Choosing A Hiking Carrier
When it comes down to it, there really is no ‘best’ hiking carrier, only personal preference. Take in the info below, try out some options if you’re able - at a local gear shop or borrow from a friend - and choose what works best for you and your family.
Two great kinds of carriers for hiking with your toddler are a soft-structured carrier or a structured backpack. I’ll dive into detail below.
Soft-Structured Carriers (SSC)
Soft-structured carriers are kind of like a backpack where the kid is on your chest or back.
Benefits of SSC’s over structured backpacks:
Smaller footprint
Structured backpacks are just big by their nature. They take up a lot of space in a car and are harder to travel with. SSC’s vary in size but are much easier to travel with.
Snuggles
Some kiddos prefer this closeness to you or their care giver.
Lighter
Structured backpack carriers can weigh around 6lbs. SSC’s are much lighter.
There are a lot of SSC’s out there. I have tested a variety of options, but I am most familiar with the Ergobaby and the Co Family Carrier. There is no perfect carrier and all have their pros and cons.
The Ergobaby has lots of padding, easy access to get your kiddo in and out, easy to breastfeed in, excellent sunshade, and the newer models have pockets for small items.
The Co Family Carrier is less bulky so it's easier to pack or carry with you when your kiddo isn’t in it. It’s straps cross on your back which means they don’t compete with backpack straps if you have a bag with the essentials, are backpacking, or have a structured backpack carrier with another kid in it on your back. It also holds the weight differently on your body and I find it doesn’t hurt my shoulder blades as much on a long wear.
That said there are tons of carriers out there, do a little research, ask friends to borrow, or check out joyfulbabyco.com to rent a carrier to try if you’re in the US.
Structured Backpacks
The two most popular are the Osprey Poco and the Deuter Kid Comfort. These carriers have a hip-belt structure that helps put the weight of your kid on your legs instead of your back (when properly fitted). They are usually rated for babies 6 months and over and can carry toddlers up to 48 lbs.
Benefits of a structured backpack over a SSC:
Storage Space
Depending on what model you choose, you can end up with a good amount of storage space. At least enough for lunch and the hiking basics, whereas with a SSC you might also need to carry a backpack.
Weight Distribution
These packs are meant to help keep the weight of your toddler on your big leg and butt muscles whereas SSC’s carry it mostly on your back and shoulders. Structured packs are better for heavier kids.
Toddler Comfort
This may vary kid by kid, but structured backpack carriers give them more of a view, they sit more comfortably, have more space, and enough wiggle room to eat or drink. SSC’s may feel awkward on an older toddler’s neck, especially if they fall asleep.
I have personally only used the Osprey Poco but I’ve helped friends with the Deuter and based on that experience I prefer the Osprey. We had a hard time getting kids to keep their weight centered in the Deuter which meant the parent carrying them was much more uncomfortable.
That said, I recommend going to a local sporting goods store that carries these if there is one available to you and trying them on. Have an employee help fit it for you. Bring your kid to test it out by walking around the store.
I highly recommend getting a structured backpack carrier used if you can. A new Osprey Poco Plus is $330 at the time I write this, but the prices can be half and even much lower in the used market.
Where we used to live, outside San Francisco in the USA, there are many lightly used carriers available on websites like Facebook Marketplace, Nextdoor, and Craigslist. We’ve found some crazy deals as low as $25. That one was a unicorn, but there are plenty of deals around $100 for a barely used carrier.
Trail Magik
Trail Magik is a cool option for both backpacking and that transition space when your toddler needs a ride some of the time but walks most of the time.
it is a piece of canvas with straps that attach to a backpack with an existing hip belt structure.
It folds up to the size of a water bottle so it’s not a bother to take with you just in case.
Discount code (affiliate): SPIRITANDGUTS
What I Use
I am a serial carrier buyer and baby wear almost constantly. So I have more than you need. That said, here are my favorite carriers by age/stage.
Newborn: A woven wrap like Solly or Baby K’tan.
3 months to 1 year+: Ergobaby
1 year+: Osprey Poco Plus
Transition from carrier to walking: Trail Magik