the best backpack/Bob bag features for kids? I'm getting ready to place a Rothco order and was wondering if there was a feature that folks recommended for the kids' bags. I have nearly 7 children of varying ages and was planning to get packs that were appropriate for size and what they will carry. Just thought I'd get some feedback, first.

    Thanks!
     
  2. IndieMama

    IndieMama Monkey+++

    I don't need suggestions about contents just the bags.
     
  3. BLKFJDC

    BLKFJDC Monkey

    Budget?, Quality? Ages? I have been a bag designer for 20 years and might have some input depending on your families needs.
     
  4. IndieMama

    IndieMama Monkey+++

    I'm willing to pay more for my husband's and mine and our teens, was thinking $40-50 each for those. Good quality needed, as they are tough on stuff. I have some in mind from Rothco. Just don't want to make any costly mistakes.

    Kids ages are 15, 13, 9, 7, 5, 2.5 (I'll probably be carrying her stuff for now) and then a new baby in a few months.
     
  5. IndieMama

    IndieMama Monkey+++

    I am looking at the medium (for 15 year old daughter and 9 year old son) and large (Mr. Indie and I) transport packs from Rothco.

    My 13 year old son is looking at the Outdoorsman Rucksack and my 7 year old son is wanting a canvas day pack. For my five year old son I am looking at a vintage compact backpack.
     
  6. BLKFJDC

    BLKFJDC Monkey

    Rothco makes all there stuff in really cheap factories in southern china. They make IMO a product that would be ok for you (not so ruff) Here are 3 different ones in I would recommend. I have all of them and they are fairly good. In your price range unfortunately your stuck with products made in china. The US made stuff is much much better but also has the price. If you want really good stuff and price is not an issue look at Kifaru, Eberlestock, Triple Aught Design. Those 3 are all made in the US and amazing in every way. The following are more geared towards a budget.
    5.11- Rush12 Backpack MSRP$100 (18Tx11Wx6.5D)
    Voodoo Tactical-Low Profile Ruck Pack MSRP $47.95 (17Tx11.5Wx9.5D)
    Voodoo Tactical-Level III Backpack, Small MOLLE Assault Pack MSRP$63.95 (18Hx10Wx10D)

    Now if you want to go "Grey Man" (Not tactical) look into brands like Burton Snowboards, Element Skateboards, & Dakine. They all make a great bag that your kids would probably love more (Very Popular)

    Hope this helps and if you have any more questions feel free to ask
     
    stg58 and Yard Dart like this.
  7. IndieMama

    IndieMama Monkey+++

    That is very helpful. Thanks!!!
     
  8. ClovisMan

    ClovisMan Monkey

    REI makes a great pack for the smaller kids. It has a place for a water bladder, has a built-in whistle in the chest strap in case they get lost and is sized appropriately so you wont over pack it for weight they cannot carry. Both of my girls aged 7 and 9 carry one of these on our weekly hiking trips.

    REI Sprig 12 Pack - Kids' at REI.com
     
    IndieMama and BLKFJDC like this.
  9. Falcon15

    Falcon15 Falco Peregrinus

    My kids have Ed Hardy backpacks bought at the dollar (and up) store for $9.00 each. These are well made, blend in nicely and if taken care of well, will last the HARD USE a child sees in a school year, loaded down with books. Originally the kids were bought these packs for school ONLY, but after the first year, and seeing how well they held up, when the next year rolled around, I purchased two each; one pack for school the other for a BOB, still paying (at $18.00 per kid) less than you pay for even a Rothco pack.

    I got black and "OD green"color packs. Sure they have logos - I chose the ones with the smallest logos possible.

    This also fits my "gray man" bug out philosophy. Blend in, until and unless you can't. "Tactical" packs are a HUGE TARGET. I call them TactiFOOL packs, personally. YMMV, this is how we roll.

    Now, I must insert a caveat here. While the grownups in my circle of friends have ILBE packs for AFTER arrival at the BOL, we all have external (or internal) frame, low key hikers packs. My wife and I got ours from a church garage sale for $5.00 each.

    Shop around. My advice? Stay away from tacti-fool packs and even moderately expensive packs. These should be for an approximately 72 hour period of reasonably "rough" use. Go sturdy, go cheap, especially with 6, soon to be 7 kids.
     
    Last edited: Jan 28, 2014
    IndieMama likes this.
  10. KAS

    KAS Monkey+++

    i have said this before somewere else on this forum but ..... If you bye something at REI they will always take it back it dont matter if u tore it up or broke it 20 years later they will take it back !!!!!
    I believe BTPOSt has some experience with this !
     
    IndieMama likes this.
  11. IndieMama

    IndieMama Monkey+++

    This is all great info. and really helps me a lot. So, even the Rothco packs that are not camo, but in brown, would they also be like wearing a target?

    We now have an REI, so I might go down there this weekend and see what I can see.
     
  12. Falcon15

    Falcon15 Falco Peregrinus

    As far as tactical goes, anything with MOLLE webbing on it is a target in my book.
     
    oldawg and KAS like this.
  13. KAS

    KAS Monkey+++

    there is a good thread {u better know what a thread is } about blending in ,in ur area with a bug out bag ....
    Pretty good maybe even a few good pissing matches in there .... but definatly alot of good info !!!!!
     
  14. Falcon15

    Falcon15 Falco Peregrinus

    I am of the "gray man"school of thought, obviously. Blend in and make as little impact as possible. To each their own.
     
    KAS likes this.
  15. IndieMama

    IndieMama Monkey+++

    Okay. Lots to check into and think about. Thank you all for your expertise.
     
    kellory likes this.
  16. IndieMama

    IndieMama Monkey+++

    I'm already loving these Dakine Backpacks! They look really nice.
     
  17. BLKFJDC

    BLKFJDC Monkey

    I have had a few over the years and they are a really good bag. another bonus is there office is in hood river so your buying from a home state company.
     
  18. IndieMama

    IndieMama Monkey+++

    Really? That's awesome. Mr. Indie will be up that way next month. Found a bunch of folks here who sell them. Thanks.
     
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