Kelty Journey Perfectfit Child Carrier Review
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Kelty Journey PerfectFIT Child Carrier Kidpacker Rating: 68/100
Updated: November 30, 2020
Kelty Journey PerfectFIT Child Carrier Summary
The Kelty Journey PerfectFIT Child Carrier comes with the Kelty name, known for making high quality products. Specifically, Kelty is known for making great backpacks, and this pack is no exception.
The Kelty Journey PerfectFIT can best be described as a high quality, limited use child carrier backpack. Why limited use? Very limited storage and the sunshade is not included.
Don’t get us wrong, this pack can be great for the right person, as long as you know exactly what you are looking for.
The other two child carrier backpack models offered by Kelty, the Journey PerfectFIT Signature and Journey PerfectFIT Elite, sell for roughly $30-$40 and ~$60 more than the PerfectFIT base model.
Kelty Journey PerfectFIT Child Carrier Scoring Summary
Kelty Journey PerfectFIT Child Carrier Pros and Cons
Well Built
Quality construction and materials
Child Seat and Harness
Well designed features
Unique PerfectFIT Suspension System
Allows for quick fit adjustments
Slim Design
Due to lack of storage but, great for crowds
No Rain Cover Available
Limited Gear Storage
Not ideal for days on the trail or trips around town
Sunshade Not Included
Sunshade design is also not great
No Place for Hydration Bladder
Also no room for adult water bottles
Kelty Journey PerfectFIT Adult Comfort: 7/10
The shoulder straps, hipbelt and lower lumber are all made with padded perforated mesh that keep you cool and comfortable while the pack is fully loaded (maximum load of 48.5 lbs.) The hipbelt and shoulder straps can be easily adjusted to ensure a proper fit. The load lifters located just above the shoulders on both sides help ensure the weight of the pack doesn’t rest on your shoulders but instead is transferred properly to your hips and lower body. This ensures that you have a comfortable experience all day long.
As with Kelty’s other two child carrier backpack models, the PerfectFIT suspension is utilized here. This system allows for quick, on the fly adjustments as you transfer the pack from one person to another. We found that everyone likes to wear a child carrier backpack, as it provides a unique and intimate experience with a child. However, having a pack that can quickly adjust to different body types is critical to ensure a good experience for all.
The PerfectFIT system includes two straps that hang by your side. When you pull down on the straps, the harness that attaches to your shoulder straps starts to slide slowly downward. This allows the pack to fit a wide range of torsos, 15.5 inches to 21 inches. This roughly equates to someone as tall as 6’-3’’ to 6’-4’’ comfortably fitted with this pack.
It is worth noting that both the Kelty Elite and Signature models incorporate more robust back panels with padded mesh, this helps ensure a more comfortable, secure pack fit. Not a critical feature in our mind, but worth considering if you plan to use frequently or on longer trips.
Kelty Journey PerfectFIT Fit Adjustability: 7/10
As mentioned above, the Kelty Journey PerfectFIT comes with the PerfectFIT suspension system. This system allows for quick, on the fly type adjustments.
However, this feature is most useful when moving the pack from a larger person to a smaller person. In this case, you can easily transfer the pack, while the child is sleeping per se, from one person to another without ever setting the pack down to adjust. This is great! Not all packs can be adjusted so easily.
The Kelty Journey PerfectFIT Child Carrier also has classic load lifters above each shoulder that allow you to really modify the weight distribution that works best for you. For more on how to appropriately fit a backpack, this article from REI is a great resource.
Kelty Journey PerfectFIT Child Comfort: 8/10
The Kelty Journey PerfectFIT gets very high marks for both child comfort and child safety (next section).
Kelty did a great job designing the Journey PerfectFIT with child comfort in mind.
First, the child seat is fully adjustable up and down. When you child is younger and smaller, you can move the seat all the way up to ensure they have a view of the world as you are out exploring. As they grow, you can easily move the seat down to give them more room.
Next, foot stirrups. These are built in and are also adjustable. As your child grows, these are critical to ensure they have somewhere to place their feet. This helps them find a natural sitting position and also ensures good circulation during long trips.
The child cockpit is padded on all four sides and covered with a soft, felt like material. The front of the cockpit is built with a removable drool pad. This a great feature and is used often to keep the pack clean.
Lastly, one of the best designed features on the Kelty Journey PerfectFIT is the child sitting spot. It is extra wide and has flaps of fabric that drape down the sides of the pack under the child’s legs. This design helps ensure that the child has a natural, comfortable sitting position all day long.
Kelty Journey PerfectFIT Child Safety: 10/10
Just like with the other two Kelty child carrier backpack models, we gave it a perfect 10/10 for child safety, making it one of the safest baby backpacks on the market.
The child is securely locked in place using a five point harness system. However, the child waist belt is wider than normal and acts more like an enclosure than typical waist belt. We like this feature as it helps keep the child securely in the center of the pack and minimizes the amount they can squirm around. This is great for both you and the child as it will eliminate potentially dangerous wobbles in the pack as the child moves around.
The frame of the pack is made from lightweight aluminum (total pack weight of 6 lbs 6 oz.). Upon first inspection of this child carrier, you can tell that it is exceptionally sturdy. At the base of the pack is a kickstand that pops in and out. When you are ready to take the pack off, you simply pop the kickstand out, twist sideways and use the grab handles to lower the child to the ground. Just make sure you always find a level spot to put the pack down.
