Kelty Lakota Jr. 45L Backpack

There comes a time in all adventure families lives where the kids grow up and you they need to step up to the next level of gear. For Grace this was not just a matter of growing, but also growing up. Grace recently became more interested in carrying her own weight literally and figuratively when it camp to hiking and backpacking. To this end, away went the smaller day pack and in came her first real backpack. 

As an active dad, trying to keep his family and especially his daughter engaged in the outdoors it is quite difficult sometime to find kid side gear that is worth the investment and will grow with your children until they are truly ready for the next step. 

Bravo to the good people at Kelty for designing a line of packs designed specifically for kids or "Juniors" as they put it. The Juniors line is specifically designed to fit the pre-teenager and allow them to carry the pack potentially as mentioned till they are ready for the next transition. Grace has been carrying the Kelty LAKOTA Jr. 45L Backpack for two seasons and absolutely loves it. While she has grown over the seasons the pack has been easily adjusted to fit her and the added weight and gear she has desired to carry. She is quite the self-determined and independent lady. 

Specs:
Brand: Kelty
Weight: 3 lb 5 oz / 1.5 kg
Capacity: 2750 cu in / 45 L
Hydration Compatible: Yes
Backpack Features: Included Rain Cover, Sleeping Bag Compartment, Top Loader
Material: 420D Polyester Ball Shadow
Water bottle pockets
Side compression straps
Lower compression and pad straps
Pack cover included
Ice-axe loop
Daisy Chain
Hipbelt pocket
Large front pocket with organization
Carry handle
LightBeam single aluminum stay
HDPE frame sheet
AirMesh shoulder straps, waist belt, and lumbar
Dual density foam waist belt
Hipbelt stabilizer straps
Padded shoulder straps
Load-lifter/stabilizer straps
Sternum strap
Ventilating back panel
Torso Fit Range: 12 - 16 in / 30 - 40 cm
Waist Belt Fit Range: 25 - 39 in / 63 - 99 cm

Some of the features and specs that I as a dad really like in this pack for Grace is the durable material used on the pack. Kids are tough on things and a backpack is no exclusion. At this age, lightweight materials would not be the way to go given how hard they are on items. After extensive use, this pack has shown no tears, popped stitches or wear marks. 

One of the other features that I think is quite a novel and nice features especially for kids on this pack is the handle on the back of the pack. This is quite uncharacteristic for backpacking backpacks and is more reminiscent of a duffel bag. Understand at this age, wearing a backpack with gear in it and the novelty of these new straps and buckles and buttons can be a lot of a youngster. The benefit of the handle helps when the youngster pick up a heavy bag when on the ground or more importantly helps pick it up to learn how to properly put on the pack without hurting themselves. ​

Grace loves the whistle on the sternum strap. While I know that most companies now have made this a standard feature of all packs. As a safety feature and as a parent always make sure that whistle is in good working order. Grace really likes the capability to decide between water bottle or a bladder. The Lakota Jr. comes standard with capability to house and the hose flap for the bladder. Prior to grace stepping up to this pack by Kelty, she was relegated to only bottles. She now feels like such a bigger girl having her own pack and bladder. As a dad, allowing her to have the bladder in the pack, means less stops on the trail for water breaks with the bladder. 

Grace is an organization nut. She loves to have everything in it's place. The Lakota Jr. gives Grace the flexibility to put things where she wants them and ensures she doesn't lose something while on trail. Grace enjoys all the top pockets, base zippers allowing easy access into the main body of the pack and bottom compartment for her sleeping bag (also a Kelty product!). 

A couple of tips for fitting your child for a pack:

• Kids come in all shapes and sizes and so with any fitting try the pack on with gear or materials in to ensure a proper fit and comfort.
• Just because a pack is an adult sized pack but smaller doesn't mean that it will fit your child properly or be comfortable on the trail.
• Practice good mechanics of taking the pack off and putting it on. Show your child when on the pack to grab (top handle, back handle, shoulder strap etc) to ensure they don't hurt themselves while putting on or taking off their weighed pack.
• Research the company and the line of gear offered for youngsters. Question whether the company has been producing outdoor products for youngster for a while or just started featuring such products. 
• Adjust-ability is the name of the game when it comes to outfitting your child with a pack. Will the pack grow with them or is this a pack that they will only wear a few seasons before you must buy another. Question these questions of your retailer or manufacturer. 
• Durability, as parents we know how kids care for things, especially items used outdoors. Will the pack outlast your kids or will your kids destroy the pack with what would be their normal wear?
• Overall capacity, kids don't need to carry much. A sleeping bag, water (bladder or bottles) snacks, clothes, a headlamp and other personal items can all fit comfortably in a 45L pack. Anything much bigger would become to big of a pack to carry comfortably for their smaller frames. This is a care of bigger not necessarily being better for them.
• Finally, what is the companies customer service and warranty services like?  

For more information about Ketly's Warranty Service - Click Here
For more information about Kelty's Return Policy - Click Here

​Kelty continues to make a great line of other kid designed packs suitable for your pre-teen. Check out the RedCloud Junior Pack.

Keep Hiking Forward!

Scott & Grace