Put Your Baby’s Things in These 10 Best Baby Carrier Backpacks

For those who love the outdoors and particularly for those who live in mountainous and forested areas, this can be a real challenge.

Baby slings are great, but they don’t offer babies the support they would need during a hike, and they’re not exactly aerodynamic either. As for a baby stroller, forget about it! There’s no way you’re going to push one of those up a mountain, no matter how determined you may be.

There is a solution, however: baby carrier backpacks. These dual-purpose backpacks allow you to carry food, water and other essentials while also providing a safe and secure place for your baby or toddler to be transported.

As it is, this is a relatively new market. This guide will help navigate you to finding the best of the baby carrier backpacks.

Things to Consider

Before you commit to spending your money, there are several things you should keep in mind before you buy.

1. Weight Capacity

Most baby carrier backpacks will accommodate a child weighing up to 40 pounds, but it’s always a good idea to check before you find out. You don’t want your child to outgrow the backpack too quickly.

2. Weight

If you’ve ever done much hiking, you know that you want to carry as little weight on your back as possible. This is doubly true if you’re carrying a 30-pound toddler on your back! Most of these backpacks weigh between five and ten pounds, but it’s something you should know beforehand.

3. Flexibility

Your child’s growth is not stagnant, so a child backpack has to be able to adjust to keep up. All of these backpacks are able to adjust to some degree or another, but the greater the flexibility the better.

4. Volume

Just how many cubic feet are in that backpack? Knowing how much room you have at your disposal is critical. Consider your hiking habits and needs and plan accordingly. Remember, you may have to pack diapers, a baby bottle and other baby necessities as well.

5. Price

As you might expect, baby carrier backpacks are quite a bit more expensive than their mundane counterparts. Many of them cost upwards of $200. Cheaper ones are available, but they will lack many of the best features of pricier ones.

QUICK OVERVIEW

The Best Baby Carrier Backpacks

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Products	Features
EDITOR’S PICK 4.7 10+ 10+ Osprey Poco Plus Child CarrierOsprey Poco Plus Child Carrier	Weighs 5 pounds Supports up to 40 pounds PRICE RANGE: Under $350 Weighs 5 pounds Supports up to 40 pounds PRICE RANGE: Under $350 Check price at Amazon
MOST REVIEWED 4.4 2,330+ 2330+ LÍLLÉbaby Complete All SeasonsLÍLLÉbaby Complete All Seasons	Weighs 1.6 pounds 6 carrying positions PRICE RANGE: Under $100 Weighs 1.6 pounds 6 carrying positions PRICE RANGE: Under $100 Check price at Amazon
TOP PICK 4.4 50+ 50+ Thule Sapling Child CarrierThule Sapling Child Carrier	Weighs 7.5 pounds Has a sun shade built in PRICE RANGE: Under $300 Weighs 7.5 pounds Has a sun shade built in PRICE RANGE: Under $300 Check price at Amazon
BUDGET PICK 4.5 665+ 665+ ClevrPlus Cross Country BackpackClevrPlus Cross Country Backpack	Weighs 5.1 pounds Retractable canopy PRICE RANGE: Under $150 Weighs 5.1 pounds Retractable canopy PRICE RANGE: Under $150 Check price at Amazon
BUDGET PICK 4.1 210+ 210+ phil&teds Parade Child Carrierphil&teds Parade Child Carrier	Weighs 4.4 pounds Detachable mini backpack PRICE RANGE: Under $150 Weighs 4.4 pounds Detachable mini backpack PRICE RANGE: Under $150 Check price at Amazon

Under $100

LÍLLÉbaby Complete All Seasons Baby Carrier

This isn’t quite a hiking baby carrier, but it is in between that and a standard sling. If you don’t want to spend $100 or more on a backpack, LÍLLÉbaby carrier is going to be your best bet. It adjusts to align with your baby’s growth and can adjust on side panels to fit your hips.

This carrier is very comfortable for both mother and baby and is designed to be used all the way from four months to three years of age.

It can be worn in 6 different positions so you can put your baby in any of the 360-degree positions. and can support up to 45 pounds, it’s padded on shoulder straps and has a mesh temperature control panel. A big front pocket enables you to store valuables or baby gear.

