Best Hiking Carrier & Backpack Review
Do you love the outdoors? Is hiking or camping a favorite pastime for your family during the summer months? If so, perhaps you may want to consider a baby hiking carrier for those times instead of a more traditional baby carrier style. Most parents agree that they are the only way to go for parents who have a more active, outdoor lifestyle.
Jump To> Our Top 11 Hiking Carrier Reviews
Top Backpack Carriers Comparison
| BackPack | Large Storage Area? | Max Weight | Ratings | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Osprey | √ | 50lbs | 4.8 | |
Journey | √ | 50lbs | 4.2 | |
Pathfinder | √ | 40lbs | 4.5 | |
Deuter | √ | 48.5lbs | 4.4 | |
Chicco | √ | 40lbs | 4.2 | |
Kelty | √ | 40lbs | 4.4 | |
Piggyback  | √ | 50lbs | 3.3 | |
BabiBambino | 45lbs | 4.3 | ||
MIaMily | 40lbs | 4.4 | ||
Clevr | √ | 40lbs | 4.6 | |
Gorilla | √ | 40lbs | 5.0 |
Why Choose Hiking Carriers Over Regular Styles?
Traditional carriers and slings are an ideal solution for anyone who wants to enjoy baby wearing. They are designed to be light weight and in most cases, they are suitable from newborn sized babies up to around 35 pounds. Slings are a simple piece of fabric that you tie over a shoulder. Carriers have buckles to ensure a proper fit and most enable you to wear your baby in a variety of positions.
The baby hiking backpack is a baby carrier that is heavier duty. It combines aluminum and fabric with padding to ensure comfort and durability. They are most suitable for babies who are already able to hold their head up and sit unassisted. It is made to have children ride on your back. They have extra storage compartments to work as not only a hands-free carrying option, but a backpack as well.
Great Hiking Back Pack Features
The features that most people like when it comes to a hiking carriers include things that keep their baby and themselves most comfortable. You will want one that is breathable to keep you both cool. You may also want padding and most will come with a sunshade to protect your infant’s more delicate skin.
Some of the best hiking carriers are freestanding. This is a feature that will make it easier to put your child into it and make it easier for you to set your child down without waking them at the end of your hike. Storage is also a major feature for some parents who want to be able to hold many things to help out their hiking partner.
To choose the best for you, you will need to consider the features of all of them and discover the ones you like the most. To help you narrow it down, here are a few options for you to consider. These have all earned approval from other parents.
Leading Hiking Carriers & Backpacks
1. Osprey Packs Poco-Plus
This nylon back pack is designed to give the hiking family a hands-free way to carry their young children. It features an adjustable shoulder harness, a hip belt that extends, and plenty of storage. You can wash it or wipe it clean after your adventures. To do so, simply unhook it from the frame. The parts of the backpack that come in contact with you and your child are fully padded to ensure comfort, no matter where your hike takes you. Your child will also enjoy the fact that there is a sunshade that can be attached to keep them cool from above while mesh keeps them cool around the sides and back. The storage areas include a cell phone pocket that is on your shoulder strap, mesh pockets for toys, and a zippered compartment on the bottom for diapers and other necessities. The frame is aluminum to keep the weight down and there is a lifetime warranty against defects.
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2. Kelty Journey 2.0
The Kelty 2.0 is designed in a way that makes it easy for both moms and dads to use thanks to the sliding waist belt. It is also a favorite of people who enjoy hiking with a baby because of all that it does to keep them safe and comfortable. It has a 5 point harness, a padded adjustable seat, and a kickstand which automatically drops down when you need it. It has storage areas in the front and under the seat, a hydration ready compartment, and a chin pad as well as a sun shade. All parts of it can be washed with ease.
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3. Kelty Pathfinder 3.0
The Kelty baby hiking backpack is one of the most popular available. The 3.0 is one of its newest additions to the product line. It is made with polyester materials and an aluminum frame. It also comes with everything a parent could need while hiking with a young child, including a zip-off pack, diaper changing pad, storage under the seat, and a hydration ready compartment. A five-point harness keeps your little one safe and the comfortable seat ensures he is always ready for adventures while hiking. It also has the patented auto-deploy kickstand that other Kelty backpacks have and the easy wash-ability.
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4. Deurter Kid Comfort III
This one is one of Deurter’s most comfortable. It is the deluxe edition and has pivoting Vari Flex hip fins to ensure when you are carrying heavy loads, it does not get uncomfortable. It is also designed to follow every move you make to help you move freely. You will also not feel pain in your shoulders thanks to a 3D mesh lining. It has a foam backing that is breathable to keep your child cool as well as a sunroof to protect their delicate skin. You also have plenty of storage. There are zippered pockets, un-zippered pockets, a hydration system and an optional rain cover. For you, there is also a hip pocket and a rear view mirror inside it. There is also a reflective loop to hold a safety light, a teddy, and other features.
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5. Chicco Smart Support Backpack
The Smart Support is ideal for babies and toddlers between approximately 6 and 36 months. It has padded straps and lumbar padding to help you stay comfortable. It also allows air to get to your back so that you stay cool. The seat for your growing child is adjustable in height to keep your child supported. It has a sunshade to help them stay cool. The frame is aluminum and allows you to set it down as a freestanding chair when it is time to take a break. For many, this is one of the finest features and makes it the best one for hiking.
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6. Kelty Transit 3.0
This tough backpack is ideal for hiking trips. It has several pockets both inside and out. It is made of polypropylene to be durable. Your child can ride in it safely until they are 40 pounds, however, you must also consider the weight of all the gear that is inside of it. As a bonus, it is easy to adjust for either mom or dad to carry.
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7. Piggyback Rider Explorer
Not all kids are willing to sit for extended periods of time. For this reason, we have a standing hiking backpack. It has both child and adult backpacks, but the child will stand on their parents back. This enables them to watch where you are walking. The child will be harnessed so that you do not have to worry that they will fall and it is ideal for toddlers and small children. You can choose from orange or black.
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8. Babi Bambino
This stylish carrier is available in red or green. It is new and improved, comfortable enough to wear for hours while you are out hiking. It supports you and your toddler completely. There are lumbar supports and you can carry in one of four positions including back, front, side, or with just the hipseat. It is also easy to clean, a headphone outlet, and multiple pockets.
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9. MiaMily Hipster
If you enjoy comfort, this could be the ideal solution for your next hiking trip. It is designed to eliminate backpain and potential rubs no matter which of the 9 positions you are carrying them in. It can be worn by both parents with ease. Your child will also be totally supported whether they are 3 months or 3 years thanks to the easy adjustments you can make to it. It is not a backpack, but there are storage compartments for you to use. You can also choose from one of six color choices.
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10. Clevr
This lightweight backpack is ideal for children that are 6-months to 4-years. It can only hold 40 pounds. There is a canopy on it to protect your child from sun or rain. All straps are padded. It folds up for easy storage when you are not using it and it is very comfortable for both you and your child to wear.
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11. Gorilla Backpack
Whether you like lime green or warm brown, this carrier provides a solid frame for your child to sit on while you are hiking. It is great for kids that are 16-40 pounds or 6mo-3yrs. There are several storage compartments for you to use and 19 adjustment points that will ensure a comfortable fit for you both. The frame is collapsible when not in use so that you can store it easily.
