Backpack baby carrier

[Weston]

Hey Hock, this question is for you specifically, since you seem to be pretty knowledgeable on the outdoor gear thing...or for anyone else who might have any ideas...

What's a good brand for a backpack babby carrier and about how much would I have to pay for a decent one.

Alex is starting to outgrow his snuggli...and I know by springtime, when I'm gonna want to do more long distance hiking with him, he will probably be too big for it. So I'm looking into getting one of those backpack carriers (hopefully as an X-mas present from family or wife :wink: )

What should I look for? Would like to be able to carry a little bit of supplies including his necessities, but not a whole lot, because I only plan on doing half-day hikes.

Any suggestions appreciated
Mike J (J monk)

[Don-Dad]

I have one that I like that has plastic legs as opposed to the metal. I'll try to get the brand but its over 4 years old now. It was fairly comfortable and before son#2 was walking, I'd use it in the mall with him. Its rated to hold 40lbs but by then the kids are walking and do not want to be in a backpack.

This is the kind of itme you might find cheaper online as well so do some shopping around.

[hockeydad]

J monkey you just made my day.

Buy from a gear shop - one with a very good return policy. Good return policies are essential because sometimes as kids grow gear that felt good at smaller sizes doesn't work for bigger. This is why I recommend REI or REI.com so highly - they'll take anything back even if its been used.

Look for a brand from a backpack maker. Unfortunately all the high end backpack makers don't delve into this market. So your looking at companies like REI, Kelty, and Deuter. Middle of the road backpacks with decent track records. But since they aren't high end always be suspicious of their upper limit weight specs - they are probably safe but lose comfort.

Avoid gadget packs. Ones that turn into normal backpacks or strollers. Those are fine for mall trips and airports, but poor for hiking.

Look for the specs: size, weight and carrying capacity. Most seem to start around 17-20 lbs and max out between 35 and 50 (see caveat above about the 50). You want to be careful to check max weight for kid as this will tell what the kid harness system can hold. It will be less than the max weight for the pack.

Get the pack fitted. Ask for the stores pack fitter. He or she should measure your torso and waist measurements and check if it is within the pack limits. Put it on without weight and get the fit close. Finally they should add weight and dial it in ( I would start with your kd or the minimum and add from there). If they don't do this look at them crossly and have them. If you buy online take it to a gear shop and have them fit it.

If mom also wants to use it, you'll have to find one that fits both of you. If there is a difference between the two fits in torso length try to mark the different spots on the torso adjuster for easy changing. If there is a dramatic difference in waist make sure that you can both get the belt snug to you. A loose belt means the pack is more or less worthless as all the weight will be on your shoulders - ouch. If you can't get one to fit both make someone designated sherpa.

Get a rain/sun hood. It costs extra but it's worth it. Also a head pillow for the kid as they tend to fall asleep in them. And fold out leg frames is essential for stability on the ground. Some of the packs also have cool features like mirrors to check on kid and padding for legs. Just remember you have to carry whatever is on there so don't go overboard on bells and whistles.

I've used both the REI Piggyback and Kelty Tour which I think is now the Basecamp. I really like the REI. Very koosh. The kid harness seems secure and it felt comfortable with a 25 lb kid in it. Minus is that it's max kid weight is 35 lbs and it's a little tough to get kid in and out. Although I think the frame can support the upper weight comfortably. The Kelty I have I'm not crazy about. It was given to us in good condition, but I have been considering buying a new one (the baby is not yet big enough to be in it). The harness system seems uncomfortable but secure. I tried it with the 25 lber and it felt ok but just ok. I think they fixed the kid harness problems in the newer models, but it's waist belt is still suspect. Deuter I have never tried but heard good things about, they are higher end so more costly.

If I were to choose right now I'd do the REI Piggyback or tagalong with rain/sun cover. Just the best cost to quality ratio. Although if I thought we'd need it past 35 lbs I'd go with Kelty. We don't as we have an offroad stroller that can do 70.

Hope this long winded diatribe helps.

[hockeydad]

I just checked online. Kelty did upgrade. It's a full 5 point harness now. Which is good.

[Don-Dad]

I haet to spam you guys, again ;) But I promote a bunch of outdoor shops, rei.com one of them, this stoer is good as rei.ci has a few issues from time to time, see this page, http://www.backcountry.com/store/group/3/c3/s8/Kid-Carriers.html if you buy, let me know and i can research the best price for you :)

[Weston]

Thanks guys, definitely helps...acutually printed it off so I could take it with me to REI ... I'm gonna check Don's links too tho :wink:

[Weston]

Cool...thanx for the specific link Don will check it out

[Muz]

I will add a vote for the REI Piggyback. I believe it is rated to 60 lbs (child plus gear). It has a pocket that sits in front of the child to hold a water bladder. The backpack portion zips off so that you can just take the small pack with you when you need to transition from the trail to the pub after your hike (no repacking the diaper bag).

