In Depth Baby Product Reviews Led by a Pediatrician
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Searching for the right backpack carrier for your family? We purchased 10 well-regarded baby-carrying packs and sent them through extensive testing and side-by-side comparisons for months to determine which products are the best. Whether you're an avid hiker trekking through the Rocky Mountains, traveling abroad for sightseeing adventures, or cheering on the home team, we have the details you need to make an informed decision for your family. We believe that a top-notch backpack should provide an elevated user experience when getting around with your baby in tow; therefore, our tests analyzed each contender for parent comfort, child comfort, storage, ease of use, and more. Continue reading to find out which packs stood out from the "pack."
Baby wearing can be a great way to bond and get your child from place to place. Some parents even opt for one of the best baby carriers or a backpack when adventuring or walking instead of investing in a bulky and expensive option from our best stroller review. Is your little one getting bigger? Don't forget to consider your best convertible car seat options before you need one.
Editor's Note: We updated this review on April 2, 2024, with product pricing updates.
The child seat and drool pad is removable and machine washable before allowing it to line dry (do not machine dry). All other components can be hand washed with a mild detergent in cold water then hung to dry.
Spot Clean, No Detergent
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The Kelty Journey PerfectFIT Elite has more storage pockets than most of the competition. It includes internal and zippered waistband pockets, a waterproof pocket for wet/dirty items, and water bottle holders you can reach while donning the pack (an oddly unique concept). This pack includes a canopy pocket and a hydration space for a lumbar bladder bag (sold separately). In addition to all of the pockets, the Elite is very comfortable for passengers and wearers; with adjustable straps, you can adjust while wearing. This pack provides a snug cockpit, breathable back pad, and load lifters for weight distribution or minor comfort adjustments.
This backpack has a higher-than-average price and is not a good choice for those on a budget. It may also be a less-than-ideal choice for those with shorter torsos, as some of our petite testers had trouble finding a great fit. Despite these issues, it is an excellent pack if you want a comfortable fit with lots of versatile storage and your budget allows it.
Min-Max: When child can sit upright independently - 48 lbs
Weight
6 lbs
BGL Folded/Flat Dimensions
16.5" W x 10" H x 31" L
Frame
Aluminum
The Deuter Kid Comfort Active SL says it has a fit designed with a woman's body in mind. The standout features are a narrow design and shoulder straps that make it a better fit and more comfortable than most packs for those with narrow shoulders or less expansive backs (which we think potentially includes members from all gender identifications). Our testers feel it is less restrictive than other packs and keeps little ones close to the wearer, increasing comfort for longer adventures and less fatigue. Babies loved the close contact, and the cockpit has adjustable features to customize the fit for passengers.
This pack has many comfort design features for the wearer and the passenger, but it lacks advantageous storage features, making it less useful for longer trips with more supplies. It also doesn't come standard with a canopy or hydration bladder, and while you can buy them separately, it is an added expense, and they will take up some of the limited storage space you find on this pack. However, the Comfort Active is so comfortable to wear we can overlook the storage problem and encourage users to pack only the essentials.
The LuvdBaby Premium is a wallet-friendly choice for families who only need a backpack occasionally or for shorter adventures. The LuvdBaby offers more storage than some contenders, incorporates some valuable features that parents may enjoy, and comes with a few accessories, like a changing pad and rain cover. It's also a fairly lightweight pack, limiting the extra weight you need to carry that isn't a baby or supplies.
Comfort isn't the LuvdBaby's forte. It lacks features and design elements that create a comfortable backpack for kids or parents. But it's better than some other wallet-loving packs. So, if your trip is short or your baby is smaller, you probably won't mind too much. It also does not offer storage for a hydration bladder, so you'll need to carry a water bottle. The LuvdBaby can't contend with higher-end competitors but brings a decent amount for its price point. It works for quick trips or tourist activities where long-term comfort is less of a concern.
