Child Carrier Rucksack recommendations

[Gonkster]

Does anyone have any opinion on the child carrier rucksacks on the market? I want to get one to haul DD (10mths) around and go camping/hiking etc but there are quite a few. I borrowed a MacPac and that seemed to be good but does anyone like the Karrimor ones? Are there any you wouldn't recommend? Am happy to spend a reasonable amount as it'll get good wear so needs to last. Thanks!

My rather subjective experience is that the cheap and cheerful Tomy backpack I had was brilliant - I could carry them miles in it. For ds2 we've borrowed an all-singing all-dancing Bushbaby, and I've never once had a comfortable walk with it.

Just been looking at the bushbaby website! Hadn't heard of them but did a google search. They're not cheap if they're not comfortable!

It may be because having borrowed it without instructions we've just never got the back length right, blah blah blah. I know a couple of families using them at the moment, who presumably don't find them desperately uncomfortable.

If you want a framed carrier, the LittleLife ones are good - if you are non average height, the Elite has an adjustable back system which is excellent. Mucho money though. We tend to use ours when one person is out on their own with DS all day as it has loads of storage capacity.

For everyday, we use soft carriers - MeiTais - which are much less bulky to carry round and more versatile. Also, once they start really walking you can roll them up/strap them tight to your back, and they don't get in the way. 50 quid new, or much less second hand

Thanks cmotdibbler. I already have a Meitai which I love, but I'm thinking of investing in a more substantial one which is waterproof, potentially with a rain hood etc for more adventurous outings... (we're not talking Mount Everest here though!)

Very keen on Little Life, especially if you're planning on going out in bad weather, because the rain cover is great. It's biggest flaw, though, is that it isn't freestanding. We had a cheap(ish) carrier from Mothercare that stood up and found that was a very handy feature.

Ah, then for the Little Life carriers they come with a rain cover as standard, which is OK, but you can get a more encompassing cover that fits over the occupants head, going into a hood with a peaked front, which looks great. Little Trekkers have good prices on carriers and are v v helpful.
Our Elite does stand up well - not that you could leave it unattended, but plenty for putting them in and on.

Thanks. I'm defo looking for one that is adjustable as I'm only 5'2'' and found the one we borrowed was good because I could adjust it but only just enough to fit me. I hear some aren't as adjustable to I need to avoid those ones.

We have a Karrimor and found it very comfortable. Downside is we didn't get one with a sunshade and rain cover, but got round the rain by getting DD a complete rainsuit which works just as well.

The Little Life ones do have a good reputation but money constraints had an impact on our choice