If you’re looking for a good quality, well designed backpack for your kids aged around 9 and up; ideal for hut to hut hiking, travelling, or backpacking, and you don’t want to spend a fortune, read on.
We were kindly gifted the Quechua MH500 40+10L children’s trekking backpack by Decathlon for our spring hiking trip to Mallorca, and after a full week of testing it on the trail, I can confidently say: it’s an excellent option for adventurous families looking for the best kids hiking backpack that doesn’t break the bank.
My 10 year old used this backpack to carry all her kit as we hiked part of the GR221. This was a point to point trail where we had no luggage transfers and no return to a base; so everything we needed for the whole trip needed to come with us in our backpacks.
We had to pack light but still have enough warm layers and waterproofs for the variable spring weather we encountered – as well as the right clothes for exploring Palma on our arrival, cycling in Pollença at the end of our trip, and swimming stuff for a day at the beach!
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. Should you click on a link to purchase, it is at no extra cost to you, but I receive a small commission, which helps to support this blog! Views are always my own. See my privacy policy for more information.
This wasn’t just a day walk. This was a proper adventure and we needed backpacks to suit. I can confidently say that the Quechua MH500 40+10L Kids Hiking Backpack absolutely held its own in terms of size, comfort and practicality.
This review isn’t sponsored, and I wasn’t paid to write it. As always, everything here is based on my own experience – and I only recommend products I genuinely believe are worth it.
Entering the hostel in Sóller- Pausing on the GR221
- Large capacity and adjustable straps
Why the Quechua MH500 40+10L kids’ backpack was right for this trip
We had two other backpack options to consider for our hiking trip to Mallorca and here’s why we discounted them:
- The Osprey Ace 50L – this was bigger than necessary, especially for my 10 year old. It’s also technically too big for carry-on air travel – and since we were flying to Mallorca and looking to save money, we didn’t want to have to pay to put bags in the hold!
- The Decathlon 28L MH500 Kids’ Hiking Backpack – this has been a great pack for my kids in the past, but as they get bigger, it’s becoming too small for a full week’s kit, plus without a structured hip belt, it doesn’t offer enough support for heavier loads.
You can check out my review of both of these in my Best Hiking Backpacks for Kids post.
The Decathlon Quechua MH500 40+10L turned out to be the perfect compromise; large enough to carry everything comfortably, but compact and supportive enough for a 10 year old to manage confidently. If you’re looking for the best travel backpack for kids, especially for multi-day hikes or active holidays, this one is worth a serious look.
What we loved about the Quechua MH500 40L kids’ backpack
This backpack genuinely made my daughter’s trip easier. Here are the standout benefits:
It grows with your child
The adjustable back system gave a great fit for my 10 year old, with room to grow for future trips. It’s actually adjustable from 140 to 170 cm, so it would be great for a small adult too!
Adjustable back system
Spacious but not bulky
The 40L main compartment plus 10L expandable storage under the lid held everything she needed including swimmers, spare shoes, warm clothes and waterproofs; but still fitted well within cabin baggage restrictions.
Comfortable to carry
The padded shoulder straps – designed for child sized shoulders, hip belt, and chest strap distributed the load beautifully. She managed long hiking days carrying more than she’s had to carry before with no complaints. (About the bag at least. There were some complaints about other things, but none were bag related 😂).
- Sternum strap and hip belt
Great pocket design
Side mesh pockets easily swallowed her water bottle (which she was impressed by!) and the hip belt pocket was perfect for trail snacks and secret treasures (rocks – why do kids add to their load with rocks?!).
There’s a really flexible large mesh pocket on the outside front of the bag which is big enough to hold a fleece or warm coat for easy access.
Easy access when you need it most
The side zip into the main compartment was an absolute winner – and not something the much more pricey Osprey competitor offers. We were able to access waterproof trousers fast when rain clouds appeared and we didn’t need to unpack everything from the top and then repack it whilst getting wet!
It also means you can pack it lying down on its back, and don’t need it to balance standing upright which can sometimes be frustrating (especially for kids).
- Side zip on the left hand side
Hydration bladder ready
There’s a pocket to add a hydration bladder and a routing for the hose. We didn’t use one on this trip, but have used them before as the kids drink much more when they have easy access to it through a hose. Vital for hot weather trips.
