In Depth Baby Product Reviews Led by a Pediatrician

Deuter Kid Comfort Active SL Review

This high-quality, less expensive pack is comfortable for babies and parents with narrower builds but the storage is limited
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deuter kid comfort active sl baby backpack review
The 6-month mark is a great time to start trying out new activities with your little one.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Price:  $280 List
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Manufacturer:   Deuter
By Wendy Schmitz ⋅ Senior Review Editor  ⋅  May 13, 2021
79
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#2 of 10
  • Parent Comfort - 30% 9.0
  • Storage - 20% 6.0
  • Child Comfort - 25% 9.0
  • Ease of Use - 25% 7.0

The Skinny

The Deuter Kid Comfort Active SL is a baby-carrying pack designed with women in mind, according to the manufacturer. This pack has narrower shoulder straps and pulls the passenger closer to the wearer for a more comfortable experience. Our female testers appreciated the design and felt it was superior to much of the baby backpack carrier competition. It's also cozy for little ones with a padded seat but wide leg holes that lack the bulk found in some of the competition. This pack lacks useful storage or enough pockets for longer adventures. However, the reasonable price and the design suitable for those with narrower frames may make the lack of storage something you can overlook if comfort and baby features are your main goals. We think this pack is a contender worth considering when getting out for an outing with your baby.
REASONS TO BUY
Easy on the wallet
Fit for narrower builds
Comfy for passengers and parents
REASONS TO AVOID
Very limited storage
Canopy costs extra
No dedicated spot for a hydration bladder
Editor's Note: We updated this gear review on September 8th, 2022, to ensure the information and details are current.

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Overall Score Sort Icon
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Bottom Line Despite a lack of storage, this comfortable pack is good for those on a budget or narrower buildsEasy to use, comfortable pack with a canopy, hydration pocket, and ample storageHarder to use and spendy price can't be overcome with a comfy cockpitA comfortable backpack for longer hikes or day-long adventures, if you can overlook the cockpit buckle struggleLower quality backpack with a budget-friendly price and decent storage
Rating Categories Deuter Kid Comfort... Kelty Journey Perfe... Deuter Kid Comfort Pro Osprey Poco LuvdBaby Premium
Parent Comfort (30%)
9.0
8.0
8.0
8.0
6.0
Storage (20%)
6.0
10.0
8.0
8.0
7.0
Child Comfort (25%)
9.0
9.0
9.0
8.0
5.0
Ease of Use (25%)
7.0
7.0
6.0
6.0
6.0
Specs Deuter Kid Comfort... Kelty Journey Perfe... Deuter Kid Comfort Pro Osprey Poco LuvdBaby Premium
Usage Ranges Min-Max: When child can sit upright independently - 48 lbs Min-Max: 16 lbs - 40 lbs Min-Max: When child can sit upright independently - 40 lbs Min-Max: 16 lbs - 40 lbs Min-Max: 16 lbs - 40 lbs
Max Pack Load 48 lbs 48.5 lbs 48 lbs 48.5 lbs N/A
Weight 6 lbs 7.4 lbs 8.5 lbs 7.7 lbs 6.4 lbs
BGL Folded/Flat Dimensions 16.5" W x 10" H x 31" L 16" W x 10" H x 31" L 16.4" W x 9.5" H x 34.8" L 14.7" W x 9.5" H x 28.5" L
Frame Aluminum Aluminum Aluminum Aluminum Aluminum
Fabric 210 denier polyamide fabric. Tear and abrasion resistant, watertight to 1500 mm Body: Poly 420D Small Back Stafford
Interior: 75D Poly x 140D Nylon Blend
210 denier polyamide fabric with strong ripstop threads and PU coating. 210D Nylon Diamond Waterproof 600D & 300D Ripstop Polyester
Stirrups Yes Yes, adjustable Yes Yes Yes
Canopy No Yes Yes Yes Yes
Hydration Bladder Compatible No Yes No Yes Yes
Included Accessories Journey Sunshade Daypack, Mirror Changing Pad, Rain Cover
Care Instructions Hand Wash Spot Clean Hand Wash Drool pad is removable and washable. Spot Clean

Our Analysis and Test Results

Hans Deuter began the Deuter company in 1898. At the time, they created mailbags for the Bavarian Royal Mail. By the early nineteen hundreds, they graduated to saddlebags and tents for the army. They went on to create the first nylon backpacks and were recognized by Germany as the leader in backpacks in 1970. Deuter consults with a variety of bikers and mountain experts to help design their current lineup of products. They've called the US home since 2010.

