Baby Carriers

[Jaxx]

Does anyone have any recomendations for kid carrier backpacks. I like the Kelty ones, but the one I wanted from Cabelas was like $190. I wanted one that I could carry the kid comfortably with a backpack as well for food/water/diapers. The baby is 7 months old and wieghs 20 lbs (THUNDER THIGHS!!!) I want to use it this year alot so I want a good one but I cant bring myself to spend $200 on a kid carrier. Thanks in advance

[accadacca]

We had a topic on this a while back. Perhaps I can find it.

[accadacca]

I just searched "kelty" ---- Magic Search

Baby Backpack: http://uutah.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3319

Leprachaun w/ kid in Kelty?: http://uutah.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2131

[goofball]

speaking from experience i will just say if true comfort costs, it is worth it ! i got a cheap-o brand when jr was a baby/toddler for like $50 (?). it said i could carry him up to 40 pounds i think. uh-uh. even at 20-30 that thing was a killer on the shoulders and back.

[asdf]

Listen to goofball he knows what he is talking about. Dont go for for cheep pack, it will kill you in the long run.
I have a kelty ridgeline and it works great. I have put a lot of miles on that thing and with our second child due anyday its going to get a lot more use in the next few years.

Just spend the $200 bucks and get it over with and make sure you get a sun/rain shade.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/139/357167350_8d019b6c11.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/126/357203871_cbdf82e80a.jpg

[Jaxx]

Thanks for all the help. I narrowed it down to Kelty or Deuter. I like the Deuters because of all the extra storage plus hydration bladder. Im worried about it fitting though. I am 6'1'' and it says it fits up to 21'' torso.

[asdf]

Thanks for all the help. I narrowed it down to Kelty or Deuter. I like the Deuters because of all the extra storage plus hydration bladder. Im worried about it fitting though. I am 6'1'' and it says it fits up to 21'' torso.

I would not worry too much about that stuff because its only going to be added weight. You will be surprised how much harder it is to cover a lot of ground with a wiggling pack. In a nutshell, you may like the extras space, but as you child grows its going to go unused.
I am 6'2' 230lbs and the kelty pack fits me well. I dont know anything about the deuters pack, sorry.

[marc olivares]

i will caution you about getting the "SUV (http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?productId=47881565&storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000&color=COBALT&img=/media/542731.jpg&view=large)" model kid carriers.
you tend to overload the packs, making them a real nightmare to schlep around.
instead, check out the cheaper "pathfinder (http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?productId=47844317&storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000&color=COBALT/SILVER&img=/media/716434_2688Lrg.jpg&view=large)" model w/ the hood.
you have less space to fill, keeping the weight distributed between you and your hiking companions.
when we hiked w/ our "stuffers" i would carry the kid, and the wife would carry water and food, to even out the loads.
speaking from experience, i liked the kelty over the dueter, the kelty was just more comfortable on my back.

good luck and have fun.
i think this will be my last year hiking w/ a kid on my back....i cant tell you how stoked i am :haha:

[icthys]

Check out Sherpani.

[Jaxx]

I think I am leaning towards the Pathfinder from kelty, thanks Marc for reassuring me :haha: . I looked at some of the Sherpani ones and liked them, but I cant find a local dealer. I like to try stuff on before I buy it. Plus I lean towards buying local if its not too much more to support local economy. Thanks for the suggestions

[brettyb]

Hopefully you saw my post on the previous thread. I'm a big fan of the Deuter Kid Comfort II. I've hiked many miles with my now toddler riding in it. Having a pouch for a hydration bladder is a big plus for serious hiking. I tried the Kelty's, but didn't like how far back the baby sat.

The problem with the Deuter is that is hard to find. I contacted Travelling with Kids, a mail order outfit that is based locally. The woman that runs it allowed me to try out the packs at her warehouse.

[mroy]

At the Outdoor Retailer show I got my hands on the mid-level Deuter kid carrier, I think it was the Kid Comfort II and was pretty impressed with it. They ship to retailers out of Canada, so the annoyance of having to have inventory clear customs is probably one reason why they're harder to find, but it's a German company, so the quality is typically better, or so they say.

[Alex]

I think I am leaning towards the Pathfinder from kelty, thanks Marc for reassuring me :haha: . I looked at some of the Sherpani ones and liked them, but I cant find a local dealer. I like to try stuff on before I buy it. Plus I lean towards buying local if its not too much more to support local economy. Thanks for the suggestions

I have the Pathfinder model, I got it at Costco for $20 bucks cheaper than REI. I rigged a bladder into it and it turned out to be quite a nice pack. I haven't tried the other one that is listed here. But Kelty made a great product and my kid loved riding in it. Some accessories I got for my pack is the rear view expandable mirror and the foot holders for the kid. Both were $10 bucks add-ons.

[chabidiah]

I thought I already told you. Duck tape! You can do anything with duck tape and its a lot cheaper then $200. The funny thing is you probably already thought of it. :five:

[dillweed]

I know this is late in coming, but I bought the REI one and I think it's a great one. Let me know if want to know more about it.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/146/421459344_3c20c273c6.jpg

[mudjumper]

I just saw this, and thought I'd chime in as well. I have a middle of the road kelty and have really liked it. At first I was a little disturbed that it wouldn't carry very much cargo. So the solution I came up with was to buy the oldest child a kid's size camelback (mini-mule or jibber) and have her carry some easy stuff, like the diapers, etc.

Turns out that I actually have ended up putting the stuff I need to get to in her pack. She's usually hiking in front of me anyway, so I just ask her to stop, and grab what I need out of her pack. I'll still carry the lunch and the bigger items, but we've got it worked out pretty well now to where she's got the "diaper bag" and the camera and other sundries I need quick access to.

Hope that helps.
Russ