Best Hiking Baby Carriers
Nothing makes a hike a more enjoyable experience than having the right baby carrier. There are a myriad of baby carriers, each having their own benefits for different reasons. There are three main types of carriers: wraps, soft carriers, and framed carriers. If you can, I recommend asking friends and family to borrow any carrier they may have, or head to REI to test out their selection. I am going to walk you through each type with their pros and cons in this article!
Wraps
A baby wrap, or sling, is a a long piece of fabric you tie and knot around yourself, making a pouch on your chest, back, or hip where your baby can sit. Depending on the fabric, some are more breathable than others. We have the Boba Wrap carrier and have used it on numerous hikes, taken it all over our state, and carried our baby around Japan with it.
Pros:
Perfect for younger babies with minimal head control because they keep baby nice and snug against mom.
Lightweight.
Small and compact.
Carry baby on front or back.
Cons:
Weight is distributed on shoulders.
No storage option.
Takes a longer time to tie up, can be difficult to learn how to wear.
Soft Carrier
A soft structured carrier is the most popular carrier choice. They typically consist of a buckled padded waistband, buckled padded shoulder straps, and a pre-built body panel. Some come with newborn inserts, and can be used from newborn until their toddler stage, depending on weight restrictions. These carriers offer more support than wraps. My husband tends to learn towards the BabyBjorn when carrying our daughters, it’s super easier to put on and insert your child. I tend to lean more towards a wrap, but my sister-in-law has given me her Boppy Baby carrier and I’m obsessed with it! It has the same feel as a wrap, without having to do all the wrapping.
Pros:
Lightweight
Small and compact
Simple to learn
Can carry baby on front or back (weight and carrier depending)
Works well for small babies with minimal head control
Cons:
Weight is distributed a lot on shoulders still, but the waist strap helps even out the distribution.
Not a great viewpoint for the child, when worn on the back or front.
Very minimal storage, if any
No weather protection built in.
Framed Carrier
A framed child carrier is going to be a studier child carrier, typically fabric is sewn over a tubular metal or other frame. It is designed to carry a child in an upright position on the back of the carrier. This is a more popular option on the trail because they are designed with hiking in mind. The child needs complete control of their head before they are able to ride in it. We use the Osprey Poco and love it! There’s plenty of storage, has an attached sun shade, and a great suspension system. Anything you could possibly need in a backpack, Osprey has typically already thought of (our backpacking bags are also Osprey for this reason, you can read more about that here).
Pros:
When properly fitted, weight distribution is on your hips for a more comfortable carry.
Lots of storage space.
Baby sits up high with a decent view.
Comes with a sunshade and an additional rain cover can be purchased (great for rain and in winter).
Typically comes with a kick stand.
Cons:
Heavier than other types of carriers.
Bulky, doesn’t compact.
Baby has to have complete control of head to sit.
Baby is further from you, making it more difficult to give snacks or a drink without having to stop.
When choosing a carrier, keep in mind where you will be going, what you plan on doing, and how you want your child to fit. It never hurts to ask a friend to try on their carriers or head to the store to find your perfect one. Each carrier is different and will fit on each person differently, so just because these are my go-tos doesn’t mean they will be comfortable to you!
Still need help deciding? Let me know why you need a carrier and I can tell you which one I would use in the comments below.