We hike a lot, so when I set up our baby registry for our first baby I thought this would be an essential item. The Kelty brand is a good one and the color was very appealing (we chose the taupe/orange color combo, which is a more our style than green or blue). The first time we took our daughter out in this she was around four-five months old. She rode in it fine and comfortably, but when she became tired she really didn't have a way to lay her head down and go to sleep. We also had an Ergo and an Infantino carrier. These carriers are way to hot with the baby snug against you for hiking in really warm weather, but I often stuffed the Infantino carrier in the backpack part of the Kelty so I could switch my daughter to that once she became tired and wanted to sleep. So I don't know how they could improve the design where that is concerned, but when I could use the ergo I definitely preferred that, because it was kind of inevitable that she would get tired and want to sleep. The few times she did fall asleep in the Kelty she looked terribly uncomfortable and her head bobbed around. So if you have money to spare, this carrier is useful, but I did not find it essential to have to enjoy the outdoors with a baby. Safety After I used this carrier I learned about how baby carriers that let a baby's legs dangle can put stress on the hip joints and pull them out of alignment, causing problems for walking that can require physical therapy. This carrier definitely falls into the category of carriers that let the legs dangle. Baby's Comfort The seat area often looked uncomfortable and it took a lot of adjusting to get my baby seated so that her spine was in proper alignment.

KatyMae

USA

My husband had been wanting to get one of these long before kids were on our horizon, and since we had a son, his desire only increased! Since we bought one, he's wanted to use it anywhere he goes with our little guy. We really like how nice it is overall, and I feel completely safe with my baby way up in it! Safety The straps to hold baby in are very strong-locking, and they hold him in completely safely! The overall safety is right on. Baby's Comfort He is completely surrounded by cushion and he frequently falls asleep on hikes!! I'd say he is very comfortable! Parents' Comfort This backpack is made for comfort, and it's so padded. I even feel strong enough to use it for a hike! Ease of Use Very portable, folds up, and is so simple to slide and snap baby in and put on! Design Colors could be a little better, but it's a completely functional backpack! Durability This will last for years, and you can find evidence of that by lots listed on Craigslist or at secondhand stores!

flowergrlaz

USA

Love this carrier! It is comfortable, easy to use and light weight. It is so easy to get on and off. Love the kickstand feature. Comes with a sunshade to protect your precious baby's head. toy loops for your little one. My daughter loves to be carted around town in this or hiking in the back woods. This pack is so worth it!!

sunnieskys

Chestertown, MD

We used this carrier for 2 children, and there were several really nice features, such as the sun shield and attached backpack. Another really nice thing about it is that it is really very adjustable, both to the adult's and the child's sizes. You can adjust where the hip belt lies, along with how tight the shoulder straps are. Also, there is a nice chest strap that keeps it stable. For the baby, you can adjust how high or low they sit in there, the angle their legs are, and their shoulder straps. However, this feature of being highly adjustable can also cause issues if your baby isn't adjusted just right. Once we couldn't figure out why our daughter was not comfortable and it was because one of the leg straps was a little too tight (there are just so many straps and it's hard to make sure they are all just right). Also, make sure their torso is strapped in good so they feel nice and secure, not wobbly. I like that you can stand the carrier up on the ground and get your child adjusted and strapped in, and then lift them onto your back. All in all, this is a nice, comfortable pack but all the straps can be a bit technical.

lorit

State College, PA

Kelty Adventure Kid Carrier -  I love, love, love the Kelty Adventure Kid Carrier!!! This is such a great device for the baby to ride in! My daughter loves this carrier - she loves being able to look out over my shoulder or my husbands while going hiking or for walks around town. We purchased this carrier to take to the beach and it worked great! It's fairly easy, but at times it can get heavy on the shoulders - I think that comes from the way the child is sitting. I find that if my daughter falls asleep, the carrier tends to get heavier on the shoulders. It's easy to lift on your own to put on your back and sits nicely on your back. It's great to use in place of a stroller - I use this a lot more than a stroller due to convenience and not having to worry about weaving around people with a stroller. It's so nice to have the baby up high and out of the way of people in crowds.  This is a great carrier if you plan on being outdoors a lot, or if you are looking for a great alternative to strollers.

LissaJ

Evans City, PA

So I'll start by saying - moms, unless you are buff, this isn't for you.  This is definitely for dads, though.  Living in Colorado and going hiking, this is such a great device for the baby to ride in!  I think it takes some getting used to for them, though, because both our kids cried in it at first.  I don't think they understood what was going on.  But after they realized they could see just about everything from way up on dad's back, they loved it.  I love the hood over it so I don't worry when fussy baby doesn't want to wear a hat.  My husband says for the most part it's pretty easy but gets heavy on the shoulders after a while.  He can lift it up on his own and get it on his back, whereas I need help to get it on, and after that it rides on my rear and I can't walk with it on.  It's not a mom-friendly device.  Sometimes it's great even in places where you can use a stroller.  We used it at a fair one time with lots and lots of people milling around.  It was nice to have the baby high and out of the way and to not have to worry about losing her or keeping a close eye on her.  Overall, if you are planning on being outdoors a lot, this is great for a baby.

jomich84

Greeley, CO