Toddler Carrier - Recommendations Pls

[TurtleAnn]

Hi,
I bought the BabyBjorn Active when my son was a baby and I loved it, it didn't hurt my back and I carried him loads. Then he got too big and went in the MacClaren buggy, which I love.
Now he can walk and we also want to get out and walk and there are lots of places to go where a buggy isn't suitable, e.g. walks in the country, walks along the beach.
So, can anyone recommend a toddler carrier? My son is 14-months and 11.6kg at the moment.
I have looked at the substantial backpack cages (they look a little off putting and not cute like my Baby Bjorn), if that is what is needed then thats what we'll get but I'm hoping you lot will be able to recommend something a little more 'up my street' that is practical and not back-breaking.
x

Soft-structured carrier like Ergo or Connecta (I have Connecta and love it) or a mei-tei. I prefer the SSC because they have padded shoulder straps and buckles rather than ties. My DD is 14Kg and my son is 9Kg and they both go in the Connecta (though I can't carry DD for hours).

We have a framed carrier too, but that is for DH as it is more manly - I don't see the point of carrying the weight of the carrier as well as the kid though!

I carried my 3.4 yo on my back in my Ergo at the weekend with no problems. It was pretty difficult getting him up onto my back when he was younger but we managed! Or with the Ergo you can swivel it round and have him facing you.

We had a Karrimor framed carrier which was fine but bought a Patapum, similar to an Ergo but cheaper, to go on holiday with. It's brilliant and I would highly recommend. We'll never use the framed carrier again. I carried my big 2.4 dd whilst 16 weeks pregnant with no trouble.

The Ergo is the best piece of baby kit we have. I use it loads, its really comfy. I can carry DD for miles! Same as Allegrogirl, our framed carrier (secondhand thank goodness!) hasn't been out of the cupboard since we bought the ergo.

I love our ergo and DH and I use it to carry DS (20 months, heavier than 13kgs but no idea how much heavier) on teh daily commute and also on walks in the peak district. We can each carry him for hours at a time with no probs.

we got a chicco backcarrier from ASDA for about £50. Was by far the cheapest framed carrier we found and does the job well. We live in a rural area where most walks of any length need this rather than a buggy so its had some use and DS likes it. YOu can also sit them in it to eat if you are picnicing or at a place that doesn't have highchairs. It is a little lacking on storage with only a small pouch but there are plastic clips that you can hang a small rucksack from.

Baby Hawk do a Toddler Hawk version of their brilliant mei tai sling. I've got the baby one and it's incredibly comfortable. No hard parts at all. I got mine from SaSa Slings' website. I'd highly recommend it.

Thanks, I'm looking at the Toddler Hawk, it seems to go up to 40lb, which is 18 kg.