Clevr Cross Country Review

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

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.

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.

Child Comfort

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

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 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.

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 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.

Ease of Use

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

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.

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 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 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.

Storage

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

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.

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.

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.

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?