Best Kids Hiking Backpacks
Rating Our Best Kids Hiking Backpacks
When choosing a kids hiking backpack, the most common mistake families make is going too big, too heavy, too soon. The best kids backpacks for hiking balance fit, weight, durability and just enough features to help kids carry their own gear without turning the experience into a chore.
This shortlist is based on real-world use by the Trailsprout team and our community. These are packs we and our friends have tested on the trail, from school hikes to overnight trips, not just compared on a spec sheet. If you’re searching for the best kids backpack for hiking in Australia, these are the ones that have genuinely proven themselves.
🏆 Best Overall Kids Pack (2026)
For most families, this is the pack that simply works.
The Jet 18 has become the benchmark for a kids hiking daypack, and it earns that reputation through thoughtful design rather than flashy features. It’s comfortable straight out of the box, with a breathable back panel that makes a noticeable difference in warmer Australian conditions, and a layout that kids can actually use without help.
For children roughly 5 to 13 years old, it offers a versatile fit that adapts well across a few growth years. In practice, it handles typical day hike loads with ease, and there’s enough space for essentials plus bulkier items like a jacket or even a compact sleeping bag for lighter adventures.
Parents consistently note that kids are happy to wear it, which is often the real test.
It’s not designed for heavy loads, and the hipbelt is fairly minimal, but that’s in line with its purpose.
If you want a reliable, well-rounded kids backpack for hiking and day trips, this is the safest overall choice.
Best First Hiking Backpack (Younger Kids)
Tatonka Wokin 15 Kids Backpack
The Wokin 15 is a straightforward, no-nonsense pack that focuses on doing the basics well.
It’s lightweight, durable, and built with younger hikers in mind. The carry system is comfortable for smaller frames, and the design is simple enough that kids can pack and manage it themselves, which helps build confidence early on.
It’s best suited to kids around 5 to 10 years old, particularly those getting started with hiking, school camps or short outdoor adventures.
What stands out is how well it holds up over time. Tatonka’s reputation for durability is evident here, and it feels like a pack that can take a bit of rough handling.
The trade-off is adjustability and load capacity. It’s not designed for heavier gear or longer trips, and kids will eventually outgrow it.
For families looking for a reliable first hiking backpack for kids, it’s a very solid option.
Best for Active Kids (Bike + Hike)
The Talon Jr leans more toward performance than casual hiking.
Designed for kids roughly 4 to 12 years old, it sits closer to the body and stays stable when kids are moving quickly, whether that’s on trails, bikes or uneven terrain. It feels more like a scaled-down technical pack than a traditional kids backpack.
That stability shows in real-world use. In test, the feedback was that it's for younger kids comfortably carrying around 4 to 4.5 kilograms, which is a strong result for a pack at this size.
The compromise is versatility. It has less capacity than other options here, and the fit is a bit more specific, so it won’t suit every child.
For confident, active kids who enjoy moving fast, it’s a great fit.
Best Step-Up Day Pack / Light Overnight
The Mani 20 fills a useful middle ground that many families eventually need.
Aimed at kids around 6 to 12 years old, it offers more space than smaller daypacks without jumping into full trekking territory. That extra capacity makes it well suited to longer day hikes or very light overnight trips where parents are still carrying most of the gear.
It has a solid, durable feel, and in use we noted it tends to carry more than you’d expect from a 20-litre pack. Comfort is good for its category, and it’s a natural progression from smaller entry-level packs.
It’s still not a true overnight pack. Load transfer is limited, and it doesn’t have the refinement of more technical designs.
But as a step up, it’s a practical and well-balanced option.
Best for Older Kids / Multi-Day Hiking
Osprey Ace 38 Kids Hiking Backpack
The Ace 38 is where kids packs transition into proper trekking gear.
Designed for roughly 8 to 15 years old, it features an adjustable torso system and a supportive hipbelt, allowing kids to carry heavier loads more comfortably. This becomes important once they move into multi-day hikes or need to take on a greater share of their own gear.
In the field, it handles loads of around 7 to 9 kilograms comfortably, and the feature set mirrors what you’d expect from an adult pack, including multiple compartments and weather protection.
The trade-off is weight and complexity. It’s a bigger, more involved pack, and kids can easily overpack if not guided.
For older kids doing genuine overnight or multi-day hiking, it’s a strong and capable choice that will last for years.
Final Thoughts
If you’re choosing the best kids hiking backpack in Australia, the answer is usually the one your child will actually enjoy wearing.
For most families, starting with a well-balanced daypack like the Jet 18 makes the most sense. From there, stepping up to something like the Mani 20 or Ace 38 should happen naturally as trips get longer and kids get stronger.
The key is matching the pack to the child and the adventure, rather than jumping straight to the biggest or most technical option.