Recommendations for a good hiking carrier for a 30 pounder

[calebsmommy25]

I'm thinking ahead for needing a different carrier. I love wearing my babe, but he has outgrown his carriers... We started out with a wrap, then to an ergo and my little man is just too heavy for me to wear in the ergo anymore. He is only 26 pounds, but wearing him on my back is just sooo uncomfortable. We were given a Chicco one that is very structured and looked like it would be perfect, but it was awful. DP and I both had horrible back aches from carrying ds around in it. We tried it out for the first time at the state fair over the summer!!! Bad idea...

We need something structured with good back support. We are both on the shorter end, I got some Mama curves, my dp is quite slim...so, a carrier that could adjust to both of us is ideal. Something good for hiking. I'll be using it other times too, but our main need is to have one for hiking when the weather gets nicer.

What do you Mama's use? Where would you recommend us getting one? I was hoping to find one gently used somewhere if possible. Thanks!!!

[baloo888]

My husband and I use the Deuter Kid Comfort II for trips to the store, hikes, etc. and love it. Our babe is 1 year old and about 21 lbs and we can wear her comfortably for several hours. (And as long as we are continually moving she is content in it for several hours too!) It's a bit bulky compared to our Beco Butterfly and Peanut Shell sling, which we use for more around the house, but the structure, the distribution of the weight to our hips, and storage capabilities, makes the Deuter the pack of choice when going out for the day.

[SallyN]

I would suggest trying some different SSC (ie: Beco) or mei tais. In my experience, the shape/dimensions of the body panel plays a significant role in how supportive and comfortable the carrier is, and it may be different for each person. As a matter of fact, I just commented on another thread that I wasn't ever able to get the Ergo to be comfortable for me... either with DD1 when she was ~2, or DD2 at less than a year. And the Sachi mei tai that I LOVED with DD1 isn't nearly as comfortable with DD2... as she sits/snuggles me differently.

[jocelyndale]

For hiking, we use a Deuter KidComfort III. And yeah, we need trekking poles with this type of pack/carrier, but I use trekking poles on uneven ground, anyway, especially if I have a backpack (or even the Ergo).

If you have a really good outdoors store, go check out. You'll probably see MEC, Kelty, Sherpani, and Deuter packs. Try different ones on and have someone who fits the big backpacks help you figure out the fit. My husband and I need to adjust the Deuter differently.