Osprey Poco plus Child Carrier Review
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Osprey Poco Plus Child Carrier Kidpacker Rating: 91/100
Updated: April 21, 2021
Osprey Poco Plus Child Carrier Summary
The Osprey Poco Plus is Kidpacker’s top rated baby backpack! The ratings below explain it all, but, to entirely appreciate and understand why this is our overall top rated baby backpack lets hone in on the child comfort (10/10), adult comfort (9/10) and the nap effectiveness (10/10) ratings.
The combination of these categories equates to a parent sanity rating. A top child carrier backpack that a kid can nap in is worth its weight in gold. This is the best all around pack on the market today.
Osprey Poco Plus Child Carrier Scoring Summary
Osprey Poco Plus Child Carrier Pros and Cons
Ample Gear Storage
For longer treks or a full days around town
Rain Cover Available
Allows for use in adverse conditions or cold weather
Top Notch Sunshade
Fully integrated into the pack and provides maximum child coverage
Adjustable Torso and Hip Belt
Ensures a great fit on a variety of body types
Pack Weight
On the higher end
Price
On the higher end
No Detachable Backpack
Would be a nice feature
Osprey Poco Plus Adult Comfort: 8/10
The Osprey Poco Plus is a fully framed pack that gets high marks for adult comfort. It is built with a ventilated and tensioned mesh back panel that allows good airflow and helps keep the adult cool. The shoulder straps and hipbelt are both adequately padded with mesh perforations to further aid in cooling and wicking moisture.
Some of the best features of this pack are classic Osprey. The quality hipbelt fits securely, snuggly around your waist, transferring the weight to your hips and legs, minimizing the weight on the shoulders and back. Quality load lifters (straps above the shoulders) are built into the Osprey Poco Plus, and are easily adjustable while the pack is on and loaded with child and gear. Effective load lifters are critical to allow for appropriate distribution of weight, a must on any heavy pack, and a pack with a child in it always classifies as a heavy pack.
Osprey Poco Plus Fit Adjustability: 9/10
If more than one adult plans to wear the backpack, fit adjustability is one of the highest ratings to consider. We found that many people enjoy wearing the backpack as it provides a unique and intimate experience with the child. Friends, family, grandparents, etc. Everyone enjoys it!
The Osprey Poco Plus has two great features that make it one of the most adjustable top rated baby backpacks on the market. Let’s start with the torso and shoulder adjustments.
There is a quick release nestled inside the mesh back-panel that allows for instant adjustment (6 inches of torso adjustment at the ready) moving from a small framed to a very large framed person. The mechanism is governed by a quick release clasp. You can then slide to adjust anywhere from a S, M, L or XL setting.
The mechanism is so easy to operate that one person can hold the backpack in the air and have someone adjust, and transfer the pack to someone else without ever putting the child down. This is super handy during naptime so you don’t wake the child. This pack can fit people as tall as 6’- 4’’ comfortably, and can likely fit someone a bit taller, but the fit starts to get snug after that. For more on how to appropriately fit a backpack, this article from REI is a great resource.
The other great adjustable feature on the Osprey Poco Plus is the ‘Fit-on-the-Fly-Hip-Belt’. This hip belt is fully adjustable for smaller or larger waists. There is a Velcro extension for larger frames to allow the hipbelt to extend, wrap around the waist, and provide a much more comfortable fit. For smaller frames, this extension simply tucks away and you never notice it. A must have feature for a top rated baby backpack. If you don’t think you’ll need the extra fit adjustability, the less expensive Osprey model, the Osprey Poco, might be the better option for you. If you are looking for a pack that would be more ideal for a petite frame, the Deuter Kids Comfort SL is worth a look.
Osprey Poco Plus Child Comfort: 10/10
The Osprey Poco Plus uses excellent material for construction. From the padded headrest to the plush removable drool pad, your child will be comfortable. The harness is soft with rounded edges and clips gently but securely around your child.
The seat is easily adjustable for your child so the pack can grow along with them. Children really like to sit high when they are young so they can see clearly, and then move them lower as they grow.
Built in foot stirrups are a great feature for child comfort. It provides a more natural position for them to sit and helps circulation to their legs so that they don’t fall asleep.
The real star for child comfort is the built in sunshade. Osprey has the best baby backpack sunshade out there. It easily and securely clips in and provides not only great sun production but also provides a bit of a hammock for your child’s head to rest while they nap. This is one of many reasons why the Osprey Poco Plus is the top rated child carrier backpack.
Also, this pack has great ventilation for the child with mesh side panels, allowing good airflow. Furthermore, a separate rain cover can be purchased for the pack that wraps around and securely clips onto the pack. The Osprey Poco Plus gets extra points for such a great rain/wind cover. We used a rain cover many times in adverse conditions to keep our child comfortable. This feature is also great for cold weather, as it keeps warmth in. We have bundled up our child, clipped on the rain and wind blocker, and they stayed warm and comfortable for hours.