Performance Comparison



deuter kid comfort active sl baby backpack review - the active sl offers a comfortable design for women and those with a...
The Active SL offers a comfortable design for women and those with a narrower or petite build.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Parent Comfort


The Comfort Active SL performed well in our tests for wearer comfort, with a score in this metric that rivaled most of the best baby backpack carriers in our review.


deuter kid comfort active sl baby backpack review - the shoulder straps on the active sl are contoured and fit well...
The shoulder straps on the Active SL are contoured and fit well without the dread boob crushing and pressure on the sternum we've experienced on other packs. Could this be one of the designed-for-women features?
Credit: Abriah Wofford

The shoulder straps on this pack are closer together, and our smaller testers liked the contour of the shoulder straps. The male testers and those with wider backs thought it was less comfortable. The padding is good, but it places pressure too high up for our male testers' comfort. With the shoulder strap design and chest clip placement, this backpack doesn't squish boobs like some of the competition, nor does it place unnecessary pressure on the sternum.

deuter kid comfort active sl baby backpack review - the waistband on the active sl is a pull forward adjustment that is...
The waistband on the Active SL is a pull forward adjustment that is more ergonomically correct and easier to do while hiking than the more traditional pull back motion.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

The waist strap is super easy to adjust with a buckle attached with a V-shape strap; this allows the pressure of the pack and baby weight to be distributed over a wider area with no tight or pinching spots. The padding is comfortable without being bulky and sat nicely on the hips of testers. It is narrower than the competition, but we assume this is part of the "made for women" schtick happening with this pack.

The torso adjustment on the Active SL is better adjusted before you...
The torso adjustment on the Active SL is better adjusted before you hit the trail as it takes some trial and error to find the right fit.
The Velcro and loop adjustment of the torso length on the Active SL...
The Velcro and loop adjustment of the torso length on the Active SL is more involved than much of the competition, but once set, it holds position without problems.

The torso adjusts well for height and has a range long enough for most wearers. It is more convoluted than some of the competition for adjusting, but the back padding ensures you'll be comfortable once you get it fitted.

deuter kid comfort active sl baby backpack review - little ones are secure in the active sl with a closer to the wearer...
Little ones are secure in the Active SL with a closer to the wearer design that keeps them feeling snug in the cockpit.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Child Comfort


The Active SL is one with kid comfort in mind, coming in with an almost perfect comfort score.


Child comfort starts with a padded seat that supports little ones without adding bulk between the legs where it could chaff or grow uncomfortable. It is contoured with a shape that is wide under the rump and narrows at the legs. The shoulder straps are wide and height adjustable, offering a snug fit with useful padding that never pushes on the baby's face.

The shoulder straps of the child cockpit on the Active SL adjusts...
The shoulder straps of the child cockpit on the Active SL adjusts with a variety of buckles and clips that are easy to operate and prevent face rubbing for the passenger.
The Comfort Active SL is cozy for little ones with a padded seat...
The Comfort Active SL is cozy for little ones with a padded seat, high headrest, and a cockpit that pulls them closer to the wearer of the pack for a secure feeling while riding.

The headrest is very well padded, and the padding extends around the top edge of the sidewalls, so little ones can nap to the side or fall somewhat forward with a pad to catch them. Our napping testers seemed comfortable, and their head was never in a position where there wasn't padding. The cover is removable for cleaning, which is nice given that drool and spit-up can and will happen when you have a baby on board.

deuter kid comfort active sl baby backpack review - the active sl stirrups are adjustable for height and fit little feet...
The Active SL stirrups are adjustable for height and fit little feet well for comfort when riding.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

The stirrups are adjustable and place feet in a comfortable and maintainable position for passengers.

deuter kid comfort active sl baby backpack review - the active is one of the easier backpacks in the review to use with...
The Active is one of the easier backpacks in the review to use with one of the highest scores for the metric.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Ease of Use


The Comfort Active SL is relatively easy to use compared to the competition.


deuter kid comfort active sl baby backpack review - the kickstand on the active sl is one of the widest and most stable...
The kickstand on the Active SL is one of the widest and most stable feeling stands in the group.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

The adjustments are comparatively easy to make on this pack, and you can make many of them on the go or as you hike wearing the pack. Some of the straps have the forward pull tightening like the waistband, and we appreciate this style for the increased ease of use over those that pull back and away from the body.

