What is the Poco Plus?
The Poco Plus is one of the most comfortable, supportive and safe child-carriers available. With the Plus variant (over the standard Poco), you get additional storage near the top of the pack and a useful rearview mirror. The technical wizards at Osprey have applied all their rucksack know-how into this brilliant baby carrier ensuring that whoever is carrying or being carried will be completely comfortable and secure throughout the journey.
What is it made of?
The bulk of the carrier is made using a super tough yet lightweight 210D Bluesign Nylon. This fabric provides plenty of abrasion resistance when out on your adventures, yet isn't anywhere near as heavy as canvas rucksacks of old.
What is the backsystem?
The most notable feature of the Poco Plus is its brilliant AirSpeed suspended mesh backsystem. A suspended layer of mesh sits around an inch away from the pack itself, meaning there's a constant flow of air passing behind your back, reducing sweat build-up. If you've got the Poco fully loaded, it also prevents items inside the storage areas jabbing you in the back. Osprey understand that no two people are exactly alike, so this backsystem is height-adjustable. Both the shoulder straps and hipbelt use a soft, breathable mesh to wick away sweat and offer increased comfort throughout the day.
What are the features?
But it's not all about your carrying comfort, Osprey have made sure that your child will be safe and comfortable too with a softly padded and ventilated saddle, a fully adjustable child harness and adjustable stirrups so as your child grows, they don't end up towering out of the carrier. A really nice touch on the child harness is that the quick release buckles are on the shoulder yoke — not only does this stop children messing with them, but makes it so much easier for you to access them. To make sure junior is fully protected in all weathers, Osprey have now included a full raincover and pop up sunshade with all their Poco child carriers.
As you would expect from Osprey this carrier is packed full of useful features and innovative design touches. With the Plus, you get two main storage areas — a large zipped lower compartment and a rucksack-styled compartment near the top; this gives you tonnes of space to stash all the essentials. Other features include a Hydraulics compatible internal reservoir sleeve, an integrated mirror and a handy stretch front pocket. Stretch mesh side pockets store bottles within easy reach, while a removable pad in the seating area allows you to whip it out and clean it. If you require even more storage, Osprey's Daylite packs can be attached to the rear with four nylon loops. When you do have to take the Poco off, it's supported on the ground by the the hinged stability bar which makes getting junior in and out a doddle. When you need to pack the Poco away or stash it in the boot, it folds flat for easy storage and travel. For extra protection when transporting or storing your Poco you can purchase the Osprey Poco Carry Case; this tough case includes an adjustable shoulder strap and packs into its own stuff sack when not in use.
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Adjustable AirSpeed ventilated trampoline suspended mesh backpanel
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Adjustable child's safety harness, seat and foot stirrups
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Built in Poco sunshade with UPF 50+ rating
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Compatible with Hydraulics and Hydraulics LT Reservoir
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Fit-on-the-Fly adjustable hipbelt
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Grab handle on top
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Integrated & detachable raincover
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Integrated kickstand keeps pack upright and accessible
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Integrated/removable mirror
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Internal key attachment clip
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Large front compression pocket
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Large zippered lower compartment
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Removable and washable drool pad
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Soft ventilated saddle, adjustable for comfort and balance
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Spacious head clearance
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Sternum strap with emergency whistle
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Stretch mesh side pockets
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TÜV GS Certified
Getting the correct fit for your rucksack is as important as getting the fit right for your boots. A badly fitting pack can inflict misery and discomfort and completely ruin your adventure. This guide is designed to help you get the best fit and comfort from your chosen pack so that carrying all your kit becomes a pleasure and not a chore.
ADJUSTING THE BACK LENGTH
If the pack has an adjustable back length, adjust this to your correct level. Your back length is not related to your height but your torso length. Many packs, and specifically the bigger and more technical packs are available in different back lengths or feature adjustable back systems. Contrary to popular belief, your torso length and not your overall height is the key to getting a well fitted pack. Tall people don’t necessarily have long torsos, just as shorter people don’t always have a short torso length.
Your torso length can be found by measuring from your C7 vertebra (the bony protrusion at the back of your neck when looking down) to the height of your iliac crest (top of your hip bones, where you put your hands on your hips). This measurement will give you an idea of which pack back length to choose.
Once you've got the back length sorted, either by selecting the correct size pack or adjusting the back system, you can begin to follow these simple steps to help achieve a comfortable carry.
LOOSEN OFF ALL STRAPS
Before you start fitting the pack, loosen off all the straps as this will make it easier to get the correct tension later.
TIGHTENING THE HIPBELT
Fasten the backpack hipbelt, the general position is the same as where you’d put your ‘hands on hips’ This area is called the pelvic girdle, and what you can feel when you rest your hand on the area is the bony protuberance, the iliac crest. The iliac crest can support the weight from a pack comfortably, and for sustained periods. The padded section of the hipbelt should encompass this and fit securely.
Tighten the straps so the hipbelt feels secure and held firmly around your body. Ensure that the lumbar pad is centered to your lower back to give you maximum support. Remember that your hips carry most of the weight of the pack, so this should be firm but comfortable.
ADJUSTING THE SHOULDER STRAPS
Next, adjust the shoulder straps, pull them until they start to become snug, but ensure that they are not too tight as to lift the pack off your hips. Remember tightening them will stabilise the pack but will increase pressure over the shoulders. If the back length of the pack is correct the shoulder straps will be flush to your shoulders whilst the hipbelt sits in place comfortably. The point where the shoulder straps attach to the main body of the pack should be roughly half way down your shoulder blades; this ensures that the shoulder straps rolls evenly over the top of your shoulders to distribute the weight correctly.
FASTENING THE CHEST STRAP
Fasten the chest strap and pull until taut but not tight, the elastic section should not be extended. This helps keep the shoulder straps from catching in your shoulder joints and keeps the stability of the pack when moving over rough ground.
ADJUSTING THE TOP TENSIONERS
Top tensioner straps link the shoulder straps to the top of the pack. When tightened, their main function is to stabilise the top part of the pack. The optimum angle for these straps in 45º, but they will stabilise the load even when horizontal or at a more obtuse angle. Tighten them until you feel the top part of the pack rest against your pack, over tightening them will create excessive pressure on the front of your shoulders.
ADJUSTING THE SIDE TENSIONERS
Side tension straps are linked to the hipbelt. By tightening these straps you can stabilise the load but reduce the hipbelt flexibility. Where balance is critical tightening them can help you feel more secure. However, if you are striding out over easy terrain it’s better to loosen these straps to allow full hip flexibility.
ADJUSTING THE SIDE COMPRESSION STRAPS
Side compression straps come next, pulling these tight does two things: firstly, it stabilises the load, secondly it can lift the lower part of the pack, repositioning the load closer to your back.
ADJUSTMENTS ON THE GO
Following these steps should give you a comfortable but secure fit on your pack. Sometimes adjustments will need to be made on the go depending on the terrain or the load you are carrying. The perfect fit is very much a personal preference so experiment with different tensions on the pack to find what suits you best.