Infant carrier

“I'd like to buy a backpack in which I or my husband can carry our infant (8 wks. tomorrow, but rather, um, large). We're not expert hikers. We like to hike for a few hours at a time at places like the C&O Canal and Old Rag Mountain. Maybe our son will one day get inspired and do more serious hiking. Anyhow, for starters, I'd appreciate recommendations on an infant carrier / backpack. Thanks in advance.”

“ Kelty makes several models. However, I suggest that you go to your local sporting goods store, with your son, put and try out the models until you find one you like.”

“grrr, that is "put on and try out"...”

“kelty Kids makes excelant, comfortable packs. Sierra Trading Post always has them on sale.

We got the expedition when our little one was born.She first went in it when she was 3 mos old. She's almost two now and whenever the carrier comes out of the closet she's trying to climb in. It's comfortable for her and whoever is carrying it.”

“Just checked for carriers at STP, they must have sold out...couldn't find one.”

“Being a lifelong outdoors person as well as my wife. and we have 2 kids.

For that age and size I'd reccomend a front carrier like the Kelty Kangaroo carrier. It keeps the little person in a more natural position, allows for more TLC from Mom or Dad, and when it's time for a break (frequent with little ones) you can just find a place to sit and not worry about having to "Take the Kid off your back".

I would not reccomend a "backpack" style carrier until Jr. is old enough to sit up by themselves and independant enough to not need eye contact with Mom or Dad to feel secure. And by the way, hen they are old enough for a back pack type carrier, they WILL learn to steer by pulling your ears like reigns on a horse (both of mine did).”

“I think the pack instructions and the pediatrician said the kiddo had to be able to hold their lil' noggin up for long periods of time before using the backpack carrier. I used a kangaroo style before the carrier. Bought a cheapy one from the baby r us, around the corner. It was awful! Returned it promptly. Our little one was almost too big for it from the get go. Definately try it out if possible! Some of them are like puzzles, or impossible to get the child in and out of.”

“Once my daughters were old enough to hold their heads up, we stuffed them into a Kelty Expedition carrier. Well, maybe not stuffed, but you get the idea!

My wife carries her sleeping bag, the kid, kid's clothes, diapers etc. I carry the rest.

Here's an account of one of our trips...The Backcountry: Sierra View Camp”

“Jlavorel, I have the Kelty Backcountry for my daughter. She is just over 2. It works great, because it can be adjusted to fit different sizes of people. That way mom can wear it comfortably or dad. My daughter is just like Sass' daughter. She goes crazy for it everytime she sees it. She calls it her "Piggy" as in piggy-back. I think everyone is right though, I wouldn't use a back-pack style pack for the little one until he can support his head really well be able to sit up probably. I happened to get it on a good sale, maybe you can catch one too.”

“Once my boy was old enough to hold his head up consistently I put him in a Kelty "Country" child carrier that I bought from Sierra Trading Post for dirt cheap. The only downside to that particular model is it doesn't have a suspension system. If you plan on doing any backpacking before they're old enough to make any distance on the trail then purchase the Kelty Expedition. I don't buy the notion that using a backpack-style carrier will make the kid feel insecure. Mine goes nuts everytime he sees the backpack. He's now 18 months and I just took him on a snow hike. I take him out almost every weekend in the pack and he grins ear to ear every time.”

“REI's got a deal with the Kelty carrier...

http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&catalogId=40000008000&storeId=8000&partNumber=694044&memberId=-2000&prgm=gm”

“You guys and gals with the Kelty Expeditions, about when did y'all begin carrying your litluns in'em? 6 or 7 month range? I began dayhiking with my girls at around 5.5 mo's, on my frontside, when they could hold their heads upright for several hours straight. Silas is now 4 months, and is stronger than the girls were at this age, so I'm ready to begin dayhiking again purdy soon! I'd like to get that Kelty Expo for him is why I ask.

Oh, quick funny story. Me and my girls are now talking about where to dayhike with Silas soon, and outa the blue my 4 yr old starts talking about the rattlesnake she watched while dayhiking with Dad.
The kicker: she was only 6 mo's old in a front pack when we watched that snake rattle and coil at us near Phoenix! Wee little minds frequently amaze me.”

“Have a look for the "Vaude Jolly Comfort". The harness is pretty comfy and the pack comes with a rain/sun cover and change mat. Only thing against it is the cargo compartment could be a bit bigger.”

“You mean this thread isn't about our wives?”

“Abby was 3 mos. old, but she also was holding her (monsterously large) head up almost from birth.

There are carriers that are just as nice as the Kelty one and weigh less. I saw one in an ad in Backpacker that looked really nice. I cannot remember the brand. My point is that there're probably lots of models out there, if you do a search, online. Kelty's probably cost alittle less though.”

