Child Carriers For Hiking and Front Carriers

Child Back Carriers are invaluable pieces of gear if you plan to spend time outdoors with your child. Carriers  are generally suitable for children from 6 months who can sit unaided. With so many Child back carriers available today how do you go about choosing the right one for you?

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1. Consider carefully what you will be using your child back carrier for. Do you intend to go out for long walks on a frequent basis, or will you be using the carrier for shorter outings such as walking the dog, around town or occasional use when you go on holiday. If you will be using the child back carrier for long periods then it is worth investing in one that has more adjustment and padding such as the Vaude Jolly Comfort to provide a comfortable ride for your child and make carrying easier for you.

2. Look at the height range that various hiking child carriers are for. Make sure the back length – the distance between the shoulder straps and hip belt on the carrier is correct for you– too long or too short and you’ll be carrying the weight on your shoulders rather than your hips, which means it will be uncomfortable. If you are of average height you may find that a basic child back carrier such as the Bush Baby Micro, that offers no back adjustment, will fit you OK. Otherwise it is best to opt for a carrier than can be adjusted, this is also preferable if there is more than one person likely to use it and especially so if they are of different heights! 

3. Consider how much comfort you need for your child  Some child back carriers have comfy cushions at the front in case children fall asleep, headrests for extra support at the back, attachment points for favourite toys, dummies and drinks cups. All making for a more enjoyable ride. 

4. Check the weight. It’s very tempting to choose a fully featured child back carrier, but all those extras do add precious grammes. It’s also very tempting to look for lots of storage room, but remember once you have a growing child on board, you may not too much extra weight. Weights can vary for similar featured backpack child carriers from different brands so it is worth checking.

5. How easy is the carrier to adjust? Most backpack child carriers are fairly straight forward as far as adjusting harnesses and seats go. Some such as the Bush Baby Carrier Range have labels on the tapes and colour coded settings to make it even easier to adjust. You probably won't need to adjust your child back carrier every time it is used, but it is worth checking how easy it is to adjust some of the settings such as the seat height or harness, once the child is in the carrier

6. Consider what accessories you want. A whole host of accessories are available for child back carrier such as sun shades, full length rain covers, head rests, extra storage bags and travel bags. Some child carriers come with sun canopies and rain covers included. If you think you may need accessories it might be worth considering a higher specification model where they are included, as the cost of buying a cheaper carrier with additional accessories could be roughly the same. 

7. Consider whether you will be taking your carrier in the car, on a plane etc. Some child carriers will pack flatter because of their frame construction such as the Bush Baby Lite or are a more minimalist design and less bulky overall. Some backpack child carriers also have travel bags, which are worth considering if you’re taking one on a plane (having seen one get mangled going through a scanner)

8. Who will be using the child back carrier? If there is more than one person then the back needs to be adjusted quickly and easily (which most of them do) some also have colour coded or sized markers so each user knows where to adjust the back to. You also need to choose one of the child carriers which is comfortable for both of you. If there is a large difference in heights, you will need to find a carrier that has a large degree of adjustment in the back – the Bushbaby Premier and Bushbaby Lite are particularly good for this. You can also find carriers that have been designed specifically for women, so the shoulder straps are shaped to fit around the bust for instance.  

9. How easy is it to get your child in and out of the carrier? If you are planning a walk the last thing you want is to spend ages getting your child in the carrier and making sure everything is correctly adjusted.

10. What frame construction do you prefer? Most child carriers used on the back have a frame, although the design of the frame can vary. Some have an internal frame which sits inside the body of the carrier and is invisible from the outside. External frame is usually found in more minimalist models. Some also have a kick leg  which can be pulled out for extra stability when loading and unloading but folded back when not required, which also makes it less bulky for storage or travelling (note: a child should never be left alone in a child carrier no matter how stable the carrier appears)

Have a look at our range to find a Child Back Carrier which suits you