In Depth Baby Product Reviews Led by a Pediatrician

Clevr Cross Country Review

Awkward functionality in a poorly fitting pack
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Clevr Cross Country Review
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Price:  $135 List
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Manufacturer:   Crosslinks
By Juliet Spurrier, MD & Wendy Schmitz  ⋅  Nov 20, 2017
41
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#8 of 10
  • Parent Comfort - 30% 5.0
  • Storage - 20% 3.0
  • Child Comfort - 25% 4.0
  • Ease of Use - 25% 4.0

Our Verdict

The Clevr Cross Country looks like a well-equipped baby-carrying backpack, but compared to others in our review of baby backpacks, its features are difficult to use and have disappointing functionality. This pack has strange adjustments on the shoulder straps and the passenger harness with convoluted strap threading and multiple points for possible errors. The Clevr is uncomfortable for wearers and passengers because of its thin shoulder padding and less structure in the waistband. The seat pad is one of the flimsiest in the review, offering little support for the baby's bottom as it folds under pressure. While some parents will be attracted to the lower price of the Clevr, we think it is worth paying more to get a better-fitting pack that is more comfortable for the wearer and passenger while moving around with your baby.
REASONS TO BUY
Inexpensive
Sun and rain canopy
REASONS TO AVOID
Hard to access storage
Convoluted adjustments
Poor child comfort

Compare to Similar Products

 
clevr cross country
Awards  Editors' Choice Award
Best Overall Baby Backpack
Best Value Award
Best Bang for the Buck
Best Value Award
Best for the Tightest of Budgets
 
Price $135 List
$102.95 at Amazon
$350 List
$349.95 at Amazon
$280 List
$201.18 at Amazon
$200 List
$169.90 at Amazon
$140 List
$139.99 at Amazon
Overall Score Sort Icon
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Star Rating
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Bottom Line Poor fitting pack with disappointing features and functionalityEasy to use, comfortable pack with a canopy, hydration pocket, and ample storageDespite a lack of storage, this comfortable pack is good for those on a budget or narrower buildsLower quality backpack with a budget-friendly price and decent storageUncomfortable pack with larger cockpit leaves parents and kids wanting more
Rating Categories Clevr Cross Country Kelty Journey Perfe... Deuter Kid Comfort... LuvdBaby Premium Phil and Teds Parade
Parent Comfort (30%)
5.0
8.0
9.0
6.0
1
Storage (20%)
3.0
10.0
6.0
7.0
4.0
Child Comfort (25%)
4.0
9.0
9.0
5.0
2.0
Ease of Use (25%)
4.0
7.0
7.0
6.0
5.0
Specs Clevr Cross Country Kelty Journey Perfe... Deuter Kid Comfort... LuvdBaby Premium Phil and Teds Parade
Usage Ranges Min-Max: 16 lbs - 33 lbs Min-Max: 16 lbs - 40 lbs Min-Max: When child can sit upright independently - 48 lbs Min-Max: 16 lbs - 40 lbs //Min/Max:// 16 lbs - 40 lbs
Max Pack Load 40 lbs 48.5 lbs 48 lbs N/A 40 lbs
Weight 5.3 lbs 7.4 lbs 6 lbs 6.4 lbs 4.6 lbs
BGL Folded/Flat Dimensions 15" W x 11" H x 30" L 16" W x 10" H x 31" L 16.5" W x 10" H x 31" L 14.7" W x 9.5" H x 28.5" L 14" W x 7.5" H x 24" L
Frame Aluminum Aluminum Aluminum Aluminum Aluminum
Fabric 600d Oxford Cloth Body: Poly 420D Small Back Stafford
Interior: 75D Poly x 140D Nylon Blend
210 denier polyamide fabric. Tear and abrasion resistant, watertight to 1500 mm Waterproof 600D & 300D Ripstop Polyester 300d and 600d Fabric
Stirrups No Yes, adjustable Yes Yes No
Canopy Yes Yes No Yes No
Hydration Bladder Compatible No Yes No Yes No
Included Accessories Journey Sunshade Changing Pad, Rain Cover
Care Instructions Spot Clean, No Detergent Spot Clean Hand Wash Spot Clean Spot Clean

Our Analysis and Test Results

Crosslinks is an e-commerce company that purchases products from the factory to sell directly to consumers cutting out the middleman. Crosslinks' main concern is customer satisfaction with same-day handling and three-business-day shipping. The company sells everything from home and garden supplies to sporting goods and fitness products. They offer a limited number of baby gear items.

