Disclosed is a backpack having a plurality of stabilizing handles. The handles are of fixed dimension and are distributed around the outside of a main compartment of the backpack to provide a number of places for a caregiver to grip when assisting a wearer of the backpack walk. A rear side of the main compartment may have a four handles, a front side of the backpack may have 6 handles, and side panels of the backpack may have 4 handles. A lead may optionally be attached to the D-ring on the rear side of the backpack. Providing numerous grip handles around the backpack enhances the ability of the caregiver to provide spotting support, without stigmatizing the user from the use of a harness or other such assistive device.