As a family, we have had the opportunity to check out a number of different kid carriers. We have had kids only a few months old up to kids over 3 years old in them. Wearers have ranged in size and shape and conditions on the trail have varied from rocky terrain to easy paths to back country ski slopes. While testing continues on our end, we have definitely put a few of them through the ringer.
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| Loading up the Poco with Kid + Gear for our Packraft Adventure |
- Incredible Torso Length Adjustment (15.5” – 21.5”) that is easy to change from wearer to wearer. Grandma is just under 5 feet tall and about 100 pounds and comfortable wearing the Poco.
- Mesh back panel for the wearer leaves room for air and plenty of comfort.
- The pockets on the waistband weren’t thought out perfectly and one of the straps covers the zipper making it more difficult to access. They did include an extra strap to try to keep that zipper more available, but we don’t think it works that great.
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| Strap inhibiting access to pocket |
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| Daypack is attached to back of the pack in this photo (though is pretty empty) |
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You can also buy a full rain cover for the Poco for $29. While we have not tested it out, the design certainly seems effective (and Osprey makes fabulous rain covers for their other packs.) Osprey also makes a carrying case to use for travel (especially via airline.)
Love this! Thank you. We did end up picking it up for fathers day and are getting read now to head out on a hike. Went with the poco plus because the “non wearer” will carry a backpack to even the load. Thanks again. All the best!
We purchased this based entirely on your recommendation and before you posted your review. It is simply FABULOUS for our lifestyle. We are in London (UK) where we needed to find a way to pack our 7 month old son along to summer festivals, Olympics and long days out on the beach and coastal trails. We have not been disappointed and my husband even uses it to walk the dog and the baby around the park in the morning. Since we are often under rain the full rain cover was mandatory and a real selling point. The storage space is really good and the kick-stand/seat is perfect for tiny city cafe’s where stoller’s just can’t fit! Thanks Mountain Mama!!
Thank you a lot for this review!
What I didn’t quite get though is the bottom storage that goes away if you flip the kickstand in. Does that mean that when you have stuff in that storage compartment, you’ll simply leave the kickstand flipped out? Is there any disadvantage to that when hiking? Or is the bottom storage basically useless because it’s uncomfortable with the kickstand being flipped out?
Thanks for clarifying this.
Cheers,
Toby
Great question! Sorry I wasn’t more clear about that. When we stuff our soft gear in there (jackets, etc.) it just compresses everything when we close the kickstand. If you had it full of harder stuff (food, etc.) you wouldn’t be able to do that and the kickstand would just stay need to stay out. Quite honestly, it isn’t really in the way when hiking (and big open spaces), so no big deal there. It may get annoying in a crowded/indoor space, though. Bottom line: not a HUGE deal, but definitely something to know before you buy! Please feel free to ask if you have any more questions!
Thank you for that clarification! I’ll order one this weekend and am looking forward for some November hikes with my little boy! Just today, he managed to sit on his own for more than 2 minutes! He’ll be stable enough to be carried around in a few weeks.
Awesome! Please do post pictures when he is big enough to ride in it!
I’d love to see!
We finally got our poco premium, and after getting out into the mountains for the first time with it, my son and I are both very happy!
So far, I have only two negative points: The sunshade is a bit difficult to get back in when the pack is loaded, and I think there are not enough straps or hooks to attach stuff (such as warm winter jackets) to the outside of the pack. Not a big deal as one can work around this with extra straps, but it would be an easy improvment for Osprey to add some more hooks.
Thanks again for the excellent review!
btw, I sent the pic I promised by email.
Thanks for the review! Do you find the sun shade that comes on this one to provide better sun protection that the Deuter Kid Comfort III? I’m completely torn as to which of those to buy. The sunshade on the Poco Plus seems better, and it has the foot straps, but the Hip system on the Deuter is really calling me since out 19 month old is already 34 pounds! Thoughts?
Hi Pamela – sorry it took me a bit to get back to you (we just moved and our internet was JUST hooked up!) The sunshade on the Poco is more surrounding than the Deuter, but we have found that the Deuter’s is definitely adequate. Additionally, the Poco sunshade can be tough for kids that are taller or claustrophobic at all (it’s almost like being in a little fort.) The hip system on the Deuter is awesome for carrying heavier loads, but those foot straps are a BIG help for taller kids. Basically, if the only thing you don’t like about the Deuter is the sunshade, don’t worry about it – it still provides great protection (AND the rain fly you can buy to go with it adds even more protection!) Best bet? Try to get somewhere where you can try them both on…. If you have any further questions, let me know! Hope this helps just a bit.
Thanks. Unfortunately, we live on Oahu and there are no stores that sell either of them! I’m considering buying the Deuter and seeing if I can sew on some foot straps. That’s really the only thing I feel like we would be missing from the Osprey. Thanks again!
When you do, please send me a photo! I would love to suggest it to Deuter too…
I still haven’t gotten the pack. I have put it off for a few weeks to allow my boy to get better at sitting. Now, when I finally decided to order, it’s more difficult that I thought (I am ordering from Germany): First shop didn’t have it on stock and despite promises, has not yet been able to order it. Second shop was simply weird, deleting my order, changing prices in between and suchlike. Hopefully, the third shop will work.
I WILL post that picture, promised!
I’ve been following your reviews on child carriers- they are really informative, thanks for posting them.
I have a question about the Poco- is it possible to compress it at all? Your Deuter vs Kelty comparison shows that both packs can squeeze down whereas the Poco looks more like a fixed-thickness frame. This would be a concern for storage at home, or getting into a car.
