Written by Astrid Biemann
Our backpack is always in use. Whether it be for school, class outings, trips sports, or vacation – we genuinely can’t go out without this handy little thing.
So, a kids' backpack has to put up with a lot and carry its fair share – and I'm not just talking about a snack box and water bottle. A change of clothes, a stuffed animal, toys, wet swim trunks, or muddy sneakers all end up in there often enough.
And let's be honest: it's rarely the stuff we parents pack in there that ends up taking the most room. Along the way, sticks, rocks, chestnuts, leaves, and other important treasures make their way into the backpack and need to be brought home with us.
For your kid to enjoy it for a long time, an ergonomic fit, hard-wearing material, and plenty of storage really matter. After all, a backpack should make everyday life easier, not weigh your kid down. But what exactly should you look for when buying a kids' backpack?
Buying a kids' backpack: What to look for
Kids' backpacks come in all sizes, colors, and shapes – whether it be a small daycare backpack or a larger hiking backpack for kids. The options are endless. But which one fits your kid and their needs best?
Here are the key features worth keeping in mind:
Size and fit: The backpack should sit nicely against your kid's back and be neither too big nor too wide. A good rule of thumb: It shouldn't be wider than your kid's shoulders.
Lightweight: A lightweight backpack is easier on the back. After all, a water bottle, snacks, and other essentials need to be packed.
Adjustable, padded shoulder straps: These ensure that the backpack can be carried comfortably and stop it from digging in, even on longer outings or hikes.
Chest and hip straps: These help spread the weight more evenly and keep the straps from sliding off the shoulders.
Several compartments: These make it easy to keep clothes, food, and little treasures neatly organized. They also offer better protection from a leaky water bottle.
Durable, 100% waterproof material: With kids, a backpack rarely stays clean, and a separate rain cover always seems to get left behind. That's why durable, waterproof material makes such a big difference.
Reflective details: These enhance visibility in traffic and add extra safety, especially during the darker months.
What's the right size for a kids' backpack?
One of the most frequent questions from parents is: How big should a kids' backpack actually be?
For preschoolers, a small model of around 5 to 8 liters is often plenty. For day trips, forest school, or first hikes, 10 to 15 liters usually makes sense. Older kids and teens often need 15 to 20 liters or more, depending on how they use it.
In our experience, people tend to overestimate how many liters they need. What matters far more is that the backpack fits well and suits your kid's proportions. A backpack that's too big might seem practical, but it soon becomes uncomfortable. Instead, you want your kid to have a backpack that fits their built properly and doesn't rest on their bottom.
Keep these basics in mind and you can be sure the backpack won't end up abandoned in a corner after a week because it digs into the shoulders, or that you won't suddenly find yourself carrying two backpacks on a hike because your child can't stand theirs.
Which backpack is best for your kid?
The choice of backpacks is endless. But which one really suits your little adventurer? Here's an overview to help you with your decision:
Seon – small but mighty!
The first day of daycare is barely around the corner before the first backpack is needed. After all, snacks and a water bottle have to be stowed away for break time – and that hand-painted masterpiece needs to make it home in one piece, too.
That's exactly what our Seon is made for. This small backpack is perfect for daycare kids aged 2 to 4, yet still big enough for everything your kid needs. A favorite stuffed animal, a snack, or little finds from the playground. Here, the most important treasures all have a home.
Weighing just 0.26 kg and holding 6 liters, the Seon has enough room for one or two lunch boxes and a full water bottle without getting too heavy on little backs.
Because we know little explorers are out in every kind of weather, the Seon is 100% waterproof. For extra peace of mind during active play, the safety buckles on the chest strap and roll-top release on their own if your kid gets caught on a branch while exploring.
And when the yogurt spills or the water bottle drips then that’s no problem either! You can turn the backpack inside out and give it a thorough clean. The lining can be wiped down fully and dries quickly, so the Seon is back in action soon after any mishap.
Best for: kids aged 2 to 4
Eon – ready for anything!
Parents of true outdoor kids, listen up: if you're after a rugged backpack for forest school, outings, or little hiking adventures, the Eon is exactly the right choice.
Thanks to its durable, waterproof material, this backpack can handle just about anything kids get up to out there. Whether as an everyday companion at forest school or a hiking pack for kids between 3 and 8, you can count on the Eon.
Kids who spend a lot of time outdoors need a fully waterproof backpack that takes rain, mud, and every outdoor adventure in stride. After all, a day can start out sunny and change completely later on. And for added safety while exploring, there are safety buckles on the chest strap and roll-top.
Despite its generous capacity of 14 liters, it weighs just 0.37 kg. That leaves room not only for snacks and a water bottle, but also a change of clothes, a towel, and all the treasures gathered along the way. After all, sticks, rocks, pinecones, and special leaves are just as important as the snack box.
