Backpacks

[Nicodemus]

Hi,
My husband and I are avid hikers and would like to purchase a backpack for our 7 month old. We are currently using one made by Evenflo (the Trialblazer) but I don't find it very comfortable. I'm looking at the Kelty line (especially the Summit). Does any one have suggestions or experience with backpacks? Please and thanks!

Diane

[squimp]

We have a Kelty, and love it. DH and I used to backpack in another life ;) and Kelty knows how to make a framepack. So after trying 4 models, ended up with the Summit. Their frame carriers have 5 or 6 different levels/options (Meadow --> Backcountry, as of last summer), varying with slightly different straps, storage options, and whether or not they have a rain hood included.

The Summit had a rain hood, attached backpack, and very easy adjust shoulder strap placement. DH is about a foot taller than me, so we found that really important. I can put it on by myself, once I got the hang of it. I'd go try 'em out if you have an REI or good outdoor shop. We took DD, and she liked it right away!

REI also makes a nice carrier, but DH is 6'5" and the Kelty was a better fit. You can also get the Keltys used, I think they hold up pretty well.

[MarisaSF]

I'm in the market too. A couple things I learned:
-babycenter.com is a good place to get the specs on the various kelty carriers.
-some models come with a hood (rain, sun, wind), but there is also an a la carte hood you can buy to fit the other models
-I hear stirrups are a nice add on. I believe the Madden Engineering carriers come standard with stirrups.
-I asked a friend how necessary a hood was and she said she never used it -- just put a hat on kiddo. That makes sense. We probably wouldn't go hiking in heavy rain with her anyway.
-Look for models on ebay -- like running strollers, the backpacks often say "used once, we just never hiked," etc.

[lizajane]

looooooove my kelty ridgeline!!! i find it comfortable and ds loves it!! i haven't used it in almost a year because i was pregnant! but dh has still been using it without any trouble and ds is over 30lbs and over 3 ft tall. i look forward to using it again soon. (i am 4 weeks postpartum now.. maybe in 2 weeks.)

[tarahsolazy]

We had borrowed a very fancy Madden Mountaineering one from a friend, then found a Tough Traveler Stallion model at a church garage sale for $10. DH actually preferred the Tough Traveler, so we gave the other back. I second trying ebay or consignment for these, once you figure out what model to get. DH and DS love theirs, they have walked about 300 miles together since DS was born, first with the Moby Wrap and Baby Bjorn, now with the backpack. They are geocaching afficionados (well, DH is, anyway ;))

[jerseygirl]

Here are some other brands you may want to consider. There are a bunch of reviews previously posted.

Kelty
Vaude
MacPac
Deuter
Jack Wolfskin
Tough Traveller
Madden
REI

We ended up with a Kelty - we're not avid hikers, mostly weekend jaunts, flea market type.

HTH.
Maritess

[MamaParis]

We have two Kelty Pinnacles - (the exact same thing as the Summit but comes with a hydration pack and cargo bag ...)

ANyway, we LOVE LOVE LOVE these packs!

We are on a month long "business" trip right now - but we are making it a vacation too and we have used these packs for hikes in all kinds of nat'l parks. We have gone to the bottom of the Grand Canyon and back up with these packs (not on this trip - but we have in the past) and they are sooooo comfy and I would HIGHLY recommend them! We just took the kids trekking through the snow at Rocky Mountain park and they were perfect!

Also, if you and DH have height differences - the Kelty Summit or Pinacle would be best out of the Kelty line - just because of the torso adjustment - so you both can get a great fit!

I love our Keltys - we tried out all kinds of other backpacks and none of them compare IMO!!

By the way - www.babyage.com has a bunch of Kelty pack on sale for REAL cheap, too! They new 2005 models just came out - so they are clearancing out their older models ...

Also, I find the rain/sun cover to be very useful - I would definately make sure you get one of these! And the zip on pack on the back of the carrier has a decent amuont of storage space - but you can add a cargo bag which gives you a lot of space to carry everything you may need for a day's hike. I also found the stirrups to be pretty useless. We bought them extra for our packs and my DD hates them - she likes to have her feet either danglling and kicking or resting on the frame. And DS is the same way. So I wouldn't worry too much about the stirrups.

Good Luck!

[kateho]

My husband and I just started to look for Kelty backpacks for hiking etc. And we found the best prices for them were at Sportsmans Warehouse http://www.sportsmanswarehouse.com/ If you have one near you, you should go and try them on. They have prices that were even cheaper than babycenter.com!