Thule Sapling Elite vs.
Kelty Journey PerfectFIT Elite
Thule Sapling Elite or Kelty Journey PerfectFIT Elite?
Updated: December 13, 2020
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Comparison Summary
Which child carrier backpack is better, the Kelty Journey PerfectFIT Elite or the Thule Sapling Elite?
Both of these child carrier backpacks are top of the line products and offer everything you can ask for, and more. Wether you are heading off for a day around town or a mutli-day trip into the mountains, both of these packs will serve you well. However, there are quite a few differences between these two packs. Below we help break down the differences and help determine which backpack is right for you and your child.
If you want to read our full, comprehensive review on either backpack, have a look at the links below.
Thule Sapling Elite Review
Kelty Journey PerfectFIT Elite Review
Comparison Summary
Which child carrier backpack is better, the Kelty Journey PerfectFIT Elite or the Thule Sapling Elite?
Both of these child carrier backpacks are top of the line products and offer everything you can ask for, and more. Wether you are heading off for a day around town or a mutli-day trip into the mountains, both of these packs will serve you well. However, there are quite a few differences between these two packs. Below we help break down the differences and help determine which backpack is right for you and your child.
If you want to read our full, comprehensive review on either backpack, have a look at the links below.
Thule Sapling Elite Review
Kelty Journey PerfectFIT Elite Review
Kelty Journey PerfectFIT Elite
Thule Sapling Elite or Kelty Journey PerfectFIT Elite? - Key Differences
Thule Sapling Elite
Kelty Journey PerfectFIT Elite
- The Thule Sapling Elite has a removable small backpack included, great for leaving behind on short shopping trips, or provides extra storage for long day trips
- The Thule Sapling Elite has a hipbelt extender to help ensure a proper padded fit for those with larger body types
- Kelty utilizes the PerfectFIT suspension system for quick, on the fly shoulder strap adjustments
- The Kelty Journey PerfectFIT Elite has an extra wide child seat, ensuring a comfortable sitting position all day long
- Thule offers a rain cover sold separately for the Sapling Elite while Kelty does not offer a rain cover
- The Kelty Journey PerfectFIT Elite typically sells for $100 less than the Thule Sapling Elite
Thule Sapling Elite or Kelty Journey PerfectFIT Elite? - Feature Comparison
Thule Sapling Elite or Kelty Journey PerfectFIT Elite? - Rating Comparison
Kelty Journey PerfectFIT Elite
Thule Sapling Elite or Kelty Journey PerfectFIT Elite? - Comfort
Overall Comfort Winner: Thule Sapling Elite
Trying to decide between the Thule Sapling Elite or Kelty Journey PerfectFIT Elite? One of the biggest differences between the two child carrier backpacks is the comfort rating.
The Thule Sapling Elite comes with a highly adjustable hipbelt that includes “extenders” to ensure the backpack can fit a wide variety of body types. Due to this highly adjustable hipbelt, the Thule wins in the comfort category.
Adult Comfort Winner: Tie
Both packs rate very well with adult comfort, but go about it in a slightly different way.
Although both packs utilize full padded, perforated mesh on the shoulder straps and hipbelt, Thule utilizes a tensioned mesh back panel. This allows for extra air flow and helps keep you cool for long days on the trail.
Kelty doesn’t utilize the mesh back panel, but instead has a fully padded back panel lining the entire distance from lower back to shoulders. This might make for a slightly warmer experience, but it also ensures a great fit as the back stays close to your body, and helps eliminate the pack sliding around. Overall, adult comfort is a tie.
Fit Adjustability Winner: Thule Sapling Elite
The Thule Sapling Elite wins here by a decent margin. We prefer the Thule fit adjustments over the Kelty Elite model. Primary difference is the hipbelt.
