Recommendations for a carrier for toddlers?

[Lavender14]

So looking a bit of advice! I love going walking in rural areas but they're not always suitable for a pram. Ds is 2 (he's tall and sturdy for his age) and he's a good wee walker but he does get tired and he's getting too big for me to comfortably carry so I'm considering getting a proper child carrier that I could wear to see if that is better for both of us?

Any advice on what I should be considering or any brands people rate?

I'm a bit worried about spending the money and then finding my back/knees can't take it or just the issue of balancing when on uneven terrain/ steep hills.

I'm not the fittest but I'm working on building this up.

We have an Osprey Poco backpack carrier. It’s fantastic. So much more comfortable and better weight distribution than a cheaper brand we also had for a bit. Pricey though…

Thank you! Did you find you needed to build up to using it for longer hikes?

Also wondering if anyone can advise how long would be a reasonable distance to expect a 2 year old to be able to walk (no health issues and generally really happy to be out in nature).

I prefer a buckle carrier to the hiking carrier we have, as the hiking carrier is so heavy all by itself! Having said that, the hiking one is much better in the heat as otherwise it can be like carrying a hot water bottle. We have the Deuter one. I think Go Outdoors tend to have them in stock, definitely worth trying first.

I went to a sling library and found that the Tula suited me best, but that was a few years ago now and I'm sure there's lots more choice.

I used fabric slings at that age, as I found the structured backpacks a bit big and heavy for me, and having the toddler strapped close meant we shared body heat which was good when it was cold and they weren’t moving. I also found fabric ones were lighter and easier to stuff in a bag when the toddler wants to walk.

If you haven’t used them before, maybe try your local sling library and hire a few different ones to see what suits you?

I thought I’d love the structured ones with buckles and stuff like a rucksack, but in the end found the meh dai style spread the weight much better for me, and I just accepted that sometimes the straps would get muddy and I’d shove it in the washing machine later.

Are you able to take them out of the sling library for a period of time to test them? That's fantastic! I thought they just did fittings!

Tula. Toddler or preschool depending on weight.

Also offroad buggys are awesome. We did alot of forest walks with our out n about nipper.

I love the idea of an off Rd buggy but honestly at this point ds is in and out of it so often wanting to walk that I end up walking with him and it! Lone parent so I'm out on my own with ds so anything that frees up hands or is really light weight to carry is the ticket!

Definitely find a sling library - try loads on, with your DC in it, & hire the ones you like out for a few weeks & see which works best.
We had Tula's - both standard & Toddler. Used them till DC were around 3-4.

My local one does hires - and I think there are some online ones too. But being able to try them on with an expert there to help is worth it, if you possibly can get to your local one.

I physically couldn’t do this with my son, who is on the slim side, I’m only 5ft 1” so it would have been impossible. Husband bought a backpack carrier which we used a handful of times for walks out in the wild. It’s harder now he’s 3, neither of us can carry him for extended periods of time and he’s not ready for big walks yet!

Hmm given your updates I’m not sure the structured backpack (I recommended the Osprey) is right for you. Not if he’s getting in and out of it, walking by himself a lot, and you’re a single parent. It is heavy and cumbersome even when the child isn’t in it.
edit: cumbersome autocorrected to cucumber some 😂

At that age I used a half buckle toddler sized Mei Tai for ds which was ideal as when he was out it just tucked against your back out of the way. We did have a Little Life framed carrier but didn't like the weight distribution as they are away from your body and it was also more of a pain to put on and off than just swinging a toddler onto your back

I have that Osprey one, and it's quite good, def easier to carry than a large child in a normal sling. But I would say don't get one if you're shorter than me (5'4''). On me and similar sized DP it rubs slightly on the shoulders on the smallest setting and is clearly designed for someone taller. Also agree with off-road buggy - we use ours way more than the carrier. DS1 is now 3.5 and I'd say could walk up to 3 miles with the promise of a playground at the end.

Look at rose and rebellion I'm a short arae and manage to carry my 5 year old ( and beyond) all over the place.

I'm 5ft 10 so quite tall!

It’s partly height and partly shoulder width - if the straps are further apart than about the middle of your shoulders they slip down and aren’t comfortable. The chest strap can help keep them on, but is horribly uncomfortable if you’re big busted, IME.

Quite difficult to get the backpacks on and off by yourself with a heavy toddler/preschooler. I always get my other half to help and would really struggle without him.