Performance Comparison



clevr cross country - the clevr is somewhat comfortable, and if you never try another pack...
The Clevr is somewhat comfortable, and if you never try another pack you may not know what you are missing, but it is difficult to make adjustments for a truly great fit for improved comfort on longer hikes.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Parent Comfort


The Clevr's overall comfort is average and felt good at first, but it suffers in comparison to the other packs after testing the competition. The straps have nice padding but lack the structure necessary for comfort. The straps feel comfy until you get the opportunity to test a better backpack.


clevr cross country - the clevr has a padded waistband but it lacks the structure that...
The Clevr has a padded waistband but it lacks the structure that helps a waistband support the weight of passengers.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

The torso adjustment is limited to 1.5 inches making it somewhat useless. The back padding is comfortable and breathable. The waistbelt padding and structure are about average, offering basic support.

clevr cross country - the side panels of the clevr canopy can keep baby warmer and...
The side panels of the Clevr canopy can keep baby warmer and protected from wind, but overall the cockpit is not that comfortable for little ones.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Child Comfort


The Clevr is one of the most uncomfortable options for passengers in the group, with only a few earning lower results.


The drool pad on the Clevr is padded and cover din softer fabric. It...
The drool pad on the Clevr is padded and cover din softer fabric. It would be nicer if it was angled for a better napping position.
The drool pad on the Clevr is removable for washing.
The drool pad on the Clevr is removable for washing.

The Clevr comes with two drool pads/face cushions that attach to the front of the cockpit with Velcro. The design is vertical, which isn't as comfortable as packs with angled pads for resting napping heads. The cushion is well padded and covered in soft fabric. We like that you can remove and clean the pad with a spare to use while it air dries.

The Clevr cockpit doesn't have a cozy place for little ones to nap...
The Clevr cockpit doesn't have a cozy place for little ones to nap and some of our testers ended up sort of hanging off to the side when sleeping.
The Clevr face rest is padded, but you can still feel the frame bar...
The Clevr face rest is padded, but you can still feel the frame bar when you rest your head on it.

The cockpit design leaves little ones hanging awkwardly (above left) when they fall asleep. We couldn't get the sides tight enough for a secure feeling, and our little testers were either hanging or had their foreheads resting on the bar under the drool pad (above right). The seat pad lacks structure and folds under the baby's weight. The pad is thin and doesn't cover the buckles in the front, which could be uncomfortable when the baby leans forward while napping. The hem of the seat is rough and could chafe naked legs.

clevr cross country - the lack of stirrups on the clevr may be okay for smaller riders...
The lack of stirrups on the Clevr may be okay for smaller riders, but as children grow they may be uncomfortable with dangling legs.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

The lack of foot stirrups on this pack means the baby's legs will be dangling down to the side. While not all children will use the stirrups, we found it better to have them and not need them than vice versa.

The Clevr canopy has long plastic sides to keep the elements at bay.
The Clevr canopy has long plastic sides to keep the elements at bay.
The rear legs of the Clevr canopy slide into dedicated slots to keep...
The rear legs of the Clevr canopy slide into dedicated slots to keep it upright when in use.

The Clevr has a canopy (above left) with legs that slide into holes on the back of the pad to keep it upright (above right). The canopy is not attached, and there is no storage pocket for it, so if you bring it, you will have to use it or carry it. The canopy protects from the sun above and behind and has a vinyl front and sides to protect passengers from the wind and rain.

clevr cross country - the features on the clevr are tough to use and many of them can't be...
The features on the Clevr are tough to use and many of them can't be adjusted with the baby in the pack.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Ease of Use


The Clevr is more challenging to use than the more thoughtful competition of baby backpacks with intuitive, user-friendly features.


clevr cross country - the torso length adjuster is awkward and only has a range of 1.5...
The torso length adjuster is awkward and only has a range of 1.5 inches, making it virtually useless even if you do manage to figure it out.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Adjusting the torso length is a convoluted process that includes pulling the strap out of one loop and putting it through another loop. Given the limited range of 1.5 inches, it may not be worth the hassle since it doesn't improve the fit.

