I plan to introduce my 9-year-old daughter to backpacking this summer. Just some simple, short, one- or two-night trips. What would you recommend for a backpack? I figure nothing would taint her whole experience more than starting out with bad gear.

Marty Gibson
South Lyon, Michigan

Alice's Answer:

Your daughter is at a wonderful age to start backpacking, and you have the exact right approach-starting off with simple one- or two-night trips. And you're correct, a key factor in determining how much fun she'll have is how comfortable her pack is.

Take your daughter to a reputable gear store and have her try on several packs. Your first decision is whether to go with an internal- or an external-frame pack, and this is largely a matter of comfort. Which type do you use? You may want hers to be the same style.

External-frame packs are usually cheaper, less sweaty, and ideal for trail hiking. Consider REI's Long Trail Junior ($55.00), with a frame that adjusts to fit kids as they grow and has a capacity of 1,885 cubic inches. If you choose an internal-frame pack, make sure the bag has enough room for her sleeping bag and clothes, and anything else she may be able to carry. Consider L. L. Bean's Knife Edge Pack, which comes in a kids' model for $79.00, with a 2,375-2,600 cubic inch capacity. For a wide selection of backpacks, visit GORPgear Store's kid's pack department.

While you need to guide your daughter in terms of price and features, she needs to have some input as well, especially regarding color and style. Let's face it: if she's going to lug this pack on her back in a cheerful mood, you certainly want her to bond with it!

Regardless of which style pack you and your daughter prefer, look for the same features you'd shop for in your own pack: comfort, including padded hip belts and shoulder straps, durability, and practicality of compartments. For the nitty gritty, check out GORP's backpack buying guide.

Some retailers may allow you to take a pack home, fill it with gear, and let your daughter wear it around the house to get a better idea of how it feels. At the very least, load up a pack with some gear in the store so your daughter will see how it feels. With some weight on her back, she may change her mind about what looks and feels good.

To lessen the chance of disagreement at the store, decide ahead of time how much you're willing to spend-and be sure your child knows the limit. My guess is you'll need to shell out a minimum of $55 or so to obtain a satisfactory pack. Try to find a model she can use for many years so that your investment will be long-lasting-with luck you'll have many trips together.

Good luck with your shopping!

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