SSC or backpack?

[Cydonia]

Hi, I'm after a new carrier for my almost one year old DS and thought I wanted an SSC type like an Ergo or Manduca. Then one of my friends showed me her Macpac which she loves so now I'm not so sure! So thought I would canvas opinion on here about which might be better!

I was using a stretchy wrap, but had a fall a couple of months ago which has put me off front carrying a bit. I'm 5ft2 and small/medium build, and would like something that is easy to put DS in a back carry when on my own. I did try my friend's backpack with her toddler in it, and it was easy to get on but I found it quite heavy and too low down on me. Although I believe they do come in different sizes?

Has anyone used both, and if so which did you prefer? I think I'm leaning towards an SSC but do like how easy the backpack was to use. Plus DP would also use a backpack if we got one, but we are quite different in size and build so that might not work! Help!

[cassell]

Depends what you want to use it most for. I have a manduca and love it, ds2 (just 1yo) still goes on my front in it, he could go on my back I just haven't got around to trying. It's very easy and he loves it. It's easy to just take out with us as well as folds up reasonably small.

I also have a large littlelife backpack with a decent size rucksack as part of it. It's useful for longer trips - eg travelling to visit family as you can fill the rucksack and still have hands free and also useful for hiking etc or when you need to carry more stuff but less useful on a day to day basis. It's also pretty bulky. In fact I haven't yet used it for ds2 although did quite a bit for ds1 (before I had the manduca).

Personally I would go for the manduca (or other SSC) but as I said depends what you want it for.

[ipanicked]

I'm sure there will be others with more knowledge than me but fwiw I do prefer the SSC type sling. I've got an Ergo and a backpack but never use the backpack.

The ergo is just lighter and fits into a small bag. I carry DD (2.5) most days and even occasionally DS when he needs a nap (almost 4!!). I can't even really lift the backpack with DD in it as its too heavy and its useless when I just need a backup for the bike or pushchair when out and about. It is harder to get them on your back in the ergo but dead comfy (more than the backpack I think) once they are there. DP uses the ergo in preference too. Hth!

[StitchAteMySleep]

We had a backpack carrier for dd1, I couldn't use it at all as I am quite small and the proportions were all wrong. DH did, but it gave him terrible sciatica.

I have a Manduca now, very happy with it. I back carry my 15 month old easily and it is very comfortable both across the shoulders and the hips. DH likes it too. The backpack carrier never gets used anymore.

[Cydonia]

Thanks for the swift replies, all very helpful! I think I would mainly be using it for walking the dog, and also trips out where it would be a pain to take a pushchair. We don't go for massive long hikes or anything so DS would probably be in it for less than a couple of hours at a time.

I hadn't actually considered the room a backpack would take up, they are pretty bulky. I like that you can carry other stuff in them, but I think that if we're going somewhere where we would need a lot of stuff, there would be two of us, so the other one could have a rucksack ( IFYSWIM! )

From what I've read on here and gleaned from my previous posts I think I want a Manduca ( or similar ), I just need to find one at the right price!

[Kubalai]

SSC, definitely - one of my best purchases. I have R&Rs and love them!

[StitchAteMySleep]

Try Amazon, best price I could find.

[whatsoever]

I have an R&R and love it. I can only do the back carry with help just yet but it's great.