Making it Comfortable for the "Child Sherpa"

There are a number of us out there that have extensive experience with a back country backpack loaded up for a two week adventure, but the reality is that most people buying a child carrier have never slogged a 40-60 pound pack on any hike. For the rest of the parents, grandparents, or "Child Sherpas" as we like to call them, this can be a very new experience.

There are many different types of carriers out there made for different uses. These different uses translate into different padding and suspension systems for the carrier. Once we break these down and then the actual fit for the "Child Sherpa" becomes more clear and logical.

Each child carrier is made for one or more specific use. This does not mean that you have to use them for one or the other. It just means that the manufacture had certain activities in mind when they built them. Believe me; I can often be spotted with my Sherpani Rumba (Full Blown backcountry carrier) cruising around the city or at the farmers market.

Activity Categories:

• Travel - From plane, street, subway, to trail, this user is interested in a all around compact model that will make life easy on the next family trip and around town.
• Around Towner - This user is interested in a pack that will get their child up and down Main Street easily and a spot to ride when junior does not want to walk any more. This could be in the park, on Main Street or at the mall. Maybe even the occasional mowing of the lawn. (It has been done.)
• Light Hiker - This user is the day hiker that wants a pack for around town but definitely will be hitting the local trials. They are interested in a little more stability and support for longer times in the carrier.
• Backcountry Hiker- This user is interested in maximum comfort and carrying capacity because they will be using it for long hikes or backcountry trips. This could be from a full day hike to an overnight.

All that being said, the manufacture has designed and slanted a carrier to a particular activity or level of activity, but that does not mean an around towner can not buy a backcountry carrier. Sometimes an individual will be interested in the features that a full blown pack offers. The moral of the story is this; most of the time but not all of the time the cost and the features will be lined up with what you plan on doing with the pack. No need to carry a larger pack if all you are going to be doing is using it on the plane or in the streets on your next trip to Paris.

The other main consideration is obviously comfort for the wearer. Following are some features to consider:

• Fixed Torso: This is when the torso length or adjustability of the shoulder straps in relation to the hip belt can not change. These are good for average sized users looking to cut weight in the child carrier.
• Adjustable Torso: This is when the torso length or adjustability of the shoulder straps in relation to the hip belt can be changed. Some torso lengths can be changed in fixed increments with in a range and others can be adjusted infinitely with in range. These often allow you to refine the fit better and dial in more comfortable fit. They also work well with two users of very different torso lengths.
• Light Weight Carrier: Are you looking for ultra light? Light weight carries often have to cut back on adjustability and other features to achieve a light weight result. Light weight child carriers can often be used for many different uses but tend to have a little less storage than the bigger carriers. They often more streamlined and have less padding.
• Heavier Padding: Some of the backcountry packs are built with beefier padding and some more adjustability than the other carriers. This often translates into a more precise fit and a cushier fell than the lighter use packs.

We have tested out and fit many child carriers for many different sized people. Here are a few of the themes that we have found:

• When two people are using the same child carrier with very different torso lengths, adjustable torso child carriers often work best.
• Long Torso broad shoulder men tend to fit in the Backcountry Child Carriers the best. (Over 6’2” and over a suite size 44) The best fit seems to often be the Sherpani Rumba.
• Very Short torso women tend to fit better in the Deuter Air Contact and the Sherpani Rumba.

In summary you have to ask yourself a few important questions to help you refine your search and understand what features are important to you.

• What am I going to be using it for?
• Who will be using it?
• What is most important to me? Comfort, weight, adjustable fit?

The best thing is to talk to or chat with a retailer who has extensive experience and has tested out all the carriers. The most important thing to understand is that everyone has a favorite for different reasons. Some else’s favorite is not necessarily yours.