backpack carrier

[amyzjoy]

any recommendations on a good bakpack carrier for light/moderate hikes? i am petite (5ft) and would need something that works with my size. i love the bjorn but i can anticipate needing to move my daughter to my back in the near future
thanks

[ginalc]

Have you seen the Baby Trekker? I own one and have gotten tons of use out of it. It's well padded and feels awesome when wearing it for long periods of time. Great for hiking! When not in use, it folds nicely into itself and hangs with a loop.

www.babytrekker.com

Tanya at www.KangarooKorner.com has a terrific chart that compares different carriers. I don't think she's very tall herself, so she might be a good one to e-mail and ask. I've always gotten fast responses from her in the past.

Tanya also now sells a carrier called the Ergo Baby Carrier. I don't own one, but I think it's similar to the Baby Trekker and may be less bulky since you are petite.

Here's a good comparison chart: http://www.kangarookorner.com/page81.html

HTH,

gina, mom to 3

[hipmaman]

Here are a few posts/replies re. frame backpacks. Just to get you started...

http://www.windsorpeak.com/cgi-bin/dcforum/dcboard.cgi?az=read_count&om=1049&forum=DCForumID7
http://www.windsorpeak.com/cgi-bin/dcforum/dcboard.cgi?az=read_count&om=1368&forum=DCForumID7
http://www.windsorpeak.com/cgi-bin/dcforum/dcboard.cgi?az=read_count&om=1604&forum=DCForumID7
http://www.windsorpeak.com/dcforum/DCForumID7/1947.html
http://www.windsorpeak.com/dcforum/DCForumID7/1887.html
http://www.windsorpeak.com/dcforum/DCForumID7/2406.html
http://www.windsorpeak.com/dcforum/DCForumID7/1807.html

With you being petit, you might want to try one out and see if a backpack is for you or not.

[acingit]

I would be curious which backpack works for you, since I am also 5' and am looking for the same thing.
Barbara

[amyzjoy]

thanks! lots of homework to do!

[jacksmom]

Hi-
A MILLION thanks to you and Hardysmom for all the fantasic reviews on packs. I've been having fun trying out a few myself (Vaude Swing and Pebbles, Deuter Kid Comfort III, Tough Traveller, Madden Voyager)and wanted to ask you a few specific questions about the fit and adjustability of the Possum. If Hardysmom reads this I'd love to know the same about the Bush Baby Premier!

How specifically does the harness adjust to accomodate different torso lengths? I couldn't tell from the pictures you posted or from the Macpac website. The Deuter has by far the easiest system that I've found so far (web straps running up the back frame that a velcro tap slips through and then cinches down- a snap for my husband and me to use). I'm 5'6 1/2" with a medium torso and my dh is 6'3" with a long torso.

How does the sun/rain hood attach and can it be carried in the pack?

How easy is the hinge frame to open and close (do you need to carry a screwdriver)? I've been extremely frustrated with the packs like the Voyager and Pebbles that can only be adjusted if you carry a tool along- since both my dh and I like to swap carrying our 12mo old (22lbs).

When you were emailing MacPac did you ask about the real differences between the Vamoose and Possum- from the specs it has a different hipbelt and the zip off daybag but I really don't see much else.

Have you heard anything that would encourage you choose the 2002 Possum over the 2002 Bush Baby?

Here's my two cents for those that are researching packs too-

I love the Vaude Swing for shorter dog walks and running around town. The Tough Traveller and LLBean child carriers I tried didn't have enough lumbar support and hurt my lower back. Only worry I have about the Swing is that the padding doesn't extend the full length of the frame and there are two exposed screws that hit right where my ds's calves rest. Has anyone had a problem with this? The sun shield cannot be stored or carried in the pouch on the pack and the material looks like it could be punctured easily! Skip it, save the money and wear a hat.

I had the same problem with the Pebble shifting around on my back- not sure why they didn't use the same frame system as the Swing which is rock solid.

The Madden also didn't fit me well and after testing the Swing and the Deuter with all their padding it seemed a bit sparse. Also has a very labor intensive sun hood to attach - could be stored for carrying but way to tricky to install quickly and gets in the way of loading your child.

I love the Deuter Kid Comfort III and may end up keeping it... BUT I want to try the MacPac mainly because the Kid Comfort feels like my ds is riding too high above me when I have the harness adjusted correctly for my torso. My dh loves it!

PROs for the Deuter Kid Comfort III pack: Has an awesome harness adjustement system, integrated sun hood in the headrest (all packs should uses this system!!!), well padded child seat and harness, great storage pockets, exterior mesh water bottle holders, coin and key pocket on waistbelt, kickstand and wide legs. Better still you can order it from Blake Tart at Blakes Bags in Pensylvania. www.blakesbags.com

He also carries the Vaude Pebble and several other sling type carriers. Excellent service and a very knowledgable guy!

Happy Trails!






>Here are a few posts/replies re. frame backpacks. Just to
>get you started...
>
>http://www.windsorpeak.com/cgi-bin/dcforum/dcboard.cgi?az=read_count&om=1049&forum=DCForumID7
>http://www.windsorpeak.com/cgi-bin/dcforum/dcboard.cgi?az=read_count&om=1368&forum=DCForumID7
>http://www.windsorpeak.com/cgi-bin/dcforum/dcboard.cgi?az=read_count&om=1604&forum=DCForumID7
>http://www.windsorpeak.com/dcforum/DCForumID7/1947.html
>http://www.windsorpeak.com/dcforum/DCForumID7/1887.html
>http://www.windsorpeak.com/dcforum/DCForumID7/2406.html
>http://www.windsorpeak.com/dcforum/DCForumID7/1807.html
>
>With you being petit, you might want to try one out and see
>if a backpack is for you or not.

[spikeso]

Hi,

We are now shopping for a backpack carrier ourselves. Is there a way to access the threads from the old message board? I would really like to be able to read the past reviews.

-neal

[spikeso]

Great info, Jacksmom! Thanks.

I know I am coming to this discussion very late, but we are just now shopping for a backpack carrier. Which carrier did you end up choosing? Also, do you mind telling us how tall you are? If you are about the same height/size as us, we would probably be comfortable in the same ones.

Thanks in advance!
-neal

[hipmaman]

I tried the links I gave earlier in this thread and they didnt' work with the new board format. I have no clue how to read old posts. Perhaps you can raise the questions with the Fields.

Thanks

[egoldber]

I think you just have to use the search feature. Remember that you can also search using usernames as a keyword. I did a search of "carrier and hipmaman" and "carrier and hardysmom" and found a bunch of old threads.

Good luck!

[spikeso]

Thanks Egoldber! The advanced search features work quite well actually!

Wow, when I started my investigation of backpack carriers, I didn't realize that there were so many choices!

Thanks Hipmaman, Hardysmom, and all others that have reviewed backpack carriers. Its great information.

-neal