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Osprey Poco Soft Review
A soft carrier that can actually handle a trail, for $160 and under 2 lb. The hip belt is really supportive. The catch: there's nowhere to carry water, and the sunshade is really just a hood.
Osprey Poco SLT Review
It folds down smaller than any framed carrier we've tested, which is why it rides along on every Baja road trip. The catch: the sunshade costs extra, and nothing's within reach while it's on your back.
Osprey Poco Premium Review
It holds more than anything else we tested, and our kids nap under its mesh-sided sunshade like it's their job. It's our family's daily driver. The catch: it's the heaviest carrier in the guide, and you feel it.
Kelty Journey PerfectFIT Elite Review
A pocket for everything, even the muddy diaper, and a torso you can adjust while you're wearing it. It's the most feature-packed carrier we tested. The catch: buckling in a wiggly kid takes patience.
Deuter Kid Comfort Review
Our two-year-old climbs into this one by himself, and it vents better than anything else we tested. It's our pick for most families. Just know the sunshade has no mesh sides and no pocket of its own.
Best Hiking Baby Carriers 2026: Backpack Carriers for Babies and Toddlers
We tested five child carrier backpacks with our own kids, from Baja to Canada. The Deuter Kid Comfort is the one we would tell most families to buy, with picks for nappers, organizers, budgets and travel.
Flap Happy Kids’ UPF 50+ Swim Hat Review
The fastest-drying hat we tested and the only one made from swimsuit fabric. The catch: no chin strap, and Oren removed it every time he noticed it was on his head.
