Kelty Journey PerfectFIT Elite Baby Backpack Carrier Review

Bottom line

The Kelty Journey PerfectFIT Elite is Kelty’s premium offering in its child carrier lineup. We found the Elite provides excellent comfort, durability, and thoughtful features for both caregivers and little adventurers. While not drastically different from the PerfectFIT Signature, the Elite includes the same PerfectFIT adjustment system, ensuring a customized fit for various body types, perfect for families sharing carrying duties. 

The padded shoulder straps and hip belt provide excellent weight distribution, even during extended hikes, while the integrated sunshade and spacious zippered storage compartments make it a practical choice for all-day outings. With the Elite version, you receive a large, lined lower pocket for easy cleaning and a sleeve compatible with a 3-liter hydration bladder.

For parents looking for a dependable, feature-rich carrier thoughtfully designed for families, the Journey PerfectFIT Elite provides outstanding value. Explore our guide to the top baby backpack carriers for further comparisons.

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How We Tested

We tested the Kelty Journey PerfectFIT Elite over several months, taking it on hikes through the Colorado foothills, navigating snowy trails, and using it for everyday errands. Our evaluation included both a 7-month-old and a 3-year-old to assess its comfort, durability, and functionality across various terrains and activities.

Comfort

The Kelty Journey PerfectFIT Elite excels in the comfort department for both caregivers and kids. The standout feature of the PerfectFIT adjustment system is its ability to provide an easy and precise fit for various body types. If you’re like us, constantly switching the torso length between caregivers, you might often settle for a “close enough” fit that isn’t always ideal. 

With this system, you can quickly achieve a secure and balanced fit, even for extended hikes, making it perfect for families who share carrying duties. One of our testers, who typically struggles with pack adjustments, appreciated how intuitive and quick it was to dial in the perfect fit.

For caregivers, the padded shoulder straps and wide hip belt excel at distributing weight evenly, reducing strain on longer outings. During our hikes through the Colorado foothills, the pack maintained comfort even when loaded close to its maximum capacity. The ventilation on the back panel performed well in cooler weather, though it could feel somewhat warm on hot days compared to more breathable packs.

Kids also benefit from the thoughtful design. The cockpit is well-padded, and the plush chin guard serves as a cozy pillow for nap time. Adjustable foot stirrups keep little legs comfortable and help maintain proper posture, even on bumpy trails.

Features

A significant advantage of the Kelty PerfectFIT line is how feature-rich these carriers are, and the Elite version elevates things further. As always, the standout feature is the PerfectFIT torso adjustment system, which makes achieving the right fit quick and easy—ideal for families who often share carrying responsibilities.

The integrated sunshade with mesh sidewalls is another win, providing excellent sun protection while giving kids a place to rest their heads for a nap. That said, we still wish it offered a bit more headroom for taller riders. Additionally, the large, adjustable stirrups are a thoughtful addition, allowing kids to rest their feet comfortably and helping to prevent leg fatigue on longer hikes.

The Elite version distinguishes itself with handy upgrades, such as a lined bottom pocket that’s super easy to clean—ideal for snacks or messy items—and a dedicated hydration bladder sleeve for staying hydrated on the go. The additional handles are another standout feature, making it easier to lift the pack on and off without tipping your child. These thoughtful touches make the Elite feel like a premium, family-friendly carrier designed with practicality in mind.

Durability

The Kelty Journey PerfectFIT Elite is a reliable and well-built child carrier that feels ready to endure years of adventure. From the moment we picked it up, the sturdy construction inspired confidence, which is what you want in anything involving your kids.

The frame consists of durable aluminum, offering a solid and stable base without unnecessary weight. The thick fabric feels robust enough to withstand heavy use, even on rugged trails.

The stitching throughout the pack is precise and reinforced in high-stress areas such as the hip belt and shoulder straps. Even after our testing on uneven trails with frequent loading and unloading, the pack exhibited no signs of fraying or weak points. 