Make sure you try the packs in the store first. My wife and I went to REI expecting to buy the Kelty pack, but neither of us liked the way it fit. (We are both short, I'm 5'7" and she's 5'2", so YMMV).

Good luck with whatever you buy. I find that the carrier is more convenient than a stroller for trips to crowded places in the city like the Portland Farmer's Market. Our son much prefers the view from up top as well.

[hockeydad]

Muz you ever try the pack on with the bladder full? I've wondered how well it insulates and if the weight sits comfortably.

By the by it's 60 lbs pack+gear+kid. about 7 lb for pack makes 53 gear + kid. Manufacture recommends no kid over 35. Leaving about 18 for gear. Unfortunately I think REI hip belts start making weight seem really uncomfortable around 45-50. But that's just personal opinion.

[Muz]

I agree about the hip belt not being the best. My wife never has a problem, so I just assumed it was due to my lack of hips (love handles yes, hips no).

I usually carry a 100 oz water bladder that starts off full. I'm used to hiking in AZ, so 100 oz of water was absolutely necessary. Now that we are in the Pacific NW, I still do out of habit. I've never noticed any problems with it, aside from the additional 6.25 lbs of weight.

I'm still a few years away from 35, but I wouldn't mind being carried down the trail now and then. :lol:

[Weston]

Hey guys...just got back from Dick's sporting goods, and they had the Kelty meadow kid carrier. Tried it on with Alex in it and we both love it!

This is the one I saw in Don's link they I prefered considering price...$100 both online and at Dick's. Only a little disappointed in the amount of xtra supplies that can be carried with it. Just don't want to buy one that won't carry enough gear for longer hikes :(

But other than that..this one seems great and I will keep looking around for other brands as well (Haven't been to REI yet to see)

Thanks again for the advice!

[hockeydad]

Looks like a good one. Nice and simple. Like the rope handles from the back of the shoulder suspension. They don't have such prominent ones on the older models. Will make it much easier to swing on and off and put down. No shoulder stabilizer straps for the kid to loosen either. I like stabilizers but only needed if going up and down a lot of hills - otherwise their just something for the kid to play with (and annoy you).

[Weston]

Well, I ended up getting the Kelty Meadow as an x-mas gift from my wife....haven't tried it out yet for a real hike, but looks and feels great

[Weston]

WOW...Just took a short hike this afternoon with Alex using the backpack carrier....works soooo much better than the snuggli at his size.

The weight is distributed on your body just like a regular backpack, making the walk so much easier on the back, and he can look around so much better now as we walk.

Definitely recommend one for anyone who does any hiking

[Muz]

Glad to hear you found a pack you enjoy. It really does make long walks more enjoyable for both of us.

As part of a New Year's resolution to be more active (and a need to drop my cholesterol about 50-75 points) I've started jogging 3 days a week and hiking with our baby carrier on the off days. Yesterday, I needed to get some books from the library, so Nathan and I headed downtown. We parked the car about two miles from the library (free parking!) and rode the light rail back into downtown Portland (also free in the downtown area). Afterwards, we hiked the two miles back to the car. It felt great!

The best part was all the looks from the downtown workers as father and son "hiked" back to the riverfront towards the car. If any Portland area dads see a guy and his year old son city hiking, say hi.

Chad

[Weston]

8)

[Patrickz]

I have a Kelty kids from REI. Bought it months before Alex was born and dont understand way I dont see more people with them. I guess i'm just wierd but I can't imagin being with out it when Im out and about with Alex. Great for any outing with him. :P

[SideShowCecil]

Do you think it’s safe to Fly Fish with the backpack carrier?

I purchased a carrier from Mountain Equipment Co-Op www.mec.ca this summer. I found it to be far superior to other models I looked at that were 40% to 50% more expensive. After it was fitted by their pack expert I found it quite comfortable with 26 ponds of baby in it.

It came with a diaper bag that detaches and becomes its own small back pack. I have been using that small pack as our main diaper bag; Its looks way better than any other diaper bags I’ve seen.

[Weston]

Probably not too safe while fly fishing

I get a little nervous when I'm hiking in the woods and go by tree branches...that he doesnt grab one or get smacked in the face.

I'm considering getting one of those small round make-up mirrors so I can see what he is up to every once in a while

[SideShowCecil]

I didn’t think so. I haven’t wet a line in so long I’m getting desperate! :-({|=

You can get a small rear view mirror that clips to the temple of your glasses. (If you ware glasses or sunglasses when you’re hiking.) They’re meant for cycling but I think it could work in that situation.

[Patrickz]

I've gone to the local man made lake with mine and had no problem casting but my carrier is a front loader so the hook stays well away from Alex and I have an eyeball on him all the time. The Kelty I have is the kagoroo model. :wink: