If you love the great outdoors and do a lot of walking, then the Thule Sapling Elite is a great investment. The stomp pad is a little flap which normally sits Velcroed in place behind the base of your back but which, when flapped down and stood on, provides stability and leverage when lifting a child out of the carrier otherwise they can rise off the ground as one. DISCLAIMER: This is NOT sponsored. You know youve got the adjustment right when the childs chin is level with the drool pad. It has its own storage pocket and is easy to attach to the pack when you need it. Second is the sunshade. This feature helps the pack fit parents of different sizes better than competitors without torso adjustment options. Consequently the unboxing of the Thule Sapling Elite was undertaken with great anticipation. At 259.99 plus around 32 for the optional rain cover, this carrier is a very expensive buy. Thule Sapling Elite was one of the best purchases weve made for our child, as it allows us to recover some of the freedom lost from having a child in the first place. You can adjust both the seat and harness with your child in the pack, which is convenient and useful in most circumstances. The sunshade is difficult to deploy with a kid in the cockpit. I definitely suggest buying a good set of hiking sticks, (we have these ones), if you plan on buying this or any other carrier pack, preferably carbon fiber hiking sticks for durability. In terms of accessories, I wished the rain cover was included in the package. Just pinch on either side and slide the frame up or down until is locks into the next point. The child seat and harness adjustments on the Elite are largely under the drool pad. Basically it is ready to go straight out of the box, so we lost no time in testing it against the marketing blurb Id previously read online, which promised that the Sapling Elite: safely and comfortably carries your precious cargo while on the trail and effortlessly transitions between parents with simple torso and hipbelt adjustments. Just what we need. The sunshade, which comes as standard, stows flat in the backpack and springs open into a mini gazebo, providing good coverage from overhead sunlight, but inevitably compromising on protection from slanting rays to allow a child to see out. I felt the child cockpit was on the smaller side (front to back) compared to the Deuter Kid Comfrort II and Osprey Poco Plus. We love a good canopy for protection from the sun and rain. The design is more visually appealing than the two other child carrier backpacks and it seemed popular. Plenty of storage with roomy hip belt pockets for essentials. These features include adjustments you can make while wearing the pack with your baby in place. Thanks. The Sapling Elite looks great. The wearer waistband has a forward pull adjustment that works well and can be changed while walking for minor comfort adjustments. No sponsored content. You have to undo the hook and look closure behind their head, pull out the shade, and then reattach the hook and loop to the shade. As for the padding, it was easy to remedy it using my daughters baby blanket. The included mirror accessory is great for checking on a sleeping passenger without taking your pack off or requesting help. There are two versions of Thule child carrier backpack, and the Sapling Elite is the latest version. The Thule Sapling Elite claims to have even roomier hip belt pockets! The Thule Sapling seems to have one of the smaller child cockpits in comparison with an Osprey Poco Plus or a Deuter Kid Comfort II. We spend tens of thousands of dollars crash testing car seats to inform our ratings. Not with this pack! The removable backpack is a huge boon for hiking since, without it, my wife would be forced to carry all of the supplies, such as water, snacks, first aid kit, etc., which would really be difficult for her for a prolonged hike. BabyGearLab was founded by a Pediatrician Mom with a mission to provide a reliable, independent, source of information to new parents. I dug deeper and searched for more reviews online and, finally, I found some user reviews from people who used it specifically for hiking and travel. Even the most rugged all-terrain pram doesnt get far on the rocky beaches or hillside tracks which constitute our daily walks. The pack also includes very roomy waistband pockets that you can use for snacks, phone, keys, wallet, or other quick-access items. You can see that it already showing some wear and over-time I think it will get holes. You just flip down the little pad, step on it, and pull your kid out without the pack hanging on to them. If you want your passenger out, you will need to completely remove the sunshade due to its x shaped canopy supports that spring it open. But that tightness doesnt seem to be an issue once inside, and she seems to enjoy the ride! Last MinuteEssentials for Your Trip to Japan. Got feedback? Although I do my major adjustments without a kid in the pack, sometimes you need adjust once they are in, and that was not easy to do in this pack. As of August 2020, Thule has discontinued the Sapling, but is keeping the Sapling Elite. We hope you take some time to look around to be inspired, educated and know that you are not alone. Its a lot better than letting your kid get sick from being stuck in the rain. We honestly thought we were doing it wrong at first because after adjusting we were like, thats it? But it turns out thats how easy it was to use and adjust the Sapling Elite. How can we improve BabyGearLab? I feel like most child carriers fall into this range, so far the only carrier that has come close to fitting both my husband and I is our Deuter. The child shoulder straps can also be a problem since the buckles are in the very tight space in front of your childs chest, and leaves little room for your hands. For us, Thule Sapling Elite is the BEST child carrier backpack out there. How did we end up with Thule Sapling Elite. While easy to set-up, it was difficult to stow due to the design and the velcro constantly catching while pushing it down. Thanks for the amazingly detailed and unbiased post very helpful! The hipbelt fins also adjust easily, just undo the hook and loop, slide the fin in or out, and reattach. Read how our product selection process works, United States Consumer Product Safety Commission, 11 Best Family & Kid-Friendly