The Benefits of a Backpack Baby Carrier

A backpack baby carrier carries your child on your back and distributes their weight more evenly, along the hips and shoulders (when properly fitted). It’s a good alternative to front infant carriers like SSCs, which tend to put too much strain on the neck and shoulders. Backpacks, when used correctly, are also comfortable for both you and your baby, and help promote healthy hip positioning in babies that can reduce the risk of developmental dysplasia.

Many baby backpacks have adjustable torsos to ensure a secure fit for a variety of wearers. The Osprey Poco Plus’ body-contoured structure, for instance, disperses the load so that it hardly feels like you have a child on your back at all. And its breathable mesh on the shoulder straps, hipbelt, and around the child cockpit keep you both cool on hot hikes or long trips.

Other backpacks, such as the Kelty Journey PerfectFit and Deuter Kid Comfort Venture, have an X-shaped frame that allows for more articulation in the hip belt. That means they can better adjust to twisting motions when you’re hiking over logs or navigating a rocky incline. And they’re rated to carry up to 48 pounds, including baby and gear.

The budget-friendly LuvdBaby Baby Carrier, on the other hand, has an X-shaped frame but lacks the padding of its more expensive counterparts and only carries up to 40 pounds—including baby and gear. It’s still a solid option for families who are on a tight budget but want the convenience of a backpack that can be packed away for short excursions.