Bogley

Jaxx · Joined: 16 Jan 2007 Posts: 1545

Does anyone have any recomendations for kid carrier backpacks. I like the Kelty ones, but the one I wanted from Cabelas was like $190. I wanted one that I could carry the kid comfortably with a backpack as well for food/water/diapers. The baby is 7 months old and wieghs 20 lbs (THUNDER THIGHS!!!) I want to use it this year alot so I want a good one but I cant bring myself to spend $200 on a kid carrier. Thanks in advance

accadacca · Joined: 02 Dec 2004 Posts: 7093 Location: The Interwebs

We had a topic on this a while back. Perhaps I can find it.

accadacca · Joined: 02 Dec 2004 Posts: 7093 Location: The Interwebs

I just searched "kelty" ---- Magic Search

Baby Backpack: http://uutah.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3319

Leprachaun w/ kid in Kelty?: http://uutah.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2131

goofball · Posted: Thu Jan 25, 2007 11:31 pm Post subject:

speaking from experience i will just say if true comfort costs, it is worth it ! i got a cheap-o brand when jr was a baby/toddler for like $50 (?). it said i could carry him up to 40 pounds i think. uh-uh. even at 20-30 that thing was a killer on the shoulders and back.

Summit42 · Joined: 03 Aug 2006 Posts: 1937 Location: 127.0.0.1

Listen to goofball he knows what he is talking about. Dont go for for cheep pack, it will kill you in the long run.
I have a kelty ridgeline and it works great. I have put a lot of miles on that thing and with our second child due anyday its going to get a lot more use in the next few years.

Just spend the $200 bucks and get it over with and make sure you get a sun/rain shade.

Jaxx · Joined: 16 Jan 2007 Posts: 1545

Thanks for all the help. I narrowed it down to Kelty or Deuter. I like the Deuters because of all the extra storage plus hydration bladder. Im worried about it fitting though. I am 6'1'' and it says it fits up to 21'' torso.

Summit42 · Joined: 03 Aug 2006 Posts: 1937 Location: 127.0.0.1

Jaxx wrote: Thanks for all the help. I narrowed it down to Kelty or Deuter. I like the Deuters because of all the extra storage plus hydration bladder. Im worried about it fitting though. I am 6'1'' and it says it fits up to 21'' torso.

I would not worry too much about that stuff because its only going to be added weight. You will be surprised how much harder it is to cover a lot of ground with a wiggling pack. In a nutshell, you may like the extras space, but as you child grows its going to go unused.
I am 6'2' 230lbs and the kelty pack fits me well. I dont know anything about the deuters pack, sorry.

marc olivares · Joined: 19 Jun 2005 Posts: 614 Location: sugarhouse

i will caution you about getting the "SUV" model kid carriers.
you tend to overload the packs, making them a real nightmare to schlep around.
instead, check out the cheaper "pathfinder" model w/ the hood.
you have less space to fill, keeping the weight distributed between you and your hiking companions.
when we hiked w/ our "stuffers" i would carry the kid, and the wife would carry water and food, to even out the loads.
speaking from experience, i liked the kelty over the dueter, the kelty was just more comfortable on my back.

good luck and have fun.
i think this will be my last year hiking w/ a kid on my back....i cant tell you how stoked i am :haha:

icthys · Joined: 27 Jun 2005 Posts: 559 Location: Heber

Check out Sherpani.

Jaxx · Joined: 16 Jan 2007 Posts: 1545

I think I am leaning towards the Pathfinder from kelty, thanks Marc for reassuring me :haha: . I looked at some of the Sherpani ones and liked them, but I cant find a local dealer. I like to try stuff on before I buy it. Plus I lean towards buying local if its not too much more to support local economy. Thanks for the suggestions

brettyb · Joined: 08 Jul 2006 Posts: 96 Location: Salt Lake City

Hopefully you saw my post on the previous thread. I'm a big fan of the Deuter Kid Comfort II. I've hiked many miles with my now toddler riding in it. Having a pouch for a hydration bladder is a big plus for serious hiking. I tried the Kelty's, but didn't like how far back the baby sat.

The problem with the Deuter is that is hard to find. I contacted Travelling with Kids, a mail order outfit that is based locally. The woman that runs it allowed me to try out the packs at her warehouse.

mroy · Joined: 20 Jul 2005 Posts: 229 Location: North Ogden

At the Outdoor Retailer show I got my hands on the mid-level Deuter kid carrier, I think it was the Kid Comfort II and was pretty impressed with it. They ship to retailers out of Canada, so the annoyance of having to have inventory clear customs is probably one reason why they're harder to find, but it's a German company, so the quality is typically better, or so they say.

Alex · Joined: 27 Sep 2005 Posts: 2405 Location: SLC, UT

Jaxx wrote: I think I am leaning towards the Pathfinder from kelty, thanks Marc for reassuring me :haha: . I looked at some of the Sherpani ones and liked them, but I cant find a local dealer. I like to try stuff on before I buy it. Plus I lean towards buying local if its not too much more to support local economy. Thanks for the suggestions

I have the Pathfinder model, I got it at Costco for $20 bucks cheaper than REI. I rigged a bladder into it and it turned out to be quite a nice pack. I haven't tried the other one that is listed here. But Kelty made a great product and my kid loved riding in it. Some accessories I got for my pack is the rear view expandable mirror and the foot holders for the kid. Both were $10 bucks add-ons.

chabidiah · Joined: 31 Jan 2007 Posts: 108 Location: The U.C.

I thought I already told you. Duck tape! You can do anything with duck tape and its a lot cheaper then $200. The funny thing is you probably already thought of it. :five:

dillweed · Joined: 11 Mar 2007 Posts: 42 Location: SLC

I know this is late in coming, but I bought the REI one and I think it's a great one. Let me know if want to know more about it.