The Osprey Poco LT is a travel-friendly backpack thanks to some space-saving attributes. It's lightweight and slimmer, has a smaller fold, a built-in sunshade for sun protection, and a zip cover to keep the shoulder and waist straps contained and protected, which is particularly helpful when storing and transporting the pack. Whether traveling by plane or car or navigating busy or limited destinations where strollers can't go, the Poco LT backpack can be handy.
The Osprey Poco LT lacks some comfort features, keeping it from scoring as high as the higher-scoring packs. It has no child stirrups and would benefit from better storage on the waist belt, in our opinion. But, despite those drawbacks, we still prefer this contender and think it excels in travel-specific needs.
While the Osprey Poco LT doesn't stand out for parent comfort (although it's better than average), it has some useful travel-friendly features.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
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The Kelty Pathfinder 3.0 is a high quality comfortable pack with versatile storage options.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
How We Test Baby Backpacks
We tested each product with various wearers and passengers to ensure a good cross-section of shapes and sizes to help find the average for comfort and usability by identifying the differences between packs and which have the best features and functionality. We considered the parent and child's comfort, storage, and ease of use. With parents and children varying in size and ability, this diverse testing group helps provide a good overview of each product's capabilities. Our on-the-trail hiking and in-house lab comparisons are designed to help ferret out the details you'll want to help you make the right decision for your needs. We rank the packs based on overall performance and tester feedback from regular use. Metric scores determine the pack's overall scores, emphasizing comfort for all.
Our baby backpack carrier review includes many contributors and testers; it is hard to pay justice to them all. With a background in outdoor products from our sister company OutdoorGearLab, we were poised to create a testing process with the true outdoorsman and adventurer in mind.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Why You Should Trust Us
Our founder guided this review, Dr. Juliet Spurrier, a board-certified pediatrician. Bob Wofford, father of 7, outdoor adventurer, and Senior Review Analyst for the last 7 years, worked with the OutdoorGearLab founder to create testing processes and choose outdoor trails for testing the packs. Multiple testers and parents assisted in the testing process, wearing the backpacks on trails with their littles. Senior Review Editor Wendy Schmitz wraps up the analysis with her 8-years of experience in gear reviews and hiking with children literally on board. Abriah Wofford, Senior Review Editor, rounds out the team with product testing and photos.
Finding the right backpack for your needs requires careful consideration.
Credit: BabyGearLab Staff
How to Choose a Baby Backpack
Enjoying the great outdoors with your little one or wandering through a museum can be made more enjoyable with a comfortable and easy-to-use baby backpack. Finding the right backpack can make the difference between a fun outing and a painful or frustrating one.
Finding a comfortable pack is key for enjoying your adventures with little ones.
Credit: BabyGearLab Staff
Keep it Comfortable
Comfort is key when it comes to carrying your child on your back. They will only get heavier and squirmier over time, and you'll need an adjustable pack that offers adequate support and fine adjustments on the go. We can't stress enough how important comfort features for the wear and the child can be in a successful adventure.
Having useful storage and being able to reach it can be important to many wearers.
Credit: BabyGearLab Staff
How Much Storage
You are already carrying a whole person on your back, you do not want to carry an additional bag. This is why storage is critical. Depending on the duration or packing you anticipate, you want to consider how much storage each pack has and whether or not it includes hydration capabilities and pockets you can reach while wearing it.
What's Your Budget?
Backpacks can be expensive. Your budget will probably start at what you can afford, but we encourage parents to consider how often they will use their pack in the budgeting process. If you hike every weekend, you will probably want a bigger budget to ensure the pack is high quality and comfortable. If you want it for a trip to the city to tour the sites, quality and features might be less of a factor, and your budget can be smaller.
Analysis and Test Results
We bought, tested, and compared popular baby backpacks for this review. Our testing period lasted several months and included side-by-side analysis in determining which contenders are the best and why.
Do Your Homework
We believe a backpack for carrying a baby is a long-term investment you can use for multiple children up to around 40 lbs depending on the pack guidelines and parent ability. As the going prices are somewhat high, ideally, you want to purchase only one pack for the duration, so doing your homework and wisely choosing is crucial.
