The Poco also features a removable drool pad, which will come in handy with babies and toddlers. So we did a LOT of research to come up with the best toddler backpack carrier for hiking and travel and weve laid out all of our findings here to help you out! This kid carrier is designed with adjustable straps to help fit most body types and does a great job of distributing the weight of the pack and its passenger to the hips rather than the shoulders. Both are made from 210D strength nylon fabric, Very similar maximum weight (approximately 48 lbs). The best child carrier is the one thats just the right size for you. Deuter Kid Comfort Child Carrier and Backpack - Midnight, Weight Limitations: 16-40 lbs (+8.5 lbs for gear), Weight Limitations: 48.5 lbs max (+4.5 lbs for gear), Built-in sunshade easily stores and deploys for UPF 50+ UV sun protection, Deluxe child cockpit with Double Halo child harness and adjustable and removable foot stirrups; Drool pad is removable and washable. Thats why its important to check the dimensions of both carriers and compare them against your body. In 10 years of parenting, we have traveled through four continents and encountered a lifetime worth of food, wildlife, and cultural adventures along the way. The maximum weight limit of a child carrier is one of the key factors to consider. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of all cookies. And along the way, Ive been cited as an adventure family travel expert by organizations including the Lonely Planet, Intrepid Travel, the Family Travel Association, Matador Network, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, and TripAdvisor. The materials and construction of a child carrier are very important for both your and your kids comfort. Also, both backpacks have padded child seats with adjustable stirrups, a removable chin pad, and side pockets the little ones can easily access. There is one key difference that only matters when off the ground again. It helps create space between the wearers back and the back panel, which really helps with breathability and ventilation, especially when theres a child in the carrier. From here, the Osprey pack has a couple more features that the Deuter does not. A durable frame construction designed from flexible and break-proof spring steel provides provides even distribution of load and creates a ventilation space between wearer and pack. Youll be carrying a child, plus all the extra gear on your back for who knows how long and its essential that you stay comfortable throughout your hikes. But since they were born weve traveled together through more than 21 countries across five continents. When you buy something through one of the links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. We have mentioned the toys and pacifiers already, but what about a small Bluetooth speaker? The Deuter Kid Comfort and Osprey Poco are both excellent child carriers. It even has zippered pockets on the hip belt, and theyre perfect for the items you want easily accessible even with a child on your back. The Thule Sapling is a premium toddler carrier from a company that understands precious cargo. And since then Ive made sure to keep up to date on the best family travel gear to share with my readers and my Family Travel Support Group on Facebook. Both carriers feature ample padding in the back system, a sturdy aluminum frame, and lots of breathable mesh for excellent ventilation. And unlike larger, framed child carriers, these models keep the little-one close to the parent for safety and comfort. You might say that family travel has become one of the biggest parts of my life. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Rain covers arent included with either of the carriers, but you can purchase them individually and theyre a great investment if you plan on taking your child along for hikes in wet weather. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The area where a child sits in a baby hiking backpack is normally called the cockpit. All other child carrier models require you to remove your pack to access the main storage area. Its also important to mention that Osprey offers a much better warranty on their products. Not everyone has time to read the breakdown of each of my top picks for the best child carrier backpack. They look intimidating to lift but I am always surprised at just how light they are. But you might not even need a carrier at that point, since the child will be big enough to have their own little hiking backpack! The Deuter Kid Comfort Active, in our opinion, is the best toddler carrier for hiking on short trails or in cities. You dont want to have to carry multiple packs around with you, so having enough storage to fit clothes, snacks, and gear can make a big difference. While there is not much separating them the Deuter is usually around $20 cheaper vs the Osprey Poco (5%-7% of the retail price). The Baby Bjorn is still a fantastic product, but the brand new Ergobaby 360 nudges it out of top position thanks to the option of rear- backpack position option. For the purpose of the comparison, this measure is black and white: Osprey Poco is the lighter of the two weighing nearly half a pound less. Overall, the Poco looks like the better option if you need extra space for your gear. The padding, mesh, and countless adjustable straps on both carriers will certainly help keep you comfortable throughout your adventures. A hiking baby carrier should be able to be worn for long periods of time with minimal strain on either the child or the person carrying them. If you can, let us know which one you choose and why. We think it is important to set price