Hotels in Tokyo, How to Really Plan the Perfect Trip to Japan: First-Timers Guide, When To Visit Japan: Best and Worst Times, Japan in 10 Days: The Ideal Itinerary For A First-Timer, Guide To Choosing The Best Bag For Traveling Japan, Japan Vacation: Every Cost You Need to Know. Yes! Thats it. We really couldnt find any negative reviews regarding comfort or safety issues with the Thule Sapling Elite. Thule had two child carriers available, the Sapling and Sapling Elite. Switching between parents is as simple as adjusting the length of the back panel to the size of the wearer (using the kickstand to keep the pack stable on the ground), and pulling or loosening the shoulder straps and hip belt. The Sapling Elite has a torso adjustment strap that is easy to move and stays in place without shifting. Tonnes. It is a nice feature, but we werent sure when we might use it. We are now linking to the Thule Sapling (non-Elite) and hope to test it soon. Just real, honest, side-by-side testing by people who care. While the price may seem a bit steep, the reward is more than worth the price in our opinion. The best part for me was the kickstand though, since whenever we stopped to rest, or we rode public transportation, we could simply set the carrier on the ground and not need to worry about it falling over. Straps only went down to my mid thigh. While the main pack doesn't have any kind of internal organization pockets, during testing we fit a jacket, snacks 2 water bottles, diapers, wipes ad sunscreen in the main compartment. It helps improve weight distribution depending on the size of the child and wearer. The carrier comes with two main storage compartments: an upper detachable backpack, and lower storage compartment. The removable day pack will fit all that and more. Being able to remove the day pack on the Elite makes this packs's storage more user-friendly. LATEST: Japan is opening soon! To adjust the seat height, you have to detach the chin pad. And, we combine our review work with gobs of expert parenting advice. It turned out we werent applying enough force to extend it fully, but once in position it greatly assists our daughter in or removing her from the carrier. Although it looks sleek, if I forget to pop it in, Im afraid I might poke a kid in the eye instead of just bonking them like I would with the closed loop bottom like on the Deuter Kid Comfort. 2020, Tales of a Mountain Mama. The Elite also weighs about 0.5 lbs more and costs $50 more. The Thule Sapling and Sapling Elite are easily adjustable child carriers ready for all day adventures. Other tips include storing the pack in a cool dry area to prevent mold, and washing it after use; the drool pad in particular. , Thanks fOr The review. Outdoor adventures are better with a baby on your back. The Deuter was uncomfortable for a short wearer like me. The supportive side straps on the Elite can be tightened with a child in the seat. A sturdy and versatile carrier for adventurous parents who love the great outdoors, but it is not cheap. The front clips that you need to attach the shoulder straps to always end up under your child and you have to dig around to find them before you can attach the shoulder straps. Its the perfect child carrier backpack for prolonged use without bruising your hips, as well as offering a proper fit for short parents; unlike the Osprey and Deuter carriers which are absolutely dealbreakers. I do not enjoy buckling my child into this carrier. And once you know the settings which work for you S,M,L for the hips, S,M,L,XL, for the torso readjustment takes a matter of seconds. When comparing it to the carrier we already have, we found the Thule to be neither noticeably more nor less comfortable that the LittleLife, but ultimately we both preferred the Thule of the basis of its overall versatility and practicality. If all babies and all adults were all the same size it would be a piece of cake to make a comfortable back carrier. The Elite is very comfortable for the wearer with multiple adjustment points and unique features for an ergonomic fit for most wearers. And if you only use it occasionally as an alternative to a pram, perhaps to potter around the local park, it wouldnt be good value for money as there are cheaper alternatives out there. There are 4-adjustment options over 6 inches. But again, this was not a dealbreaker and was easily remedied by just tucking a small plush blanket underneath her chin when its time for her to take a nap. The Elite includes a removable face rest or drool pad. Stabilizer straps for balance and center of gravity. *You help support BabyGearLab's product testing and reviews by purchasing from our retail partners. A top complaint in a lot of customer reviews if that there is no easy spot for the wearer to stash a water bottle within reach, and I agree with that. We are providing this review based on our experience and honest feedback. Purchase the Thule Sapling for $299.95 from REI or Amazon. These major complaints were major deal breakers and made us scratch Osprey POCO AG off our list of choices. It is a small but ingenious idea and we wonder why we never thought of it. What do you think of the removable backpack? The Elite has a stable cockpit for passengers and testers were even able to jog with the pack on without too much disturbance for the passenger. I love the blue and grey combination, as did my partner. The Sapling Elite will continue on. Our Editors independently research, test, and rate the best products. They also keep the pack very straight and it doesnt contour to the body like other packs. The new seat height is only adjusted from the front but is easily done with a child in the seat. The Elite includes features for increased airflow along the back to make it more comfortable for the wearer in hot weather or longer trips. I suppose you could just substitute the mirror with your phone, but it takes up less space and comes with the carrier, so why not use it? The Elite includes comfort-related adjustments that you won't find on the competition. These were both huge deal breakers for us because we needed a carrier backpack that could easily be adjusted between me and my wife, and the balance issue denotes a poorly designed carrier. Kelty and Phil&Teds child carriers are other options but their packs seemed to be for smaller babies and can be quickly outgrown.