GEAR REVIEW: OUR CHILD CARRIER

A lot of people have asked us about what child carrier we use! We love getting to share with other people, and we love seeing people get outside with their kids. We certainly are not experts in this field. We, like every other parent, are simply making it up as we go! But it is always nice to hear from other parents. Hopefully this blog helps, let me know if you have any questions!

OUR PACK

We use the Deuter Kid Comfort II. We knew before purchasing that it would come down to Deuter Kid Comfort vs Osprey Poco; however, at the time we were purchasing, Osprey Pocos had been removed from stores due to a recall that has since been resolved. This fact made our decision for us! Update: we have since seen the Thule kid carrier and while we have not tried it out, it also looks like a nice contender!

We love our Deuter pack. It was purchased in early 2017 and has been heavily used since. The waist buckle did crack after about two years of use; we simply contacted Deuter, and they sent us a replacement at no cost to us.

This pack has been on ALL kinds of hikes with us, from leisurely strolls in the park to 10+ mile hikes into the western Grand Canyon. With that being said, no kid carrier is truly meant for long strenuous hikes. Any hike greater than around eight miles usually results in some discomfort. Orry has had blisters develop on his waist from the pack, but this only happens while backcountry camping, a result of extra weight and much longer hikes.

We love this pack for so many reasons! First is the five point harness, because safety first! Haha. In all seriousness, there are times when bending over while hiking is required or sometimes kids just get wild while they are on your back; knowing that she is safe and secure gives us peace of mind. We also love the zip pocket in the back. It is big enough to hold the essentials (snacks, first aid, water, etc.) but not too big so as to weigh the pack down. We also love the sunshield and rain fly that come with the pack, both essential in the outdoor world. The sunshield is great because it provides the perfect amount of shade but also open enough for her to enjoy the views.

My best advice for choosing a pack would be to try one on! REI carriers the popular brands, and they also have weights to throw into the packs for a more realistic test. We truly believe you get what you pay for. There are a lot of less expensive kid carriers out there. They would probably be perfect for short hikes! However, if you are an outdoor enthusiast, quality is key.