Keep kids interested in the hike by pointing out things on the trail. I point out animals, bugs, puppies, water, or really anything. Minimum child age for use: 6 months (child must also weigh 16 lbs. and be able to sit up with head upright) Your life changes when you have a kid, but you don’t have to stop hiking. The Poco LT is built to carry kids for longer distances while keeping you comfortable. Both my wife and I are big fans of the Osprey Poco LT child carrier, and it’s the top carrier we recommend to our parent friends who are looking for a comfy and lightweight carrier. Try jogging or bouncing a bit as you walk. When our daughter gets tired of riding, I start to bounce and she laughs every single time.

The Poco LT is slimmer and lighter than most other kid carriers. It cuts down on weight and allows you to transport it more easily. It has a UPF 50 sunshade to protect your kiddo and two spacious storage compartments for essentials.

Osprey Poco LT Child Carrier Test and Review

There is nothing like the fresh air and the hush of the woods to bring a family together, but those little guys can get heavy long before they can walk by themselves. Therefore, choosing the right kid carrier is almost as paramount as choosing the right kid. Take advantage of kids napping in the carrier. Ours always naps on hikes longer than 3 miles and often we try to time the hike so she gets a nap at the same time. Kids (much like dogs) are a conversation starter for people, so be prepared to chat with more folks than normal.

The Osprey Poco LT child carrier includes an adjustable torso with 6 inches of torso adjustments available. This will fit torso measurements of 15-21 inches. The torso adjustment mechanism on the Poco LT differs completely from the ‘One-Size-Fits-All’ mechanism featured on the Poco and Poco Plus models. This difference does not appear to limit the torso length or functionality, it just doesn’t have the same sturdy feel. The Poco LT uses velcro to secure the adjustment. The ease of changing the torso length is a wonderful feature but, the velcro can be a bit difficult to undo to move it up or down. Any one of the child carriers on our list will give your kids a front-row seat to the natural flow of things and give you a great way to get some fresh air and exercise while still hanging out with your toddlers.

Both my wife and I have been hiking with our daughter Finola since birth. She’s 2 years old now and loves hiking with us. That said, if we’re 6 miles into a hike, she’s as tired as we are, so we’ve learned a few things to keep her happy on the trail. Start small! Do some short, local hikes in good weather and work up to longer hikes as your kid gets accustomed to it. Each tester said they preferred the comfort and fit of the Poco LT. Both dads said the Poco Plus was still a viable option, but given the choice, they’d choose the LT. Since those initial tests, my daughter Finola has grown to love the carrier (and just grown in general). When she sees it, she knows we’re going on an adventure. She’s getting bigger and heavier (25 pounds). And our hikes are often farther, as she is used to it and has a longer attention span.

Consider letting them walk at the beginning of the hike to get some wiggles out. Our child loves this, but I hate it since I want to “hit the trail.” However, she’s almost always happier on the hike if we let her roam for while before we start.

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Especially when it comes to child carriers, ultra-lightweight isn’t always better. Child carriers often feature internal or external frames that help share the load and guarantee the entire weight of your kids isn’t only on your shoulders. Extra ounces also come in handy when they produce a hard-wearing child carrier.