Kids Hiking Carriers - Say Insurance Collab

A couple happy hikers!

Welcome to the first post on GTFO Kids!  I started this sub-blog as a new parent thinking it would be a great opportunity to share what I learn as a parent...turns out kids take up a lot of time and energy...  Luckily the fine folks at Say Insurance put together a great infographic on kids hiking carriers to help you, and me, get going!

Worn out from hiking

As an outdoors lover, having a capable hiking carrier has been clutch in being able to explore with the kid.  While she was still a baby--and thus too small for a carrier--we relied on the Baby K'tan and the Baby Bjorn to carry her on hikes.  While the chest-carrier style devices work well enough, and are probably the only option for infants, they aren't ideal.  First, having another human on your chest while hiking gets hot for both of you quickly--to that end, the baby K'tan was our preference because it's much more light and breathable, though Baby Bjorn has a mesh version we didn't know about.  Second, you have to either guess what layers will be comfortable once your body warms up or deal with being overly hot, because when that infant invariably falls asleep on your chest you're not taking them off to de-layer.  So once they can graduate to a carrier it's great because it fits and feels just like a backpack, and it can be smoothly taken off so as not to disturb that sleeping child.

Amazon has loads of choices of hiking carriers.  But when it comes to carrying my child on my back through the woods I'm only going to trust established brands I have experience with.  That narrows it down to Osprey, Deuter, and Kelty.  I've seen the social media ads of the carrier that allows your kid to ride on your shoulders, and while I'm sure they'll get a kick out of that for a minute I struggle to understand how that's supposed to be functional...like, don't these people have trees and doorways where they live?

Now, for the content from Say Insurance to help you compare features and make your purchase!

 New parents don’t have to be confined within four walls. If you miss hitting your local Arizona trails for a much-needed hike in the great outdoors, a hiking carrier is a great solution. Hiking carriers are similar to baby carriers, but they contain a bunch of different features to withstand nature’s elements such as pockets for storage, ventilation, and more. Much like a sturdy backpack, a hiking carrier allows you to bring your kid along for the ride — or in this case, the hike — so they can have fun and marvel at the rock formations and riversides with you.

However, despite their similarities, hiking carriers require more caution than baby carriers. Your kid must be at a certain age and weight to be carried in one for the sake of their safety. On top of that, hiking carriers should contain parenting essentials and hiker essentials, from diapers to a first aid kit. Read this graphic to learn more.

Consider These Hiking Carrier Features and Tips Before You Hit the Trails with Your Kid

Infographic by Say Insurance