Compare Kids Backpacks
Which scores higher on safety? R3 breaks it down.
R3 scored the Osprey Daylite Jr. Kids' Backpack 8.3/10 and the REI Co-op Tarn 18 Pack - Kids' 8.3/10 on the same kids backpacks scoring system, weighing safety, efficacy, and usability. The overall scores are close; the pillar breakdown below shows where they differ.
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 Osprey Daylite Jr. Kids' Backpack vs REI Co-op Tarn 18 Pack - Kids'.
Unlock the full Osprey Daylite Jr. Kids' Backpack vs REI Co-op Tarn 18 Pack - Kids' 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 preschool or early-grade child and value bluesign-certified PVC and phthalate-free construction
You want a featherweight pack, about 260 grams empty, so almost all of the carry budget goes to what your child actually packs
You want full load support sized for a small child: padded adjustable straps, a ventilated back panel, and a sternum strap that keeps the pack from swinging
You want a durable pack backed by a lifetime guarantee you can hand down rather than replace every school year
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
The main thing to know
The no-PFAS water finish rests on Osprey's own statement plus bluesign certification, not an independent lab test on this exact pack, so it is a credible disclosure rather than a confirmed lab result.
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.
Skip this if you...
You will only buy a pack with its own independent forever-chemical lab result, since this exact model has not been lab-tested for fluorine
You want a published lead-free test on the zippers and hardware rather than reliance on the federal children's-product limit
You need a full hip or waist belt to carry heavier loads, since this pack stops at a sternum strap
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
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 Osprey and REI Co-op across 3 independent criteria: Safety (94%), Efficacy (5%), Usability (1%). No sponsored rankings. No paid placements.
Straight answers - no sponsored content, no filler.
Both scored close to 8.3/10, so the better choice depends on your priorities. 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.
Not the right match? Explore these alternatives in the same category.
