Whether you are planning to hit the hiking trail with your little one, travel to new places or find adventures right in your local neighborhood, a backpack carrier can make your walks and outings more convenient and fun. Choosing the right one for you will depend on a variety of needs and requirements. Before heading to the store or adding anything to your cyber shopping cart however, you should consider three main points in selecting a backpack child carrier.

Intended Use - Will you be hiking or climbing mountains every weekend or simply using your carrier around town or to attend outdoor events? How you plan to use your carrier most is the biggest factor in narrowing down your choices. At one end of the spectrum, carriers are designed for high performance, extended wear and stability. On the other end of the spectrum are carriers designed for shorter, casual use. You will also want to consider how often you will use your carrier in crowded places where maneuverability may be an issue.

Your Size/Height - This criteria will determine if you will need a carrier with more adjustability options. If you are particularly short or tall, or you spouse is much shorter or taller than you are, you may need a carrier with an adjustable harness system which allows you to lengthen or shorten the torso size of the pack and get a better fit.

Travel Needs - Some carrier designs are larger and bulkier than others. If you will be traveling with you carrier (whether on a plane or even frequent day trips in the car) you may want to consider a design that is smaller and more compact for easy transport. You might also consider a “conversion” type backpack carrier which is essentially a daypack design that converts to a child carrier by unzipping a middle section to reveal a child seat. These carriers are much smaller and lighter and great for traveling with small children who may want to walk some of the time but occasionally also need a lift!

Online or Local Shop?
There are advantages and disadvantages to buying a backpack child carrier either online or in a retail shop. The biggest advantage to buying online will be the sheer variety of brands and models available. We have yet to visit a retail shop that sells a truly complete range of models and performance levels the way some online stores do. There are many excellent carrier options from less well known international brands available, but most shops will only stock the biggest US brands (like Kelty in this case - an excellent line of child carriers, but if you aren’t looking for a Kelty, you’re out of luck).

The biggest advantage to buying your carrier in a local retail shop is the ability to try it on! In our years of selling backpack carriers to customers at the online outdoor store we managed, we spent the most time helping customers with questions about fit and comfort. If at all possible, try to visit a store to try on some carriers before you purchase. Even if the store you visit doesn’t sell the brand or model you want, try some packs on anyway. This is very important if you have little experience with wearing a child carrier or even a large expedition type backpack. Having this experience will help you get a better understanding of how a large pack “feels” and can be adjusted.

Some Basic Questions
We’ve put together a basic list of questions you might want to consider in your quest for the best backpack carrier for your family. These questions are also a good guide when talking with a salesperson whether you buy online or in a local shop.
• What age is your child?
• What is your child’s weight?
• Can they sit up on their own? (A baby needs to be able to sit up on their own to safely ride in a backpack carrier - usually about 6 months old.)
• What kind of activity will you primarily use the carrier for? (hiking, around town, travel?)
• How many different adults will use the carrier on a regular basis? (just yourself, both parents, grandparents?) Is there a big difference in height among the users?
• What is your fitness level? (consider how much weight you think you can carry comfortably - both baby and weight of carrier. Using a child carrier can make even casual walks a more rigorous workout).
• Will you be traveling with this carrier? (taking it on plane trips or packing it into the car regularly?)
• How much additional storage on the carrier will you need?
• What is the tolerance level of your child for sitting and being confined while out with mom and dad? (most young babies and children enjoy riding in a carrier but every child is different and while some may be happy for several hours, others may prefer frequent short trips).
 
Generally we suggest
• Buy as much carrier as you can afford - the more expensive the carrier, the more comfortable and adjustable it will be.
• Try to choose a carrier with as many adjustable features as possible so that as your child grows you can adapt the carrier to your needs and get years of comfortable use.
• Try to match your carrier to the range of activities you will primarily use it for. Will you be hiking every weekend or do you need a lightweight solution for trips around town? Or something in between?
• Consider features that add to child comfort and happiness on the trail like sun shields, toy loops and foot stirrups.

Lastly, whatever carrier you end up buying, be sure to spend a little time adjusting it to best fit your body. The more comfortable it is, the more you will use it and the more time you will spend out having fun with your little passenger!

Categories: Backpack Carriers, Gear Buying guides, Travel with Kids
Tags: backpack child carrier, buying guide, child carrier, hiking with kids, Travel with Kids