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Author	Message Text
Corsair	01/20/2017 09:39PM   I guess it's going to come down to cost. As much as I want to get him a explorer pack that he can grow into, I know at some point he will need an internal frame pack as well for scouts when he goes to Philmont. It all adds up. It's never easy huh.
Wables	01/18/2017 05:26PM   Last summer my son was 10, about 4'-10", and 80#. He had no problems carrying my standard torso CCS Explorer pack loaded to about 35#. It worked so well that I may buy him his own for his birthday (before the next trip)
ECpizza	01/22/2017 09:34PM   My 2c here... I recommend a Frost River meduim utility pack. It is the right size for younger kids, and when they turn into a bull teenager sherpa, they can be used while carying a canoe. I bought mine 15 years ago, and it has been on every canoe trip since in some capacity. In a couple more years it will be on a kid's back again.
ECpizza	01/22/2017 09:42PM   Shoulda read that last post... For a frame pack, there are great deals for scouts. Talk to your troop leaders for some special scout deals. Got my son the Alps Cascade at 13 and he is still using it at 21.
Cedarboy	01/14/2017 10:37AM   Sorry to break it to you, I think you have missed the "kids pack" days. He is almost a teenager.... Just get another adult pack. My 14 year old is now 6'1". As a father I am constantly telling myself this is going way too fast. Good luck. CB
Corsair	01/12/2017 04:52PM   My son needs a new pack. The one I have for him is falling apart. I was looking at the trailblazer from CSS, but I know it won't be long before he outgrows it. He's almost 13, and has a 15" Torso now. I'm almost thinking a rucksack instead and let him grow into it. Anyone use a rucksack for the kids? I'm going to Copia, but he won't be with me, otherwise I would have him try them out.
AndySG	01/12/2017 05:18PM   At age 13 he can handle a ruck or a bushcrafter from CCS. I'd go with the bushcrafter as it is more versitile and will still be viable as an extra pack in the future. It also makes a great carry on bag when traveling. A life long friend. Just my 2 cents.
Corsair	01/12/2017 08:09PM   quote AndySG: "At age 13 he can handle a ruck or a bushcrafter from CCS. I'd go with the bushcrafter as it is more versitile and will still be viable as an extra pack in the future. It also makes a great carry on bag when traveling. A life long friend. Just my 2 cents." The bushcrafter looks nice, will have to check it out at copia.
SunCatcher	01/12/2017 09:25PM   Maybe someone close to you has a rucksack they would let you have him try on? I have one, but it's a bit of a drive. I don't know who lives close to you on the board, but someone surely has one that lives fairly close. SunCatcher
ducks	01/13/2017 06:19AM   My girls each have a Rucksack w/short torso that they got when they were little. I expect them to have and use these for a long time. They are 9 and 11 and have started to grow into them. I don't think you would need the short torso so he can grow into it and use it as an adult. If the Bushcrafter had existed 7 years ago that is what I would have gotten them. Older daughter at age 7, 9, and 11 with it and then my wife wearing it.
Corsair	01/13/2017 04:05PM   quote ducks: "My girls each have a Rucksack w/short torso that they got when they were little. I expect them to have and use these for a long time. They are 9 and 11 and have started to grow into them. I don't think you would need the short torso so he can grow into it and use it as an adult. If the Bushcrafter had existed 7 years ago that is what I would have gotten them. Older daughter at age 7, 9, and 11 with it and then my wife wearing it. " Thanks for the feedback ducks! Will have to make sure it's not Pink though :)
ducks	01/14/2017 08:01AM   quote Corsair: " Thanks for the feedback ducks! Will have to make sure it's not Pink though :) " Yes... not pink ;) I actually wish theirs weren't pink. A. Neither one likes the color pink anymore... one likes blue and one likes green. B. Then I could use them :) It's a very versatile pack. Don't put much in it (light stuff) and a 5yo can use it and on up to an adult. Here's a pic of duckling at age 5 using it.
Corsair	01/14/2017 08:27PM   quote Cedarboy: "Sorry to break it to you, I think you have missed the "kids pack" days. He is almost a teenager.... Just get another adult pack. My 14 year old is now 6'1". As a father I am constantly telling myself this is going way too fast. Good luck. CB" Yea, dude puts away more pizza than I do now. However, we are not the tallest. My wife and I are both 5'8". He is one of the oldest in his class, but not the tallest for sure.
adam	01/14/2017 10:08PM   My kids 10 and 13 both traded off using a CCS Adventurer which is a smaller hybrid pack. We packed a ton in it, and the comfort was great and the quality is just the same as the adult packs.
unshavenman	01/15/2017 11:04AM   I would get him the CCS Hybrid Explorer Pack with the short torso option. That pack would last throughout his tripping days.