Value
Simply put, we think a good baby backpack carrier is an investment and a valuable one, helping families have more adventures with their babies. The investment pays off in more ways than just the convenience of the pack itself. The LuvdBaby offers an affordable price that most families can manage. While it failed to score as high as some award winners, it can be a valuable pack for those planning only occasional or shorter adventures. The high-scoring Deuter Kid Comfort Active SL is more expensive, but we feel it is still worth considering if your budget can expand some. This pack offers more comfort for the passenger and the wearer and is especially popular for those with a narrow build. While cheap packs can be very tempting, we caution that you get what you pay for when it comes to baby backpack carriers. In our experience, less expensive options quickly become uncomfortable and are less than ideal for longer periods. They offer poor-quality and hard-to-use features you aren't likely to be happy with in the long run. We think you get more bang for your buck buying a super comfortable pack you'll enjoy wearing and will wear more frequently for years to come than choosing an inexpensive option you won't want to put on.
The Active SL offers a comfortable design for women and those with a narrower or petite build.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Parent Comfort
A comfortable backpack to support your baby's weight can make all the difference between a fun all-day adventure and a short, uncomfortable walk around the block. We test each backpack for parent comfort by assessing shoulder straps, load lifters, waistbands, torso adjustment, back padding, and breathability. Similar to typical hiking backpacks, adjusting the pack on the fly can be critical for overall comfort, as loads can shift and change throughout the day. Backpacks aren't as helpful if they don't offer adequate padding or structure or are challenging to adjust. If we can't find a fit without discomfort or rubbing, a pack earns a lower score.
The Deuter Kid Comfort Active SL has one of the top scores for parent comfort with various features to optimize comfort for the wearer, including padded shoulder straps, a comfortable waist strap, and smooth strap movement for adjustments. The contour of the shoulder straps is less comfortable for our male testers, with pressure falling too high for most of them. But, this design makes sense as the company claims to fit women specifically, which is supported by our female testers, who felt it was one of the best in the group.
The Parade has limited padding on the straps and an unsupportive waistband. The large cockpit results in parents leaning forward to get the baby closer to their body where it feels more comfortable to carry them.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
The Osprey Poco, Kelty Journey PerfectFIT Elite, and the Deuter Kid Comfort Pro are runner-ups with higher scores in this metric and are more comfortable than most competitors. Among this group, we appreciated the Osprey Poco's structured back that provided lumbar support and ample ventilation for the wearer.
Some of the lowest-scoring options are the Phil and Teds Parade and the Phil and Teds Escape. The Parade lacks adjustability in the shoulder straps and torso, and the Escape has shoulder straps that don't tighten enough and a saggy waist strap that isn't supportive.
The Osprey provides a comfortable riding experience for little ones compared to the competition.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Child Comfort
Keeping little ones cozy creates the ideal environment for fewer complaints and more successful adventures. Little details like angled drool pads, stirrups, padded harnesses, supportive seats, and secure cockpits all make backpack riding more enjoyable for your little one. Our little testers influenced test results in pack reactions, including napping positions, signs of discomfort, and how secure we could make the cockpit through adjustments without upsetting the passenger.
The Kelty Journey PerfectFIT Elite, Deuter Kid Comfort Pro, and Deuter Kid Comfort Active SL (below) all earn high marks with features for child comfort. The Active SL seat is contoured to be wide under the tushie and narrows between the legs. It has thick padding that offers good support for passengers without being bulky and awkward. The Kelty PerfectFIT has a wide seat with padded leg holes, seat height adjustments, and soft-covered harness clips.
The Comfort Active SL is cozy for little ones with a padded seat, high headrest, and a cockpit that pulls them closer to the wearer of the pack for a secure feeling while riding.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
The lowest-scoring option is the Phil and Teds Parade. The Chicco's cockpit features a padded bar, no drool pad or side support for a sleepy child's head, and no stirrups for feet. It also lacks padding on the child's harness. The Parade has a cockpit with limited adjustability and never feels entirely secure. It also lacks a napping face rest (hello, floppy head).
