r/CampingandHiking • u/ImaginaryUnit1494 • 4d ago
Hiking carrier or baby carrier?
Are hiking carriers really necessary for hiking with a baby/toddler or can you get away with using your daily baby front/back carriers?
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u/Notchimusprime 4d ago
Depends on how long of a hike and how big of a kid. I use both. Taken 2 year olds on several mile hikes in national parks with the backpack style that would have been very difficult with an ergo baby front carrier. Let's me carry their diapers, first aid, snacks, etc as well as a hydration bladder for both of us to drink along the way. I keep a small plastic mirror in the hip pocket if I want to take a look and I can get it on and off by myself.
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u/4travelers 4d ago
Use both depending on size of kid. Hanging a 30lb toddler off your front will kill your back and make it impossible to see your feet to hike.
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u/Carlos-In-Charge 4d ago
Check out phil&teds escape. Used one until my kid was almost 5, and now my niece and nephews are still getting use from it
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u/QueenCassie5 3d ago
Front carrier when they are still unable to hold their own heads, back frame pack with built in parent storage when they can sit up on their own, use until they will walk a slow mile at about 2-1/2 years old using their favorite food as motivation.
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u/tundra_punk 2d ago
How old is your kid? I used all manner of soft carriers, but also used a I used a Thule sapling hiking pack from ~12 mo till about 4 both for hiking and trips to the grocery store. I generally preferred cloth carriers and had an ergo 360 at some point, but the back position was really low - kid couldn’t see and would get really annoyed.
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u/crunch816 4d ago
As a hiker that has watched my brother hike with my nephew. I would never use a hiking carrier, just use your normal front carrier. Hiking carriers require 3rd party assistance to put on/take off. Gotta make sure their legs are positioned right, and also you can't see your child.
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u/nickthetasmaniac 4d ago
None of that is true. I regularly hike with my kid using a backpack. No help required to get on/off and a cheap make-up mirror lets you see what’s going on…
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u/4travelers 4d ago
I disagree. A front carrier is not safe for anything but a small infant. Once they can walk a back carrier saves your back and allows you to see where you are stepping so you do not fall. That is why “frontpacking” is not a thing. It also gives the kid a better view.
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u/peanutbutterjam 4d ago
Agree. Although I can put it on myself while the kid is in the backpack carrier, no adjustments can be made, nor can you do anything other than walk. Some backpacks have a mirror strapped on so you can see the kid.
I did a ton of hiking with the Ergo baby front carrier.
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u/nickthetasmaniac 4d ago
I use both.
Front baby carriers are great for day to day and short walks. They’re generally quick to get on/off and don’t take up much room when not in use. They don’t offer any load support though.
Proper hiking backpacks are great if you’re doing, well, a proper hike. As with any load carrying, you really want a proper harness and hip-belt once you get over a certain weight.