Best Baby Carrier for Hiking of 2022 | Reviews + Buyer’s Guide (2022)
A baby carrier pack is hard to beat for tackling the trail with a small child in tow. We’ve spent endless hours hiking with both a happy youngster and an adult because of their supportive designs, which allow for a comfortable and safe ride. These backpacks might be pricy due to their feature-rich designs, which include premium straps, padding, and suspension systems, but there are bargains to be found.
Best Baby Carrier
Deuter Kid Comfort ($320)
By combining excellent levels of comfort and safety, superior build quality, and organization, Deuter’s Kid Pleasure is our top pick for 2022. Deuter packs are recognized for their high-quality suspension systems, and the current model is no exception: it features a solid metal frame that can easily withstand a growing (and energetic) youngster, and the cushioned hip belt and mesh back panel provide the perfect balance of support and breathability.
Deuter also has one of the greatest child seat designs on the market. Although the buckling process isn’t as simple as the Osprey Poco below, the five-point harness is quite secure and simple to modify. In addition, the tall back, supporting sides, and cushy, washable front pad provide for excellent mid-hike naps and easy cleanup.
The pack is well-equipped as the semi-model inside the Kid Comfort collection. The parasol deploys fast and has its pocket behind your back; there’s enough storage for most day outings, though its decreasing function of the Osprey Poco Plus; and the side entry option is excellent for toddlers who prefer to move heavy on their own.
The primary drawback is the price, which at $320 is a significant commitment for individuals who only use it occasionally. We also dislike how the parasol provides little protection around the edges, which might be an issue on windy days. However, with sturdy, elevated materials and class-leading convenience for both baby and adult, the Kid Comfort is a fantastic match for families who spend a lot of time outside.
Osprey Poco Plus ($340)
Osprey manufactures some of our favorite bags for day hiking and backpacking. For years, their renowned Poco line has been a constant in this piece, and they recently revamped it. Most saliently, they addressed our main gripe with the previous model by increasing the padding on the hipbelt. The honeycomb design had a habit of digging into our hips when fully loaded down, but not anymore.
In addition, Osprey redesigned the harness so that it now attaches behind your child’s shoulders and the pack’s body is made of bluesign-approved nylon. There are two Pocos to pick from, but we recommend the Plus because it has a more flexible hipbelt and more storage. The Plus is a standout in the market, with a capacity of 26 liters, and is well-equipped for everything from long daily walks to overnight excursions with the family if you can divide and conquer your stuff.
What is preventing Osprey from claiming the top spot? In our testing, we discovered that the pack falls short of the Deuter in terms of overall comfort. When you look up the path, there’s a large, stiff grab grip that occasionally rubs on the back of your neck; this is usually an issue on steep slopes.
Furthermore, to use the bottom storage compartment, you must leave the kickstand extended, which makes the pack quite bulky and awkward when fully loaded. Finally, at full price, the Poco Plus isn’t a good deal: the Kid Comfort above is $20 less, has comparable build quality, and adds extras like the toddler side entry. If you require more storage space, we believe the Deuter is the better option.
Furthermore, to use the bottom storage compartment, you must leave the kickstand extended, which makes the pack quite bulky and awkward when fully loaded. Finally, at full price, the Poco Plus isn’t a good deal: the Kid Comfort above is $20 less, has comparable build quality, and adds extras like the toddler side entry. If you require more storage space, we believe the Deuter is the better option.
Kelty Journey PerfectFIT ($250)
Kelty’s Journey PerfectFIT is a wonderful cheap baby carrier for shorter walks or if you’re ready to sacrifice a little comfort. The Journey’s kid harness and interior quickly stood out in comparison to the pricier models above. The seat is easily adjustable, beautifully padded, and a pleasant place to sit. In addition, as compared to the packs above, the Journey PerfectFIT saves you over 2 pounds and has the same maximum weight capacity.
The major tradeoff with the Journey, as previously said, is felt on long trail days. For brief excursions, the padding is soft and supportive, but the longer you’re out and the bigger your children become the pack gets less and less enjoyable. The lack of features can be a concern here, and we miss having a hydration suitable sleeve, zipped hipbelt pockets, and one mesh pocket.
The single main compartment on the pack body allows for better organization. But, for $90 less than the Osprey, it’s easy to overlook the Kelty’s shortcomings, and it’s an excellent choice for families who won’t be out every weekend. Check out Deuter’s new $235 Comfort Venture for an even cheaper budget version with a less total capacity.
Ergobaby 360 Cool Air Mesh ($120)
Although the models above are designed for trekking, a simple baby carrier might be useful in cold weather or when traveling with little children. The Ergobaby 360 is a classic alternative with a comfortable waistline and multiple child-carrying choices. We’ve found that the rear backpack-style posture is the most comfortable on the trail for trekking and when the baby is old enough to hold up its head.
Another advantage of the Ergobaby is its small size, which makes it much easier to transport than a standard infant carrier. Then that should come as no surprise that the Ergobaby 360 has several drawbacks. To begin with, the carrier lacks a frame system, making it less comfortable over long distances. It also lacks any outer pockets.
