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$REI Comet Pack - Kids\'$

REI Comet Pack - Kids'

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Product Description,
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Reviews

Introduce your youngsters to the outdoors with their first real backpack--the REI® Comet!

Top-loading backpack easily holds child's sleeping bag and a few extras
With a ''rip-and-stick'' torso adjustment, shoulder strap system easily slides on pack's frame to fit torsos of varying lengths
Waistbelt wraps around and adjusts for the best fit; hipbelt sports two mesh zip pockets for stashing rocks, other found treasures or action figures!
Hydration-compatible, zippered side pocket with a tube exit port holds up to a 1-liter reservoir, sold separately
Top zippered pocket lets kids stash their headlamp, camp toys and other gadgets; a parent-friendly handle on top helps in putting on the pack
Unique ''windowpane'' panels on two zippered stash pockets let kids see inside, helping them find their gear more quickly
Oversized front mesh stuff pocket easily swallows a jacket or favorite stuffed animal
Bottom zippered storage compartment lets them keep dirty shoes or clothes separate from main compartment
Sized to fit kids from ages 6 to 10 years old

Imported.

Item 733276

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REI Comet Pack - Kids' Customer Reviews

REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

by PowerReviews

REI Comet Pack - Kids'

4.1

(based on 16 reviews)

88%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Pros

Easy to load (13)
Highly adjustable (12)
Comfortable (10)
Lightweight (6)
Good padding (4)

Cons

Best Uses

Extended trips (13)
Day hikes (7)
Light loads (6)

- Reviewer Profile:
- Avid adventurer (8), Casual/ recreational (5), Casual adventurer (3)
- What Is Your Gear Style:
- Comfort driven (7), Survivalist / minimalist (6)

Reviewed by 16 customers

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Displaying reviews 1-10

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Jul

2008

(7 of 10 customers found this review helpful)

2.0

Needs some work

By Mr. Hagen

from Gooding, Idaho

About Me Avid Adventurer

See all my reviews

Pros

Highly Adjustable
Lightweight

Cons

Delicate
Weak Seams

Best Uses

Day Hikes
Light Loads

Comments about REI Comet Pack - Kids':

We bought this pack to bring our eleven year old daughter on extended trips. She is small for her age and finding an extended trip pack that would fit her is difficult.The first trip out the stitching came undone at the sternum strap. [...] The second one has held up so far on two multi-day trips under fifteen pound loads. There are only two reservations I have with this pack.1. Hydration sleeve in the side is impracticle and impossible to ballast. The sleeve should be in the middle close to the harness. We constantly have to adjust to make this thing work. You can't really cram a sleeping bag, pad, clothes and a little bit of food into the main compartment and then slide in a one liter reservoir. The only other option is just to carry water bottles and then the cool factor just went out the window.2. And speaking of windows, the clear plastic on the side pockets tears really easy, even after multiple lectures on how to properly care for your pack. The ideas were good, but not for a multi-day or even an overnight type pack.

Feb

2008

(4 of 5 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

I would buy this Pack again

By Mountian Mark

from Orange County California

About Me Avid Adventurer

See all my reviews

Pros

Comfortable
Easy To Load
Highly Adjustable

Cons

Weak Seams

Best Uses

Extended Hikes

Comments about REI Comet Pack - Kids':

This is a great first pack. In my son's case it was the only pack that would fit him at age 6. Now he is 8. Although we are on our second one. The first pack riped at the hydration pocket. Their is a small piece of clear very thin plastic for a window. This is a weak point. Actualy this is a bad place for a compartment and probally should be elimated completly. The best answer is not to use these 2 pockets at all. The hydration unit needs to mounted inside in the center of the pack for ballance. We put the smallest hydration unit that we could find into the outside pocket and it still ripped and was unballanced. We paid to have a nylon webbing loop sewen in the top center of the pack. All packs should have this loop. Also a sewen pocket to slide the hydration unit into would be nice. We did not do that. This loop allowed us to hang a 1.5 liter hydration unit. It fit perfectly. Dont worry about cutting a hole in the pack to exit the hydration hose, just run it out the top of the pack and it works fine. This makes removal and refilling the unit very easy. We remove the unit and put it into the tent at night for drinking. Its spill and leak proof. We did tie 2 pieces of cordage on the shoulder strap to hold the hose in place. There is already one strech loop there, but it takes some work to get the hose in and out of it. Depending on your child there is usaly pleanty of room inside the pack due that they can only carry so much weight. Hydration unit, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, and some other small items is about it. My sons number was just under 10 pounds. You will find out what yours is on the trail when you are removing items and putting them in your pack so you keep a good pace. My son said the pack was very comfortable. There are many handy pockets. This is a good looking and very adjustable pack. [...] I really would like to see REI make these changes that I have addressed in this review, but I still would recommend this as a good pack.

