The Best Baby Carriers for Hiking in 2021

Looking for a baby carrier designed to help you hit the trail with your little one?

We consider the Osprey Poco the best baby carrier for hiking because its unique child harness is by far the easiest to buckle. The slightly more expensive Deuter Kid Comfort is our second favorite thanks to its incredible comfort for both parent and child.

An extra-wide base, locking foot bar, and dual grab handles provide stability as you load and unload your child.

Storage isn’t a concern with the Poco. A removable pack provides all the extra storage you need to keep your little one's supplies handy. Plus, you can use it on its own for shorter urban hikes or walks.

Note that it's not for infants, though. The minimum weight is 16 pounds—you can’t use the Poco until your little one can hold their head up. There is no insert or adjustability to accommodate smaller babies.

And the price tag reflects its quality. It’s hard to get top-of-the-line benefits without a top-of-the-line price tag, and the Poco is no exception. This baby backpack will cost a little bit more than most, but reviewers say the perks are worth it.

This hiking carrier boasts a five-point harness, chin and head cushion, and foot stirrups for your little one, which keeps their weight evenly distributed for ultimate comfort.

A viewing mirror gives you eyes in the back of your head, making it easy to monitor your baby throughout the hike. It also comes with a sun shade.

As for downsides, the backpack itself is pretty heavy at seven pounds.

This fixed-frame baby carrier backpack features impressive storage. You’ll find a place for everything, with multiple pockets, two water bottle holders, and an extra-large pocket that’s a perfect fit for diapers.

However, across the board, users find this backpack to be less comfortable than others, with limited padding and no foot pegs for the child.

And the size and strength of the waist belt and padding aren’t sufficient to avoid slipping and bunching during wear. This carrier is recommended for children between 16 and 40 pounds.

You can safely load and unload baby in this secure backpack that features two carry handles and a pop-in and pop-out stand that makes it easy to safely set the pack down—even with one hand.

But note that all that stability, plus extras, equals a pack that’s fairly heavy even before you strap your little one in.

This backpack comes with a generous hydration pouch, but despite so many other included extras, the water bladder has to be purchased on its own.

It's a front-facing carrier for infants weighing at least 7 pounds. It can also be used as a back carrier for toddlers up to 45 pounds. We love that it includes a booster insert to make it more comfy for newborns and supports different sitting positions. 

The sleep hood is great for napping newborns or general sun protection. Additionally, the Boba is designed for ease and comfort during nursing, so you don’t have to worry about making complicated rearrangements to feed your hungry baby on the trail.

Parents will also appreciate the smartphone pocket on the waist belt.

Boba 4GS updates

If you've previously used or considered a Boba 4G, you might know that adjustability and parent comfort were common complaints. Fortunately, Boba seems to have listened to their customers. The 4GS iteration includes strap extenders to make this pack more comfortable to parents of all shapes and sizes. 

We're disappointed that Boba decided to discontinue the 4G's foot stirrups when designing the Classic 4GS. As your baby grows into a toddler, they won't have this extra support for their feet.

Choosing the right baby carrier for hiking with your baby can feel overwhelming. It’s difficult to know exactly what you’re going to need. Safety, while certainly the most important factor, is one of many considerations that will impact how comfortable you both are and how long you’ll be able to stay on the trail.

The most important consideration when choosing a baby carrier for hiking is whether or not it will keep your baby safe. A secure child harness and supportive cockpit are must-haves.

• Harness security
  A secure harness keeps your child safe during every trek. Look for harness systems that are adjustable and comfortable around their legs, shoulders, and arms.
• Cockpit safety
  The cockpit is the area where your baby sits in the carrier. You want a well-designed cockpit that provides ample support for the neck, head, and back, as well as cushioned support in the front in case baby nods off during the hike.

It’s exciting to take baby on their first hike, but make sure that the baby carrier you choose is appropriate for your child’s weight and age.

• Age considerations
  Most baby backpacks will provide a recommended age range for use. If you’re eager to take out a newborn, be sure the carrier you use provides the right neck and head support. A baby typically won’t be able to ride in a backpack until they can hold up their head and neck on their own.
• Weight considerations
  Along with age, baby carriers come with a recommended weight capacity. This is important for you and your little one, as you want to make sure the hiking carrier you use can support your baby’s weight. Consider how long the backpack will last as your child grows. For reference, the average three-year-old weighs up to 38 pounds.² 

Baby backpacks aren’t a small investment—make a purchase that will accommodate your hiking needs as long as possible.

• Adjustable sizing
  Because you probably won’t be the only one carrying your baby in the great outdoors, you want a baby carrier that easily adjusts to fit different adult body shapes and sizes. You don’t want to have to buy two packs for one child just so you and your partner can trade off carrying duty. 
• Multiple functions
  Many hiking baby carriers are designed to safely carry your baby from infancy to toddlerhood. As your baby grows, they'll prefer to sit in different positions. For example, newborns often need a carrier that supports their tendency to curl up into the "froggy" position, but toddlers might feel more secure with foot stirrups. A great hiking baby carrier will be comfy for more than one growth stage.

• Accessories
  Both you and baby will be more comfortable with a few perks. Accessories like sun shades, rain covers, key/toy rings, and drool pads can make your adventures into the outdoors more pleasant.

Want to learn more ways to keep your baby safe while on the move? Check out our Baby and Child Safety FAQ page, where we provide the answers you need to protect your little one.

Your ultimate choice of a hiking carrier depends on your personal preferences when it comes to storage and long-term comfort. But if we were the ones hitting the trail with a toddler, we'd choose the Osprey Poco. We love that it combines stability, storage, and comfort. It's a splurge, but totally worth it if it means less whining. 

As with all things "kid," things go in and out of fashion. Some of our original picks for best baby hiking carriers were no longer available. We scoured the internet to find brands with good reputations and reviews. We compared their features and prices to compile a buying guide. 

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1. Outside Business Journal, “Osprey Packs Introduces Award Winning Anti-Gravity Technology into Hydration and Kids Carriers for Spring 2016,” July 2015. Accessed September 22, 2021.

2. Cincinnati Children's, "Growth, Range of Height and Weight," April 2019. Accessed September 22, 2021.