On the Thule Sapling Elite, the pack is fitted with a padded hipbelt extender. When passing the pack off from someone with a smaller waistline to someone a bit larger, you simple slide out the extender, and clip in the buckles. The extender ensures a padded portion of the hipbelt wraps around the waist, helping ensure the weight of the pack is appropriately transferred to the hips and lower body. If you plan to wear the pack for long periods of time, having a proper fit is critical to enjoying the experience. For more on proper backpack fit, have a look at this helpful REI article.
Both child carrier backpacks have fully adjustable torso settings, which allows the packs to be worn by adults that are shorter, all the way up to ~ 6’ – 4’’. On the Kelty Journey PerfectFIT Elite, you must extend the pack to its largest setting, put the pack on, then pull down on two straps by your waist. This activates the “PerfectFIT” suspension system, and slides down the apparatus that holsters the shoulder straps. You keep pulling down on the straps until the fit is just right.
The Thule Sapling Elite takes a very different approach to torso adjustments. By compressing two buttons on either side of the pack, the shoulder harness slides up and down two aluminum poles built into the frame of the pack. You can then lock it into a S, M, L, or XL setting. With the Thule, you might not get the 100% exact fit you are looking for, but you do get the peace of mind knowing that everything is securely locked into place.
Another child carrier backpack that has great fit adjustability is the Osprey Poco Plus.
Thule Sapling Elite
Kelty Journey PerfectFIT Elite
Child Comfort Winner: Tie
Both of these packs get great ratings for child comfort and child safety (next category).
The Thule Elite and Kelty Elite both offer fully padded, plush child cockpits with removable drool pads.
Kelty offers a wider child seat. The seat also has flaps of fabric that drapes slightly down the side of the pack to ensure the child’s thighs don’t rub while in the pack for hours. The extra wide seat also provides a bit more of a natural sitting position for long trips.
Thule went the extra mile and built in a mesh back panel for the child. Kids typically get hot sitting in the pack all day, and the extra ventilation provided by the mesh backpanel is a nice touch!
Kelty Journey PerfectFIT Elite
Thule Sapling Elite or Kelty Journey PerfectFIT Elite? - Safety
Overall Safety Winner: Tie
Better safety features, Thule Sapling Elite or Kelty Journey PerfectFIT Elite?
Both baby carrier backpacks have excellent safety features and even gets a perfect 10/10 child safety score form The Kid Packer.
Child Safety Winner: Tie
On the Thule Sapling Elite, we really like the extra padding on the headrest, removable stirrups (removable is a nice touch!), and the thigh straps. The tights straps are pretty unique to Thule. They essentially run on the outside of the pack next to the child’s thigh and help provide extra security to prevent them from squirming out of the pack. Unlikely even without the straps, but the Thule design just provides a bit more peace of mind.
The Kelty Journey PerfectFIT Elite utilizes an extra wide child waistbelt. It is actually more like a child waist wrap, and encompasses the child’s torso. This helps stabilize the child in the center of the pack, and helps minimize child squirm. Minimizing child squirm is great for everyone, as it helps keep the pack stable, and also helps keep the child’s weight in the center of the pack, making it easier for the adult to carry the heavy load.
Sun Protection Winner: Tie
Great news, both of these top rated child carrier backpacks have sunshades built into the packs. The sunshade is critical on a child carrier backpack.
The design for both brands is very similar. The sunshade pops up out the back of the pack. Once fully extended, you simply pull the shade forward and securely clip it into the front of the pack.
The downside to both of these sunshades is that they both lack side mesh panels. The side panels help provide better sun protection for the child, and also provides them a great spot to rest their head while they nap.
For a look at the best designed sunshade on the market, have a look at the Osprey Poco and Osprey Poco Plus.
Thule Sapling Elite
Kelty Journey PerfectFIT Elite
Nap Effectiveness Winner: Tie
No real difference between the two models when considering nap effectiveness. Both have well padded child cockpits. Leaning forward to take a nap on the plush removable drool pads will likely be the child’s go to.
However, as mentioned above, side mesh panels from a sunshade would be a great addition to help the child find a more comfortable position for a long, recuperative nap session.
