Best Backpack Carriers for Kids: Hiking as a Family
Hiking as a family completely changes once you add kids into the mix, and for us, the biggest game changer has been backpack carriers. It’s funny how priorities quickly change. One day I am packing a bag before I hit the trail, stuffing it with snacks, water, cameras, and fishing gear ready to do 5+ miles, take as many pictures as possible and hopefully find a stream to fish along the way. Next thing you know I am packing a child carrier backpack with diapers, wipes, snacks for them, snacks for me, my water plus their water, a toy probably and whatever else you can think to remember for them and then if there’s room I might slap an extra camera lens in there.
Don’t let it sound like a complaint though, while I occasionally feel like God made me into a pack mule, I’ve got a wife and two little boys who will be by my side on the trail every time I am now. So maybe the extra weight is just keeping me in shape for when these two wild children get bigger and are trying to out pace their father.
So backpack carriers, we don’t hike every weekend, but we do spend 15-20 days a year hiking in the mountains when we have time to make the drive up and the right carrier has helped make these adventures possible. We’ve had great success with two models: the Deuter Kid Comfort 2 and the Osprey Poco AG. Both have carried our boys comfortably through the mountains, and both made it possible for us to keep hiking together even when the kids were too little to manage long trails.
So my first piece of advice for buying your backpack carrier, don’t spend a ton of money. Just like the kids shoes you bought 3 months ago that no longer fit or the cute jacket you picked up last winter that they wore 5 times cause you live somewhere where it’s rarely below freezing, they’re going to outgrow it quickly. We picked ours up on Facebook Marketplace, and I can’t recommend that route enough. For families like ours who hike a handful of times a year, buying brand new can feel steep, many of the quality carriers retail between $250–$400. But if you look around online, you can often find them gently used for under $100. Since most families are just like the rest of us and only use these packs a handful of times over the course of a couple of years before reselling, the condition is usually excellent. When your kids outgrow the carrier, you can resell it yourself and likely get most of your money back. I have $185 in both carriers total and could probably get $150 if I listed them today but will likely just give them to a friend looking to take their kids hiking.
The only times I’d suggest buying brand new are if you’re hiking very frequently, you can’t find the exact model you want used or funds simply aren’t an issue.
What Ages They Work Best FoR?
If you just had a baby a few weeks ago and you’re ready to go for a hike, well momma I commend you on your strength but don’t toss them in a backpack carrier. Just kidding, moms are smarter than that but you dads, well… Anyway, newborns, get a nice wrap, dad you can wear it too! I wore one fishing forever with Waylon and so did my wife Madi. Plus it’s way more comfortable for everyone.
All brands recommend your child be sitting up on their own before ever placing them inside of a backpack carrier. Typically, this is around the age of 6 months and weight limits typically max out around 40-pounds. This gives most parents from 6-months to around 4-years old with these packs. Our oldest Waylon got tired of looking and not exerting all of that energy on the trail around 2.5 years old. We turned him loose on a trail that slows us down and he did wonderfully so now days our youngest Beau is a passenger and on longer hikes we will still wear the carrier just in case Waylon is done being his own man and needs dad to carry him.
Now when it comes to their size, our boys are quite a bit bigger than average, slim but tall, Waylon’s 3 and he’s 3.5 feet tall. When he’s in the backpack in looks like I am toting a teenager these days. His height makes it tough to properly strap him in and he’s almost nearing the weight limit. Beau won’t be too far behind him either so our carriers won’t get nearly as much use as someone with more average sized kids. If your kids are bigger you may want to dig deeper into the details on what carriers are better for taller kids and have higher weight capacities.
Deuter Kid Comfort 2 vs. Osprey Poco AG
I have always known the Osprey brand to be a superior brand in the backpacking world. When it came time to look for a child carrier pack Osprey was one at the top of my list. I did have recommendations for the Deuter brand as well, though I knew nothing about the brand it came with some high regards from some fellow outdoorsmen who were packing their children around. After using both, I am not 100% sure that I have a favorite because both have their differences.
Osprey Poco AG: I love this one because it’s modeled after Osprey’s backpacking packs. It has great adjustability, excellent ventilation, and a suspension system that keeps the weight balanced. For longer days on the trail, it feels efficient and secure. However, it can lack a little in the comfort department. There’s not a ton of padding on the shoulder straps and when synched down it can sometimes irritate my armpit/pectoral area if I don’t loosen up a little.
This pack is no longer in production but can be found all over Facebook Marketplace. A good comparison is the “Osprey Poco Child Carrier.”
Deuter Kid Comfort 2: Madi prefers the Deuter because it’s heavily padded and incredibly comfortable on the shoulders, this is where I think it shines over the latter. The tradeoff is less breathability and adjustability, but it does carry a few more pounds and fits taller kids slightly better.
The Kid Comfort 2 is no longer in production and can also be found across Facebook Marketplace.
I have a hard time picking between the two. I still think I all back on the Osprey though, especially in summer months, this is when most tend to hike with children anyway, due to the breathability. I think if I were to be starting over I would look for the Osprey Poco Premium and give it a whirl to see how much more comfortable it is over the Osprey Poco AG.
Other Options Worth Considering
There are newer and lighter variations of these classics, along with other strong contenders from different brands:
Deuter Kid Comfort Active – A lighter, more compact version of the Kid Comfort. It has better airflow but less padding and storage. Great for shorter hikes.
Osprey Poco LT – A streamlined take on the Poco that weighs less but sacrifices some storage. A nice option if you want Osprey’s suspension system in a smaller package.
Osprey Poco Premium – The deluxe version with more storage, extras like a sunshade, and refined adjustments. It’s pricier and heavier, but for frequent hikers it may be worth it.
Kelty Journey PerfectFIT – A solid alternative that often comes in at a lower price point. Adjustable, durable, and frequently recommended as a value pick.
Thule Sapling – Thule’s premium entry into child carriers. Well-built, comfortable, and feature-rich, but among the more expensive options.
Hiking with kids will always have its challenges but having the right gear is certainly the best way to make things easier. Having nice backpack carriers designed for long distances on the trails have allowed us to hike all day in the mountains comfortably without leaving the kids behind. They’ve been the bridge between my solo traveler years and my dad years, and they’ve opened trails that otherwise wouldn’t have been possible as a family.
If you’re shopping, think about how often you’ll use it, your child’s size, and whether you value comfort or ventilation more. For us, buying used made the most sense, and it’s an option I’d recommend to any family looking to get outdoors together without overspending.
NOTE: I am not being paid by any brands, I am not an affiliate nor am I sponsored by any of the brands in this blog post. These are just my personal recommendations and felt like this was a good topic to share with others in the outdoors.
