Fitting Your Kids Backpack

Buying kids backpacks is not as easy as it may seem. Whether you are looking for a backpack for school or a backpack for a camping trip, you need to consider the ergonomics of the backpack before you can decide.

A good ergonomic backpack should never be longer than the child’s back. Anything bigger than this and the backpack will cause pain to your child’s shoulders and back and can lead to poor posture growing up.

The Height Factor of Kids Backpack

To find the height of a child’s backpack it’s important to measure from the shoulder line to the waist line and then add two inches. This will ensure that the backpack fits properly. Keep in mind that the waist line is at the belly button and the shoulder line is about halfway between the neck and the shoulder joint.

An ideal sized backpack will be about two inches below the shoulders and four inches below the waist. This will keep the backpack firmly in place and offer the most support, even when carrying weightier items.

The Width Factor of Kids Backpack

It’s important when buying a backpack that you get one where the weight is centered on the hip muscles. Many people assume that the shoulders should be responsible for carrying the weight but this is not the case.

When measuring width, measure between the ridges of the shoulder blade and then add an additional two inches for movement. Keep in mind that all children are different and grow at a different level which is why it’s important to shop with your child instead of using a generic guessing system.

Additional Factors to Consider

Of course, when a child is asked to pick out a backpack, they do not care about the height/width and ergonomics of the pack. They want the latest design or coolest color scheme. Try to find a happy medium between stylish for your child, and supportive for his body.

So whether your child is carrying his lunch and books around school, or his hiking gear and water bottle around the campsite, you need to make sure his backpack is in the right position and offering the support his growing body needs.