expectations early in this comparison due to the complex design of these two hiking carriers. Theyre made from water and abrasion-resistant materials that hold up very well over time, and theyre very comfortable for both the wearer and the child in the seat. The difference is only 0.5 lbs. Because every family has different needs, different budgets, and their own unique travel style, its good to understand what makes each hiking baby carrier unique in order to determine which one is perfect for you. In terms of cockpit features and the comfort of your little one, both of these carriers are excellent. The Osprey Poco is made from heavy-duty nylon, a material with excellent water and abrasion resistance. And, would you recommend it over a reasonably good umbrella stroller (summer infant 3d lite plus). The ultimate comfort for a parent when using any baby carrier is a happy baby!! The Deuter Kid Comfort boasts a bottom compartment with a removable base, plus three zippered pockets for smaller gear. But the Deuter Kid Comfort Pro puts items within easy reach while also helping to balance out your weight. If you want a special case to put the carrier backpack in while youre traveling to your destination, you might want to consider the Osprey more carefully. However, it is important to note that both manufacturers state that you should make sure the carrier fits you properly before you put a child in it, to avoid any accidents. The most comfortable baby carrier should fit all body types. These offer us a small commission at no extra cost to you. Whether youre looking for the best baby carrier or the best child carrier for hiking, the features need to be able to accommodate everyone. On our like-for-like comparison, the Osprey beat the Deuter 4 points to 3 (with two being a tie and no points awarded). Select a pack to see its price history from top retailers. Each brand has their own name for this, but the targeted experience is the same. Its also the more affordable alternative out of the two, which is why its the child carrier wed recommend in most cases. We have not commented on all of the performance points that are the same. Whether youre traveling locally or internationally, these kid carriers will help make your potty training a lot easier. Its the more affordable out of the two, and the price difference is consistent throughout all the products in their child carrier range. The Deuter Active was designed with weight in mind. If you dont get the weight distribution right and you put a 30lb+ child in the back, youre going to suffer from some nasty back pains the following day. The comfortable cockpit area is a huge selling point with the Deuter. This child carrier is built to last the toughest family activities and the wildest children. The Osprey carrier features open mesh pockets and small cord loops that can be easily accessed by your child. The Ergobaby Omni 360 is new to our list, replacing last years winner, the Baby Bjorn One Air. This allows you to remove unwanted extra storage when you dont need it. Although it does sacrifice some of the amenities along the way. Posted on Last updated: December 31, 2021, Where To Stay In Denver, Colorado: The Best Neighborhoods and the Best Hotels, The Philippines with Kids: How To Plan Family Travel In The Philippines. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The Wandering Wagars are an adventurous travel-loving family who loves sharing new and unique family travel experiences with other parents. Privacy Policy | Friends: FS22 Maps. The flexible stand included in the Deuter Kid Comfort makes the pack slimmer when in use and does not sacrifice anything in terms of stability. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". For me, it doesn't bother me at all. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. Both carriers are made from 210 denier polyamide fabric, a type of Nylon. From the baby harness to the hip belt to the shoulder straps, every piece of a baby hiking backpack should be comfortable. So, if you want to jump straight to my picks, check out the chart below. Its worth noting that the price difference isnt really that drastic the Deuter carrier is about $25 more expensive than the Osprey one, and the difference between the plus/pro versions is some $50. Lots of possibilities to keep your little one happy. The newest model includes one of the coolest and most useful features of any child carrier, a detachable front daypack. Deuter Kid Comfort Collapsible kickstand to help keep the pack upright and freestanding. You will barely be able to tell the difference in terms of feel, and durability. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. The Journey child carrier is a premium hiking kid carrier that sits at the top of the Kelty product line. Both carriers take on a familiar shape when they are placed on the ground and cover a similar amount of space to create the foundation. For those not sure if they wanted a hiking carrier or a regular soft structured carrier then we have done a comparison of these designs here. But while it is isnt light, the way the child carrier backpack is designed to sit on your body makes it feel fantastic. Our guide to the best toddler backpack carriers in 2022 will help you explore with kids wherever you want to go. When you add them all up the limit is a full 4L higher than the Deuter: The Deuter Kid Comfort still has plenty of storage space, but it just doesnt have as many pockets. This depends quite a bit on where you are traveling. When it comes to extra stirrups, sun shades, and chin pads, its worth noting that theyre all available for purchase individually from the carrier backpacks.