Best Backpack Baby Carriers

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Backpack Baby Carriers Buying Guide

What Is a Backpack Baby Carrier?

For hiking through the woods or for a jaunt across town, a backpack baby carrier can be a fun and convenient way to transport a child. A backpack lets you go more places than a stroller and, for longer trips, can be more comfortable than a soft‑structured carrier.

Backpack baby carriers are similar to camping‑style backpacks but with a seat for the child in addition to the pockets and compartments for storing gear. The better‑quality carriers are built around a light aluminum frame that distributes the child’s weight across the wearer’s shoulders and hips.

A baby is ready to sit in a backpack when it can sit up on its own — usually at around 6 months. For most carriers, the total weight limit (backpack+child+gear) is around 50 lbs. For anything more than that, you’ll soon have second thoughts about lugging a heavy weight regardless of any weight distribution features the backpack may have.

Most child carriers share basic features such as adjustable shoulder and waist straps, an adjustable child safety harness, a kickstand and a sturdy frame.

What To Look for When Buying a Carrier

Safety. The backpack should securely restrain the child in the seat. Look for a 5‑point safety harness restraint system, preferably padded, that is easy to buckle and unbuckle. You’ll also want a backpack with a locking kickstand. This safety feature comes in handy when loading and unloading a child.

Comfort. The backpack should be comfortable for both the wearer and passenger.

An uncomfortable baby makes for an unpleasant trek. For the ultimate in baby comfort, look for a firm contoured seat pad, adjustable stirrups, padded face rest and harness, and a seat that grows with baby.

Key to wearer comfort is a torso adjustment system that ensures a good fit. This is especially important if the pack will be shared. Also, being able to make on‑the‑fly adjustments while trekking will minimize discomfort and rubbing. So, look for backpacks that provide a customizable fit, have load adjusters/lifters, feature padding on the shoulder straps, waistband and back, and have breathable fabrics.

Ease of Use. A carrier that is difficult to use will be a frustrating experience for both wearer and baby. Look for ease‑of‑use features such as side loading, adjustment straps, on‑the‑go adjustability, grab handles, a sunshade/canopy, hydration bladder pocket, foldable frame and helpful manual.

Storage. Trekking with a child means you’ll need to take with you supplies for the child as well as hiking essentials, and all these items need to be stored somewhere. Backpack carriers with versatile storage are those with multiple pockets where items can be easily segregated, and critical items are within reach of the wearer.

Most backpack manufacturers provide a storage volume measurement (usually shown in liters) for their carriers. Since there are no standards for how this number is calculated, it’s not very useful on its own, but it does provide a simple (albeit crude) way to compare storage capacity across carriers.

Value. There is not much of a price difference between our premium Thule Sapling Elite and our best value Kelty Journey PerfectFIT. All our recommended carriers get high grades from reviewers, so carefully consider what features are most important to you when deciding which carrier to buy.

Cheaper carriers are out here, but you get what you pay for when it comes to safety, comfort and ease of use.

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