Best framed carrier for hiking?

[fraktious]

We do a lot of hiking and up until now DS has been in a wrap either FWCC or double hammocked but we're now thinking a framed carrier that we can put him down in and will hold a water bottle, a few nappies and some snacks might be a plan. An integrated rain cover/sun shield would be good and something light preferably!

What do you recommend?!

[fraktious]

DH won't DH him though, and we really do need to come up with a sun cover solution.

I know it's not going to be as comfy for me (and possibly not for DS either) but we do do some serious hiking and I feel the additional protection is probably necessary.

[pootlebug]

I agree with Loopymumsy - try one first so you see how uncomfortable they are compared to your wrap.

For sun protection - how about a soft carrier with solarveil (e.g. like these www.bamberoo.hu/solarveilen) to allow more airflow, a hat with a peak/neck protection, and thin cotton long sleeves? As far as I can see, those sun shade things on framed carriers don't cover legs, and only really work when the sun is directly overhead.

How old is he? The solarveil 'monkey pocket' may also work if he's not so old he throws it off monkeypockets.blogspot.com/

The other reason for the age question is that as he starts walking more his tolerance for being carried may go down - meaning you might have to modify your hiking plans anyway.

[fraktious]

DS is not quite 6mo.

I love the look of those monkey pockets. Exactly what I've been looking for! I said to DH on Sunday that I needed a bag to put DS and they actually exist.

Do the work well with a wrap? I see that an adaptor strap is needed.

[CMOTdibbler]

I bought dh a LittleLife backpack as we thought it would be more practical. DH (who was used to a meitai) didn't like it at all!g snuggly. He liked bein And it was less practical for us as it had to be adjusted for each person.

So, we used meitais, and then a wrap conversion half buckle as ds got bigger, and I used a cross body bag for stuff when on my own, and when together, the other person had a rucksac on. A bum bag would have been a sensible purchase too. We stopped carrying ds when he was 4.5 and 20kg

In sunny weather, ds wore a suncap from Lion in the sun, leggings and a longsleeved top - the sun/rain covers on the backpacks really restrict their view

[fraktious]

Now half/full buckles intrigue me but there's no chance of finding one here. Nor a MT.

I wish there were sling meets, or that we were in the UK when there's likely to be a slingmeet! Anyone know anyone who would let me play over Christmas on the Berks/Bucks/Oxon borders?

That's completely secondary to the original query though. I think DH will just have to try them and I might stick to wrapping (yay! an excuse to buy a toddler proof 7).

[4madboys]

i have a vaude back carrier, we bought it for ds1 (who is now 12yrs old!) and have used it for all 5 kids, we use it for 10mth old dd now. well dp does, i use a moby wrap when i carry her, but this summer we when on holiday it was fab, has a ranicover, sunshade, come with a changing mat, plenty of space for nappies, wipes, drinks, snacks etc.

ours was about £100 and i think they are more like £130-150 now, but it has been well worht the investement :)

[pootlebug]

Fraktious, where are you based?

There is a monthly sling meet in Wallingford in Oxfordshire - I'm not sure if they have sorted dates that far ahead but you could contact the organiser and see www.naturalmamas.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=141883