The Clevr has two shoulder strap adjustment points but both are...
The Clevr has two shoulder strap adjustment points but both are awkward to move while wearing the pack.
The padding on the straps is adequate but the higher performing...
The padding on the straps is adequate but the higher performing models provide more structure and support for bearing baby's weight.

Shoulder strap height adjustment took us longer to figure out than it should have, and the waistbelt is harder to adjust with straps that stick and don't move smoothly. The Clevr is one of the hardest packs to fit on the fly, which resulted in parents wearing an uncomfortable carrier instead of making changes.

The press button harness on the Clevr is stiff and harder to use...
The press button harness on the Clevr is stiff and harder to use with the baby in the pack
The Clevr seat pad is flimsy and folds under baby's weight. The...
The Clevr seat pad is flimsy and folds under baby's weight. The adjustment straps are challenging to use with baby in the pack and you'll need to have the pack empty if you want to make it higher.

The child harness adjustment (above left) includes unthreading and rethreading the straps out of the buckle, through the back strap, and then back into the buckle. Significant changes need to be made before you put your baby in the pack. Adjusting the seat (above right) into a higher position is arduous with a baby in the backpack. With many straps to connect, we worry parents will miss one.

The water bottles on the Clevr are located on the back of the...
The water bottles on the Clevr are located on the back of the cockpit making them impossible for the wearer to reach. The kickstand moves smoothly but the locking mechanism requires a double check before you let go of the pack.
The Clevr has a single handle on the opposite side of the drool pad...
The Clevr has a single handle on the opposite side of the drool pad. If you use the handle the Velcro from the drool pad will come loose.

The kickstand (above left) moves smoothly but doesn't have a reassuring lock. You'll want to make sure it is open all the way before setting the pack down. The Clevr has a single carry handle (above right), no space for a hydration bladder, and is spot clean only. The manual for this pack is only pictures and lacks much of the information you'll want to know.

clevr cross country - the storage on the clevr is not accessible by the wearer and doesn't...
The storage on the Clevr is not accessible by the wearer and doesn't function as well as you'd expect.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Storage


The Clevr doesn't offer enough storage to be truly useful while cruising around with your baby.


clevr cross country - the clevr waistband has a zippered pocket that may not be large...
The Clevr waistband has a zippered pocket that may not be large enough for your smartphone. The zipper is covered by a flap of fabric that gets caught in the zipper teeth when you try to use it.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

This pack has a zippered pocket on the waistband. The pouch isn't large enough for most smartphones, and the zipper has a fabric cover that gets caught in the zipper teeth making it challenging to use.

clevr cross country - the lower pocket on the clevr will hold a handful of supplies but...
The lower pocket on the Clevr will hold a handful of supplies but you won't be able to reach them while wearing the pack.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

The main pocket is relatively easy to access and is big enough for a lightweight jacket, a few diapers, travel-sized wipes, and snacks. The pocket functions well, but the kickstand can get in the way when zipping.

clevr cross country - the rear mesh pocket on the clevr doesn't hold much and the mesh...
The rear mesh pocket on the Clevr doesn't hold much and the mesh feels like it could be easily damaged.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

The back of the pack has a mesh pocket with an elastic top. The pocket is exposed to the elements but can hold a few essential items for quick access. The wearer of the pack can't reach this pocket, but a travel companion can help.

clevr cross country - the clevr has two water bottle holders but only the passenger can...
The Clevr has two water bottle holders but only the passenger can reach them. It takes two hands to get bottles inside and it is even harder if the bottles are soft plastic that collapses.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

The Clevr has two mesh cup holders that require two hands to put the bottle inside. The wearer can't reach the holders, making us wish it has room for a hydration bladder.

Should You Buy the Clevr Cross Country?


Considering the pack's lack of comfort and awkward functionality, we think you should pass on this option and select a contender that's better performing, which will bring more happiness and satisfaction while out and about.

Other Baby Backpacks Should You Consider?


We understand that baby backpacks can be an investment, and if cost is a factor for you, the LuvdBaby Premium may work for those with a strict budget. Otherwise, the Deuter Kid Comfort Active SL is more money yet budget-friendly for baby backpacks, and its performance is significantly better than the Clevr.

Juliet Spurrier, MD & Wendy Schmitz