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Original poster

Baby Backpacks --> Do I have to try before I buy??

19 replies

ARAG · 22/04/2009 19:46

Baby backpacks are so expensive!

I'm trying to save a pound or two by buying used. There are some good options out there online, but my question is: do I have to try before I buy? Or can I rely on a well-reviewed product (e.g. Bushbaby Premier/Elite, etc.) being a pretty safe bet?

OP posts:
blithedance · 22/04/2009 23:09

To be honest we had two backpacks, fairly cheap, given to us, and both were pretty OK in use. Perhaps not as super-luxurious as a Bushbaby. I think they have plenty of adjustment as both DH and I could use them and we are very different heights. Sorry I don't have them any more or I'd offer you one!

laraeo · 23/04/2009 13:36

We got a Bushbaby elite and you're right - it was a pain trying to find a place that stocked the whole range but I finally did. The Elite definitely adjusts in a huge variety of ways and the vertical adjustment for the wearer is very easy to do. My DS (now 14 mos) has fallen asleep in it without a lot of fuss and it has a ton of extra storage. When we were in Cornwall, DH slipped on a coastal trail whilst wearing it/him and it didn't bother DS at all. He stayed just where he should. DH also doesn't really try to keep DS upright when putting it/him on and again - no worries - DS stays put in the seat bit. We're going to use it on a month-long trip to France later this spring. The only negative I can say is that the full length rain cover on the Elite doesn't stay put in high winds because it relies on what I consider fairly wimpy velcro. Keep in mind, these were very stormy, coastal winds so I'm not sure how fair my criticism is.

Original poster
ARAG · 23/04/2009 15:17

Thanks to you both for your replies! I would like to get my hands on a used Bushbaby elite if I can, particularly as we do aspire to get out there on the trails. It has such rave reviews, which I find particularly comforting with my lousy back! We'll see what gumtree and ebay have to offer!

Blithedance, you're friends with the right folks! To be given two backpacks... how good! We're one of the first in our circle of friends to have a baby, so we are blazing trails in that way as well.

Laraeo, was the Bushbaby Elite a bit too much for running errands 'round town?

OP posts:
Original poster
ARAG · 23/04/2009 15:17

(a bit too much fuss/backpack/size, that is)

OP posts:
laraeo · 23/04/2009 18:51

It's a pretty substantial backpack. There's a pouch on the hip belt that you can put mobile, cards, cash in - it's the same storage compartment that the mirror is in. I've had a bit of a time getting it adjusted so I can easily zip/unzip the hip pouch but DH has been more the designated baby wearer. The large zip off nappy bag isn't accessible if you're by yourself and wearing DC - you'd need to take off the Elite to get to it. The only thing that would take some practice is getting it back on yourself if you've had to change a nappy/get lunch/etc. Not a big deal since DH just slings the thing around to get it on with DS sitting inside. I'm more of a "let's find a chair/use the back of the estate to help prop it up while I get it on" sorta girl. I've also found people are pretty eager to help if they think you're struggling - I think it's as much to get a closer look at the thing than anything else. We've got quite a few smiles from folks as we walk down the street.

Again, I really like it and recommend it. And at least you don't have to buy all the extras like you do with some of the more elaborate baby backpacks.

eastereggfeaster · 24/04/2009 17:45

ARAG I have one for sale. Very nearly new. Please send me a message and I will be able to tell you more!

Aspire2Iron · 24/04/2009 20:01

Hi Easter! (Ack! Does MN really require £5 for the facility to send a message?)

Do tell me more... my email is [email protected].

Laraeo, thanks again for the details. Sounds like you've had a great time with it. Yey!

Aspire2Iron · 24/04/2009 20:02

Ah yes... sorry to say. I've name-changed. This is ARAG here!

Aspire2Iron · 24/04/2009 20:03

(Ooops... "sorry forgot to say"...)

eastereggfeaster · 24/04/2009 21:37

Just realised that because the Elite is MASSIVE it would be a right pain to package up and send. So, sorry to do this to you but I think I'm going to sell it locally instead. It is an excellent carrier though so good luck with finding one.

I do have a lightly used Ergo that is postable though...

Aspire2Iron · 03/05/2009 20:17

Thanks anyway easteregg. Happy selling!

TheMysticMasseuse · 03/05/2009 20:23

have you thought of getting an ergo or patapum? they are soft carriers but work beautifully for back carries. i have one (patapum) and i love it, v comfortable to carry dd2 who is 11 months for 2-3 hours. it weighs nothing, folds compact and is machine washable...

Aspire2Iron · 03/05/2009 20:29

Hi TMM! Thanks for the tip. After quite a bit of digging around on MN and elsewhere, I'm going to try out a Mei Tai carrier. I'm surprising myself, really, but folks have been soo positive about them and I do like the idea (like with the ergo or patapum) that the carrier itself weighs next to nothing and is soft and easily packed away. Am still open to getting a framed backpack, though, as my hunch is that their ergonomic-sophistication is good for bad-back-sufferers like myself.

My dd is 15months and getting heavier by the day... do/did you use your ergo with your 1st child?

mawbroon · 03/05/2009 20:35

I would second the ergo suggestion.

I had a framed carrier for ds which I used from 4months until he was a year old. He sat very high up and away from my body. I hurt my back using it and thought that was the end of my baby carrying days and bought a buggy. I hated the buggy tbh, but thought oh well, he's too heavy.

Then we moved back to the city where I started to get the bus a lot, and after having to fold the buggy, get on the bus with it, and carrying a non mobile 2yo ds, I thought that was probably worse for my back than trying another carrier.

At this point I got an ergo, and now ds is 3.6yo, weighs 36lbs and I can still carry him with no probs with my back. He does walk most of the time, but at some point almost every day he is too tired, or I don't have the time to walk at 3yo pace, so just pop him in the ergo.

TheMysticMasseuse · 03/05/2009 20:37

i did but not as much, i got it when dd1 was 14 months and only used it for 2 or 3 months (she was an early and enthusiastic walker). used it with dd2 since she was 5 months.

patapum have a toddler version too whcih has a higher back and is prob more comfortable for older babies.

Aspire2Iron · 03/05/2009 20:54

Hmm.... eeenteresting....

(firing up google to have a look)

flymetothemoon · 03/05/2009 21:10

I've got an ergo for sale....

smellen · 03/05/2009 21:11

Ergos are fab

flymetothemoon · 03/05/2009 21:11

will email you!

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