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Finding the best baby carriers for hiking packs that are perfect for hitting the trail with a little one in tow can be tough. However, their supportive designs allow for a baby to have a comfortable and, most importantly, a safe ride. With their feature-rich builds, which include quality harnesses, padding, as well as suspension systems, these baby carriers can be quite pricey. Below are breakdowns of the top baby carriers for hiking in 2021, which range from substantial packs that are robust enough for hauling a growing toddler to frameless, lightweight models for short trips.
5 Highly Regarded Baby Carriers for Hiking
1. Deuter Kid Comfort
Combining high levels of comfort and safety, Deuter’s Kid Comfort is our top pick with its premium build quality and organization. Deuter Kid Comfort is known for its quality suspension systems, and this model is a standout.
It has a sturdy metal frame that handles a growing and especially active child, and the mesh back panel and padded hip belt mix ventilation and support very nicely. Furthermore, Deuter has one of the best baby seat designs out there.
2. Osprey Poco Plus
This is one of the best baby carriers for hiking, offering exceptional comfort and support for both parent and child on outdoor adventures. from day backpacking and hiking, Osprey makes the best packs. Their popular Poco line has given it a significant revamp for 2020.
Most importantly, they increase the padding on the hip belt. Also, Osprey upgraded the harness with buckles conveniently behind a child’s shoulders and incorporated the pack body with blue sign-approved nylon. At 26 liters, the Poco Plus is not just a standout in the market but is well-equipped for everything, from long day hikes to overnight treks with the family.
3. Kelty Journey PerfectFIT
Kelty’s Journey PerfectFIT is a great budget baby carrier, ideal for shorter hikes or if you wouldn’t mind compromising a little on comfort. What makes Journey special is how well the interior and child harness compare to the two more expensive models above.
The seat is nicely padded, easily adjusted, and an all-around comfortable place to be. Plus, it saves you over two pounds compared with the packs above and has a similar maximum weight capacity.
4. Ergobaby 360 Cool Air Mesh
A classic choice, the Ergobaby 360 comes with a comfy waistband and several carrying options for a child. For hiking purposes—and when the baby can hold up their head—the rear backpack-style position is what makes this baby carrier the most comfortable baby carrier for hiking on the trail.
Another plus is its compact size, which makes the Ergobaby 360 a lot easier to haul around than a typical child carrier.
5. Deuter Kid Comfort Active
Deuter’s Active model got a revamp last year, like the Kid Comfort above. The minimalist and lightweight design hasn’t changed dramatically, and there’s still a great emphasis on ventilation and extensive use of mesh around the back panel and baby’s seating area. The Active has a similar entry as the Comfort: an easily adjustable suspension and a well-designed five-point harness system.
The Deuter Kid Comfort Active is also the first baby carrier that offers a specific “SL” version, which fits even the smaller torso sizes and also includes an ergonomically shaped hip belt and narrower shoulder straps.
