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Littlelife Adventurer S2 review
Best Mid-Range Baby Carrier Backpack 2018
If you’re after a lightweight back carrier for short-to-medium-length trips then this could be the one for you. The new and improved Littlelife Ranger S2 is a perfect purchase that won’t break the bank or your back.
By Mumsnet HQ | Last updated Dec 14, 2022
Pros
- Kick-out leg
- Storage pocket in base
- Adjustable-back system
- Three-year limited warranty
Cons
- Not the best for longer walks
- Extra cost for weather cover
Key features of Littlelife Adventurer S2
- Kick-out leg for extra stability
- Adjustable seating area
- Pivoting hip belt for comfort
- RRP: £119.99
How big is the Littlelife Adventurer S2?
- Suitable from six months to three years old (max load is 20kg)
- 1.9kg
- 41 × 32 × 73cm (packed)
Extras
- Sun shade £20.99
- Foot stirrups £8.99
- Rain cover £29.99
Littlelife Adventurer S2 isn’t a statement backpack but it’s lightweight and great for day-to-day outings. This updated model of the Adventurer features better fabric and a new face pad to support your child.
How long does it take to assemble?
The Adventurer is ready to use straight out of the box. The straps take no time at all to get to grips with and everything adjusts as you would expect.
Unfortunately, the really useful sunshade and rain cover don’t come as standard and it costs another £50 for both. If you decide to buy them, they’re really easy to attach to the carrier but do add more height, so watch out for those branches and door frames.
Is the Littlelife Adventurer S2 safe?
The five-point harness is really sturdy and feels secure. Instead of needing to be fastened in front of the child when they are in the seat – a common but unpopular feature on other backpacks – the Littlelife Adventurer S2 goes over the child’s shoulders first and is then secured at the sides, making everybody’s lives easier.
The pack feels secure while on your back but can get a tad uncomfortable after sustained wearing with the child on board. It’s supremely light but could benefit from a little more padding to make it more comfortable for longer walks.
The new-and-improved head support was a hit with our tester’s son who had no problem falling to sleep while in the seat.
Are there any extra features?
If you’re after a carrier that provides shelter from the elements then you might want to look at alternatives as the additional sunshade and rain cover bump up the price of the Adventurer S2 up to around the £170 mark. For that cost, you might be better investing in a more expensive model that has these features, and more, as standard.
That being said, if you’re a fair-weather person then these extra features are far from essential and that’s an extra £50 in your pocket.
How good is it day to day?
The Littlelife Adventurer S2 is easy to adjust for both parent and baby. It’s more than comfortable for shorter walks of around 20-30 minutes.
The adjustable seat height means your baby can sit comfortably in the backpack while they grow. Unlike some other carriers, the Adventurer 2 is suitable from six months to three years, which is a long time in the baby product market and makes the price all the more impressive.
Thankfully, adjusting the seat isn’t fiddly in the slightest, meaning there is little risk of you trapping your finger in a fluster. For parents with more than one child, this feature also means you can adjust the seat to fit a slightly older child as well as your younger child (though not at the same time, obviously). Let the fighting commence.
Our tester praised the top grab-handle and the backpack’s overall portability. It’s a great bag when it comes to finding storage space in an ever-more-crowded house and can be slung into the car boot without taking everything else out first.
How easy is it to keep this mid-range baby carrier clean?
The green colour, along with its cartoon animal pattern, is very forgiving when it comes to dirt and grime. The fabric is brush-clean and it’s also very easy to remove the face pad and clean when needed.
Is it good value for money?
Littlelife Adventurer S2 is a no-nonsense carrier. Although it lacks the extra features some models offer, it's hard to quibble with this because the price is so reasonable. For shorter outdoor treks, this carrier is secure, sturdy and it was a popular choice with our little tester.
Is Littlelife a trusted manufacturer?
Littlelife has impressive credentials: at 15 years of age, this British brand caters for all your outdoor needs without breaking the bank. With adorable daysack and rucksacks for children – the dinosaur is a personal favourite of ours – Littlelife has been awarded two badges in our latest batch of testing. As well as the Best Mid-Range Baby Carrier Backpack, they also scooped the Best Budget badge for their Littlelife Ranger S2.
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