Osprey Poco Premium Child Carrier Backpack Review
Comfort and features make this Osprey’s top-of-the-line child carrier pack
Hiking with a toddler was made easier with the Poco Premium. Photo by Iza Ryszawa.
October 14, 2024
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There are many different child carrier backpack options within the Osprey Poco line alone, not to mention among other brands. So it can be tough to decipher the differences and narrow down which is best for your needs. This review zooms in on the newly updated Osprey Poco Premium—Osprey’s top-of-the-line child carrier pack. It’s loaded with features, comfort is a priority, and it’s primed for long days out with lots of gear.
Across our team we’ve tested multiple child carrier backpacks, including others from the Osprey Poco line, like the Osprey Poco SLT and Osprey Poco Plus child carrier backpack. Of all these packs, the Poco Premium is the most feature-rich and capable, whether that’s a walk in the park or heading out for a long day in the backcountry with the whole family in tow.
I tested this pack over the course of multiple months throughout the summer, primarily on trails around my home in Colorado, but also through a handful of cities and mountain towns, and on one long road trip. This pack lives up to its name—premium features and exceptional comfort. If you’re looking for a child carrier that is supremely comfortable and capable of carrying far more than just your kid, this is it.
Osprey Poco Premium
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Specs
Weight: 8.34 lbs.
Storage capacity: 36L
Weight capacity:
Dimensions: 29.5H X 15.4W X 17.7D in
Fits waists/hips: 26 - 48"
Fits torso length: 15 - 31"
Adjustable hip belt: Y
Adjustable torso: Y
Frame material: Aluminum Internal
Freestanding: Yes
Sun shade: included, UPF 50+
Rain cover: sold separately
Comparison Table
Weight, Capacity, Features
| BABY CARRIER | WEIGHT | WEIGHT CAPACITY (lbs) | STORAGE CAPACITY | SUNSHADE? | FREESTANDING? | MSRP* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Osprey Poco Premium | 8 lbs 5.4 oz | 48.5 | 36 L | Yes (UPF 50+) | Yes | $395 |
| Osprey Poco SLT | 4 lbs 11.5 oz | 48.5 | 22 L | Yes (sold separately) | Yes | $250 |
| Osprey Poco Plus | 7 lb 14.4 oz | 48.0 | 26 L | Yes | Yes | $320 |
| Deuter Kid Comfort | 7 lbs 2 oz | 48.5 | 14 L | Yes | Yes | $320 |
| Kelty Journey PerfectFIT | 6 lbs 6oz | 50.0 | 17 L | No (additional purchase) | Yes | $270 |
Fit and Sizing and Adjustment
| BABY CARRIER | DIMENSIONS (inches) | FITS TORSO LENGTH | FITS WAIST / HIPS | FRAME | ADJUSTABLE TORSO LENGTH? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Osprey Poco Premium | 29.53 x 15.35 x 17.72 | 15 - 31" | 26 - 48" | Aluminum | Yes |
| Osprey Poco SLT | 23.6 X 13.8 X 16.9 | 15 - 21" | 26 - 48" | Folding Stainless Steel | Yes |
| Osprey Poco Plus | 28.75 x 29 x 15.75 | 15 - 21" | 24 - 50" | Aluminum | Yes |
| Deuter Kid Comfort | 28 x 17 x 13 | 15 - 20" | 24 - 54" | Aluminum | Yes |
| Kelty Journey PerfectFIT | 28 x 20 x 15.5 | 15.5 - 21" | 32 - 51.5" | Aluminum | Yes |
Best For
Utilizing all the pockets and storage in the Poco Premium for a family hike in Colorado. Photo by Matt Derrick.
The Poco Premium is the ideal child carrier rig for big days and long hikes, especially for bigger kids (or bigger families). If you’re looking for a pack that can carry your kiddo and lots of gear, the Poco Premium does this, and comfortably. Osprey skimped on nothing here. There are pockets galore with ample space for far more than just the essentials, the pack carries a heavy load incredibly well, and extra features like the sun shade come included.
Yes, this all comes in a larger package that is bulkier than some other child carriers (like the Osprey Poco SLT), but if comfort and capacity is what you’re after, the Poco Premium likely is what you want.
What We Like
Using the Osprey Poco Premium with a toddler on a family hike in Colorado. Photo by Iza Ryszawa.
First of all, the Poco Premium is luxuriously comfortable for the person carrying it. Osprey’s AirsPeed back panel uses a continuous mesh that’s wrapped around a sleek metal frame, so the pack is slightly suspended off your back. This allows for exceptional airflow, without compromising the pack’s ability to comfortably carry heavy loads. Nothing was spared in the suspension system, and the thick foam and back panel that allows for airflow make this pack as comfortable as Osprey’s high-end backpacking packs.
