A backpack carrier lets you travel in ways you never thought possible with a baby, including a rugged, backcountry hike or snow shoeing. But many parents report that they also use backpack carriers for less exotic trips to the mall, the zoo, or even Disney World.

Backpack carriers are only intended for children old enough to sit up independently, usually at least 6 months old. They can typically be used for a child up to 40 pounds, plus 10 pounds of gear, depending on the model. The weight of the pack itself can add another 4 to 7 pounds to your load, so consider that when choosing a pack. A heavy carrier might make it more difficult to carry your child.

Most backpack carriers have an aluminum or aluminum alloy frame, which together with the waist or hip belt distributes a baby's weight along your back, shoulders, and hips, rather than putting it all on your shoulders and neck as do some front soft infant carriers, especially ones without a waist belt. Although the weight is on your back, "your entire upper torso is supporting it," says Anne Coffman, a physical therapist from New Berlin, Wis., and a member of the American Physical Therapy Association as well as the mother of two. This tot-toter is a superior choice when your baby approaches 20 pounds, can comfortably sit up by herself, and has full head control. But don't expect a backpack carrier to make your load light. A 25-pound child will still feel heavy after a while, even if her weight is distributed evenly over your hips with maximum padding.

Most backpack carriers come with built-in stands that make loading and mounting easier, but aren't stable enough to be used as baby seats on the ground. Seats and shoulder harnesses are made of moisture-resistant fabric. Many models have multiple positions for the wearer and the child. Carriers usually have densely padded shoulder straps and hip belts, storage compartments, sun/rain hoods, and toy loops. Extras may include a changing pad, a rearview mirror tethered to your shoulder strap so you can watch your baby without removing your pack, and a cell phone pouch or a detachable hip bag.

Backpack carriers, though, can be cumbersome and expensive. Many are designed for the great outdoors, and may be more pack than you need if your idea of an adventure is a trek to the grocery store with your baby on board. Some, such as the Kelty K.I.D.S. Pathfinder (approximately $190), have a substantial aluminum frame that takes up a lot of storage space. Still, some backpacks are now better designed for everyday use. These carriers look more like a regular backpack, but still have a structured frame to support your child. They're less bulky than some of the more traditional backpack carriers and are more packable for short trips that are part of your daily routine.


Shopping Secrets

Bring your baby. When your baby is the right age and weight, take her shopping for a backpack carrier and if she is game, do test runs in the store. Try a backpack with a coat on you and your bundled-up child in the pack if you expect to wear it during colder months.

Practice, practice. With the help of a knowledgeable salesperson, practice putting the carrier on and taking it off. Have your spouse do likewise to make sure it fits you both comfortably. If you and your spouse will be switching the pack back and forth, try adjusting the straps to fit your torso to see if it's easy to do (or not). Walk with the backpack to be sure the frame doesn't hit the back of your head, that it's not too long for your height, that the straps fit properly so they won't slip off your shoulders, and that the frame doesn't start to dig into your lower back after a few minutes. "You should be able to walk comfortably with your arms at your sides," says Coffman. Carrier directions should be clear and easy to follow.

Look for a snug-fitting safety harness. The safest backpack carriers have a harness for the child that connects the shoulder straps with the crotch, torso, and hip restraints for a snug fit. One carrier we tested, the Chicco Smart Support, relies on a lap belt that's separate from the shoulder and crotch straps, leaving openings at the side that could potentially be big enough for a child to slip through. Such slips can sometimes occur when children pull their legs up and subsequently put both feet and legs into one opening; they've been the reason for the recall of several other brands. We consider that style harness inadequate for a small child.

Be wary of second-hand equipment. Many parents pick up a backpack carrier at tag sales. If you decide to buy used, check for recalled brands first at www.cpsc.gov. Inspect carriers for excessive wear, which can dangerously weaken straps and seams.


What's Available

Major brands of backpack carriers, in alphabetical order, are Baby Trend (www.babytrend.com), Chicco (www.chiccousa.com), Deuter (www.deuter.com), Evenflo (www.evenflo.com), Kelty Kids (www.keltykids.com), Macpac (www.macpac.co.nz), REI (www.rei.com), and Sherpani (http://sherpani.us). You'll find the best selection of these major brands at camping/outdoor outlets, specialty Web sites, and catalogs and mass merchandisers, such as Target (www.target.com), rather than in baby stores. Prices range from $50 to $320.

As of April 1, 2007, the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) will begin certifying framed backpack carriers that meet American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) requirements, including strength, stability, and leg-opening safety. It may take until October 2007 or so to see certified framed backpack carriers on store shelves.


Recommendations

Before buying a backpack carrier, think about how much you'll use it. That will help you determine what to spend. Price, however, isn't necessarily a reliable indicator of quality. Our top-rated model, the Snugli Cross Country, for example, cost $70, compared to the lowest-rated model, Chicco's Smart Support, which retails for approximately $95. Consider sharing with neighbors if you expect to use a backpack carrier only occasionally. If you plan longer or more frequent outings with your baby, consider models that will have more storage features, better padding, and a more comfortable fit.

As we mentioned, don't use a backpack carrier until your child can sit up unassisted (usually at 6 months) and has full head control. And even though a child carrier can give you the freedom to venture where a stroller can't, don't use one in areas where you won't have firm footing, such as hiking on wet rocks, big boulders, icy terrain, or wet, leafy trails. Many children are injured when adults fall. Also, don't leave your child unattended while he's in the carrier, use the carrier as a seat, or put it on an elevated surface, such as a table or bench, with your child in it, even for a minute. And check on your child periodically as you're walking to make sure he's still comfortable and secure. Before you venture out, become familiar with your backpack carrier. If the directions are unclear about, for example, how to secure your child in a carrier seat, how to use a carrier seat's lap belt, or assemble an accessory, such as a rain hood, call the manufacturer. Don't wing it. Unclear directions and a lack of understanding can be dangerous since both you and your child's safety depend on setting up a backpack carrier and adjusting the straps properly. Be sure to send in the registration card so you'll be notified in the event of a recall.

Finally, before doing a lot of walking with a carrier, be in good physical shape. It's easy to underestimate, but you'll need a strong back, hips and quadriceps to lug around a baby. Stay within the recommended weight limits. When your child outgrows the backpack carrier, stop using it.