Description
This article is from the Outdoor
Activities for Young Children FAQ, by Gloria Logan
glogan@atk.com with numerous contributions by others.
74 BACKPACKS FOR CARRYING KIDS: Montana
We also have the Montana. Originally we had the Kid Carrier, but
at the time it looked like it would be too much of a back pack for me.
Now, I don't know. One feature that it had that I really liked is that
it has two quick releases on the harness while the Montana only has
one. What I plan on doing is sewing on another quick release so the
harness won't have to be put over Savannah's head (makes life a little
easier!)
Our Montana is purple and green too. . . A little different than the
blue and red you alway see around!
I would advise against the low end Tough Traveler, I believe it's
the Colt. It's kind of cheesy and didn't seem like there was a good
deal of support or would fit a very large child.
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I think an expensive one is well worth the money in terms of comfort,
safety, and avoiding back trouble. One I can recommend from experience
is the Tommee Dream Rider. It's comfortable, robust, and so light that
I wondered if I had picked up an empty box by mistake :-)
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IMHO, get an expensive one. But of course, it does depend on how
you plan to use it.
Personally, I find that I have trouble tollerating 20# on my shoulders
for more than a few minutes. With a Tough Traveller, I was able to
take walks of a couple miles - even after she weighed 40+ pounds (I am
a backpacker, so that much weight is normal for me). Imagine an hour
shopping trip walking around a mall to realize the difference. A
proper hip belt makes all the difference. If you go to a better-
quality camping place (like REI) they can show you how to adjust the
straps so that the weight is really on your hips and not your shoulders.
I actualy like it more for shopping than a stroller. My hand were
free, I could walk through restricted isles and ride escellators
easily, and my daughter could see better and so was happier.
The characteristics I looked for:
- comfortable hip suspension
- frame size appropriate for your body (like a back pack)
- good harness (including seat strap AND shoulder straps) to hold
the child in - but one that is easy to use
- check out any small storage area (like under the child's seat) - for
me this eliminated the need for diaper bag on short trips
- jerk, pull and worry at the seams - look to see that they are strong
and not pulling out - to save material=money, some cheap companies
skimp on seam allowances; the seams that pull out after a little wear
and the pack becomes useless
- check the manufacturer's weight recommendations - consider how long
you can use the pack before your child gets too big
Go to the store with your child. Try on some of the packs, put your
child in them, and walk around the store.
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Antelope Mountain Sports makes a kid seat that bolts to a standard pack
frame. You probably have to drill two holes in the frame to match the
seat. We've had one for several years, and used it for backpacking with
a toddler and for taking walks with heavier kids. The seats have
gotten more expensive. I believe they're now about $60 (withOUT the
pack frame). Write or call:
Antelope Mountain Sports
288 Terraine
Cupertino, CA 95014
(408) 998-0431
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children, child, kid, Outdoor Activities, backpacking, ski, canoeing, biking, camping, trailer