There are adjustments for both the back panel and hip belt of the pack, so it can work well for multiple people. It also has adjustments for the child cockpit, so it can comfortably accommodate your child as they grow. These features make this pack very versatile and comfortable for both adults and kids of different sizes.
One of the standout features of the pack is the amount of storage capacity. With 11 pockets and a whopping 36 liters total of volume, you don’t have to pick and choose what you bring along; there’s probably space for it all. And because the pack is outfitted with such a nice suspension system, you don’t have to be too concerned about the weight of everything you’re carrying. We especially love the dual hip pockets, the four stretchy side stash pockets, and the stretchy pocket on the chest strap, which is ideal for holding a phone or car keys for easy access.
But Osprey didn’t stop at just the suspension and pockets with this pack. Other useful features include stirrups for your kiddo that can be easily adjusted depending on their height, and an included sun shade. Additionally, the cozy child cockpit is removable and washable in this pack—a huge bonus if there’s any snacking going on in there.
The Poco Premium is also very sturdy and burly. You can comfortably set it on the ground with your child inside and not fret about it tipping over (unless they’re a particularly wriggly kiddo, in which case likely no child carrier will contain them). Overall, Osprey has made an excellent pack that lives up to its name—the Poco Premium is premium indeed.
How We Tested
The Poco Premium was great for long walks along the river and through town. Photo by Stasia Stockwell.
We used this pack over the course of several summer months in the mountains. My husband, who is about 5’11”, and my short 5’3” self were both able to use the pack comfortably, easily adjusting it to our very different torso lengths.
We used the pack on several hikes in the mountains in Colorado, and took it on a handful of frontcountry adventures, too, walking around various towns for espresso or snacks with our son in tow. Our son was around 7-8 months and about 16-18 pounds for the majority of our testing—just barely large enough to fit in the pack, though he was comfortable and secure in it.
Additionally, another family helped to test this pack with their 2-year-old toddler (about 28 pounds) son over the course of a month. They carried their son in the pack on multiple hikes and walks around town, and also found it to be very comfortable. And probably even more than us, they really appreciated all of the gear capacity given that they had to carry more for their larger family.
My husband and I also tested the Poco Premium alongside the Poco SLT—Osprey’s lightest and slimmest child carrier—and have been able to thoroughly assess the pros and cons of each model. Compared to other Osprey child carriers, and especially the more minimal SLT, the Premium has significantly more storage and a more plush and comfortable suspension system. And the added features are noticeable (as is the size—this pack is not small).
Technical Design Features
Napping under the sun shade after a hike in the Poco Premium. Photo by Iza Ryszawa.
The Poco Premium is Osprey’s top of the line child carrier, and that means it includes a lot of premium features. For starters, the suspension system on this pack is incredibly robust and comfortable. There is thick foam on the shoulder and waist straps that makes for a comfortable carry. The back panel has a web of mesh (what Osprey calls its AirSpeed suspension system) that holds the main pack just off of your back, allowing airflow and keeping the pack wearer nice and cool. Load lifters at the shoulders help to manage the balance and weight of the pack well.
The back panel of the pack is easily adjustable and can accommodate a variety of torso sizes. Both my husband, who is 5’11”, and I, at 5’3” with a very short torso, were able to use the pack comfortably. Additionally, the hip belt on this pack is adjustable. The padding on the hip belt on either side can slide in and out, depending on how much width is desired for the pack wearer’s hips.
Like all other packs in the Poco line, the Premium uses Osprey’s Double Halo harness design for the child cockpit. This holds children as small as my infant son and as large as a 40-pound toddler in comfortably and securely. The difference with the Premium is that the entire harness system in the cockpit is removable and washable. If you’re reading this, you probably have a child and know what a nice feature that is!
The fabric used for the body of this pack is a burly 210-denier ripstop nylon that’s treated with a PFAS-free water repellent coating (DWR).
Fit and Sizing
Using the Poco Premium and the Osprey sun shade attachment on a family hike in Colorado. Photo by Iza Ryszawa.
The Poco Premium comes in one size option which has an adjustable back panel and hip belt. The back panel has a full 6 inches of adjustment range. This means it can be adjusted for different pack wearers and is quite versatile. If you’re under 5 feet tall, this pack may feel long in the torso and large overall, but otherwise I have found it to fit a wide variety of people of different heights and sizes.
The Poco Premium can carry children from infants to toddlers. Osprey states that this pack is suitable for children from 16 to 40 pounds.