Light but sturdy
At around 1.4 kg, it didn’t feel like a burden but still offered enough structure to feel supportive and durable. The bottom of the bag is coated in some sort of tougher material which is great as my kids don’t treat their bags very kindly!
A few thoughtful extras
- The whistle integrated into the sternum strap was a massive hit – great for safety. I did have to stop her from blowing it randomly on the trail to avoid having mountain rescue called on us!
- There are straps and loops for hiking poles and extra daisy chains on the bottom of the bag if you want to add a sleeping mat or other kit on the outside.
- Thumb rests on the shoulder straps! We couldn’t work out what these were for, but she loved their placement for thumb rests. Turned out that’s what they were designed for!
- There’s also a flat side zip pocket that’s great for a map or sunnies.
- The back panel is a more basic design than the sort of airflow stretch netting back panel you see on some more pricey backpacks, but my daughter loved that there was a bit of distance between her back and the bag at the sweatiest points, and commented on how comfy it was multiple times.
How the backpack performed on the trail
My daughter really loved this backpack. She didn’t just tolerate it, she was really chuffed with it, took pride in packing it, wearing it, and carrying her own things.
We were hiking varied terrain in Mallorca, covering decent distances each day. The bag held up brilliantly; no scuffs, no sore shoulders or bruised hips, and no issues with the design or use of the pack at all. She said it was “great, maybe even better than my other bag” which is high praise considering the “other bag” (the Osprey Ace 50L) is at least twice (or three times depending on whether it’s on sale) the price!
The only improvement that could be made is that it doesn’t come with a integrated rain cover, so you’ll need to buy one separately. At under £8 for a Decathlon rain cover, that’s not going to break the bank though.
The fit stayed secure without slipping or wobbling, and we never once had to readjust the straps. The features that made the biggest impression with my daughter? The deep side pockets, the thumb rest straps, the airy back panel and that whistle.
- The Decathlon MH500 40+10L on the left, the Osprey Ace 50L on the right
- The Quechua MH500 Kids 40 plus 10L trekking backpack
Pros & Cons
Here’s a quick overview of what we found:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Great size for a full week of hiking | No rain cover included |
| Adjustable back system grows with your child | A bit bulky for shorter day hikes |
| Side zip access makes it easy to pack and to grab things quickly (like waterproofs) | |
| Pockets are genuinely useful and well placed | |
| Bright, fun colour options (not gender stereotyped) | |
| Hip belt and sternum strap add comfort and stability | |
| Hydration bladder compatible | |
| Excellent value compared to market competitors | |
| Easily travels as cabin luggage on low cost airlines |
Excellent value compared to market competitors
At £54.99, the Decathlon Children’s Hiking/Trekking 40+10L Backpack MH500 offers brilliant value.
In contrast, the Osprey Ace 50L – another popular option for children, which we also own – usually comes in at £140 if it’s on sale or much more if it’s not. While it does include a few extra features like a rain cover, a more structured internal metal frame and a slightly smarter looking design, none of these are anywhere near deal breakers at that price differential!
The MH500 was perfect for what we needed. It was supportive, spacious, easy to use and tough enough for hiking and being handled by a kid, but without the premium price tag.
For families looking for the best kid’s backpack that won’t blow the budget, this is a great choice.
Hiking in Mallorca with the Decathlon backpack
The verdict: A big win for bigger kids
If you’re planning a multi-day hike, hut to hut adventure, a family backpacking trip or even heading off on long term family travels and you want your child to carry their own gear in a pack which is cabin baggage sized, I’d absolutely recommend the Quechua MH500 40+10L children’s trekking backpack by Decathlon.
It’s far more than just a hiking daypack; it’s a proper travel backpack for adventurous kids who are ready to carry their own kit and be part of the adventure.
Based on our experience, I’d say it’s best suited to kids aged around 9 to 15, depending on height and build. And yes, we’ll absolutely be using it again on future trips.
👉 You can buy the Quechua MH500 40+10L Kids Hiking Backpack here on Decathlon
Further Reading
Hut to Hut Hiking with Kids: Tips & Advice
- Hut to Hut Hiking with Kids | Real Advice & Best Routes in the Alps
- A beginner’s guide to mountain huts: Essential tips for first-timers