If you’re looking for a fully-fledged hiking backpack, this probably isn’t going to cut it. But it is very comfortable and, like most baby carriers, will accommodate your child for several years.

Best Baby Carrier Backpacks Under $150

ClevrPlus Cross Country Baby Backpack

When I first saw this backpack, I thought it looked like the real deal. It was very similar in material and appearance to backpacks I used with my dad when I was a kid. Unfortunately, as this is a budget model, the actual backpack elements are fairly limited.

As far as a baby carrier goes, this is pretty good. It’s a comfortable backpack, it offers your child a lot of support and it can carry a kid weighing up to 40 pounds. I tried using it to carry my two-year-old son and it worked great. There’s plenty of room for the kid, it has a retractable canopy, it folds and adjusts easily.

The real problem is that there just isn’t much room for actual storage. Sure, there’s a miniature pack that can be used to carry some snacks and maybe a couple diapers, but it’s not a true backpack in the traditional sense. This may be perfect for some families, but I wouldn’t want to use it on a long hike.

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phil&teds Parade Child Carrier Frame Backpack

For some reason, this backpack makes me think of Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure. I think it’s the name, because it has literally nothing to do with the movie. It’s actually quite an excellent baby backpack for its price.

First off, the backpack is incredibly light – its less than 4 pounds, but can carry a child up to ten times that weight. An internal aluminum frame helps it stand upright while you’re loading it with supplies, but it also folds easily.

This backpack has several really cool features I like. The first is that it has two bottle holders in it. This is really convenient, whether you’re on a hike or just out at the local farmer’s market. Both the shoulders and hips are padded, so it’s pretty comfortable.

There’s plenty of storage space, and it also has a miniature detachable backpack for your little one. They can wear it while walking with you, and you can carry them on your back when they get tired.

The backpack has two different colors, orange and blue. I saw the orange one, and the color was a little obnoxious, so I hope the blue is a little better. Still, there are some nice features on this backpack, and it’s sold for a very reasonable price.

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ClevrPlus Urban Explorer Child Carrier

If you’re looking for an inexpensive hiking baby carrier backpack, the Urban Explorer Child Carrier is one of your best bets. It’s definitely not the greatest baby carrier, but it does a great job for the price. 

The carrying pack is rated for children weighing up to 42 pounds, so this is suitable for kids from 9 to 48 months of age. It has a couple of nice features like a sunshade and rain hood. It is fully adjustable. You can change the size of the shoulder straps and the hip strap. 

Urban Explorer has several different storage areas, so it’s also pretty functional as a backpack. It is comfortable and features a washable drool pad do that your baby can rest their face on a clean surface when they fell asleep on a long hike. If you don’t have several hundred dollars to spend on this kind of product, this is a good buy.

Best Baby Carrier Backpacks Under $200

Luvdbaby Premium Baby Backpack Carrier

The Luvdbaby backpack actually feels like a backpack! There are several different pouches where you can store diapers, food, water, and other essentials plus one large pocket on the back. It has a solid aluminum frame with a kickstand to stand upright, and plenty of cushioning for both you and your child. 

Although this one lacks a headrest for napping, it has safety straps so that the little one doesn’t fall out easily. Moreover, it features a sun and rain cover to go out in any kind of weather.

It can only support 40 pounds in total, so when your baby is becoming bigger and has up to 30 pounds, you won’t be able to pack too much stuff. But this is perfect for hiking or day trips with a younger child.

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Kelty Journey PerfectFIT Signature Series Child Carrier

The Kelty Journey PerfectFIT Signature Series looks like your average babies backpack, but don’t let the looks deceive you. It features a suspension system that adjusts the whole backpack according to your needs. Plus, it has a kickstand to stay upright on flat surfaces.

The Journey PerfectFIT isn’t a perfect carrying tool, but it’s pretty good. While it isn’t the most comfortable backpack I tried, it’s not uncomfortable either. It has a 5-point safety harness and padded aluminum roll cage.

One thing I liked is that it’s compact concerning the size of the pockets. It has a large zippered front pocket, 4 external pockets, and internal pockets for storage. I carried my son around in it and he seemed pretty comfortable. 