Weight
The Poco Premium carried a heavy toddler comfortably for a scenic hike in Colorado. Photo by Matt Derrick.
The Poco Premium weighs 8.34 pounds, which is nearly double that of the Poco SLT, Osprey’s lightest child carrier. But, the added weight includes a lot of features and storage that smaller, lighter packs don’t have. The weight of the pack is not noticeable when you’re wearing it, given that the suspension system is so robust and comfortable. But, when it comes time to pack it away, the weight and size of the pack are much more noticeable.
Gear Capacity, Organization, And Pockets
There are three spacious pockets on the top of the Poco Premium. Photo by Stasia Stockwell.
There are a whopping 11 pockets on this pack, and there really does seem to be a place for everything. There is one large storage pocket at the bottom of the pack, ideal for carrying the biggest and heaviest items. There are three more pockets at the top of the pack in the back above the largest one—two of them are zippered and one of them is a stretchy stash pocket. There are also a few daisy chain loops that line either side of these pockets for clipping gear and essentials that you want easy access to.
On the hip belt there are two zippered pockets which are large enough for most phones or plenty of little snacks. On one shoulder strap there is a stretchy mesh pocket, which is also ideal for a phone or anything small you want to have extra handy while walking with the pack on.
There are large water bottle pockets on either side of the Poco Premium. Photo by Stasia Stockwell.
There are spacious and stretchy water bottle pockets on either side of the pack. And, on the sides of the pack outside of the child cockpit, there are two more mesh pockets.
Finally, there is also a pocket on the back panel for a water bladder, though the bladder is not included with the pack.
The storage capacity on this pack is truly impressive. My husband and I were able to use it for a hike with our son and dog, carrying a diaper bag, baby bottles, extra baby layers, our own water bottles and a picnic lunch, dog treats, a dog leash, and more with room still to spare.
Child Seat Design
The Poco Premium has a soft and cozy child cockpit, even comfy enough for naps. Photo by Stasia Stockwell.
The Poco Premium uses a Double Halo harness design, like all of Osprey’s Poco packs. The straps are adjustable and slightly elastic at one end to allow for plenty of comfort and some freedom of movement while still holding the child secure. Soft and cushy fabric surrounds the entire child cockpit. And the standout feature of this child cockpit is that it can be removed and washed.
Additionally, there are stirrups included with this pack, which is especially nice for children who are a bit older, but useful for any age that this pack is suitable for. The stirrups are simple and easy to adjust. My small son did not use them much, but the toddler used them constantly and was comfortable with them on longer hikes, too.
Carrying Comfort
The Poco Premium is incredibly comfortable and adjustable to fit different torso sizes. Photo by Stasia Stockwell.
The carrying comfort is another standout feature of this pack. When I worked as a backpacking guide, I often had to carry loads upwards of 80 pounds on my small frame, and I used Osprey’s top-of-the-line, large capacity backpacking pack for that and it was always comfortable. The suspension and comfort of the Poco Premium remind me of that trusty backpacking pack that’s now mostly retired.
This pack carries weight incredibly well. The foam padding is comfortable and the suspension is excellent. The design that allows for airflow to the back is wonderful, especially on adventures when sweating a lot would be much less desirable than a hike in the woods—like wandering a downtown area in search of a nice coffee.
You’d be hard-pressed to find a child carrier backpack more comfortable than this one, especially if you’ve got a lot of weight to haul.
Weather Resistance And Sun Protection
Hiking in southern Utah with the Poco Premium. Photo by Matt Derrick.
The Poco Premium comes with the sun shade included. This sun shade can be stored in one of the front pockets of the pack and deployed when needed. It has UPF 50+ protection, which I found to be essential for life in the mountains walking around with my son. I used the sun shade almost every time I took the pack out, and I found it to be sufficient weather protection in a light drizzle, too.
But for heavy rain, you’d want the rain cover, which does not come included and must be purchased separately. (I did not have a chance to test this.)
The pack fabric is treated with a PFAS-free DWR that withstands some light precipitation and sheds moisture fairly well overall.
Durability And Quality
Walking around town with the Poco Premium. Photo by Stasia Stockwell.
The thick, 210-denier ripstop fabric on this pack is burly and durable. I never thought twice about setting this pack down in rocky areas, and never worried about abrasion from tree branches or anything of the like. After several months of consistent use in the mountains, the pack still looks good as new.
Everything down to the buckles and zippers on this pack feel high quality and built to last though far more than just one kid.
Sustainability
Exploring on a summer hike in the mountains with the Poco Premium. Photo by Matt Derrick.
