Compare Kids Backpacks
REI Co-op Tarn 18 Pack - Kids' scores higher on safety - here's why.
R3 scored the REI Co-op Tarn 18 Pack - Kids' 8.3/10 and the The North Face Youth Recon Squash Backpack 6.3/10 on the same kids backpacks scoring system, weighing safety, efficacy, and usability. The REI Co-op Tarn 18 Pack - Kids' comes out ahead, led by its safety score (8.4/10 vs 6.1/10).
The most important dimensions, side by side.
See which one actually scores higher — and why
Free account unlocks full safety scores, spec-by-spec breakdown, and the R3 verdict on REI Co-op Tarn 18 Pack - Kids' vs The North Face Youth Recon Squash Backpack.
Unlock the full REI Co-op Tarn 18 Pack - Kids' vs The North Face Youth Recon Squash Backpack breakdown
Free account unlocks all safety scores, complete spec comparison, scoring rationale, and the R3 verdict on which one to buy.
Everything you need to make the call - who each one is for, and who should skip it.
Go for it if you...
You want a low-chemical-exposure daypack for a child roughly eight to twelve and value bluesign-verified PVC and phthalate-free construction
You want full load support for a child who carries real weight: padded straps, a ventilated padded back panel, a chest strap and a hipbelt
You want a PFAS-free water-repellent finish that is backed by an outside textile standard rather than a bare brand claim
You want a reinforced, double-layer-bottom pack built to survive daily school and trail use
You care most about how a pack sits on a growing child's back and want padded straps, a structured back panel, and a real chest strap
You want a buy-once, durable bag backed by a lifetime warranty
You prefer a brand that has moved its kids' packs off forever-chemical water repellents
You like a recycled-fabric body and are comfortable at a mid-range price around sixty-five dollars
The main thing to know
This is one of the cleanest kids' packs we scored on chemicals, but two of its signals rest on certification and regulation rather than a lab test of this exact pack. The forever-chemical-free finish is backed by REI's statement and the bluesign program rather than a published lab reading, and the lead in the hardware rests on the federal children's-product limit rather than a published REI test result.
How this pack carries is excellent, and the brand has clearly stepped away from the forever-chemical finishes. The catch is transparency: it never states whether any prints or coatings contain PVC or phthalates, and it never publishes the empty weight, so two things a careful parent would want to confirm are simply not disclosed.
Skip this if you...
You will only buy a pack with its own independent forever-chemical lab result, since this model is certified rather than separately lab-tested
You want a published lead-free test on the zippers and hardware rather than reliance on the federal children's-product limit
You specifically want a recycled or natural-fiber main body, since the Tarn's primary shell is virgin nylon ripstop
You will not buy a children's pack without a published PVC- and phthalate-free declaration
You want the empty weight on paper before you trust it against the carry limit for a smaller child
You only buy bags with an independent, lab-verified clean test rather than a brand-level claim
Neither of these quite what you're looking for?
I've reviewed all Kids Backpacks options at every price pointEvery Kids Backpacks in our database is scored using R3's deterministic scoring system - the same inputs always produce the same score. For this comparison, we evaluated REI Co-op and The North Face across 3 independent criteria: Safety (94%), Efficacy (5%), Usability (1%). No sponsored rankings. No paid placements.
Straight answers - no sponsored content, no filler.
I'd start with REI Co-op REI Co-op Tarn 18 Pack - Kids' - it scored 8.3/10 overall in our scoring system. Safety is our top-weighted scoring pillar, followed by efficacy, and usability. Check which pillar matters most to your family and compare those specific scores.
R3 uses a deterministic scoring system - the same inputs always produce the same score. We evaluate each Kids Backpacks across Safety, Efficacy, Usability using independently verified data. No sponsored rankings. No paid placements. Every score is fully reproducible.
Not necessarily. The overall score reflects how we weight those three pillars, but your priorities may differ. If you care most about safety, compare the safety scores directly. If budget drives your decision, the prices tell a clearer story. The "right" pick is the one that matches what matters most to your family.
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