child carriers

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Messages 1 - 8 of total 8 in this topic
AbeFrohman

Trad climber
new york, NY
Topic Author's Original Post - Jun 12, 2007 - 10:21am PT
I'm in the market for a child carrier. I'm so far looking at the Kelty Adventure, and Kelty Pathfinder.
They look pretty similar, I think the only difference is the Adventure comes with all the accessories.

your opinions?
Phil_B

Social climber
Hercules, CA
Jun 12, 2007 - 10:43am PT
When my son was little, we got a nice one from Kelty. Sorry, it's been years so I don't remember the model. However, it got stolen and we replace with another Kelty, but a lower end model. The nicer one was worth the extra cash.

I don't know how much we would have used the accessories though. As long as I was comfortable, we had a good time. He was happiest just riding on my shoulders, but that tended to hurt my neck.

Also, I don't recommend hot child fingers on your neck in the tropics. I could feel the blood getting even warmer as it went into my brain.

OK, so none of this really answers your question though, does it?
ontheedgeandscaredtodeath

Trad climber
San Francisco, Ca
Jun 12, 2007 - 12:45pm PT
We got a sherpani. It's comfortable and works fine. Keltys seem good too, though.
AbeFrohman

Trad climber
new york, NY
Topic Author's Reply - Jun 12, 2007 - 01:09pm PT
sherpani's a bit sexist for my taste, and probably my back:

"Sherpani Alpina, based in Boulder, Co., offers a full line of urban, backcountry, professional and baby packs designed exclusively for women who want to bring some style to their outdoor and urban adventures."
mojede

Trad climber
Butte, America
Jun 12, 2007 - 11:51pm PT
AbeFrohman , for what it's worth, here's my experience with baby packs. I think light is right and shaving pounds off the pack from the start is the way to go. This Gerry pack was purchased second-hand and made it through Lyddie and the Squamish Backside Trail to Ladd and boulder exploring. It's good up to 30#, but by then the child can walk pretty well (Ladd's two and a half and this is his last season being carried).

There are bigger and fancier (heavier) packs with all the bells and whistles (a pullover shade ? kids are better off with hats), but I like simple: Padded straps, extra storage pouch , child restraints, and stand--a hang loop helps if you climb with trees at the base.

Sorry for the wind, just a climber's simple point of view:

edit: After reading this thread, the Realmojede commented that we had a "Kelty Kids" pack, too. I dug around the garage and found this. 3 times heavier and less storage space. No wonder it's in the garage gathering dust while the Gerry rules the outdoors.
mojede

Trad climber
Butte, America
Jun 13, 2007 - 02:56am PT
bump: Should've just posted this one first. Now you see why light is right.
Fletcher

Trad climber
Varied locales along the time and space continuum
Jun 13, 2007 - 05:43am PT
I had one when my oldest (now almost 18) was a toddler. Very simple lightweight operation. Unfortunately, I can't remember the name, but that's a moot point 16 years later!

I now have a one and three year old and got one about two odd years ago. I got the simplest REI one. It's pretty lightweight and simple. It's done the job. The Kelty's are appealing in the store, but they are heavy (especially as you get into the deluxe models).

Remember, these things are basically backpacks and work pretty much the same way.

It really depends on what you want to do. Some folks like to go the Norman Clyde route and carry a lot of weight. Others want lightweight and go the Ray Jardine way.

Try one on with your kid in it and try to spend a bunch of time walking around the store doing stuff with it. Just for fun, it would be interesting to see what happens if junior has a meltdown in it. :-)

Get it from a place you can return it. When I worked at REI, these kid backpacks got returned pretty frequently.

Anyway, good for you for getting your kids outside early. It's way better than sitting around inside posting on supertopo. ;-)

Fletch


AbeFrohman

Trad climber
new york, NY
Topic Author's Reply - Jun 13, 2007 - 08:10am PT
thanks all. i ordered the kelty. (i didnt get any of these replies until afterwards)
Messages 1 - 8 of total 8 in this topic
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