The Poco Premium is made with bluesign-approved fabrics and recycled nylon for the pack body. Additionally, the DWR treatment on the fabric is free of PFAS forever chemicals.
Osprey packs, including this one, are durable and well-built. This pack is meant to last many years and can stand up to heavy use, meaning you should not have to buy others to replace this. Based on our testing so far, we think it should last through the toddler years and even through multiple kids, meaning you shouldn’t need to replace this and can hand it down when your child grows out of it.
Warranty
The child cockpit on the Poco Premium is spacious and comfortable for kids of different sizes. Photo by Stasia Stockwell.
Osprey has an All Mighty Guarantee, which covers pack repair or replacement within the warranty timeframe, depending on the specific item. Poco packs are covered with this warranty for seven years, starting on the date it was manufactured. This means that within that time frame, Osprey will repair or replace your Poco pack, no matter what.
Additionally, Osprey offers replacement parts that are easy to purchase from its website, should you need to repair a pack that’s outside of the warranty.
What Could Be Better
Overall, there is truly not much we don’t like about this pack, especially when you consider the design intentions. It’s supremely comfortable, carries loads of gear, and is a good value given its quality.
If there is one downside to this pack, it’s the large size. Yes, that’s an upside for the sake of the storage capacity, but that and all those features mean that this pack isn’t exactly low profile. It’s going to feel cumbersome in tight spaces, and it doesn’t pack down as small as other child carriers (like the Poco SLT).
Differences Across the Poco Line
There are multiple packs and accessories within Osprey’s Poco line. There are currently five different child carrier pack models within the line—the regular Poco, the Poco Premium, the Poco Plus, the Poco SLT and the Poco LT. Of these models, the Poco Premium is the largest and has the most pockets and features.
The Poco SLT (left) is smaller than the Poco Premium (right) but the Premium has far more storage capacity. Photo by Stasia Stockwell.
Osprey Poco SLT
Weight: 11 lbs 4.8 oz
Weight capacity: 48.5 lbs|
Storage capacity: 22 L
Sunshade: Yes, sold separately
Freestanding: Yes
The Poco Premium and Poco SLT sit at opposite ends of the spectrum. While the SLT is the slimmest, lightest, and most minimal of the child carriers, the Premium is the most deluxe.
It has far more pockets and storage capacity, a more comfortable suspension system, and additional features like a removable and washable child harness and an included sunshade. But it is large. The SLT is much smaller, lighter, and more portable overall.
Osprey Poco SLT
Osprey Poco Plus
Weight: 7 lb 14.4 oz
Weight capacity: 48.0 lbs
Storage capacity: 26 L
Sunshade: Yes, sold separately
Freestanding: Yes
The Poco Premium is the next step up from the Poco Plus, which is currently the overall winner in our Best Baby and Toddler Carrier Backpacks.
While the Plus still has a good deal of features and storage capacity, the Premium has even more—more pockets and more storage. Both carry very comfortably with the AirSpeed suspension design. But the Premium has a leg up with the small details, like the washable child harness, added daisy chain loops, and even a chest pocket. Those little things go a long way.
Osprey Poco Plus
Should I buy the Osprey Poco Premium?
If you want a child carrier that has maximum amounts of storage, unmatched carrying comfort, and top-end features (like stirrups, sun shade, and a washable child harness) and don’t mind a larger, heaver, and ultimately more expensive pack, then the Poco Premium is a good buy. If you have a larger family or often go out with a lot of gear or extra items, the Poco Premium is going to have the space and pockets for everything.
If you prefer a slimmer pack that’s more packable and affordable, consider the Poco SLT. But if you’re a maximalist with a bigger kid, bigger family, or lots of gear and accessories to tote around, the Osprey Poco Premium is going to suit your needs best.
About The Author / Why You Should Trust Us
Stasia Stockwell is a true mountain dweller who feels far more at home on a high alpine ridge than on a busy city street. She’s worked as a backpacking guide in Southeast Alaska, has held a WFR cert, AIARE 1, AIARE 2, and Avalanche Rescue certifications, and is working to become an avalanche education instructor. She’s now a full-time freelance writer and editor working primarily in the outdoor recreation realm. Her bylines can be found in Backpacker, 5280, and REI’s Uncommon Path, among others, and she’s been testing and writing about gear for nearly a decade. She is also the managing editor of the new print zine, Trails Magazine. When she’s not writing, you can find her on a trail with skis, a bike, or trail running shoes—or off wandering in the woods with her husband, son, and hound dog.
You can learn more at her website www.stasiastockwell.com or read all her Treeline articles on her author’s page.
