we test it: kids` backpacks

kids_backpacks.qxd 8/24/05 4:11 PM Page 178
Prevention.com
we test it: kids’ backpacks
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PRODUCT
REI Little Teton
and Grand Teton
Kelty Grommet
Lands’ End Ergo
Junior Pack
Kelty Granite
OGIO Koston II
The North Face
Bandwidth
Adidas Fielding
Backpack
Columbia
Extracurricular
JanSport
Air Cure
BEST FOR
AGES
7–12 and 12–15
5–9
4–7
10+
12+
12+
12+
12+
15+
BACK-SPARING
FEATURES
Foam-padded
back; padded
shoulder straps
Padded, curved
shoulder straps
Memory foam Cshaped shoulder
straps; adjustable
back panel from
S–XL as child
grows; adjustable
hip belt
Padded shoulder straps; mesh back
panel; waist belt and sternum strap
Padded back
panel; padded
shoulder straps;
sternum strap
Foam back panel;
removable hip belt
Air Pack load
support system;
shock-absorbing
shoulder straps;
waist and
sternum straps
Padded back;
S-curve compression RubbaNubba comfort
straps
Airlift straps
(rubber to absorb
weight); padded
mesh back
EXTRAS
3 colors; internal
mesh pocket for
better organization; 2 side mesh
pockets; zippered
front pocket with
key clip; reflective
binding
4 colors; 1 large
front pocket
with organizer
pouches and key
ring; 1 main
pocket; 2 side
mesh water
bottle pockets
5 colors; CD/MP3
player pocket and
headphone port;
2 main compartments with
organizational
pouches; 2 mesh
side pockets
2 colors; 2 main compartments with
organizational pouches; audio player
pouch with headphone port
2 colors; skateboard carry
straps; dual side
zipper pockets;
fleece-lined audio
pocket and headphone port
4 colors; padded
laptop compartment with mesh
divider; front
compartment
with organizer/
pen pocket;
expandable
bungee cord
for toting jackets;
reflective
materials
3 colors; 2 main
compartments;
padded media
pocket with headphone port; cell
phone pocket on
shoulder strap
8 colors; internal
CD player pocket
with headphone
port; 5 compartments; water
bottle pockets;
cell phone
pocket; fleecelined sunglasses
pocket
4 colors; 2 main
compartments
with padded
laptop sleeve;
large front pocket
with CD/MP3
player organizer
and headphone
port; front power
cord and accessory pocket; side
mesh water
bottle pocket
COMMENTS
“Cool design!
I want to take
this to Scout
camp,” said one
rugged tester.
Ideal for school
or a day hike.
Great first backpack. Simple but
stylish enough to
still be cool.
Fit our youngest
testers best.
Moms on staff
loved the ultrapadded straps.
“Feels really light. Perfect for all the books
I have to carry,” a studious teen remarked.
“I’ve wanted
a pack like this
since I got my first
skateboard,” said
one active boy.
A large pack that’s
durable enough to
make it through
more than a
school year.
“Tons of compartments to
keep my stuff
organized,” said
one young techie.
Cell phone holder
was a hit.
“I love the cell
phone holder!” one
gabby teen tester
exclaimed. Foam
straps are perfect
for heavy loads.
“Straps were so
cushiony—my
shoulders will
never be sore,”
said one girl with
a hefty homework load.
PRICE AND
WHERE TO BUY
$24 (Little
Teton), $28
(Grand Teton);
(800) 426-4840,
REI stores, or
www.rei.com
$25;
The Sports
Authority, Dick’s
Sporting Goods,
Eastern Mountain
Sports (EMS)
$38;
$60;
(800) 356-4444 or The Sports Authority, Dick’s Sporting
www.lands end.com Goods, EMS
$60;
The Sports
Authority, Dick’s
Sporting Goods
$65;
The Sports
Authority, EMS
$70;
(800) 966-7697
(store locator);
The Sports
Authority
$70;
The Sports
Authority,
www.columbia.com
(store locator)
$90;
The Sports Authority,
JC Penney,
www. jansport.com
(store locator)