And when there's not much inside, the Eon cinches down easily thanks to its compression cord. Handy on the go: You can also strap wet things to the outside of the pack. And because the cord is reflective, it adds extra visibility in the dark.
Best for: kids aged 3 to 8
Leon – school and life
As kids grow, their backpack needs to grow with them to meet a whole new set of demands. That's where the Leon comes in! This backpack is made for kids and teens from age 8 and up, and it's our real "holds-it-all" champion.
With a capacity of 20 liters and a weight of 0.45 kg, it has room for schoolbooks and notebooks as well as everything you'd pack for a hiking trip.
The things needed for a school day really add up: lunch box, water bottle, pencil case, notebooks, gym gear, and sometimes even a jacket. That makes it even more important to have a backpack that stays comfortable to carry even when it's packed to the brim.
To ensure that the backpack is sitting comfortably despite the weight, we reinforced the back panel and added pre-shaped straps for extra comfort. With its 20 liters capacity, you can fit in a whole lot which can get heavy fast!
The Leon also comes with safety buckles. Thanks to the roll-top closure and 100% waterproof material, schoolbooks and clothes stay well protected from the wet inside. And what if muddy sneakers leave their mark? No problem! Just turn it inside out and clean it.
P.S.: The coolest feedback from one of our customers? Ever since her son got his backpack, he can't wait to go to school. It really doesn't get better than that!
Best for: kids and teens aged 8 and up
Okyo – anytime, anywhere
Are your kids true city explorers who need a backpack that's just as easy to wear on the playground as it is at the mall? Then take a look at our Okyo.
At just 290 grams and 14 liters of capacity, this backpack is a real lightweight that won't get in the way of trips to the playground or through the park.
The Okyo is the perfect everyday backpack for kids who are always on the move but don't need a classic school bag.
With its clean, 100% waterproof design, it goes with just about any outfit and really can be worn anywhere. It also has a safety buckle on the chest strap that releases under tension. And thanks to its reflective details, it adds visibility at dusk and during dark winter days.
Best for: kids aged 5 and up
The features and innovations of our outdoor backpacks
namuk wouldn't be namuk if we hadn't packed our backpacks with a few special details.
Turns completely inside out
If you have kids then you're familiar with situations like these: the banana gets forgotten, the water bottle leaks, or the sneakers leave marks. That's why our backpacks can be turned inside out. You can reach every corner when cleaning before simply hanging it up to dry by the loop on the lining. In no time, it's ready to go again.
Waterproof, rather than just water-repellent
Rain tends to catch kids off guard right when there's nowhere to take cover. That's why we use waterproof materials across all our models. That way, a change of clothes, books, or snacks stay dry even in a heavy downpour – without needing an extra rain cover (that always gets left at home anyway).
Lightweight for little shoulders
Kids lug around enough as it is. That's why our backpacks are extra light, so the weight goes toward the things that really matter, and not the bag itself.
Reflective details
Whether it's on the way to school, to daycare, or during a walk at dusk – reflective elements help to make sure your kid is seen.
Roll-top
That way, no water gets in through the zipper, even in a heavy downpour. And the roll-top closure is incredibly easy to use.
3D Air Mesh shoulder straps
Thanks to the soft padding and breathable material, there's no pinching and no sweaty backs – guaranteed.
Chest and hip straps
They keep the backpack sitting securely on your kid's back without slipping. And what if the straps are too long and dangling down? No problem! Just roll them up and fasten them with the velcro tape. Done, nothing in the way! And if you don't need the hip strap every day, you can simply take it off.
Durability
We chose Dyneema, an incredibly strong fiber. The material is stronger than steel yet remarkably light, and so durable that whole generations of kids can enjoy our backpacks.
How heavy is too heavy?
A lot of parents wonder just how heavy a kids' backpack should be. Understandably so, since younger kids in particular often carry their things themselves over longer distances.
Generally, a packed backpack shouldn't weigh more than about 10 to 15 percent of your kid's weight. So ideally, a kid who weighs 15 kilograms should not carry more than about 1.5 to 2 kilograms on a regular basis.
That's why we pay such close attention to keeping our backpacks light. After all, the point is to carry a water bottle, snacks, and a change of clothes – not unnecessarily heavy material.
The best kids' backpack is the one your kid loves to carry
The perfect kids' backpack doesn't have to be as big as possible, as colorful as possible, or loaded with countless features. What matters far more is that it fits well, is comfortable to carry, and suits your everyday life.
While little daycare kids are often perfectly equipped with a compact model like the Seon, forest-school kids and small adventurers usually need a bit more space. Older kids and teens, in turn, benefit from a larger backpack that can be used for school, free time, as well as trips.
In the end, one thing matters most: that your kid loves carrying their backpack. Because then it'll be a reliable daily companion – from the first day of daycare to all the big adventures still to come.
