Baby Backpacks

My husband and I have always loved to go hiking and backpacking, and even with our children, we want to continue these pursuits.  Hiking is the easy one to plan and implement.  It gets a lot trickier when planning a backpacking trip.  Things are so much more complicated figuring out the need to pack out all the dirty, smelly diapers and make sure there is enough water and formula for all necessary bottles (if only I could breastfeed...that would make feedings much more simple).

Anyway...on to the point...when James was an infant we purchased a Sherpani backpack carrier because it has more cargo space and can hold up to 70 lbs. (weight of child and gear).  We figured we would go backpacking a lot.  Let's just say...we have taken James on one backpacking trip before Sam came into our lives.  This isn't to say we didn't use the backpack carrier...it was used a lot for day hikes and snowshoe adventures, but for the purpose we purchased it, it was used one time.

With Sam, I had been carrying him around in the Baby Bjorn the first hike we went on, but then we decided we would get him a backpack carrier as well since he is gaining weight well and puts some strain on my shoulder for long time periods in the Bjorn...not to mention he isn't a huge fan of the Bjorn anymore either.  Well...we went with a more expensive backpack carrier this time around looking at the comfort factor over backpacking ability because with two that becomes even more impossible than it was before.  We settled on the Deuter Kid Comfort III.  Not only is Sam more comfortable now, but the Deuter is an amazingly comfortable backpack.  We have used it a total of two times, but to be fair, we just bought the Deuter two weeks ago.

My husband is already considering loading our toddler up into the Deuter to see how he does in it and see if there is a big difference in comfort for him (my husband).   If so, he is tempted to get a second one for James as well.  I did carry James in the Sherpani for our backpack trip, and I can attest that the Deuter is more comfortable, but there is also a sizable weight difference between my infant and toddler.

Sherpani Rhumba Carrier
Pros:
Can carry up to 70 lbs. (including child and gear)
Foot stirrups for child (these are described as an amazing thing, and I know people whose children love to be able to shift their weight...however, our toddler hates having his feet stuck in the stirrups. He would much rather bring his feet up and rest them on the metal frame)
Comes with shade cover and rain enclosure
Storage space for supplies
Less expensive

Con:
Nowhere for child to rest head (we always have to bundle up a sweatshirt for our toddler to sleep comfortably...he will actually ask for a pillow when he is ready to try to sleep)
More straps to fasten

Deuter Kid Comfort III
Pros:
Comfortable padding on the back and should straps for the adult carrying the backpack
Soft, molded pillow for the infant to rest their head (removable for washing)
Storage space for diapers and all other necessary items.
Straps are incorporated for strapping baby in
Comes with shade enclosure
Small mirror velcroed in side pocket to allow you to view your child behind you
Can hold a hydration system

Con:
More expensive (However, with how often we go out hiking and snowshoeing it will pay for itself)

I am sure there are other factors as well.  These are just some of the ones I have noticed personally in the short time we have owned the Deuter.