LittleLife Traveller S5 review: a lightweight baby carrier backpack for days out

Our verdict

The LittleLife Traveller S5 Child Carrier is a lightweight, compact baby carrier backpack for families who want a framed carrier for days out without the bulk of a traditional hiking backpack. Weighing just 1.8kg, it folds flat for storage and transport, making it particularly appealing for shorter walks and travel.

Holly liked its streamlined design and felt secure when walking with her son in the carrier. However, she found getting him in and out tricky without help, and the limited storage meant she still needed to take a separate backpack on longer walks. Her son was generally happy when awake but didn’t nap as easily as he did in other carriers.

Holly said: “It’s fine if it’s only being used for short walks where you don’t need to bring much with you, or if you’re always with other people.”

Overall, it’s a good option for families who prioritise portability and simplicity over extensive storage or longer-distance carrying comfort.

How we tested the LittleLife Traveller S5 Child Carrier

Holly tested the LittleLife Traveller S5 for several months with her son, from 10 to 13 months old. She used it on shorter local walks as well as a few longer countryside outings.

During testing, she assessed how easy the carrier was to set up and adjust, how comfortable it was for both parent and child, and how practical its lightweight design proved to be on different walks. She also considered storage, cleaning and how well it suited her family’s needs.

Once testing was complete, Holly scored the carrier across eight criteria: performance, quality and durability, ease of use, value for money, safety features, ergonomic support, comfort and adjustability. These scores were combined to give an overall rating out of 100.

Who is the LittleLife Traveller S5 Child Carrier best suited to?

In Holly’s opinion, this carrier backpack is best suited to:

• Parents taking short local walks (around 60 to 90 minutes)

• Dog owners who want their hands free

• Families who don’t need to carry much with them

• Babies who are happy to nap in different settings

The LittleLife Traveller S5’s lightweight design makes it easier for parents to carry children on family walks without the bulk of a larger carrier.

What’s in the box?

The LittleLife Traveller S5 comes with:

• The carrier backpack

• A carrier bag for storage and transport

Holly also tested two optional accessories, sold separately:

• LittleLife Sun Shade: A canopy designed to provide extra protection from the sun.

• LittleLife Waterproof Rain Cover: A waterproof cover designed to help protect your child and the carrier in wet weather.

The sun shade and rain cover aren’t included in the standard box, so you’ll need to buy them separately if you want extra protection from the elements.

Does the LittleLife Traveller S5 Child Carrier come with any extras or accessories?

The carrier comes with a storage bag. Holly didn’t find it particularly useful during testing, as her family usually travelled by car or left home on foot with her son already in the carrier. However, she could see it being handy for air travel if the carrier wasn’t needed in the airport.

How easy is the LittleLife Traveller S5 Child Carrier to assemble and set up?

The LittleLife Traveller S5 requires very little assembly before it’s ready to use. Holly found that the initial adjustments took a little time to get used to, but she was able to get everything sorted quickly.

Holly says: “The carrier essentially came ready-to-wear. I only had to make a couple of minor adjustments to make it fit me. It took a bit of time to understand how to adjust everything but from unboxing to having it all sorted didn’t take longer than 15 minutes.”

The LittleLife Traveller S5 has padded shoulder straps and an adjustable back system to help parents find a comfortable fit.

How does the LittleLife Traveller S5 Child Carrier look?

At just 1.8kg, the LittleLife Traveller S5 is lightweight for a framed child carrier. Its internal metal frame gives it structure, while its compact design and ability to fold flat make it easier to store and transport than a bulkier backpack carrier.

Holly says: “The carrier looks high quality. The material looks durable and there’s a lot of padding where it’s needed. It includes buckles, fastening and straps which work well and fit into the overall design well.

I like the fact it’s all black but doesn’t look shiny. It’s kind of an off black and if you look closely there’s almost a checkered pattern. It looks and feels very streamlined which is the benefit of not having much storage space!

What’s it like to use the LittleLife Traveller S5 Child Carrier day to day?

The carrier is designed to carry your child on your back, with an adjustable harness to help keep them secure and a padded seat for support. As with other framed carriers, getting your child in and lifting the carrier onto your back takes a little practice. Having someone nearby to steady the carrier can help.

Holly found getting her son into the carrier tricky, but once he was in, she felt it was secure when walking. Her son was generally happy in the carrier when awake but didn’t nap as easily as he did in other carriers. Holly felt he sat in the ergonomic ‘M’ position, but struggled to find a comfortable head position for sleeping. For this reason, Holly felt the carrier was best suited to shorter family walks rather than longer outings where a nap might be needed.

How comfortable is the LittleLife Traveller S5 Child Carrier?

The carrier has padded shoulder straps, a supportive harness and a soft face pad designed to cushion your child’s head. Its lightweight, streamlined design also makes it easier to move around in than bulkier framed carriers.

Holly found she could move around easily while wearing it and felt more grounded, while her son seemed comfortable when awake, even if he didn’t settle as easily for naps.

Padded shoulder straps help make carrying more comfortable, while the included storage bag makes it easier to pack the LittleLife Traveller S5 away when it’s not in use.

How adjustable is the LittleLife Traveller S5 Child Carrier?

Suitable from six months, the carrier has a maximum weight limit of 15kg and an adjustable back system to help tailor the fit to the wearer. It offers one main carrying position, with your child carried on your back facing towards you.

Holly says: “It’s pretty adjustable. My partner and I are really different heights and builds and it works well for both of us. It does feel like my son won’t be able to fit in it much longer though even though he’s only 13 months.”

Does the LittleLife Traveller S5 Child Carrier have storage pockets?

There’s one main pocket at the front for smaller essentials, keeping the design lightweight and streamlined. Holly also tested the Out n About Nipper Trek, which offers more storage, with multiple pockets including larger front pockets and mesh side pockets.

She would have preferred more space for family hikes, as she still needed a separate backpack for extra supplies. The compact design has its advantages, but may be less practical for longer outings when you need to carry more.

Is the LittleLife Traveller S5 Child Carrier easy to clean?

Holly found the carrier easy to keep clean during testing, with no issues when wiping down the fabric.

Holly says: “Yes, very. We’ve been able to do so by just wiping it with a cloth and this had no impact on the material. Only the face pad is machine washable (but that’s fine since you can just wipe the rest of it).”

Is the LittleLife Traveller S5 Child Carrier good value for money?

At £180, the LittleLife Traveller S5 is a well-made, lightweight option for families who mainly take shorter outings. Holly felt it offered good value for this kind of use, although families planning longer hikes may find the limited storage less practical.

It’s also worth factoring in the cost of optional accessories, with the LittleLife Rain Cover costing around £35 and the Sun Shade £25, if you want extra protection from the weather.

For comparison, the Out n About Nipper Trek costs around £250 and comes with a sunshade and rain cover, as well as offering more storage. The LittleLife Traveller S5 costs less and is lighter, so it may suit families who want a simpler carrier for shorter walks without paying extra for features they don’t need.

About the author

Tammy Jacks has over 20 years of experience in the publishing industry, holding key roles such as Managing Editor and Health & Beauty Editor for Woman & Home magazine in South Africa, and Assistant Editor for Living and Loving—a parenting title focused on children's health and development.

She has also contributed to various lifestyle publications (including magazines, journals, and newspapers) and edited books for fitness influencers and health professionals. As a researcher and writer, Tammy specialises in children's development, wellbeing, and safety with a particular interest in car seat safety. Over the years, she has reviewed countless toys and developmental aids for children as well as top baby travel options for busy families like baby carriers, child bike seats and lightweight strollers, to name a few.