Best Baby Backpack for Hiking

[bronxmom]

Hi,
I have an Evenflo Trek baby backpack and it is our main carrier. We also have a sling and a mei tai but from 3 months on, our son has lived in that backpack. I love it and so does he generally. But now I am taking him on longer walks and hikes and I'm thinking maybe I need a higher quality backpack made for hiking. My main concerns are my comfort for long trips and his comfort. Ours is generally good but I feel like maybe I could do better if I invested in something else. Any feedback, experiences, opinions?
Thanks!

[zinemama]

I cannot say enough good things about the Tough Traveler (Montana model is what I had). It was comfy and functional and so sturdy that even after two kids the thing looked brand new. I also liked that it was compact, not a huge behemoth like the Kelty Kid Carrier and some of those other hiking models.

You do have to follow the directions exactly when it comes to adjusting it when you put it on - it's a series of pulling a couple of straps different ways each time you put it on. But that quickly becomes second nature.

[tjsmama]

I have a Kelty and love it. It got HEAVY use until the past year, and it was great. I hiked with DS 2-4 times a week until he was around 2.5, and occasionally since. The only reason I don't use it very much anymore is because I got sucked into training for triathlons and don't hike nearly as much as I used to.

[KarenEMT]

I have used our Kelty backpack heavily for both hiking and grass-cutting. It is completely functional and very comfortable for me. I wore my 30+ pound daughter last year several times a week for grass-cutting and hiking. Best of all, the Kelty still looks wonderful after all this time!

[LeslieB]

We have a Sherpani Rhumba. It has been many, many miles. It can carry up to 70 lbs. and has a lot of space for carrying things. You can kind of see it in my avatar photo.
I'm sad that we just did our last walk with it last week. DS is almost four, and he's just getting too heavy for me to carry in a pack.

[SugarAndSun]

Has anyone used one for cross country skiing?

[tjsmama]

I've used mine for snowshoeing, but not skiing.

[RoundAbout]

We have the Sherpani Rhumba as well and love it. I actually didn't know it went all the way up to 70 lbs. That is great! We have a BIG 3 year-old and my DH is an infantry Marine and used to carrying a heavy pack so I think we'll be able to get at least another year of use out of it. We've been using it since DS was a babe.

For cross country skiing you might want to rent/buy one of those sled things that look like bike trailers with skis (some of them even convert from bike trailers/jogging strollers). We just got back from a ski trip and saw several people with them on the trails. It looks far easier to use than trying to balance a backpack while skiing.

[SugarAndSun]

Originally Posted by RoundAbout

We have the Sherpani Rhumba as well and love it. I actually didn't know it went all the way up to 70 lbs. That is great! We have a BIG 3 year-old and my DH is an infantry Marine and used to carrying a heavy pack so I think we'll be able to get at least another year of use out of it. We've been using it since DS was a babe.

For cross country skiing you might want to rent/buy one of those sled things that look like bike trailers with skis (some of them even convert from bike trailers/jogging strollers). We just got back from a ski trip and saw several people with them on the trails. It looks far easier to use than trying to balance a backpack while skiing.

Awesome idea! Thanks! I think they are really pricey though.

TJS: We are headed back to Boulder this weekend... we should meet up some time!

[tjsmama]

Yes, we definitely need to! I signed up for the Boulder Tri Series, so I'll be up that way several times this summer.

I don't have the xc ski kit for my Chariot, but I have a friend who does and uses it all the time. Kerc uses the Chariot to ski, too, IIRC.

[SugarAndSun]

I might do some of the races you mentioned earlier... I'll pm you if I do. I'll have to keep my eye out for a used ski chariot. Those things are pricey!

[Materfamilias]

We have a Kelty. It works pretty well for long-distance hikes; I still prefer the mei tai for shorter hikes, but DD is only about 30 lbs.

[kdabbler]

I've always admired the Kelty. It was pricey though. We were a low tech family that used wraps. For XC skiing, I think wraps are perfect because your LO can keep warm from your body heat, not to mention you have a better center of gravity with a wrap over any frame pack carrier. Have you tried your MT recently?

[marimara]

Another vote for the sherpani. We loved it.