Our granddaughter turns one in June. I’d like to get one of those baby carriers that’s like a backpack so I can take her hiking with me.
Any recommendations or tips to share? Thanks.
My experience was those are a nightmare for any hike of interesting length. Kid inevitably falls asleep and you have monster baby head bouncing around in terrible ways. End up taking sleeping kid out and carrying in arms.
An Ergo carrier has a sunshade that also works as a head stabilizer- as long as kid is not huge. This worked much better for hiking for us. Although not all babies find hiking as boring as ours did.
We had an Osprey one when our kid was little. Worked very well for us. Among other adventures, I hauled that kid through several 5 mile hikes in wet, windy Scottish weather on the Isle of Skye and he was snug as a bug with the rain cover on. He was 11 months old then. Pack worked well until he got to about age 2.
https://www.osprey.com/us/en/category/kids-packs-and-carriers/child-carriers/
We have an expensive dueter which is really nice but our cheap tula gets more use because it is much smaller and convenient to bring around. My kid is 5 and we still use the Tula sometimes as an emergency if we are out on a hike and the 5 year old stops walking and drops anchor. We used it a few times recently.
I would try a Tula first, good for tiny kids all the way up to about 40lbs.
Having used both a soft carrier (Ergo) and structured backpack (deuter) - I vote structured.
Both are useful, but the frame pack is easier if you are using it less frequently. Find one with a sunshade & rain cover - it makes a huge difference. Added bonus is one with a pocket big enough for a diaper/snacks.
My kid would fall asleep at some point and always leaned to the side. That kind of sucked - but being able to hike/be active was worth it.
We used ours all year including some fun winter adventures.
We used a combo of soft (Ergo) and structured (off brand, always wanted a Deuter). The Ergo is awesome but the kid is literally plastered to your body with not much room to maneuver but they are light weight and soft. The kids sleep like champs and they can ride on your front or back. The Deuter or other structured backpack style gives them lots more freedom of movement (arms, legs, eating, drinking and they can see over your head). Can get them with rather large pocket spaces to fit food/water/blankets etc.
We found that when they started to lean because they fell asleep, we’d prop them up with or make a pillow out of a blanket we’d bring and then we were all comfortable again. Have toys or blankets with grommets and leashes so when the kid tosses it, it’s not gone forever, just hanging on the side.
+1 for the Osprey and found it very good. I got two of their top end ones on sale. You can prop it upright on **level ground **and lots of storage for the kutundu that accompanies having a kid.
Built in sunshade, head support for smaller kids, washable drool pad at the front, rain cover. In Covid lockdown we had 2 hours out side of the home; it was 40 minutes to the beach, 40 minutes running around and 40 minutes back. Kids go to sleep really quickly in them, but also love the higher vantage point, looking over drystone walls and tractor spotting…
I’m a foot taller than my wife; the Osprey was adjustable enough to adapt to us both.
Osprey Poco Plus Child Carrier !
We have top end Deuter and really like it. I wouldn’t recommend an Ergobaby if the child is already over one year. Ergobaby is great for babies. Wearing a child on the front and forward facing isn’t recommended and it’s really uncomfortable for both parties. I like that we can set the Deuter on the ground and it stands up, has sufficient pockets and our kids can get their water, snacks, etc themselves.
Another reason we love it is the convenience over a stroller in some situations. We use the backpack for trips to Ikea or other big, crowded events like a race expo where a stroller would be a pain in the ass.
+1 for the Deuter mine went through two kids.
I will say though once the kids start growing, it is kind of challenging to get the backpack on and off by yourself. Sure you can handle the weight but you don’t want the kid to fall out while getting them on.
Hey, thanks for all the excellent feedback - most of which wasn’t on my radar. The real-world tips and experience is most helpful to me. Much appreciated, LR.
We also had a top of the line Deuter. We tried a few at REI and when we put the kid in the Deuter she put her head down on the pillow and took a nap. The pack gives the kid more of a seat than the others that are more saddle like.
Did some good multi hour hikes. One time one a long hike the older sister pooped out (turns out she came down with a virus that day). Threw her in the pack at like 60 lbs and feet hanging down to my knees to hike out the last mile. Heavy but nice and comfy on my back. Not easy to get it mounted with that much weight.
The downside as noted is that it is bulky and cumbersome when throwing it in the back of the car.