There are loops where you can hang toys, and the seat is wide with adjustable foot stirrups so you can fit it to your child’s preferences. While there’s nothing truly extraordinary about this pack, I couldn’t find anything wrong with it either, and that seems like a good reason to recommend it.

Under $300

Thule Sapling Child Carrier

This is not a cheap backpack, but it is an attractive and very well designed backpack and is perfect for active parents who are always on the move.This pack is designed with convenience in mind.

The fully adjustable back and hip panels are designed for quick transitions, making it easier for mom and dad to share the load with a minimum of hassle.In addition to a large storage area in the back, it has two smaller areas on the hips, providing quick access to essentials.

Unlike the Deuter Comfort 2, it comes with a canopy/sunshade that protects your child from the sun and rain. The back panel is designed for optimum airflow, keeping your back cooler. It has two kick stands in the back that make it easy to load up the pack while you’re getting ready.

It’s got plenty of straps to keep your kid safe, and its plush enough to keep them comfortable. This backpack is outside of my price range, but if you can afford it, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better pack.

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Deuter Kid Comfort Child Carrier

The Deuter Kid Comfort is an ergonomic pack that supports up to 40 pound-baby plus 8 pounds of the load. It features an integrated kickstand that makes it easy to keep the carrier upright when on the ground. 

The Intuitive adjustable measurements allow you to change the settings even when your kid is in the pack. The safety harness system locks your child safely in place, while plenty of padding ensures both you and your child remain comfortable and happy. 

The Deuter Kid includes large external stretch pockets, 2 zippered hip fin pockets, an integrated key holder, and added storage for a hydration bag that ensures the perfect day out. However, it doesn’t come with the hydration bag.

If there is anything else one needs from a child carrying bag, that would be water bottle holders. Except for that minor flaw, this pack is amazing.

Under $350

Deuter Kid Comfort Pro Child Carrier

I had heard a lot about Deuter Kid Comfort Pro prior to trying this out, and I can say I wasn’t disappointed. The pack weighed even less than some others at 5 pounds and it has an excellent safety harness system to keep your kid safe. 

With lots of storage space, there is enough room to carry all the essentials for a nice day hike. The carrier backpack has an aluminum frame that makes it very durable, but it’s also incredibly comfortable. 

It has plenty of padding on both ends and lots of storage areas so both you and your child can carry all the essentials. It’s easy to adjust the height, and there are a lot of different ways you can customize it to keep your little one comfortable.

The pack is designed for maximum ventilation, helping keep your baby cool and dry. The carrier has a washable plush wraparound chin pad, adjustable height footrests, a built-in headrest, and a fold-out sunroof. There is one flaw here, though.

It doesn’t include a water bottle holder but a hydration bladder storage like the previous model which is a major flaw considering this pack sells for under $350. Still, this is an amazing pack that is durable, comfortable, and not too heavy. Well worth the price.

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Osprey Poco Plus Child Carrier

The granddaddy of all baby-carrying backpacks, Osprey’s Poco Plus offers a ton of features. It can accommodate a kid up to 40 pounds and 8 additional pounds of gear. From a removable daypack to an easily adjustable cockpit for your child, this backpack does it all.

Let’s get started on the cockpit. I haven’t seen any cockpit quite like this one. The baby has a fully padded back and front area, keeping them perfectly safe and secure. It has a sunshade and an adjustable torso.

Double Halo harness straps keep kids in place so they don’t wiggle and throw you off balance, and stirrups on each side help them climb in and keep the baby from kicking you. The cockpit side pockets let you carry water bottles or 

There is plenty of storage space, and more than sufficient padding to keep you happy and comfortable. The backpack features a zippered lower compartment and external hydration sleeve. I can’t think of any way to improve this backpack. It’s simply the best.

Conclusion

Baby carrier backpacks are quite a bit more expensive than standard slings, as you have no doubt realized. That said, they pose numerous advantages over standard carriers in terms of storage.

Whether you’re on a budget or have the money to buy the best, we hope that we have helped you to understand your options and make an informed shopping decision. If you have any questions or comments, let us know. We’d love to hear from you!