Backpack Carrier Buying Guide

Getting started

Backpack baby carriers aren't just for people who want to take hikes on nature trails with their tots in tow. Many parents use the carriers for less exotic trips to the mall, the zoo, or just to walk the dog.

Most backpack carriers are for children old enough to sit up independently, with full head and neck control. That's usually around 6 months of age. Although some carriers feature moldable head and neck support for children as young as 3 months, we don't recommend them.

Backpack carriers can typically be used to carry a child and gear totaling 30 to 50 pounds, although some models can carry as much as 70 pounds. The weight of the pack itself can add another 4 to 7 pounds to the load, so consider that when choosing a pack. A heavier model might make it more difficult for you to carry your child.

Most backpack carriers have an aluminum or aluminum alloy frame, which, together with the waist or hip belt, distributes the weight of the baby and your gear along your back, shoulders, and hips, rather than all on your shoulders and neck, as some front infant carriers do, especially those without a waist belt.

Wearing a pack with a padded hip belt that feels comfortable is critical, says Scott Bautch, a chiropractor, CEO of Allied Health Chiropractic Centers in Wisconsin, and father of six. "The majority of the weight should be carried on your hips. The shoulder straps are only there to control the motion of the backpack. You should fit the pack from your hips up, not your shoulders down."