Osprey Poco vs.
Thule sapling
Osprey Poco or Thule Sapling?
Updated: December 8, 2020
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Comparison Summary
Osprey and Thule are the two highest rated child carrier backpack brands at The Kid Packer. Both the Osprey Poco and Thule Sapling are the more economical versions offered by Osprey and Thule. They come in a bit less expensive but lack a few features that their bigger brothers offer (Thule Sapling Elite and Osprey Poco Plus).
Despite lacking a few features, both packs are top notch and great options. Depending on your needs, either of these packs may be right for you.
If you want to read our fully comprehensive review on either backpack, have a look at the links below.
Comparison Summary
Osprey and Thule are the two highest rated child carrier backpack brands at The Kid Packer. Both the Osprey Poco and Thule Sapling are the more economical versions offered by Osprey and Thule. They come in a bit less expensive but lack a few features that their bigger brothers offer (Thule Sapling Elite and Osprey Poco Plus).
Despite lacking a few features, both packs are top notch and great options. Depending on your needs, either of these packs may be right for you.
If you want to read our fully comprehensive review on either backpack, have a look at the links below.
Thule Sapling
Osprey Poco vs. Thule Sapling Key Differences
Osprey Poco
Thule Sapling
- The Thule Sapling has an expandable hipbelt that offers greater adjustability for adult wasit size
- The Osprey Poco has a high quality, fully integrated sunshade that provides better sun protection and better nap effectiveness
- The Thule Sapling has zippered hipbelt pockets vs. mesh stuff pockets on the Osprey Poco
- The Sapling has a larger lower storage compartment
- The child compression straps on the Thule are adjustable while the pack is on, another nice feature
- The Osprey Poco typically sells for $60-$80 less than the Thule Sapling
Osprey Poco or Thule Sapling? - Feature Comparison
Osprey Poco or Thule Sapling? - Rating Comparison
Thule Sapling
Osprey Poco or Thule Sapling? - Comfort
Overall Comfort Winner: Thule Sapling
When determining which backpack to buy, Osprey Poco or Thule Sapling, the differences in overall comfort should be top of mind.
The edge goes to the Thule Sapling when it comes to overall comfort. The Thule Sapling excels in adjustability and the Osprey Poco excels with their sunshade design. However, both packs are very comfortable for the adult wearer.
Adult Comfort Winner: Tie
Both packs are built with a tensioned mesh back panel to allow airflow to keep you cool. Mesh padded shoulder straps and hipbelts are standard on both.
The Osprey and Thule both have good quality load lifters to ensure the pack weight fits comfortably on your hips vs. pressing down on your shoulders. Adult comfort is a toss up between the two.
Fit Adjustability Winner: Thule Sapling
When investigating the Osprey Poco vs. Thule Sapling one of the biggest differences between the two is the adjustable hipbelt of the Thule Sapling. Depending on your needs and how many people may wear the pack, this may the deciding factor.
The Thule Sapling has an adjustable hipbelt extender that “slides” out to fit waistlines from S, M to L. This ensures a fully padded hipbelt wrapping around the waist and allows for the best transfer of weight to the hips. The Osprey Poco has the standard clasp and buckle that allows for some adjustability, but not nearly as much as the Thule Sapling. To find the fully adjustable hipbelt on the Osprey, you will need to have a look at the Osprey Poco Plus.
Child Comfort Winner: Osprey Poco
Both packs get very high scores on child comfort, but the Osprey wins slightly here due to a better designed and executed sunshade. Both packs come with a sunshade included, which is critical, but Osprey has a design that provides better sun protection and allows for a better napping environment.
The Thule has better padding, in our opinion, and we like the actual child seat a little better on the Thule, as it is a little wider which provides a more comfortable fit through a long day.
Thule Sapling
Osprey Poco or Thule Sapling? - Safety
Overall Safety Winner: Osprey Poco
Better safety features, Osprey Poco or Thule Sapling?
Although Thule has designed an awesome pack that gets a 10/10 Child Safety score, Osprey Poco comes out slightly ahead in this category due to the top notch sunshade and associated sun safety it provides for your child.
Child Safety Winner: Thule Sapling
No issues with either of these packs, but the Thule wins here by a slight margin. The main difference between the two is the thigh straps on the Thule.
There are clip in straps that run along the outside of the child’s thigh to help ensure that the child stays in place, even if they start to squirm, which they will. They always squirm. The extra thigh straps provide nice peace of mind for the adult carrying the pack.
Sun Protection Winner: Osprey Poco
As mentioned above, both packs come with a sunshade, which is critical in our opinion.
