frame bay carriers-help!

cousinjack_2

What is the best back pack style baby carrier? don't really mind how much it costs as long as it is VFM. Any help gladly received!

holstar

ok, this may or may not be much help to you, but i'll have a go
i used to work at an outdoor retailer, so heres some things to look out for.

You will be able to decide which points apply to you

- can it stand up by itself? ie, does the frame have enough support that it can stand upright with child in it, without falling over?

- does it have an adjustable seat inside it? so baby can be raised/lowered depending on height of child etc

- is the back system for the adult carrying it suitable for whoever is carrying it? it SHOULD have: adjustable height difference between shoulder straps and waist straps (to fit different height adults), fully adjustable shoulder straps, a fully padded waist strap that, if you want to actually get any use of the waist sstrap, should sit on your iliac creat (sticky out hip bones). That way you will transfer weight off your shoulders onto your hips, therefore less tiring for carrying heavier children...this is more important if you a) plan to do a lot of walking round with the child, and b) if you think you are going to use it until the child is quite old (...and heavy). Chest straps are also useful, as they stop the shoulder straps from slipping around on your shoulders.
Take the time to play around with the straps to make sure its fits the carrier properly, as if you keep carrying heavy weights around wrongly, it will hurt your back.

- some come with a small rucksack included in the baby carrier...useful for carrying baby stuff around, or your stuff. But, if you try and pack this bit full it adds extra weight. Also, usually you cant get into them unless you either take the baby carrier off, or get someone else to get stuff out for you. If theres 2 of you, its often easier to carry a seprate bag with extra stuff in, cos the baby carrier often gets a bit heavy.

- does it come with sun-shade and waterproof covers included? if not, will you need them? depending on when you are going to be using it.

My shop stocked Vango and lifeventure carriers, at around £70 and £80 each, so not particularly cheap, but the vango one in particular was extremely good VFM, very good quality manufacture.
Best thing to do is look around everywhere you can, try them on your back, both with and without baby in them, see if its comfortable for you, and any other adults who are going to be carrying it a lot if possible, particularly if the adult is particularly tall/short, as some back systems dont cater for every size of person.

(if you want extra help with fitting a baby carrier...try going to your nearest outdoor shop...say you are interested in big rucksacks/babycarriers, they should help you fit it properly so you know what you are doing...then walk away saying you'll 'think about it'........Millets and Blacks do this, other outdoor shops should do the same)

that post was longer than i intended! sorry....but HTH

cousinjack_2

Thankyou very much! taking all those things into account in your experience which one was the best? I will be using it alot on my own so will need it to come with a ruck sack, but am off to town today to see what local stockists have, with my list of top tips!

CDP

Hi

We got a Bush baby carrier with our 3rd ( took us a long time to realise the difference a good carrier makes!) and can recommend it VERY highly. Sold in outdoorsy shops and online.

HTH

CDP

holstar

cousinjack wrote:

Thankyou very much! taking all those things into account in your experience which one was the best?

as i said before, my shop only stocked 2, the vango and lifeventure, although I dont know whether the lifeventure one was widely stocked within the company.

heres the vango one i was talking about:
https://www.edirectory.co.uk/pf/pages/moreinfoa.asp?recordid=1383016&cid=880&afid=88888
there are (i tihnk) 3 different ones in the range, the champ, sprite, and imp, with different prices, different size ranges (of child) and added 'extras' etc

of the ones i have seen in various other shops, i usually felt that the vango was one of the best quality makes (although I may have been a little biased there as my shop sold them), but obviously it all depends on what you are looking for, what use you will get out of it, and what kind of price you were after.

as already mentioned, the fit is one of the main things, as you will really be able to tell if its not fitted properley!
best thing to do is just try on as many as possible, with and without baby in it, see which is best for you

HTH
hollie

(hope that link works...if it doesnt, stick "vango champ" into froogle)

cousinjack_2

Thank you very much!!!! and sorry about delay in reply, have been away from computer for a bit!