osprey talon 33 for a kid?

I'm just gearing my two up for a walk next week and have had the same problem. I think anything with hipbelt pockets is likely to cause a problem. They just extend too far around the waist.

What about a North Face Ultralight Rucksack? It's about the same volume, lighter and with a thin, no-pocket waist belt?

Or else I really like the Vaude Rock Ultralight 25. It's a little smaller than the 33, but lighter and only $45 at backcountryoutlet.com

Remember not to overload the young 'uns.

The standard percentages of body weight apply to kids like adults.

Just about any beginner should be able to walk with 20-25% of their body weight in a load. Experienced hikers can typically handle 35%. Only extremely strong hikers can handle 40-45%.

Of course, many of us go the other way and try to keep our load below 10%.
–B.G.–

His age and torso would help……also is he tall/skinny or shorter/skinny?

I ran into some of the same issues. My 13 year old is skinny and light. I finally began to watch the sales/closesouts for Womens, smalls…
I was able to get him a Golite Jam2 for around 50$… It fits great, and I've usually only been giving him his pad, bag, clothes, and a few trinkets, keeping him under 10lbs.
He loves hiking, and has done a 5 day trip, and some pretty intense cross country stuff as well.
So keep in mind that the womens sizing may be the way to go!

Thank you all for the response. Thay have gave me more to think about, and showed me so thing I need to research further.

Rod, I will look into these packs. Thanks for the suggestions. I never would have factored the hip belt pockets into the waist size calculation.

Bob, overloading is not going to be an issue. 8 – 11 lbs skin out for a 16yr old should be okay. He will be carring the same weight in gear as he did last year, but with a better pack with a hip belt.

Sarah, Thanks for chiming in. I know you went through this with your son over the years, if I am remebering the correct posts. My son is tall & skinny…well a twig really. His torso was 18", and he wears size 10 columbia hiking pants with the waist pulled in with the side elastic bands. 5' 80lbs

Steve, glad to hear you found a solution. I might be able to pull off a womens pack, if he doesn't get wind of it. I had him try my jam2 medium, and the hip belt is nowhere close for his small waist.

Regards,
John

When Ford outgrew his Deuter Fox 30 I put him in a small REI Jet pack which has worked well now for over a year – and will continue to fit him for a couple more years with no issue.

The hipbelt is mesh/band so very adjustable and the torso on the small mens is long.

Since I keep his pack weight down he uses it for both dayhiking and backpacking (we share a shelter for example).

Being that he is 12 I wasn't as worried as I was when he was younger about having a full support on the pack (for little ones this is something to be concerned about.)

Ford is 5'9" last I checked and like 105…so yeah, skinny bean pole!