Review: Jeep Floral Backpack to save mums the backpain from days out
Photo: Dragged around Wales and the West, the strong Jeep floral backpack
Days out with the family can literally be a real pain in the back.
Having to go everywhere with an assortment of vital equipment soon takes its toll on the body of weary mums.
From baby bottles, potty, nappies, change of clothes, food, drink and other essential paraphernalia, bursting bags, prams and reluctant walkers all add up to problem pains.
In fact, a survey by Maclaren Buggys and BackCare in 2009, found that 83 per cent of mums suffer from back pain caused in some capacity by looking after their own children.
In addition to the leaden weight of the baby bag, trying to get on and off of public transport as well as keeping the safety of the baby as key priority boils down to a nightmare.
When 4×4 favourite Jeep, released a new range of pretty and functional high performance backpacks, Chopsy Baby was keep to test out how ditching the baby bag in favour of something more practical can be life changing.
The new Jeep range has been designed to reduce back strain by transferring the weight of the bag and its contents between the shoulders and hips.
To achieve this, Jeep advise that you make sure your bag is a good fit for your body to begin with, remaining snug and not swinging around to throw you off balance. The bag’s straps should be tightened so the pack rests two inches above the waist, with the heaviest items packed closest to your back.
We tested the backpack on trips to Minehead, Cardiff, Weston, Bristol as well as general day-to-day activities.
The comfortable pack is both lightweight and reassuringly sturdy. Despite initial appearances, a surprisingly large number of items will fit comfortably inside.
What we managed to fit in our bag for a day out at the beach:
Three cartons of juice
Medium sized bucket and spade
Four Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends trains
Lightweight blanket
One medium sized soft cuddly toy
Two Sonic Screwdrivers
First aid kit
Harness
Change of clothes for toddler
Wet wipes
Nappy
Purse
Phone
Notebook and assortment of pens
Toddler cup
Bottle of infant paracetamol
Toddler beach sandals
Two pairs of sunglasses
Large tube of sunblock
Digital thermometer
Hand sanitizer
There are huge advantages to be had by swapping the standard baby bag for the Jeep backpack.
The backpack’s straps will go over the handle bars of the pushchair to save from carrying it.
For those times when the pram needs folding, both hands are needed, or the pram is left at home, the backpack will keep both hands free without the irritation of having a baby bag swinging wildly on the shoulder.
The pack is well made and durable with nice features including wide comfortable straps, double zippers should one break and simple pockets and compartments to stop items becoming lost in layers.
Chopsy Baby editor Jen Smith tested out the Jeep floral backpack in pink. Jen says: “I was actually really impressed with the quality and practicality of the bag. On a trip to the beach which required getting on and off of trains with child, bag and pram, it was a joy to have a strong reliable bag that kept both hands free as well as containing a bucket and spade!”
Available from Antler, Travel Style, Forest and other independent travel stores.
The Jeep Floral Backpacks start from £26.99