Kelty Journey PerfectFIT Sun Protection: 4/10
Now for the not so great part. The Kelty Journey PerfectFIT is sold without a sunshade included. In our extensive experience with a child carrier backpack, you almost always want a sunshade.
A few examples of times when a sunshade is not helpful would be in the grocery store, museum, or other indoor or naturally shaded activity. A child’s skin is exceptionally prone to burning and sun damage. Even with sunscreen and a hat, a shade provides much better protection.
However, you can purchase a sunshade separately for around $35. This is helpful. It attaches to both the back and front of the back. It has good coverage from the top, but lacks side panels, allowing your child to be exposed when sun is lower in the sky in the either the morning or afternoon. Also, the lack of side panels hinders nap time. More about that in a moment.
Overall, the sunshade that is sold separately is adequate, but could use a few improvements. If you are set on a Kelty child carrier, and are debating between models, we would always buy the Signature model or Elite models for $30-$60 more that includes both a built in sunshade and much more storage. For roughly the same price you could buy the Journey PerfectFIT and the separate sunshade.
For the backpack with the best sunshade, have a look at the Osprey Poco Plus.
Kelty Journey PerfectFIT Nap Effectiveness: 6/10
The nap effectiveness of the Kelty Journey PerfectFIT gets a lower rating in part due to the sunshade mentioned above.
Nap time is one of the best things about a child carrier backpack, for both child and adult. Rest for the child and a little peace and quiet for the adult are always appreciated. Although it is very possible for the child to nap without a sunshade, we have found that children don’t nap nearly as long, or as well. They get hot and don’t have a great place to rest their head, keeping them from that long recuperative nap everyone needs.
The other slight drawback on the Kelty Journey PerfectFIT is that the drool pad does not wrap around the front of the pack as it does on both the Kelty Elite and Signature models. This isn’t a deal breaker, but is does help the child rest if the drool pad extends across the entire width of the pack.
Kelty Journey PerfectFIT Gear Storage: 5/10
The Kelty Journey PerfectFIT is pretty bare bones when it comes to storage. This might not be a big deal, depending on how you plan to use the pack.
A single large zippered compartment can be found at the rear of the pack. This compartment is plenty large enough to hold jackets, toys and snacks.
The only other storage on the pack are small mesh stuff pockets on the hipbelt. These are nice, but not fully functional. Mesh stuff pockets of this size can’t hold much, and items easily fall out. Perhaps small items such as chapstick can be placed here, but anything of value would need to be stored in the rear zippered pocket.
Now, the lack of storage with this pack might not be problem. If you primarily plan to use the pack on short trips around town, or short walks on a trail, we think this pack will be great. However, if you are planning to go for a longer hike or are planning a full day of exploring while traveling, you would likely want to explore pack options that have more storage.
Kelty Journey PerfectFIT Extra Features: 5/10
As mentioned in other Kid Packer ratings above, this pack is pretty bare bones. It will be awesome for a shopping trip or short walk, but it does not include the extra features that premium models have.
The sunshade sold separately is a must, in our opinion, if you plan to be outside much at all.
We would love to see Kelty offer a rain cover to purchase separately with their packs. It really makes a difference when inclement weather hits.
Most of Kelty’s competition in the baby backpack market offer rain covers for their packs including Osprey, Deuter and Thule.
Kelty Journey PerfectFIT Durability: 9/10
In line with what you would expect from a reputable brand like Kelty, the Journey PerfectFIT Child Carrier is built to last. From the frame to the stitching, buckles and clasps, this pack is built with the highest quality materials.
The body of this pack is constructed using highly durable materials such as 75D Poly and 140D Nylon blend.
Kelty Journey PerfectFIT Value: 7/10
The Journey PerfectFIT typically sells for $30-$40 less than the Signature model, and ~$60 less than the Elite model. Despite selling for quite a bit less than the other two models, we believe the overall product quality dropped faster than the price. The loss of extra storage and built in sunshade make this a lower value proposition than other Kelty options.
Kelty Journey PerfectFIT Child Carrier Summary
The Kelty Journey PerfectFIT is a great child carrier backpack for the right person. If you are looking to simply use a pack for trips around town or short walks around the neighborhood, this pack will serve you well.
However, if you are looking for a pack to take on longer trail hikes or to use while traveling, this likely isn’t your pack. It gets high marks for safety and child comfort, but lacks storage needed for longer day trips and also doesn’t come with a sunshade (critical!)
For a strong competitor that has a few more features and extra storage, take a look at the Osprey Poco. If you are looking for a pack with even more features than found here, but comes at higher price, have a look at the Kelty Journey PerfectFIT Signature, Osprey Poco Plus, and Thule Sapling Elite.
If looking for a highly versatile pack built with economy in mind, have a look at the CleverPlus Urban Explorer.
About The Kid Packer
Here at The Kid Packer, we want to help you live your best life. A great baby backpack child carrier can help you do just that. After having used a child carrier backpack for over 1,500 miles of adventuring and exploring, we have a passion for them and know what makes a great pack that both you and your child will love. We hope our comprehensive research allows you to confidently find the right backpack for your needs!