The Best Baby Carriers for Hiking in 2021

A consistent favorite of parents and testers, the Osprey Poco is a top-of-the-line baby carrier that includes AirSpeed suspension for carryability and ventilation and has one of the most stable frames of any hiking child carrier backpack. Maximum recommended weight is 48.5 pounds.

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.

The Clevr Baby Backpack is the least expensive carrier on our list, which makes it a favorite of budget-conscious parents. At five pounds, parents report loving the lightweight construction of the Baby Backpack Cross-Country Carrier.

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.

The Boba 4G is a soft pack that grows with your baby; however, it may be uncomfortable on longer treks.

It's a front-facing carrier for children up to twenty-five pounds, and can convert into a back carrier for twenty-five- to forty-five-pound children.

The sleep hood is great for napping newborns, and the foot straps provide extra comfort and stability for toddlers. Additionally, the Boba is designed for ease and comfort during nursing, so you don’t have to worry about a hungry baby during a nature excursion.

But it does have its faults. Because the Boba is a soft pack, you don’t have the same convenience and stability you would loading your baby in and out of a freestanding, hard-frame carrier.

Also, keeping your baby carrier clean is important, so the Boba’s penchant for attracting lint has been one of the top complaints of parents. And even though the Boba is designed to be adjustable, many smaller-framed adults struggle to make it fit properly, leading them to return it.

The Thule Sapling Carrier is one of the most expensive backpacks on our list, but the solid construction and loaded extras keep it a favorite for parents and reviewers. Recommended for children between 15 and 40 pounds.

This carrier boasts extra inner-thigh support and 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. And no one will go thirsty with the included hydration sleeve that is roomy enough for a 3 L reservoir.

As for downsides, deploying the kickstand can require force, which causes concern if you need to use it while baby is strapped in.

And extras are awesome, but not if they don’t come as promised—many customers have reported missing items when they open the box.

Loaded with extras, the Phil&teds Escape offers comfort, safety, and perks. Suitable for children ages three months to three years.

The Escape comes standard with a sleeping hood, changing pad, removable daypack, rain shield, mirror, and foot stirrups. And baby is all set for a trailside nap thanks to the moldable headrest and shoulder cradle that offer snug support to developing neck muscles.

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.

When you strap on a baby backpack, you want it to carry as many extras as possible. You certainly don’t want to add a diaper bag to the supplies you need to transport.

• Storage
  The thing about taking a baby on a hike is that they come with extra baggage like diapers, bottles, and snacks. Consider the number and size of storage pockets and look for places to carry other essentials like water and your phone.
• 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.