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Andrea - posted on 01/02/2009

I have the active bjorn and love the back support it provides--its great I think for younger babies (I especially like that she seems happy to sleep in it while I hike!). I also have a Kelty but I only like it when my husband or a friend is with me--otherwise its a little frustrating not to be able to see the baby and not know what they are up to back there! The benefit though, is that if you are on a long hike you can pack everything into the pack part and don't need to worry about carrying a seperate bag for diapers and the like.

Tara - posted on 12/31/2008

I encourage picking up either an Ergo (which can be used as a soft backpack carrier) or a backpack carrier like a Kelty. We have the Backcountry -- it has a rain hood and he can ride high and look around. At least out here in the PNW, you can often find these in near new condition on Craigslist.

Our first hated the backpack carrier but loved the Ergo. Our second is equally happy with either. I'd suggest before getting a backpack carrier, bring them to your local REI, EMS or equivalent and try them out in them to see how they do! 6 months old is a wonderful time to get them started being carried!

Happy Hiking!

Lisa - posted on 12/31/2008

I really love the Ergo baby carrier. You can use it on your back when they are about six months old. I had a terrible time with the bjorn since the weight was centered completely on my back. The Ergo distributes the weight more evenly concentrating it mostly on my hips.

Michelle - posted on 12/29/2008

Hi! We love taking long walks and hiking. Once we outgrew the Bjorn at about 9 months we bought at Kelty Transit Carrier (we have the 2.1). I don't know that it is great for long serious hikes, but for an hour or two it would probably be fine. If you're looking to do a more intense hike, I'd suggest going with framed carrier and from all I've read, many people still highly recommend Kelty. My daughter loves our backpack carrier and often asks to go for walks in it.

User - posted on 12/20/2008

Hi! I have a few carriers and I'd recommend different ones for different scenerios. I've used both slings and baby trekkers for day hikes and found them fine for little ones, with the trekker being maybe a bit more suitable (you can do front and back carries, facing you or out in either, and it takes the weight and puts it on your hips like well adjusted backpack). For backcountry hikes we have a deuter backpack style one that can we also packed the baby's gear in. My son was 18mos the first time we took him for a multi-day backcountry hike, and 5 weeks old when we took him for his first winter hike in Canmore, Alberta (in the sling). A note about the backpack style one, I was 6 months pregnant with my second and it was still very comfortable when I had to shift the weight off my tummy and on to my shoulders. (and I have big kids)