Osprey Poco Plus Child Safety: 9/10
Your child will be securely positioned within the Osprey Poco Plus with Osprey’s Double Halo harness. When properly adjusted, your child will be essentially locked in place allowing you to go anywhere you please with peace of mind.
The padded surfaces around the child cockpit will ensure your child stays safe even if the ride gets a bit bumpy.
The pack has a secure kickstand that firmly locks into place with a reassuring “click” to let you know it is locked and stable. This allows you to put your child down without concern around them falling over.
Osprey Poco Plus Sun Protection: 10/10
One of the most important features on a child carrier backpack is the sun shade. Osprey has the best baby backpack sunshade out there. It is fully integrated and built into the frame, accessible via a quick zipper. It pops up and securely clips into the front of the pack.
Why is this best baby backpack sunshade?
Maximum Sun Protection
Side mesh panels ensure full sun protection
Great Headroom
Sits high above the child's head
Full Side Panels
Mesh side panels provide full sun coverage and provides a resting spot for nap time
Improves Nap Time
Keeps your child cool and helps them stay comfortable - and nap longer!
We can’t stress how important a sun shade is on a child carrier backpack if you plan to be outside for long periods of time. If you are around town and in stores mostly, it wont be as big of an issue.
Osprey Poco Plus Nap Effectiveness: 10/10
The Osprey Poco Plus knocks it out of the park with nap effectiveness. This is something most buyers completely overlook. Half of the reason to purchase a top baby backpack carrier is to enjoy those peaceful 1-2 hour nap walks in the woods or in a museum while you are traveling.
The reason the Osprey Poco Plus gets a 10/10 is four fold:
Awesome Sunshade
The quality sunshade design and function helps your child nap better!
Side Mesh Panels
Ensures your child stays cool with good airflow
Foot Stirrups
Keeps their feet from dangling and helps them find a comfortable position for a long nap
Osprey Poco Plus Gear Storage: 9/10
As with most Osprey packs, the Poco Plus has great storage everywhere. 26 liters of total gear storage puts the Poco Plus at the top with respect to gear storage. It has zippered pockets on the hip belt for things like your phone or chapstick.
Mesh pockets behind your hip are great for water bottles. Mesh upper pockets are perfect for toys or phones with white noise during nap time.
Numerous zipper rear compartments are perfect for the rest of the gear you need for longer trips or a full day around town. In our pack, we frequently carry: two water bottles (one for adult one for child), extra layers and rain jackets for adult and child, lunch and snacks for all, a full sized DSLR camera, diapers and changing gear, toys and various small entertainment items. It is a full load, but the Osprey Poco Plus can fit it all.
Osprey Poco Plus Extra Features: 9/10
The double lift handles used to help put the pack on and take it off are exceptionally sturdy. No concerns with the weight even when loaded to the max.
Toy clips are installed next to the child so you can tether your child’s favorite toy or pacifier and not loose it. This is a simple but great feature. For a backpack or a stroller, these are great!
An external 1.5L hydration sleeve is a great bonus that many child carrier backpacks do not have. Being external is key and allows for quick and hassle free access.
As mentioned above, the rain/wind cover is a great extra feature you likely want to purchase. Some packs don’t have this accessory available. You will need the Osprey Rain Cover, so go ahead and buy it.
Lastly, Osprey offers a separate carrying case for purchase. The pack folds down nicely and can easily fit in an airplane overhead bin, behind a seat in a car, or in a closet. The carrying case is great to ensure the pack doesn’t get banged up.
Osprey Poco Plus Durability: 9/10
We have personally utilized an Osprey child carrier backpack for many many miles with minimal wear showing. The pack looks and feels like it is made with the highest quality materials, and our experience also confirms that it can handle pretty much anything.
Osprey Poco Plus Value: 8/10
The price for the Osprey Poco Plus is a bit on the higher end, so it scores just a tad lower on the value spectrum, but you get what you pay for. It is simply the best. If you plan to use a child carrier backpack frequently, this is the one to buy.
Osprey Poco Plus Child Carrier Summary
With a total score of 91/100, the Osprey Poco Plus is the Kidpacker’s top rated child carrier backpack! It has it all. Adult comfort, child comfort, child safety, extra features and gear storage. If you are looking for a pack to use frequently this is definitely the pack to go with. If you are uncertain about how frequently you will use a child carrier backpack, perhaps you might want to go with something like the ClevrPlus Urban Explorer that has some of the same features, but is built with economy in mind and comes in at roughly half the cost.
Other top rated baby backpacks to consider would be the Thule Sapling Elite, Osprey Poco, and Kelty Journey PerfectFIT Elite. All are top child carrier backpacks and offer many similar features compared to the Osprey Poco Plus.
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!