Jan

2008

(4 of 6 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

Keep it Light and Have Fun

By Grampa Mike

from Gaston, OR

About Me Avid Adventurer

See all my reviews

Pros

Easy to make it work

Cons

Best Uses

Comments about REI Comet Pack - Kids':

Use the first rule of packing and this is a great pack. With a two pound + Child's sleeping bag this is less than 5lbs. and less than 1/3 full. Don't ask a child to carry a full sized sleeping bag! You can pass childrens bags down. Get a small package and a warm bag. We have had to modify climbing bags for our children for years. A soldering iron or wood burning tool makes a self healing hole. A small mesh bag and a little thread puts the blader any where you want it. Half an hour tops and you have as good a bag as I have been able to find. Now that you have all that space, keep the clothing light and don't let them over fill it! Remind them of Weight!

Sep

2010

(3 of 3 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

200 miles and still going strong!

By Pack Leader

from San Jose, CA

About Me Avid Adventurer

See all my reviews

Pros

Comfortable
Durable
Easy To Load
Good Suspension
Highly Adjustable
Lightweight

Cons

Best Uses

Day Hikes
Extended Hikes

Comments about REI Comet Pack - Kids':

I bought two of these for my 8 and 11 year old kids and couldn't be happier. My kids are small for their age, so there weren't many good options for long trips. Over the last two seasons, these packs have gone on 5 extended trips (4-6 days each), for a total of about 200 miles. My 8 year old (now 9) is especially hard on his gear, and there are no signs of wear of breakdown. When stopping, he usually throws it on the ground, then sits on it.

My only concerns when buying these were the comments in the reviews about the durability of the side pouches and how to store water. In our family, everyone carries two 1/2 liter bottles in accessible side pouches, and every variety of this size bottle (tall or fat) fits into these two side pouches quite nicely. You can alternate which you drink out of if you are especially sensitive to weight balance. And with all of the zipper abuse (for every drink of water!), the side panels are holding up and there is no tearing or seam ripping at all.

Total weight of these loaded packs varies from 10 to 17 pounds, and the only complaints I have gotten are from my daughter, who occasionally complains about the angle of the low pad on her back. This was usually a solvable problem with some adjustments. Perhaps her back is a weird shape - but she still made it all of those miles. Each pack usually carries a sleeping bag, pad (small ones fit inside, large ones strap on the outside), clothes, jacket, two 1/2-liter bottles and some of the food.

Note that there is a small pouch on the belt that is a good spot to store jelly beans or other small snack items, and the large mesh pouch on the back is GREAT for parents to stick small items for easy retrieval, and can be accessed easily without stopping, and sometimes without the kid knowing about it. :)

Sep

2008

(3 of 3 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

The perfect pack

By amanda says live it

from Coeur d'Alene, ID

About Me Casual/ Recreational

See all my reviews

Pros

Easy To Load
Highly Adjustable

Cons

Heavy
No issues with the pack

Best Uses

Day Hikes
Extended Hikes

Comments about REI Comet Pack - Kids':

My son used this pack 3 times this summer. We were able to pack enough in the pack for a 2 night trip and there was still room! Their are pockets on top, bottom and both sides of the pack that work great for organizing! The back adjusts to fit the child, and the waist straps have alot of cusion. This pack offers great comfort for the little ones! Due to the size it could be a little lighter than 3lbs, but definatly recommend.

Sep

2007

(3 of 3 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

Great kids pack!

By got mountains?

from Bay Area, CA

About Me Avid Adventurer

See all my reviews

Pros

Comfortable
Easy To Load
Highly Adjustable
Large Capacity

Cons

Best Uses

Backpacking
Extended Hikes

Comments about REI Comet Pack - Kids':

I got this for my 8yr old this year. We went on many backpacking trips. Biggest complaint is the placement of the hole for water in one of the side pockets. This always became a balance issue, so we would have to throw it in the main compartment to even the load. Maybe when he gets older we can balance it out with more to carry ;-)

Jan

2008

(2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

Great kids pack.

By Mike8946

from Hermiston, OR

About Me Casual/ Recreational

See all my reviews

Pros

Easy To Load
Highly Adjustable
Lightweight

Cons

Best Uses

Day Hikes
Extended Hikes

Comments about REI Comet Pack - Kids':

Great pack for my 9 year old daughter. She can carry just about everything she needs (I can carry the heavier stuff) on a weekend trip. You will need a 1-liter hydration bladder for this pack (regular size camelbak type bladders don't fit).

Jul

2010

(1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

Just ordered a second one

By Cory Isakson

from Boise, ID

About Me Casual Adventurer

See all my reviews

Pros

Comfortable
Easy To Load
Good Padding
Good Suspension
Large Capacity
Lightweight

Cons

Best Uses

Day Hikes
Extended Hikes

Comments about REI Comet Pack - Kids':

Took the family on a 2 mile trip into the mountains. The REI Comet worked so well for the 9 year old that I just ordered another for the 6 year old. She packed her sleeping bag, clothes, food, sleeping pad, water and flip flops with no problems at all. There was still extra room and the pack was light. We are looking forward to more trips this summer. Having comfortable kids makes the trip more enjoyable for all!

Nov

2007

(1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

Great Pack For The Little One

By Tracker Dan

from Rancho Cucamonga, CA

About Me Casual/ Recreational

See all my reviews

Pros

Comfortable
Easy To Load
Highly Adjustable

Cons

Best Uses

Extended Hikes

Comments about REI Comet Pack - Kids':

I recently bought this for my 7 year old daughter. She is on the small side for a 7 year old but the pack is extremely adjustable and it fits her with the shoulder harness near the bottom end of its range. My 4 year old son can almost wear it at the same setting.

The pack weighed in at 10 pounds with just a sleeping bag, blanket, water, & snacks. The pack was about 80% full with just these few items. Like the others who have reviewed this item, I hate the fact the hydration port comes out of a side pocket and there isn't a sleeve in the main compartment to hold a bladder. I'm not sure if a water baldder would even fit in the side pocket. We used 500ml water bottles and I put one in each side pocket to keep the pack balanced.

Other than the hydration set-up, the pack is great. I was able to keep the weight off her shoulders with the hip belt adjusted properly. So far we have just completed a couple of day hikes as part of training for a multi-day hike next year. She loves the pack and she gets a lot of comments on the trail from hikers who think its cute!

If you are wanting to get your kids into the wilderness for a night or two, this is the pack to do it with.

Jul

2010

(0 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

Excellent pack for younger child

By edonald

from St. Louis, Mo.

About Me Casual Adventurer

Pros

Comfortable
Easy To Load
Good Padding
Good Suspension
Highly Adjustable

Cons

Too small for sleeping ba

Best Uses

Light Loads

Comments about REI Comet Pack - Kids':

I bought this for my nine-year-old son. The pack was perfect for a while, well-designed and comfortable. Its one flaw: the sleeping bag compartment is too small for any sleeping bag. He is now eleven and five-foot-one, and the pack would still fit him, but he is now using an adult sleeping bag, which fills most of the pack. He has relegated his clothing bag to the sleeping bag compartment. I would understand this flaw except that we had the same problem with his child-size sleeping bag - the compartment is ludicrously small and clearly isn't designed for any actual sleeping bag. I expect this pack would be perfect for any backpacking kid up to age seven or a year or two older if s/he's built small.