Kid Carrier Comparison
By Jeff Porcaro

With the rapid increase in the number of adults participating in outdoor activities over the last decade, especially among young adults, its no surprise to see a corresponding increase in the number of families engaging in activities. Family outings range from car camping to National Park visits to backpacking and hiking in the backcountry.

Studies show that a child is more likely to continue with outdoor enthusiasm if they are exposed to it by age eight. But sharing the great outdoors experience with young children challenges even the most outdoor savvy parents.

One piece of gear enabling outdoor parents to get the most of the outdoors with a little one is a good child carrier. Today's child carriers are high tech gear featuring the same components as high-quality backpacks. If you think about it, a child can weigh up to 45 pounds, then you add all of the essentials they need (e.g. diapers and bottles). For some hikers, the total is more weight than they would take for a weekend trip.

The child carriers we tested are the:
Madden Mountaineering Caravan
Kelty Elite
Tough Traveler Stallion
We tested them using children between the ages of 4 months and 4 years, weighing between 15 and 45 pounds.

Madden Mountaineering Caravan

Volume:      2500 cubic inches Weight:       5 pounds (lbs) 9 ounces (oz) Colors:        Royal/Black or Berry/Black Sizes:          Available in Medium or Large Load Limit:  90 lbs (total including gear) Price:          $225

Madden designed the Mountaineering Caravan for backcountry travel, but is equally functional around town. One of the reviewers tested the Caravan around the house, working in the yard, and mowing the lawn in addition to hiking trails. Although the Caravan's internal frame suspension handles heavy loads easily, our test crew discovered the packs best fit with a smaller child, as one tester found with his 4 month old boy.

The frame is built with light weight aircraft aluminum and stands firm to allow the loading and unloading of a child. Our testers found that the frame can get in the way when turning around in tight areas. You need to compensate for the non-retractable frame when carrying a child. It will also fold for storage.

For the adult's comfort, there is a mesh back panel. Among the carriers reviewed, the Caravan fit tightest against the back, making it by far the best carrier for moving across varied or rough terrain. Our testers appreciated this quality while traveling mountainous or rocky trails, though one tester didn't like how hot his back became. He suggested that the Caravan could be improved by increasing air travel between the wearer's back and the pack. Caravan's well-padded straps adjust for different-sized adults. A stiff waistbelt provides good load support.

Padding on the child's seat and straps make for a comfortable ride. There is also good padding along the child's back. Stirrups support the child's feet and keeping them from dangling. The child sits low on the adult, the compartment restricting the child's lateral (swaying) movement, thereby helping the adult to maintain good balance.

The Caravan offered the most stability of the three carriers reviewed, without compromising child comfort. The carrier has a built-in compartment with 2500 ci of extra storage and an outside pocket and mesh pocket for drying damp items. The Caravan also includes the rain/sun hood for added protection. Made of the same fabric as backpacks, the Caravan is easy to clean and durable.

Summary: The Caravan is comfortable for the child and the adult. It is lightweight and stable. Without purchasing optional cargo accessories, there is ample space to carry the child's gear. Our testers selected the Caravan as their favorite of the three carriers reviewed. Madden Mountaineering's clearly applied their experience designing backpack support systems to the Caravan, with excellent results.

Contact Madden at (303) 442-5828 or on the Internet at www.maddenusa.com.

Kelty KIDS Elite

Volume:      n/a Weight:       5 lbs. 3 oz. Colors:        Spruce with purple trim Sizes:          Fits torsos 14" to 21" Load Limit:  60 lbs.(Including gear) Price:          $175

Like Madden's Caravan, Kelty designed the Elite after their backpacks, making it a carrier capable of comfortably handling heavy loads. It has fully adjustable support system that will fit a wide range of sizes.

The Elite's well-designed aluminum frame folds up for storage when not in use. A breathable foam/mesh back panel adds support and increased comfort. A shockcorded kickstand simplifies loading and unloading a child.. However the cord is attached to the shoulder straps and affects the tightness of the straps if the kickstand is snagged by a passing bush.

The shoulder straps are well padded and the most comfortable out of the three carriers. Although padded, the waistbelt lacks stiffness and would bend when trying to tighten the waistbelt for support. The child's padded straps are polar fleece covered for extra comfort for the child. The saddle on which the child sits adjusts to several heights, accommodating small to large children.

One of our testers loved the removable day pack that comes with the Elite. "This makes a great diaper bag when you aren't carrying the child on your back," stated another. The Elite includes reflective piping for safety, and a sun/rain shade to protect the little one. We found Kelty's sun/rain shade difficult to assemble. A sleeve designed to hold a support rod was difficult to find and thread the rod through.

Summary: The Elite offers backpack-style features and comfort at a reasonable price. If the buyer will be trading off the carrier among two or more people, the Elite is the right choice for its ease of adjustment. Additional storage space can be purchased to increase the capacity. While our tester's preferred Maden's Caravan overall, the Elite's similar features at $50 less retail makes it worth considering.

Contact Kelty at: (800)423-2320 or on the internet at www.kelty.com.

Tough Traveler Stallion

Volume:      756 cu. Weight:       4 lbs. 10 oz. Colors:        Teal Sizes:          Fits adults 5'5" to 6'6" Load Limit:  60 lbs.(Including gear) Price:          $160

The Stallion uses a molded frame for comfort and support. The shoulder harness is adjustable to fit. The Stallion is the has the least padded shoulder straps and waistbelt of the three carriers we tested. The mesh/foam back panel provides adequate comfort. A kickstand built into the frame eases loading and unloading.

The child's legs are more exposed in the Stallion than in the other carriers, which caused the child's legs to get bumped or scraped when passing shrubs or trees.

The child compartment is minimally padded and has a higher back support to give the child support for their neck. The child's straps are not padded, but this is the only carrier that has a waistbelt integrated into the shoulder straps for the child. Out of the box the Stallion's storage will carry the essentials of a short trip. An optional sun/rain shade provides comfort for the child. We found however, that the shade bothered the child because it blocked the child's view. One of our testers found that when the child moved within the carrier, the movement sometimes threw the tester off balance. Of the three carriers reviewed, the Stallion offered the least balance and stability.

Summary: The Stallion is a good basic carrier, but lacks the sophisticated harness system used by the pack manufacturers (Kelty and Madden). The Tough Traveler Stallion is the least expensive, but also the least comfortable carrier according to our testers. The Stallion makes the most sense for hikers who plan to carry their child on shorter, well-developed trails.

Contact Tough Traveler at: (800) 468-6884 or on the Internet at www.toughtraveler.com.