deuter kid comfort active sl baby backpack review - the wearer can make most of the fit adjustments on the active sl...
The wearer can make most of the fit adjustments on the Active SL while hiking, making it easy to keep comfortable, even if shifting happens while moving.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

The shoulder straps are easy to access for adjustments. We set it up on the first hike, and everything stayed in place and was comfortable for every trip after. The shoulder straps are a little stiff, but they stay in place once set, and we'll take stiff to set if it means long-term resistance to shifting. The torso length isn't easy to adjust with Velcro tabs; you have to slide through small slots to change. Testers recommend making torso adjustments before you hit the trail as it can take some trial and error to find the right fit, and the adjustments take time.

deuter kid comfort active sl baby backpack review - the child seat can be raised or lowered using the sliding buckle...
The child seat can be raised or lowered using the sliding buckle inside the cockpit of the Active SL.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Some of the adjustments for the child's cockpit seat and shoulder straps are less friendly than those for the wearer, but they are manageable, and once you get your hands inside, the buckles aren't hard to operate. Once you have the seat in the right spot, it doesn't slip even under the weight of a wiggly baby. This pack scores well for on-the-go baby seat and cockpit adjustment with Velcro height adjustment that is easy to use and stays put. There is one pull strap per side for shoulder and waist adjustments.

deuter kid comfort active sl baby backpack review - while the active sl's cockpit can be challenging to reach while...
While the Active SL's cockpit can be challenging to reach while wearing the pack, it isn't impossible and it creates a stable base for resting the pack for removal.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

The kickstand is a bit stiff and opens wide to create a stable base; we were never worried during testing about an accidental closure. It was easy to open and close while wearing the pack, but it was harder for some testers to reach than the kickstand on some of the competitors that are closer to the user.

deuter kid comfort active sl baby backpack review - the main storage pocket on the active has a pull tight closure that...
The main storage pocket on the Active has a pull tight closure that isn't as secure as a zipper but the sides are mesh to help prevent any wet items from getting gross in the pack.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Storage


Storage is essential when you're on the go with your baby. The storage features on the Active SL are the real downside to this pack, resulting in a score that is only about average for the metric.


The pocket on the Active SL clips closed and up to help prevent...
The pocket on the Active SL clips closed and up to help prevent items from dropping out.
The Active SL has a high stretchy mesh pocket that is somewhat small...
The Active SL has a high stretchy mesh pocket that is somewhat small and won't fit larger items, but it could be a good spot for spare diapers and travel wipes.

The main pocket (above left) on the pack sits low, and between the back legs of the kickstand, it is only accessible when the pack is off or by another adult when you wear it. It has a clip closure, and the sides have breathable mesh to avoid stowing wet gear in an enclosed space. It is a big open pocket with no internal organization, so you might have to move things around to find what you want. There is also a mesh pocket higher up (above right), but it is thin and larger items will not fit inside.

deuter kid comfort active sl baby backpack review - the active sl waistband has a good size pocket that is easy to...
The Active SL waistband has a good size pocket that is easy to access and is big enough for an iPhone X but might be better suited to a granola bar and keys.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

The pack doesn't have any bottle or cup holders, and the waistband only has one pocket. It has a zipper and is large enough to fit an iPhone X, but just barely. It is probably better suited to a granola bar or car keys.

deuter kid comfort active sl baby backpack review - we like the larger waistband pocket on the active sl but we wish...
We like the larger waistband pocket on the Active SL but we wish there was more than one or better storage overall.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

This pack doesn't come with a canopy, and while you can buy one as an accessory for a fee, it doesn't have a dedicated pocket to store it if you aren't using it. The main problem with this is that there aren't many pockets to begin with, so using one for a canopy or bladder will take up your limited area for other supplies.

Should You Buy the Deuter Kid Comfort Active SL?


The Active SL is a high-quality baby backpack, and those with a more petite or narrower frame may find its women's-specific design extra appealing and comfortable. It doesn't offer all the bells and whistles like some top-of-the-line backpacks, but it may be enough for your adventuring needs. Plus, it's budget-friendly — you may be able to overlook what it lacks.

What Other Baby Backpacks Should You Consider?


If you desire a baby backpack with all the features, and you don't mind paying for it, check out the Kelty Journey PerfectFIT Elite. It's a top-rated, high-quality contender with attractive design features, such as ample storage to stash tons of gear, a built-in canopy, and a hydration pocket. Since these design features are missing from the Active SL, we suggest going with the Kelty if they're essential to you.

Manufacturer Video



Wendy Schmitz