Let’s face it, if you are uncomfortable while wearing a child carrier, you will be less likely to use it. Luckily, most carriers available today are fully adjustable taking into consideration things like different torso lengths (if mom and dad are different heights), lumbar support and extra padding in waist and shoulder belts. Generally, most manufacturers make their carriers for the “average” size adult and child but some also have excellent ranges of adjustment so shorter and taller adults can find a comfortable fit.

When choosing a carrier, keep in mind what you will be using it for and the duration of time you will be wearing it on any given outing. The longer you will wear it (weekend camping trips) the more adjustment features you may need. Shorter trips (running errands around town) may not require the same amount of fine tuning when it comes to fit. Not all carriers have the same range of adjustment options. Some allow for harness or suspension adjustment for torso length while others only accommodate shoulder strap adjustment.

When you get your carrier and first begin to use it, experiment with all the different adjustment features, it may take a couple of hikes or trips to get it right for your body. You may also need to re-set these adjustments as your child grows and becomes heavier.

Adult Fit
Your carrier should fit so that you are able to walk in a natural and comfortable walking stance - not hunched over. When using a backpack carrier, your center of balance will be pulled backwards with the weight of your child. In order to compensate for this, the weight should be on the front of your hips, not on the shoulders, spine or lower back. A carrier that is properly adjusted will transfer the weight to your hips and allow you to stand upright without straining or feeling like you are going to fall backwards!

Tips for Fitting an Adult
• We recommend you make your initial adjustments without your child on board - easier for parent and less tedious for child. Use heavy books or other heavy household items to weight down the pack instead.
• Adjust the suspension system to fit your torso length. The hip belt should rest on your hip bones (not your waist) and the shoulder pads should rest on your shoulders.
• Tighten hip belt so 80% of weight is on your hips and then adjust shoulder straps so carrier is stabilized and 20% of weight is on the shoulders.
• Adjust the sternum strap across your chest so it is comfortable

Child Fit
Babies and kids also benefit from more advanced fit and adjustment features with carriers today. Whether front, sling or backpack styles, children will be comfortable and happy in their carrier if properly fitted. Front style carriers allow for both inward and outward facing positions (baby must be able to support its own head to face out) and some sling carriers allow for both lying down and sitting up positions. Backpack carriers benefit from things like adjustable seat heights, foot stirrups, and adjustable 5 point harnesses.

Most child fit adjustments with carriers are designed to make changes as the baby/child grows and becomes heavier (keep in mind however the maximum load weight for whichever carrier you are using). When fitting the carrier for your child it is helpful to consider things like making sure legs and arms have freedom of movement, head can turn from side to side with ease, and harnesses are secure but not too tight or restrictive.

Tips for Fitting for Your Child
• Adjust the child seat height before placing your child in the carrier
• Child should be seated high enough to look forward over your shoulder but not so high that their chest is above the height of the child cockpit and that their body is not supported by the cockpit.
• Loosen all the child straps and make sure kick-stand is fully extended
• Guide child into carrier and make sure feet and legs come through the leg openings
• Make sure feet are not twisted and legs can move freely
• Buckle and tighten shoulder, side and leg straps (different carriers have different strap and harness options)
• Child should be secure but not too restricted
• For your first time out we recommend a walk around the backyard or down the street - better to deal with adjustment issues before out on the trail with a crying child!
• Have a friend or your spouse observe the child while in the carrier to see if they appear uncomfortable, are too high or too low in the cockpit, or if their head is swinging back and forth.

How to Measure your Torso Length
Many backpack style carriers come with adjustable suspension systems that allow you to
lengthen or shorten the back panel for your individual torso length. In order to make sure that your body size will fall within the torso adjustment range on any given pack, you can measure your torso.
• Stand up straight with legs shoulder length apart
• Locate the C7 vertebra at the base of your neck - this is the prominent bone that sticks out the most especially when you tilt your head forward - this is the starting point of your measurement.
• Place your hands on your hips and find the pointy protrusions on the front of your hips - this is known as the Iliac Crest. Draw an imaginary “latitude line” from these points around to your lower back - this is the ending point of your measurement.
• Run a tape measure from the C7 vertebra (at base of neck) down your spine following the curve of your back along the way, to the point where the tape crosses the imaginary “latitude line” at your lower back.
• This measurement is your torso length

Categories: Backpack Carriers, Tips and Ideas
Tags: backpack child carriers, child carrier fit, measure torso length