The Sprout - a Childrens Backpack

[Ilkyway]

My joungest daughter, age 6 (though she turns 7 next month) is proud as proud can be: this time around she got to test out something Tom Bihn. She has used a Side Effect and a Synapse 19 in the past and loved both, but this one was for HER and mom was not able to use it byherself.




And what a great backpack, I tell you: I want one. In say a 12 L range.

She so much loves, how she can put all her dudas into individual compartments. She has repackt this Sproud numerous times (NO idea where she has this habit from ;-)







Ilkyway

ETA: This is was she carried when I asked her, if I can have a peak:

[Badger]

Accessories that fit in the Sprout



The Sprout carries a surprising amount of stuff, and one reason for this is its relatively simple built-in organization. In the main compartment, there is a shingle pocket (like the pockets in the DLBP but only one) and three small drop-in pockets: one oriented quite low on each side, and one in the middle at the top. On the top of the bag, right in front of the grab handle, you’ve got a third pocket. That’s it.

If you need more organization, you may be looking for accessories to add; perhaps, too, you’re wondering which of the accessories you already own will work in the Sprout.

I tested every accessory I own that seemed like a reasonable fit. Each accessory was packed with an average amount of stuff—nothing bulged or was packed full. To determine “fit,” an accessory had to fulfill the following: a) did not require shoe-horning to go in, b) gave a decent amount of clearance so the zipper could close easily, and c) did not cause major distortions to the bag. Whenever an item technically worked but wasn’t ideal, it’s noted.

Main compartment:
Field Journal Notebook
Night Flight Travel Duffel Packing Cube
Aeronaut 30 End Pocket Packing Cube
Tri-Star Small Packing Cube
Side Effect
First/Second Aid Pouch
Travel Tray
Spiff Kit
Spiff Kit Deluxe
Travel Stuff Sack: sizes 1, 2, 3, 4
Packing Cube Shoulder Bag
Small Cafe Bag Freudian Slip
Cache: size Vertical iPad
Clear/Mesh/Cordura/Halcyon/Parapack/Ballistic Organizer Pouch: Mini, Small, Medium, Pen/Pencil
Double Organizer Pouch: Small, Medium
3D Fabric/Mesh/Clear Organizer Cube
Q-Kit: Mini, Small

Shingle pocket:
Night Flight Travel Duffel Packing Cube
Double Organizer Pouch: Small, Medium (however, Medium is a bit of a squeeze)
Side Effect (takes room from top pocket)
First/Second Aid Pouch (takes room from top pocket)
3D Organizer Cube

Inner drop-in side pockets:
Travel Stuff Sack: size 1 (can’t be packed too full)
Organizer Pouch: Mini, Pen/Pencil

Inner drop-in top pocket:
Organizer Pouch: Mini
Pocket Pouch
Luggage Tag (there’s not really a very good way to secure this, though)
Q-Kit: Mini

Top Pocket:
Pocket Pouch
Q-Kit: Mini
**no o-ring in this pocket



Observations:

• The Field Journal Notebook fits perfectly in the Sprout main compartment.
• The full-size packing cubes (A30, TS) seem a bit large for kids’ clothes; however, the NFTD cube works like a dream in either the main compartment or shingle pocket and would likely be easier for a child to handle without being overwhelmed by stuff.
• The 3D Organizer Cube seems like it was made for the shingle pocket.
• The Pocket Pouch fits very, very well in the front drop-in pocket (as its name suggests it might).
• There are no o-rings in the top pocket, so if you put a pouch or something in there, be aware that it could get dropped—but I suppose that is a risk for anything in a kid’s backpack. To me, this pocket seems like it would be great for small items—granola bars, a hat—or to provide parents with a quick-access pocket so they can get something (hand sanitizer, tissues, etc.) while their child is wearing the pack, but without having to open the main compartment.

Notes on weight and simplicity:

• As we likely know from using our own bags, the trade-off with more organization is more bulk and weight; the ability to hold greater numbers of potentially heavy items is a double-edged sword. A couple of small pouches won’t make a tangible difference, but once you introduce the FJN, a Freudian Slip, and/or a Cache, you’re looking at more significant weight. With a small kid, a load of more than 2-3 pounds might be too much, especially if the pack will be worn for significant periods of time.

Also worth considering is whether the child will actually use the accessories. He or she might be completely happy with dumping everything into the main compartment, or lack the fine motor skills to operate loads of zippers, tiny pen slots, and so forth.

[bermudajes]

My first niece is due in June. She'll be getting this bag as soon as she's old enough to walk :-D

[Ilkyway]

Sorry to hear that brucep, I hope a next run will have a better color option for you!


For refference: she is 131 cm tall and quite skinny.







Ilkyway

[Ilkyway]

And of cause, how does this backpack look inside? Emmely laughed her head of (nearly) when I asked her, if I may turn it inside out:





FOUR O-Rings, three small sleeve-pockets (two on the sides, one on the front pennal) and a large seleve pocket at the back.

Ilkyway

[Kippiann]

Gorgeous (your daughter and the bag). I hope they make this one in an adult size!

[Ilkyway]

Oh and some compariosnons... got to have size-comparisons pictures, right?









Backpacks in question: Brain Bag (black), Smart Alec (Nordic), Synapse 25 (grey), Synapse 19 (Nordic) and a Daylight Backpack (once Frensh Blue, once Plum)

Ilkyway

PS: if you ask Emmely about this Sproud you get a huge smile from her!

ETA: And of cause a Cat had to sneak into at least ONE picture :-D

[ceepee]

I was lucky enough to get a preview of The Sprout on my recent visit to Germany. The only way @Ilkyway was going to get this back to hide from me was if she stuffed her daughter into the TB box with it! :D

[threeteez]

Adorable! A Navy/wasabi one leaped into my cart...my adult children will think I'm hinting for grandchildren, but I'm keeping it for me!!

[Vecturist]

It is very cute - and thank you for your comprehensive post Ilkyway! I don't have kids, I'm not sure how I'd use the Sprout, but I want one anyway!

[Squirrel]

Great photos Ilkyway and Badger!
I have to know though: did Titus make away with that fox???

[Shanisol]

Are the straps long enough to conceivably work on an adult? I'm curious about it's potential as a purse like object.

[Badger]

Great photos Ilkyway and Badger!
I have to know though: did Titus make away with that fox???

No way, Jose! He has his own fox (although it is not fit to be seen by the general public). He really, really wanted it, though.

[Ilkyway]

Shanisol this is a true Childrens Backpack. I can not see an adult wearing this compftably. But let's voice our combined NEED for an adlutls version of this. ;-)

Ilkyway

[Bijouxandbeads]

Ilkyway, how cool that your daughter got her Sprout in Aubergine!