How do you choose a carrier??
It can be pretty intimidating trying to decide which type of carrier to get for your hiking excursions with baby. There are two main types of carriers: soft carriers and framed carriers.
For the first 6 months I found it easiest to use a soft carrier. These carriers work best for shorter hikes, and babies under 20 pounds. They also make it hard to set baby down (contained) and to bring water/snacks/keys/etc.
Once baby is over 6 months old I recommend switching to a hiking specific framed carrier. The biggest pros being the distribution of weight from your growing baby, and the ability to store snacks, water, and anything else you might need.
Soft Carriers
Pros
-Lightweight
-Packs down small
-Lots of color options
-Can be worn on front or back
Cons
-Less weight distribution
-No/minimal storage
-No “kick stand”
Examples
-Wildbird Ringsling
-Happy Baby Carrier
-Ergo Baby
-Sakura Bloom
-Infantino
Framed Carriers
Pros
-Lots of storage
-“Kick Stand”-The carrier can stand freely
-Distributes weight
-Great for longer mileage
Cons
-Heavier carrier
-Big frame/doesn’t fold down small
-Expensive
Examples
-Osprey Poco
-Kelty Perfectfit
-Deuter Kid Comfort
-Thule Sapling