If you are looking for framed backpack, consider the MacPacs

[hipmaman]

Previously, you had to order them oversea and have them shipped (w/ somewhat higher shipping rate). But there is now a US retailer carrying it. Check the archive for reviews and discussions on them.

Here is the original post on Strollers board http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/dcboar...id=23882&page=

[NickiB]

Are the MacPacs comfy for the kids? My dd doesn't really like our Kelty but I would love to have her in a Pack to hike and for walks on rougher terrain where our stroller won't go. She is almost 9 months.
TIA,

[redhookmom]

It seems these are great pack for serious hikers. What makes them a great pack? My guess is that they are good for longer amounts of time.

Jessica

[hipmaman]

I replied in your posts with some links to reviews/discussions/comparisions between the various backpacks.

[sbbiomed]

Tam or anyone else,

I am seriously looking for a framed carrier for our DS for mostly moderate hiking trips. Didn't the old posts talk about the MacPacs being geared towards comfort of women. I (6'1") will be using the carrier 95% of the time on hikes and weekend walks, but my DW (5'4") will be using it during the day mostly, only until she will go back to work (in 3 months time).

I want a pack that is comfy for both of us and our DS. You recommend the Possum over many other packs, but I never read a comparison to the Kid Comfort II or III or the top of the line Keltys. I also hate to purchase expensive items without trying them IRL.

Also, Is there a carrier that is good for a child under 6 months? Our DS is about 3 months and we would love to hike a couple of times before it gets too cold.

Sorry to be redundant, but I am extremely detail oriented.

Thanks,

Steven
Dreams do come true - Joshua 7/14/03

[NickiB]

Steven,
I ordered a MacPac but haven't received it yet. My dd is 9 months though. I am not sure if a framed backpack style would suit your needs until the baby is at least 6 months old. I was given some other links to backpack carrier threads in a thread I posted http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/dcboar...=630&mode=full

I am sure someone else can help. How long will the hikes be for your DS when he is under 6 months? We used a bjorn until about 5 months and that seemed to work well, but did not go on long hikes.

[sbbiomed]

I will probably use the bjorn for these early hikes (1-3 hours) as well, but wanted to see if any of the packs have support for a younger child. Hopefully we will go on longer hikes next Spring.

The main questions are if the harness is made to fit a woman (Says so on website). I know that regular packs that my wife is comfortable in are way too small for me by my neck, so if the harness is more narrow in design then I might not be comfortable.

My other questions are how much weight can they hold (I can't find anywhere)? I know that Maddens can hold 75lbs, Kelty - 45lb child, 60lb total, Deuter - 48.5lbs.

Not being able to compare IRL any backpacks, except Kelty, I want to know why the Possum is preferable over packs like Kid Comfort II or III, Madden Voyager and Caravan, and the high end Keltys (Summit, Pinnacle).

Thanks,

Steven
Dreams do come true - Joshua 7/14/03

[NickiB]

I emailed the vendor about the weight limitations and he said it would hold up to a 40lb child. The harness is adjustable from 5'0" to 6'4". I hadn't read about them being made for women, so I didn't ask about that. My dh and i are both pretty small so the harness width wouldn't be a problem for us. I can give you a review once I receive mine which should be in about the next 10 days or so. If you have more MacPac questions you may want to email Rodney, the vendor, [email protected]. He answered my questions right away. He said he would accept a return within 15 days if I didn't like it. Do you have REI near you? I hear they have a lot of carriers.

HTH,

Nicki

[C99]

Steven,

Every framed backpack I've seen has an age requirement of about 6 months or sitting up. I would advise that you hold off on the framed carrier until Joshua is a little older and can sit unsupported.

[hipmaman]

Hi Steven,

You should consider a front carrier like Baby Bjorn, Baby Trekker, etc. or a sling for carrying Joshua at this stage. Backpack is okay for a baby/child who can sit up properly, supports his/her own head, adjust his/her own posture w/o help, etc. and honestly, 3 months is too soon.

Having said that, lol, here are a few things on the framed backpack...

- If the old posts said anything like the MacPac were made for women, it's not entirely correct (I don't have time to go back and check). What they should mean was that MacPac made their gear (child carriers, backpack, etc.) with lots of consideration for its female consumers, as well as male. Most other child carriers are made w/ the average male body frame in mind, ie. long torso, broad shoulders, wide hip/waist, etc. For example, some of the Kelty packs that I tried when I did up the waist strap, I had to do it to the minimum setting and some barely narrow enough for my hips. And I'm 5'6" but torso length would almost always at the shortest adjustment on most carriers and I was still not comfortable. I din't have these kind of problems with the Possum.

It should be said that male/female can be comfortable with a MacPac (especially women who are usually not comfortable with other types of carriers). In fact, MacPac has a whole line of gear "Designed for woman" like sleeping bags, packs, etc.

- I am not an avid/die-hard hiker and neither is my dh (2-3 hrs is our max). Hence, something as loaded and big as the Kelty Summit would not suit our purposes. Therefore, I never tried any 'big' carriers out. If you require something with more padding, better comfort for longer wear, the MacPac Vamoose might be a better choice.

- What I didn't like about most other carriers that I tried was they were just either too bulky (eventhough they were the basic carriers and not those for serious hiking), comfortable for dh but not for me, etc. The number one pet peeve when it comes to carriers is the front of the cockpit for all carriers hit the back of my head. Therefore I have to somewhat crane my neck and lean my head forward to avoid hitting the cockpit front. I don't have this problem with the MacPac.


- The one carrier that I had not had the chance to try personally was the Madden (couldn't find it in Canada at the time). But I believe Stephanie/hardymom talked about why she decided against that and bought the Vaude, Bush Baby and recommended the MacPac.


- The Deuter KC II and III were 'tall' for me and I was not happy with either one. Although, the KC III was very nice, but the back of my head bumped the front of the cockpit, big time.

- I'm not sure how big you are, but if it helps at all, the width for shoulders/neck is 6". I'm 5'6" and dh is 5'11" but neither one of us would be considered big. Of course, the best way to shop for a carrier is to try them out personally, but since it's hard for you to do so, I'll try to answer specific questions if you have more.

Imo, the MacPac is generally more compact (even the Vamoose), less bulky then many, especially the Kelty because of its wide/deep kickstand. Don't get me wrong, there are certain things that the Keltys are nicer or that I prefer those features on the Keltys more -- like the 5 pt harness. But overall, fit and comfort for us is the most important when it comes to carriers, therefore, the MacPac Possum fit my and dh's purposes and bodies better.