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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.
Best Hiking Shoes and Boots for Kids 2026
We tested six kids' hiking shoes on lava, slickrock, and lakeshores across five states. The Salomon XA Pro V8 Waterproof won, the Salomon Speedcross is the one our tester actually reaches for, and the $60 KEEN Newport H2 outlasted everything.
Salomon XA Pro V8 Waterproof — Kids’ Hiking Shoe Review
A five-year-old hiked all of Delicate Arch in these and never once said his feet were hot. They're waterproof, grippy, and our top pick. The toe box is the catch.
Salomon Speedcross — Kids’ Hiking Shoe Review
The shoe our five-year-old reaches for every single morning. Light, grippy, and he can put it on himself. Just don't make it the only pair.
KEEN Newport H2 — Kids’ Sandal Review
Seven months, a water park, the Painted Hills, and one very hard-on-shoes five-year-old. They still look close to new after a wash. Just keep the hikes short.