For the price, you expect your investment to hold up well, and the Kelty Journey PerfectFIT Elite feels built to last and can easily handle the demands of regular outdoor use, making it a great choice for families seeking a dependable carrier.

Storage & Organization

The Kelty Journey PerfectFIT Elite truly excels in storage and organization. It is filled with features that simplify staying organized on the trail without feeling over-engineered.

The large, zippered bottom pocket is a standout—it’s lined for easy cleaning, which is a lifesaver after snacks inevitably get smooshed or when you’re packing damp jackets. Above that, there are three upper zippered pockets with stretchy mesh sleeves inside, perfect for keeping sunscreen, first-aid kits, or other small essentials easily accessible.

One thing we loved about this version is the two mesh side pockets. They’re great for water bottles or anything you want to grab quickly without digging through the main compartments. Plus, there’s a dedicated zippered sleeve for a hydration bladder, so you don’t have to sacrifice storage space to stay hydrated.

The hip belt pockets also deserve a shoutout. One is your standard stash spot for snacks or keys, but the other unzips to create a small water bottle holder. It’s not huge, but it’s perfect for quick access when you don’t want to stop.

Weight

The Kelty Journey PerfectFIT Elite is not the lightest child carrier available, but it balances weight and features effectively. Weighing just over 7 pounds, it is heavier than stripped-down minimalist options, but the added weight comes with noticeable benefits.

The pack appears to weigh more than it actually does, due to its sturdy construction and feature-rich design. Kelty has successfully managed to keep the weight reasonable without sacrificing comfort or functionality. During our testing, even when the pack was fully loaded with gear and a wiggly toddler, it felt balanced and didn’t strain our shoulders or hips.

That said, if you’re tackling long, steep hikes or truly value ultralight gear, you might notice the added weight compared to simpler models. However, for day hikes, family outings, or moderate adventures, the trade-off feels worthwhile, especially given the comfort, storage, and durability that the Elite offers.

Should You Buy the Kelty Journey PerfectFIT Elite?

The Kelty Journey PerfectFIT Elite is an excellent choice for families looking for a premium, feature-packed, and durable child carrier for regular use. With its PerfectFIT torso adjustment system, integrated sunshade, and ample storage, this pack is ideal for parents seeking versatility and comfort on day hikes and longer outdoor adventures. It’s particularly well-suited for caregivers who share carrying duties, thanks to the easily adjustable fit that accommodates a variety of body types.

While it’s not the lightest pack on the market, the thoughtful design makes the extra weight manageable, and the durable construction ensures it can withstand years of outings with little ones in tow. The lined bottom pocket for easy cleanup and dedicated hydration bladder sleeve are standout features that demonstrate how much thought went into this design.

However, if you’re looking for a super lightweight carrier or primarily tackling short, easy outings, a simpler model might be more practical. For those seeking a premium, user-friendly carrier for frequent adventures, the Elite is definitely worth considering. Check out our guide to the best baby backpack carriers for more options.

What Other Baby Backpack Carriers Should You Consider?

If you’re exploring options beyond the Kelty Journey PerfectFIT Elite, there are several great child carriers to consider. Check out our guide to the best baby backpack carriers for more even more options.

Osprey Poco Premium Review: For parents who prioritize storage and comfort, this pack provides 36 liters of carrying capacity and features an anti-gravity suspension system. It’s slightly heavier than the Kelty, but the added room makes it a solid choice for all-day adventures.

Deuter Kid Comfort Pro Review: This premium carrier excels in comfort and ventilation. Featuring an integrated sunshade, hydration bladder compatibility, and thoughtful storage, it’s ideal for parents seeking top-tier durability and features for frequent, longer hikes.

Kelty Journey PerfectFIT Elite Review: If you like the design of the Elite but don’t need as many bells and whistles, the Signature offers a similar level of comfort and functionality at a lighter weight. While it sacrifices a few premium features, such as the lined bottom pocket and hydration sleeve, it remains an excellent choice for casual hikers or shorter outings.