Best baby carrier for hikes

lilmgirl · September 2011

Anyone have any recs on a back baby carrier for hiking? I took a hike this weekend and learned we should have used a pack instead of the BOB.

MSC03 · September 2011

I love my Boba.

LILBIT1221 · September 2011

i say you strap him to a moose!

<-- doesnt hike, so has no clue. Moose it is.

insertclevername · September 2011

The Ergo has a backpack carry option. I personally have not tried it yet, but I use it for a hip carry and it is absolutely wonderful. No stress on the back or shoulder at all.

KoalaBear103 · September 2011

NY Mama:

The Ergo has a backpack carry option. I personally have not tried it yet, but I use it for a hip carry and it is absolutely wonderful. No stress on the back or shoulder at all.

I think I'm dumb, but I can't figure out any other hold on the Ergo except on the front. I can't get the side or back to work and DS hates being carried on the front now.

Mrs.adambabycakes · September 2011

I have a Kelty Kids backpack from REI. It's easy to put LO in and has zippered pockets for dipes, wipes and extra clothes and snacks. It also has a lumbar support which makes your load feel lighter on your back.

insertclevername · September 2011

JKat876:
NY Mama:

The Ergo has a backpack carry option. I personally have not tried it yet, but I use it for a hip carry and it is absolutely wonderful. No stress on the back or shoulder at all.

I think I'm dumb, but I can't figure out any other hold on the Ergo except on the front. I can't get the side or back to work and DS hates being carried on the front now.

You are not dumb, the instructions suck. It took both DH and I quite a while to figure out how to set up the Ergo for a hip carry. But now that I have got it down it is super easy to do.

LO let me wear him in it for over an hour on a few different occasions which is unheard of with my short attention span nutty baby.

I would imagine there is a YouTube video on how to set it up for hip carry. I might mosy on over there to make sure that I am carrying him right.

Mrs.adambabycakes · September 2011

Mrs.adambabycakes:
I have a Kelty Kids backpack from REI. It's easy to put LO in and has zippered pockets for dipes, wipes and extra clothes and snacks. It also has a lumbar support which makes your load feel lighter on your back.

Well, it seems to be $100 bucks less now than what we paid for it, awesome.

https://www.rei.com/product/793997/kelty-fc-30-frame-child-carrier

DreadLoc · September 2011

JKat876:
NY Mama:

The Ergo has a backpack carry option. I personally have not tried it yet, but I use it for a hip carry and it is absolutely wonderful. No stress on the back or shoulder at all.
I think I'm dumb, but I can't figure out any other hold on the Ergo except on the front. I can't get the side or back to work and DS hates being carried on the front now.

I wish I could show you, it's hard to describe in words how to do it. Maybe try youtube-ing it?

OP, Kelty carriers are supposed to be really great for hiking. I can't recommend the Ergo because I'm pretty sure you don't want that extra body heat and your sweat to get all over LO.

JoannaJes · September 2011

We have a Kelty backpack carrier and an Ergo. We've used both for hiking.

Personally, I like the Kelty better for hiking. Although your baby/toddler is farther away from you, which puts more stress on your back...well, they are farther away from you and you don't get so sweaty and hot with a child right on your back. The child is usually more comfortable in that as well, at least an older baby/toddler. DD loves the Ergo, but if we were to go hiking and it's above 75 degrees, she would definitely start to protest, and that includes dressing her in almost nothing.

We found our Kelty on Craigslist for $50.

P.S. Another benefit to the Kelty is that your child sees over your shoulder, versus the Ergo in which they can look side to side but not straight. (Unless you strap it really high, which I've heard is possible but I can't get it to work.)

happy-honey · September 2011

We have a lightweight Sherpani we use for real hiking. Works very nice at distributing the load and we used on DD till she was 3. I use my Beco when we go for walks where a stroller just won't do.

MeganMaryA · September 2011

I got my husband the Deuter II for Father's Day. I found it off Craigslist for about $150. It's awesome. Super comfy. I like the big shade it has and it's really padded for Emily to rest her head forward if needed. It has a bunch of pockets and fits well on both my husband and myself. I would highly recommend it.

Here's a link to the REI website: https://www.rei.com/product/810852/deuter-kid-comfort-ii-child-carrier