What are the Best Baby Carriers for Hiking?

When your baby is ready to be placed in a carrier, you will need the best baby carrier for hiking so you can go back to hiking and bring the family for a weekend outdoor adventure. There are plenty of good options available now, unlike before when carriers used to be stiff and oversized. Newer models are designed to distribute weight evenly, ensuring your comfort as you climb up the hills. It is our goal to help the searching process easier, as we show you the best ones to choose from.

Our Top Picks At A Glance:

• Deuter Kid Comfort II Child Carrier
• Deuter Kid Comfort III Child Carrier
• Kelty Pathfinder 3.0 Kid Carrier
• Kelty Journey 2.0 Kid Carrier
• Thule Sapling Elite Child Carrier

Deuter Kid Comfort II Child Carrier – Best Value

For a nominal price, you get a good value for your money on this hike-friendly baby carrier. It is built with a supportive suspension, superior back panel and side entry that ensure comfort for both baby and parent.

This baby carrier features an adjustable harness to fit to your height. It has a hip belt that can be pulled forward to easily tighten and a side buckle for easy access from the side. The seat can also be adjusted according to your height. It can safely carry a child for it is made with a 5-point safety harness. It has grab handles, adjustable footrests, removable chin pad, hip belt, external mesh, front pockets and even hydration pocket. A roof attachment can be availed separately.

Deuter Kid Comfort III Child Carrier – Best Bang for your Buck

This is an upgraded version of Comfort II, which means added cost, but certainly worth the increase. It offers better riding, breathable, padded seating fabric and multiple pockets.

The child will find the carrier comfortable for it is softly padded, with rising backrest and sunroof. For the parent, the pivoting hip fins offer load control while the concave shape allows ease of movement and even weight distribution. The smart design makes the roof easy to stow in the headrest. The footrests are adjustable, while the chin and seat pads fit well because of their ergonomic construction.

Kelty Pathfinder 3.0 Kid Carrier – Best in Class

This is one of the best baby backpacks around, though you have to be ready to pay more for it. There are plenty of reasons to invest in this JPMA-certified kid carrier that’s designed to safely and comfortably carry your baby with its 5-point harness.

Safety features include auto-deploy kickstand, 5-point adjustable harness and no-pinch hinges. A sun hood is included to protect your little one from harmful rays. The suspension system can be adjusted quickly, making parents and kids find their perfect fit and even weight distribution. The zip-off daypack is enough to hold your essentials. What’s impressive are the hydration compartment and changing pad that other manufacturers sell separately.

Kelty Journey 2.0 Kid Carrier – Awesome for the Price

This hike-friendly kid carrier backpack costs almost the same as Pathfinder. It will surely please parents and kids alike with its refined design. It features auto-deploy kickstand and no-pinch hinges for stability. It has contoured and padded shoulder straps and hip belt for all-day comfort. The padded cockpit is adjustable and built with 5-point harness, removable chin pad, toy loops and removable sunshade. There are multiple compartments including hip belt pocket, side pockets and underseat storage. It is hydration ready, with reservoir sold separately.

Thule Sapling Elite Child Carrier – for Ballers

Ballers who have the budget to afford quite an expensive carrier backpack will surely like this bag from Thule. It wouldn’t be called Elite for no reason. It has adjustable hip belt and back panel for perfect fit and comfortable lift.

It is built with mesh pockets, hydration sleeve, a big zippered main compartment and a removable backpack. Your essentials are kept closer with the spacious zippered hip belt pockets. It has a mirror that lets you see your little one from behind. It also comes with load stabilizer straps that let you adjust the pack’s weight even while on the go. You can load the kid from the side or top and protect her from the harsh sun through the sunshade. Her legs can rest comfortably at the removable stirrups.

Final Thoughts

Investing on the best child carrier backpacks is a worthwhile idea. It may seem painful to spend a few hundred bucks but if you are serious about your outdoor expedition, you will get your money’s worth. In choosing, consider your baby’s safety, both your comfort and storage options. Read recommendations from parents themselves and try them on to see which one fits your size.

So, are you ready to make a choice?