The Osprey Poco has a “built in” sunshade, meaning the shade is permanently attached to the pack and accessed through a zipper pouch. It pulls upward and then securely clips into the front of the pack. The shade has side mesh panels which ensure the child gets good sun protection regardless of where the sun is in the sky.
The Thule Sapling also comes with a sunshade, but it is removable. You need to attach it to both the front and back of the back, which is a simple process. The main difference between the two is the lack of mesh side panels on the Thule. This means the child has less protection unless the sun is directly overhead. Also, this makes an impact on nap effectiveness, see below.
Osprey Poco
Thule Sapling
Nap Effectiveness Winner: Osprey Poco
The main difference here is the sunshade. As mentioned above, the design of the Osprey Poco really gives it an edge during nap time.
Nap time is one of the best features of a child carrier backpack. The child gets great rest, and it provides a nice peaceful experience for the carrier. The Osprey Poco is a better napping backpack due to the side mesh panels on the sunshade. The child essentially uses the side mesh panels as a hammock to rest and secure their head when they nap. We found that children take much longer naps when they have a spot to rest their head. Otherwise, we found children doze off for a bit, then wake up if they did not have a spot to secure their head.
For The Kid Packer, the nap effectiveness rating really separates the Osprey Poco and Poco Plus from the competition.
Thule Sapling
Osprey Poco or Thule Sapling? - Other
Overall Other Winner: Thule Sapling
The Thule Sapling baby backpack child carrier provides overall better extra features but, the Osprey Poco comes at a lower price and a better value.
Gear Storage Winner: Tie
Very close for this one. The Thule just might have an ever so slight edge. First off, the rear lower compartment is larger on the Thule. Both the Osprey and Thule have lower rear zippered storage, but the Thule compartment is larger, allowing for a longer outing that might require more snacks, extra layers, etc.
However, if you are looking for a slimmer pack for mainly urban outings where there are crowds, the Osprey Poco might make more sense.
Both packs have an upper zipper storage compartment with a mesh stuff area on the back. Very similar designs on both packs.
The Osprey has larger mesh stuff pockets on the sides near the child’s shoulders while the Thule Sapling has fully zippered hipbelt pockets vs. mesh stuff pockets on the Osprey.
Osprey Poco
Thule Sapling
Extra Features Winner: Thule Sapling
Other features we like about the Thule Sapling are the side entry option, where your child can walk into the pack on their own, and the simple foot stomp removal option. It is a simple piece of material that you step on to keep the pack on the ground while you lift your child out. A very underrated feature!
The Thule also has zippered hipbelt pockets while the Osprey Poco only has mesh stuff pockets on the hipbelt.
Both packs have a rain cover that is sold separately. This isn’t a must have, but close to it. (Opsrey Rain Cover and Thule Rain Cover)
Durability Winner: Tie
Both packs are made to last. They are very durable products and should even have great resale value after years of use. All of the components on both packs (buckles, straps, zippers, etc.) just have that feel where you know they will hold up for a long time.
The Thule Sapling comes with a limited lifetime warranty and the Osprey Poco comes with a 7 year warranty.
Value Winner: Osprey Poco
Despite the extra features of the Thule Sapling, the Osprey Poco typically sells for $60-$80 less, and therefore wins when it comes to value. Although both packs are great options, for a price tag that is so much lower, the Osprey Poco comes out on top.
Overall Winner: Osprey Poco
Thule Sapling
Osprey Poco vs. Thule Sapling is a close call, but the higher scores with nap effectives and the sunshade push the Osprey Poco ahead of the Thule Sapling. In our mind, the sunshade and nap effectiveness are critical to really enjoying the experience of a child carrier backpack.
The Thule Sapling is still a great option and has some extra features that are worth considering (adjustable hipbelt, zippered hipbelt pockets, and more rear storage) and may be the better option for someone who plans to share the pack with another adult with a significantly larger or smaller body frame.
Either way, you can’t go wrong with either pack. They are both great products that will last and bring countless memories to you and your child.
If you are looking for a pack with even more storage and all the adjustability of the Thule Sapling, have a look at the Thule Sapling Elite. If you are looking for a pack with all the features, but at a slightly lower cost, check out our overall top rated pack, the Osprey Poco Plus. Lastly, if you are looking for a solid choice with features, but more economical overall, think about the CleverPlus Urban Explorer.
Osprey Poco Plus
Kelty Journey Elite
Thule Sapling Elite
Osprey Poco
Deuter Kid Comfort Pro
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! To learn more, check out our About Us page!