Lucy's Question:

Lucy and Isaac are looking for a carrier to suit them both

I am looking for a quality baby back carrier. I would like it to fit me — I am only 5'1". I would like the carrier to be rugged yet lightweight. Do you have any recommendations?

Lucy Skuba
Marsh Lake, Yukon, Canada

Alice's Answer:

	Alice Cary Alice introduced her oldest child, Will, to the outdoors at a very early age by climbing New Hampshire's Mt. Washington—in winter—while pregnant. And she and her family haven't stopped experiencing the joys of outdoor adventure, even with newborn twins. Meet Alice Answer Archive Family Forums

This is a perennial-and extremely important-question for anyone who hikes with an older infant or toddler (as you know, young infants need to be carried in a front-style carrier).

My husband and I have tried quite a few backpack-style carriers. Now that we are toting our second and third children (twin 17-month-olds), we're becoming increasingly picky about what we use.

I, too, am on the short side-5'3", while my husband is 6'0". We use packs that adjust to both of our heights, and most will do this without a problem.

For me, the most important considerations are:

		My child's safety, and
		My poor back's comfort.

Regarding comfort: strangely, some of the heavier models are actually more comfortable than lightweight ones, simply because the former offer more padding.

We are currently enjoying a Kelty Deluxe carrier (our particular version is made exclusively for L.L. Bean; www.llbean.com) that retails for $159. The price is hefty, but well worth it for just the reasons I've mentioned.

We know we'll be even more thankful for this carrier next year, when our girls are a year older, a year heavier, and our backs are a year wearier.

The Kelty Deluxe weighs 6 lbs. and can hold children who weigh up to 45 lb. There's a nice gear compartment plus handy mesh pockets allowing easy access to bottles, sippy cups, and the like.

Note that some models of Kelty carriers have been recalled. For information on Kelty products in general and the recall, visit www.kelty.com

For more recommendations on buying carriers, see GORP's feature Buying a Kid Carrier.

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