You can’t move as freely with the baby close to you, and it’s easy to get very sweaty when working hard. The mesh is a vital ability, but it’s still much closer to the sun than the designs above. The Ergobaby is a great addition to a genuine kid carrier, but it’s not the only option for most hiking couples.
Deuter Kid Comfort Active ($275)
Deuter’s active model (formerly the comfort air) had a recent makeover, similar to the kid comfort above. the lightweight, simplistic design hasn’t altered much, and there’s still a lot of mesh around the back panel and baby’s seating area to help with ventilation. for the most part, Deuter didn’t skimp on the remainder of the pack.
The Active includes the same side entry as the Pleasure, a well-designed five-point safety system, and a 48.5-pound suspension that is easily adjustable. It’s also the first infant carrier with a women’s-specific “SL” version, which has lower shoulder straps and an ergonomically contoured hipbelt to match smaller torso sizes.
The vented Comfort Active is ideal for folks who hike in hot weather, but we believe the basic Comfort is the better all-arounder. Given the emphasis on remaining cool, it’s strange that Deuter didn’t include a sunshade, which can be purchased separately for $35. You also lose the extra-thick front drooling pad and hydration tank capability, and the chassis isn’t as capable of carrying a hefty load or a baby.
Kelty Journey PerfectFIT Elite ($340)
Kelty has struggled at the premium end of the kid carrier market for decades, but with the new Journey series, they hope to change that. The concentration is on convenience for both parent and baby in the standard, semi Signature, and high-end Elite variants. The name “PerfectFIT ” refers to the torso designed accordingly, which allows users to easily adjust fit by trying to pull on two straps on the back panel. The torso size range is quite broad, ranging from 15.5 to 21 inches.
With a broad child seat and excellent details like a detachable drool pad and stirrups, the interior has been updated from previous iterations of the pack. What makes the three Journey PerfectFIT child carriers unique? A sunshade and organizational elements like hip belt pouches and a bottom zipper pocket are not included in the $250 base model.
The $290 Signature and $340 Elite packs provide a build that is competitive with the Osprey and Deuter packs mentioned above. The Elite’s additional services: hydration reservoir sleeve, mesh side pockets, and an easier-to-clean liner inside the lower compartment are worth it for families who get out a lot.
In conclusion, the Kelty can’t match the highest Deuter’s quality cushioning and hauling comfort, but its greater capacity the Deuter is only 14L is beneficial for full days on the trail.
Osprey Poco Carrier ($300)
In Osprey’s kid carrier portfolio, the Poco lies below the Poco Plus, but it’s likely the best price for the set of features. The pack has the same great kid seat design and a mesh back panel that is easy to adjust and ventilates effectively. The $300 Osprey, but unlike Deuter Kid Cushion Active above, keeps the built-in sunshade. It isn’t our preferred style.
The sunshade can become trapped within the storage capacity and, when deployed, sits so high above the head that it doesn’t block low light, but it’s still a pleasant addition for the price. Only with a standard Poco pack, what do you give up?
Furthermore, the hipbelt has been simplified, with zipped compartments replaced by considerably less functional mesh, and you can’t modify the padded piece of the hipbelt like you can with the Poco Plus. Although its 20-liter volume compares favorably to most packs on the market, this entry-level model has less overall storage. If the lack of fit adjustment and features isn’t a deal-breaker, Osprey’s Poco is a great hiking option.
Deuter Kid Comfort Pro ($385)
The top-of-the-line Pro model from Deuter is the third variant to make our list. At $385, you receive the same greater carry system and cushioning as the regular Kid Comfort above, plus additional features like an inbuilt sunshade and a removable daypack.
We particularly enjoy the sunshade, which is incorporated into the rear of the child seat (as opposed to the normal Kid Comfort shade, which must be removed and stowed), because it deploys faster and provides greater coverage along the sides. We’ve found the extra shielding to be particularly useful for mid-summer treks or when the sun is low.
A few problematic design decisions put the Pro down in our ranks and below the other Kid Comfort options. For starters, we don’t care for the lack of a zipper in the bottom storage compartment. The open-top design is insecure for storing valuables, and the plastic clip can be difficult to operate. Furthermore, unlike the Thule above, the detachable daypack is fairly basic and does not carry a load well, and it cannot be connected to the bag.
Instead, it’s supposed to be worn independently, with the open-top compartment taking up valuable space, or strapped in the front, which is inconvenient while trekking. Although the Pro’s sunshade is more user-friendly, and the quality and comfort are impossible to fault, we believe you’d be better off saving money with the $320 model.
Pack of Baby/Child Carrier
- Comfy and feature-rich designs characterize the packs in our “comfort” area.
- Lightweight packs shave weight and functionality from pleasure designs, making them ideal for short journeys and everyday use.
Comfort and padding
Because comfort is such an important aspect of how often you get out on the trail, we’ve given it a high place in our rankings. Strong suspensions are found in the best packs in this category, which can withstand anything from a 16-pound newborn to a 40-pound kid.
Conclusion
Sharp edges, exposed springs, and unintended folding are all prohibited hazards in child carriers sold in the United States, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s Frame Child Carrier Standard. Taking things a step further, you’ll see that certain packs have a JPMA safety certification, indicating that they’ve undergone a separate testing process by an independent third party
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