Carrier for hiking?

lola808

We have an Ergo that we love, but DH thinks it isn't the best for taking LO on hikes and other sweaty, physical activities. Any recommendations for an affordable, comfortable back carrier that fits the bill -- frame or otherwise?

MauiWedding08

we have a REI frame carrier that I bought second hand.  It looked brand new (they bought it to replace one they used with their first 2 kids but then didn't get out hiking much with 3 small kids hah - imagine that).  Because I don't see it on the website and I know ours is at least 3 years old I can't really tell you to buy that one so I will just talk about the idea of a frame carrier...  

Keep in mind we are in a MUCH cooler climate but I haven't ever gotten warm in it and the baby is so far off the back in ours that I know he will never get warm like he tends to do in the ergo.  We also only started to use it late last summer/fall.  If you are use to wearing a large backpack it's pretty similar because (at least ours) has a full back panel to distribute weight.  Ours is adjustable for torso height - which is awesome.  I didn't adjust after we set it up for DH and once I did change it to my size it was so comfy.

Also, while LO doesn't mind front carry or back carry in the ergo or other carrier I think he really likes the way the frame carrier puts him up higher in order to allow him to look around.  He hardly ever falls asleep because he's so interested in the surroundings.  Not sure if this will be a pro or a con if we attempt a longer hike this summer... 

What is the CL market for baby stuff like in HI?  I often see really nice Kelty and REI ones on my local page for $100 or less. (and some pretty crappy ones too - ugh.) 

sanae78

I think kokopax are supposed to be good. They're a frame carrier also. Baby awearness might have it so you can try it out.

lola808

I see a few Keltys for sale on CL --  $60-$135 for various models. Amazon sells the 2.0 version for $145.

I think A would like being up high, too. I'm not sure how much to invest in something like this... maybe I can also scope out garage sales since CL doesn't seem like it has anything worth jumping on for now.

Christine - Kokopax has cute ones! Well reviewed, too. But I think DH might prefer something a little more rugged. 

 

 

MauiWedding08

lola808:

Christine - Kokopax has cute ones! Well reviewed, too. But I think DH might prefer something a little more rugged. 

 

 

hehe, yeah - DH is all about his pack!  He is always trying to find an excuse to use it.  We used it to walk from the parking lot to some college football games on his insistence even though the ergo would have been much more convenient to store once we got to our seats.

sanae78

lola808:

Christine - Kokopax has cute ones! Well reviewed, too. But I think DH might prefer something a little more rugged. 

 

Oh, yeah.  Hehe.  I guess I wasn't really thinking about what the boys like.  

lola808

Yeah... and I'd better get something he really likes or else I'll end up carrying A! Gotta make use of the daddy every time you can! :-)

sanae78

Totally!  We did Koko Head last time we were home and B wore Kaya in the Ergo.  There is NO WAY I would have made it up with 18 lbs on my back.  She was a hot, sweaty mess but she slept most of the way up and didn't seem to mind too much.