For The Kid Packer, the nap effectiveness rating really separates the Osprey Poco and Poco Plus from the competition.
Kelty Journey PerfectFIT Elite
Thule Sapling Elite or Kelty Journey PerfectFIT Elite? - Other
Overall Other Winner: Thule Sapling Elite
The Thule Sapling Elite come out on top in the other feature category primarily due to the gear storage flexibility and the rain cover, that is sold separately.
Gear Storage Winner: Thule Sapling
When considering the Kelty Journey PerfectFIT Elite vs. Thule Sapling Elite, storage volume shouldn’t be a primary comparison metric. Both packs have ample storage (> 25L) for full day trips. However, the Thule Sapling Elite has a nice extra feature that is worth consideration.
The Thule Elite model has a fully removable day backpack attached to the rear of the child carrier. This is a great feature as you can either leave it behind for trips around the city, or load it up when going on a longer day hike. We really like this extra flexibility as it allows you shrink the size of your pack if you plan to be in a crowd. Or if you plan to load it up with extra gear, you could have your partner carry it to distribute weight. Either way, it just provides appreciated extra flexibility.
Thule has also built in oversized hipbelt pockets which can fit pretty much any sized phone desired.
However, Kelty is not without its beneficial storage elements. Along with larger zippered hipbelt pockets, the right hipbelt pocket unzips from the bottom, and turns into a water bottle holder. Pretty cool feature! But one we wont use much. We find it more of a novelty.
The Kelty storage option that we find much more useful is the medium sized mesh stuff pockets found on either side of the backpack. These are ideal for stuffing toys, extra layers, or most likely, a full-sized water bottle. Thule doesn’t have a great spot for a water bottle. However, both backpacks do have a spot for a hydration bladder, which is a must.
Thule Sapling Elite
Kelty Journey PerfectFIT Elite
Extra Features Winner: Thule Sapling Elite
The Thule Sapling Elite has the removable small backpack. This extra flexibility is really a nice feature.
The Sapling Elite also has removable child foot stirrups. Although keeping the stirrups on full time is not a particular nuisance, it is nice to be able to quickly remove them if not needed. After the child turns 18 months or older, you will want them on full time. I wouldn’t pay extra for removable stirrups, but it is a nice feature.
We also really like the fact that Thule offers a rain cover for purchase separately. We are big fans of the rain cover. Not only does it provide protection if a storm rolls up, but we typically use the rain cover when it is cold or windy out. Everyone knows that young children can be quick to complain if they aren’t comfortable, and the rain cover can be used in many different ways to help ensure they don’t have to be blasted by the wind or exposed in the cold winter months.
The Thule Rain Cover isn’t a must have, but close to it.
Durability Winner: Tie
Thule and Kelty both design and manufacture superior quality products. Both of these child carrier backpacks are built to last. From the moment you pick either up, you will know that they will stand the test of time.
Value Winner: Kelty Journey PerfectFIT Elite
As mentioned earlier, both backpacks are considered premium products, and come with top ratings, but also some of the highest price tags. With that said, the Thule comes with a few extra features that we really like, but comes in roughly $100 higher in price. We believe the Kelty Journey PerfectFIT Elite provides the better value.
Overall Winner: Thule Sapling Elite
Kelty Journey PerfectFIT Elite
As one of The Kid Packer’s top rated child carrier backpacks, we prefer the Thule Sapling Elite over the Kelty Journey PerfectFIT Elite. For us, it really comes down to the hipbelt extender that allows for a broader range of fit, the removable small backpack, and the extra rain cover. Despite the higher price tag, if you plan to use your child carrier backpack frequently for a few years, we would go with the one that offers the most versatility.
However, the Kelty Journey PerfectFIT Elite is a quality pack, and will no doubt serve you and your child well if you decide to go that direction. And for $100 less, we have a hard time arguing if you choose to go that direction.
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.
Thule Sapling Elite
Kelty Journey Elite
Thule Sapling
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!