“The reason I mention the other, lighter brand is that the Kelty Expedition weighs in at 9 pounds!”

“Thanks y'all, I'll look in BP'er Mag for it Sas. Hehe, my babes ain't really slow or lack neck muscles or anythang, I just like to wait until I'm extremely comfortable with'em on longer dayhikes before I start takin'em.”

“Hell, Ape I thought you were gittin one of these for you to ride in and have muproon carry you! LOL”

“Naked Ape, I didn't mean to imply that your lil' ape might be underdeveloped or something...our kid was a pre developed monster who wouldn't fit out EEEEK! ;)”

“Bear!! How goes it ole friend! Nahhh, Ima gittin me one'a them Thialand portable gondola thangs. Yaknow, four ppl pick up each corner? All I gotta do is pop out one more kiddie and I'm set!

Oh, speakin of muproom, I gotter a bracelet with a little red muproom on it.

Ah no worries Sass, you never implied that, I just felt some compelled to 'splain mysef. A mama bear cain't have her cubs frowned on, LOL.”

“This is a good thred. I was looking for info on this kind of thing. Can't wait to start taking Cidny out with me. I was wondering if 13 months was too young?”

“No way! take Cidny and let her get used to being out while she's too young to refuse to go.

Our little one went on her first overnighter at 6mos. It was a disaster. 2nd overnighter was much better. Next summer she'll go on her first weekend trip. She'll be two and a half then. She loves going on hikes and has started to do some of the "hiking" herself. I love watching her trot up the trail. It warms my heart.”

“i have two kids carriers if any one interested?”

“You have the expedition, by Kelty, don't cha Prowler?”

“Our entire scout troop chipped in and got us a Kelty Summit. Laurel's almost big enough; just has to work on the neck strength. Babies R Us has an infant neck brace for just such a thing, but it looks scary.”

“That little boppy thing? Those are scarey. How's a baby supposed to get strong if you're wrapping them up in pads and whatnot?”

“No, not the boppy thing. It's a little grey neckbrace for babies. She's getting stronger though. You should see her have a conniption fit. Pretty dang funny, 'til she suddenly almost thrashes herself out of your arms.”

“I know I am breaking protocol by using my first post on this thread instead of presenting myself front and center for public ridicule, but I have a question about child carriers.

I know you guys are talking about carriers for taking baby BPing, but I just want a new one to carry baby around town and on short (3-4 mile) dayhikes. My local Dicks Sporting Goods store has the Kelty Kids Town child carrier discounted from $99 to $40. It doesn't have a BPing style harness system, but what it has looks good enough for carrying just a baby without a lot of camping gear. Since this is built by kelty it should be of decent quality and sound construction. What i am wondering is, "Is it likely that I will find a carrier of similar quality but with a heartier harness at anything near the low $40 price?"

Kelty has changed the name, but it looks just like the Kelty Meadow http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?productId=12092032&storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000&langId=-1”

“Sounds like a steal to me! Snap it up, fast.



Treebait have you been getting much sleep?”

“don't buy the Kangaroo unless you are really into suffering. i've used it extensively in town and on the trail and i have to say it mostly stinks. they claim that the belt allows you to carry baby weight on your hips, but that's a load of bunk. the belt is attached to the shoulder straps, and the baby pulls down on the straps, which pull up on the belt & before long you feel like you are carrying 40 pounds of brick in front. the belt just does not stay in place. after endless adjustments & fiddling, i just don't use it anymore.

i have found that a sling-style carrier, where the baby rides on your hip, is infinitely superior. the one i use (and mostly love) is from Target's Starck line of baby products - it's not at all geared toward hiking, but it works great. i can even wear a pack while using it, with very little trouble. you can switch shoulders as often as necessary, and with the baby on the side you don't get nearly as sweaty as with a front carrier (which covers front AND back, causing major overheating). the Target one will carry babies up to 25 pounds.

as far as backpack carriers, VauDe makes one, Madden makes one, Tough Traveler, of course Kelty, and REI makes one that looks like an exact replica of the no-frills Kelty models. i've heard good reviews about all of them except the VauDe, but that's just 'cause i've heard nothing about it. it looks like a great carrier, and i think VauDe has a good reputation.

hope this helps.”

“Nope, still not much sleep, but it's getting better. Problem is I'm now very accustomed to staying up 'til 2 am.”

“I'm interested Prowler, whachyagot?”

“And welcome hyway.”

“Treebait, I used to require 9 hours a night (and I got it), now I'm pleased with a mere 5.5 or 6. =) Babies are so cool.”

“6 hours of sleep would be wonderful.”

“You'll get it soon, give it a few MONTHS. ;)”

“How old is your lil one treebait?
hehehe Sass”