Hiking with Kids
As parents who love the outdoors, we often find ourselves often in a situation of “is it worth the money” when it comes to investing in gear for our little ones. One item in particular that I contemplated for far too long: a hiking specific baby carrier. Is it really worth the investment, especially if you’re an outdoorsy family? Let’s briefly go over some of the top considerations we all have prior to making this purchase.
Is a Framed Hiking Carrier Worth It?
All families have different priorities, so let’s review a list of pros and cons to see if the purchase is worth it for you.
Pros:
- Weight Distribution: Most hiking carriers are designed with advanced weight distribution systems, making both short and long trails more comfortable for parent and child.
- Fitting Variety: These carriers are typically adjustable to accommodate multiple body styles and sizes, ensuring a snug and secure fit for parents of all shapes and height. If this is a concern, there are many locations you can go to try out the carriers in person.
- Storage Capacity: Framed hiking carriers usually come with a storage area so you can still pack your hiking essentials along with any child related items (think diapers, wipes, etc.) without worrying about bringing a second pack.
- View for All: Back-wearing allows the parent to have a clear view in front of them and the child sits up high enough to experience all the views from their seat.
- Weather Protection: Rain and sun shade covers help protect your child from the elements. Depending on the brand of carrier, this may be an additional/optional purchase.
Cons:
- Cost: The upfront cost of a hiking carrier may be higher compared to other options on the market.
- Packing Difficulty: Due to their bulky size, not everyone finds traveling with a framed hiking carrier to be ideal.
- Age: Babies need to have good head control in order to use a framed carrier.
My Personal Framed Child Hiking Carrier Experience:
In my opinion, as an occasional hiker and family who thrives outdoors, investing in a framed hiking carrier was undoubtedly worth it. The comfort, durability, and convenience it offers elevates our hiking experiences. For background, I am 5’2 and have had no issues wearing our carrier for hours at a time with a 25lb baby in tow. It’s easy to put on and take off alone too, which I struggled with while wearing other types of carriers. My boyfriend also is able to wear the same carrier at 6’1 without issues. The specific carrier we have is easy and quick to adjust. We travel often to National Parks, so initially it was a struggle finding a way to pack it, but once I found a duffle bag that is large enough, taking it with us is no longer even a question.
I have attempted hikes with a soft carrier, but between back pain, my daughter wanting to see everything, plus needing to limit world/front facing carrying per most carrier recommendations, it became more of a chore rather than a fun experience. We are back to having fun and it takes less time to get out the door since getting our hiking specific carrier. My biggest regret is truly that I didn’t buy a framed hiking child carrier sooner.
Popular Framed Hiking Child Carrier Options:
*Some of the links shared in this post may be affiliate links meaning I make a small commission off of your purchase (with no extra cost to you). Thank you for your continued support.
Deuter Kid Comfort is our choice and we love it. We also have the rain cover and sun shade, both of which have come in handy.
Below are links to check alternate carrier options or more details on which carrier may be best for you and your family.
Should You Buy A Hiking Carrier?
Ultimately, the decision of which hiking carrier to choose depends on your specific needs, preferences, and budget. Whether you opt for a Deuter carrier (which I can’t recommend enough) or explore other options, investing in a quality hiking carrier can make all the difference in your outdoor adventures with your family. Happy hiking!