HI Jeff, it does compress, but not as well as the Deuter packs. However, it has never been something we have noticed (and we usually WOULD notice!) I will do my best to get a compressed photo up on the blog of all of them this week!
Thanks for your quick reply!
We ended up getting the Poco as the Deuter II and IIIs are not available locally. We’re happy with the Poco and agree with many of the points you make in your reviews. The top-access buckles are great and make for a very fast in-and-out operation and integrated hood works very smoothly.
Build quality seems up the usual Osprey standards.
The only downsides I’ve identified so far:
The pack really doesn’t compress much at all, and Osprey recommends to loosen the compression straps during storage. Not so handy when living in a small apartment! The most compressible bag I’ve come across so far is from Down Under- the Wilderness Equipment Wildchild.
The Poco uses what appears to be a pretty standard Osprey harness, which is probably okay for most people. I’m used to better harnesses (McHales for the load carrier and Ergons for daypacks so I’m pretty spoilt
so I do find the Osprey less comfortable and definitely restrictive. I suspect, but cannot confirm, that I’d be happier with the Variflex hipbelt of the Deuter.
Overall, I’m happy with the Osprey Poco- thanks for all your work on your reviews, they saved me a lot of time and indecision!
Thanks so much for following up….your responses help me (and all our readers!) too! Please feel free to post pictures of your adventures on our Facebook wall – I would love to see the Poco in action!
Hi Amelia,
We looked at the ospray poco plus and the deuters II and III today and like the ospray very much. However we feel that the baby’s head is less supported than in the deuters. In case the child falls asleep, will there be enough headsupport, or will it just dangle along?
Could you add a little pillow or push in a sweater to make it more comfy?
People also seem to be happy with the drollpad, but is it large enough?
The Deuters both have thicker pads in front and the III clearly goes high on headsupport behind the neck… How usefull are these items in reality? And do you miss them on the osprey?
Thanks for your advice.
Hi Carolien,
Ohhh, good questions! While the Poco head support is certainly adequate, it certainly IS better on both of the Deuters. AND the Deuter droolpad is awesome. That said, yes, you can certainly add padding with extra gear (we often do this to secure bobbing heads in every carrier.) The height of the Deuter III is good, but I personally now prefer the Deuter II. The support is good enough and I don’t miss the extra height. It just “rides” better for me.
Totally understand the decision is tough. The BIGGEST thing I see between the two that really matters is those foot stirrups on the Poco. However, you could most likely rig up something pretty easily on the Deuter!
Does that help at all? Feel free to keep asking questions if you have them!
Cheers!
=) Amelia
Hi Amelia,
Thanks for your quick response! Your comments have been really helpful.
Especially since our son (5,5months) at first didn’t seem to like any of the bags he was put in, untill we put the backpacks up on our shoulders and he could look out from high up in his tower. He could not stop smiling then. According to us he seemed the happiest in the Osprey.
We still have a slight preference for the Osprey Poco Plus and have decided to go for that one. Because we feel it has some advantages we personally prefer over the Deuter II.
Like the fact that it allows more air between our backs and the backpack, the way the child is fixed in it will save us a lot of frustration
Yes the extra support on the Deuter would have been nice, especially when the LO falls asleep, but since you say you have to add extra padding anyway when they are asleep… we’ll just have to add a little more I guess.
Other things we liked on the Osprey are the foothandles and the sunprotection.
What we didn’t like in the Deuter is the fact that the child is actually seated on top of the bottom storage bag. So depending on what you put in it, he will have more or less comfort.
Anyway, thanks for your advice. We feel it enabled us to make the final decision without hesitation.
Wishing you and your family some nice autumn walks in the weeks ahead,
Best regards,
Carolien, Benoit and little Théodore.
Seeing your video has convinced me that this is the best pack for our family. I’ve done a lot of research but haven’t been able to compare the top designs (deuter, kelty, and osprey) side by side due to my remote location. Thank you for your honest review.
SO glad it was helpful! That’s my hope and mission in this blog and all our gear reviews so it’s always nice when it sounds like its actually working!
Enjoy! And please feel free to send photos! 
Great reviews and I really appreciate you doing them.
I’ve been trying to decide between the Poco Plus and the Deuter Comfort III. I tried both on and they both fit fine. I love how the Poco allows the kid to be inserted and extracted (how’s that for kid terms) compared to the Deuter. I also love the mesh back on the poco. A thing I didn’t like on the Poco was the lack of pillow but I think a sweatshirt as some have mentioned would solve that.
My biggest concern is the seat. I really liked the look of the Deuter’s seat because it seems as if it is more like a seat and less like a straddle (type setup) found in the Poco. Have you (or anyone) come across sore legs or crotch’s from sitting too long in the Poco?
Also, is the premiums storage really worth the extra $40? I have dozens of bags (big, small, heavy, light ultralight, etc) I feel could be attached no problem. Thoughts?
Thanks to anyone for a reply.
Adam
Hi Adam,
Really good questions! My kids have spent hours in both and have had sore legs once….and yes, it was in the Poco and it was when he was over 3 and in the upper limit of the pack. However, I don’t think the seats are different enough to worry about it. The Poco does have those stirrups which help a ton with not letting feet fall asleep, etc. (and , as you know, the Deuter does not.)
I am going to do a little more testing and see if we come up with anything (because it hasn’t been an issue we noticed, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t a concern.)
Both packs are excellent, though, and come highly recommended by us!
Let me know if that helps or if you have any other questions!
Amelia