Kelty Journey PerfectFIT Elite Child Backpack Service Assessment

Backside line

The Kelty Journey PerfectFIT Elite is Kelty’s premium providing in its little one provider lineup. We discovered the Elite gives wonderful consolation, sturdiness, and considerate options for each caregivers and little adventurers. Whereas not drastically totally different from the PerfectFIT Signature, the Elite consists of the identical PerfectFIT adjustment system, guaranteeing a personalized match for numerous physique sorts, excellent for households sharing carrying duties. 

The padded shoulder straps and hip belt present wonderful weight distribution, even throughout prolonged hikes, whereas the built-in sunshade and spacious zippered storage compartments make it a sensible alternative 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 on the lookout for a reliable, feature-rich provider thoughtfully designed for households, the Journey PerfectFIT Elite gives 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 well-liked 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 skill to offer a straightforward and exact match for numerous physique sorts. For those who’re like us, continuously switching the torso size between caregivers, you would possibly usually accept a “shut sufficient” match that isn’t all the time best. 

With this technique, you’ll be able to shortly obtain a safe and balanced match, even for prolonged hikes, making it excellent 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 excellent match.

For caregivers, the padded shoulder straps and large hip belt excel at distributing weight evenly, decreasing 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 might really feel considerably heat on scorching days in comparison with extra breathable packs.

Youngsters additionally profit from the considerate design. The cockpit is well-padded, and the plush chin guard serves as a comfortable pillow for nap time. Adjustable foot stirrups maintain little legs comfy and assist preserve 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 all the time, the standout characteristic is the PerfectFIT torso adjustment system, which makes attaining the suitable match fast and simple—best for households who usually share carrying duties.

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

The Elite model distinguishes itself with helpful upgrades, corresponding to a lined backside pocket that’s tremendous straightforward to wash—best 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 carry the pack on and off with out tipping your little one. 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 little one provider 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 strong and secure base with out pointless weight. The thick material feels sturdy 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 effectively, and the Kelty Journey PerfectFIT Elite feels constructed to final and might simply deal with the calls for of standard out of doors use, making it an amazing alternative for households in search of a reliable provider.

Storage & Group

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

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

One factor we liked about this model is the 2 mesh aspect pockets. They’re nice for water bottles or something you need 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 should sacrifice cupboard space to remain hydrated.

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

Weight

The Kelty Journey PerfectFIT Elite will not be the lightest little one provider out there, however 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, attributable to its sturdy development and feature-rich design. Kelty has efficiently managed to maintain the load affordable 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 mentioned, in the event you’re tackling lengthy, steep hikes or really worth ultralight gear, you would possibly discover the added weight in comparison with easier fashions. Nevertheless, for day hikes, household outings, or average 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 alternative for households on the lookout for a premium, feature-packed, and sturdy little one provider for normal use. With its PerfectFIT torso adjustment system, built-in sunshade, and ample storage, this pack is good for fogeys in search of versatility and luxury on day hikes and longer out of doors adventures. It’s significantly well-suited for caregivers who share carrying duties, due to the simply adjustable match that accommodates a wide range of physique sorts.

Whereas it’s not the lightest pack in the marketplace, the considerate design makes the additional weight manageable, and the sturdy development ensures it will probably face 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.

Nevertheless, in the event you’re on the lookout for an excellent light-weight provider or primarily tackling quick, straightforward outings, an easier mannequin is likely to be extra sensible. For these in search of a premium, user-friendly provider for frequent adventures, the Elite is certainly value contemplating. Try our information to the most effective child backpack carriers for extra choices.

What Different Child Backpack Carriers Ought to You Think about?

For those who’re exploring choices past the Kelty Journey PerfectFIT Elite, there are a number of nice little one carriers to think about. Try our information to the greatest child backpack carriers for extra much more choices.

Osprey Poco Premium Assessment: For folks who prioritize storage and luxury, this pack gives 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 strong alternative 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 best 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 affords an identical degree of consolation and performance at a lighter weight. Whereas it sacrifices just a few premium options, such because the lined backside pocket and hydration sleeve, it stays a wonderful alternative for informal hikers or shorter outings.