Follow User Manual Guidelines and Check Fit
Don't forget to pay attention to how your child fits in a baby backpack carrier. It's essential to follow the user's manual guidelines for weight and height and assess how your child fits in the pack, especially since children come in all shapes and sizes.
The Thule is easy to use including adjustments to the seat height.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Ease of Use
How easy or challenging a pack is to use impacts your overall experience when heading out with your baby. Straightforward features and easy functionality can differentiate between a quick prep and an enjoyable journey on the go versus a frustrated baby and parent. Our ease-of-use ratings rank each pack on adjustability, on-the-go alterations, canopy, user manual, and hydration bladder capabilities.
The highest score for ease of use includes the Osprey Poco LT, Kelty Journey PerfectFIT Elite, and Deuter Kid Comfort Active SL. Each pack has decently easy adjustments you can make on the fly, and you can adjust most child cockpit needs with your child in the backpack carrier.
Although the Thule Sapling Backpack has no foot stirrups and could use more padding in certain areas around the cockpit, we think the Thule Sapling should get an honorable mention for its dual-access cockpit. It effortlessly opens for loading and unloading a child, allowing easy access to the child's harness.
The chest clip on the Escape's harness is stiff but workable.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Some of the most complicated or challenging-to-use backpacks include the Clevr Cross Country and Phil and Teds Escape. The lower-ranking options have challenging adjustments, such as straps that are hard or stiff to adjust and features that can cause frustration while hiking.
The red cockpit buckles on the Osprey Poco are a struggle to close.
Credit: BabyGearLab Staff
While testing the Osprey Poco, fastening the red cockpit buckles (pictured above) took both muscle power and some maneuvering of the backpack to find the best position with leverage. This issue docked the Osprey some points in this metric. Although the problem seems unusually challenging, it's what we experienced on the Osprey backpack we purchased and tested.
The Kelty Elite has two storage pockets on the back of the pack.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Storage
When carrying your child, you'll need to pack supplies, which means you will need storage. Our favorite baby backpacks are those with space for necessary items like a couple of the best disposable diapers, baby wipes for diaper changes, a spare baby outfit, and other hiking essentials such as water, snacks, a canopy, one of the best sunscreens for babies, and rain protection. Backpacks with various pockets and internal organization features are more impressive than those with single open pouches, even if the storage pocket is large. Contenders with more oversized waist pockets and storage within reach of the pack wearer are also an advantage.
The Kelty Journey PerfectFIT Elite scored the best for storage features with more pockets than any competitor, including a designated pocket for a hydration bladder. It is also the only pack with a reachable water bottle holder in the group and a large waterproof pocket for dirty or wet supplies. The Elite has two zippered waistband pockets, one that holds an average-sized smartphone, and the other has a mesh pouch for a water bottle.
The Clevr waistband has a zippered pocket that may not be large enough for your smartphone. The zipper is covered by a flap of fabric that gets caught in the zipper teeth when you try to use it.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
The lowest scoring contender is the Clevr Cross Country. This option has fewer pockets than the competitors, with nuisance fabric flaps that make the pockets stupidly hard to use.
We've tested the most popular baby backpacks on the market to find the best options for every adventure.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Baby Gear Ready for Travel
Whether you're traveling by plane, train, or automobile, check out our review of baby travel products that can make your trip more enjoyable.
Conclusion
With so many baby backpacks on the market, it might be challenging to determine which is the right one for you. Many packs look the same, and it is hard to tell from an advertisement or online marketing whether it is the right one for you. Is it comfortable or have useful storage? Can it carry a hydration bladder? Some carriers are better than others, and some features are more useful. After months of real-world testing with babies and toddlers, we can honestly attest that the best way to choose a pack is to try it hands-on. Some backpacks didn't meet our expectations, with a significant disparity across packs for features and quality. We've done the dirty, uncomfortable, and often fun work for you so you can make an informed decision for your family before you hit the trail with a baby on board.
