With infants, wed recommend something like the Ergobaby Omni 360, which is what we used for hiking with our youngest until he was 18 months. No ads. Lastly, while this pack doesnt come with a built-in sun roof sun canopy, you can buy it as an accessory that easily attaches and stows into the rear pocket. The Active SL is one with kid comfort in mind, coming in with an almost perfect comfort score. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and we never accept free products from manufacturers. The child should be able to sit upright independently. We hope our comprehensive research allows you to confidently find the right backpack for your needs! Our experts have tested thousands of baby and kids products to share key performance, health, and safety findings. The Deuter Kid Comfort Air (what weve been using) was Deuters original compact and lightweight child carrier featuring the unique Aircontact Mesh Back system to reduce weight and increase ventilation around the back. The adjustments are comparatively easy to make on this pack, and you can make many of them on the go or as you hike wearing the pack. The back panel utilizes a ridged foam with a mesh covering. We would frequently wrap our son in a blanket inside the pack, securely clip on the rain cover and voila, he was easily 15-20 degrees warmer. Combined with the wide drool pad, your child will be well protected from bumps along the trail. The waistband on the Active SL is a pull forward adjustment that is more ergonomically correct and easier to do while hiking than the more traditional pull back motion. We spend tens of thousands of dollars crash testing car seats to inform our ratings. Before trying out a Kid Comfort Air, I fully expected it to be lacking in this department. Heads Up! The Kid Comfort Active SL is basically the same product, but designed for smaller frames and marketed to women. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google, *Your email address will not be published on the website, Free shipping from 50 - Free return - Lifetime repair service, small, removable, washable chin pad (Chin Pad). The SL model has a nice soft, drool pad for your child to rest their head on, so no issues there. Compared with other packs weve tried, the center of gravity on the Kid Comfort seems to be a bit lower, and I dont get that unsteady feeling of top-heaviness that I have with other carriers. This pack also happens to be cozy for little ones with a padded seat but wide leg holes that lacked the bulk found in some of the competition. Both are pretty short on storage options. This adjustment is quick and fluid, and securely fastens into place. Most hybrid packs designed to fit both women and men just do not have enough adjustments built in to fit shorter adults effectively. By the early nineteen hundreds, they graduated to saddlebags and tents for the army. weight. Would we buy a Deuter child carrier again? However, for those women 5 4 and up, you will likely be able to get a suitable fit out of the hybrid packs that are constructed to fit either a male or female. The Deuter Kid Comfort Active SL comes with a five-point safety harness to help ensure your child is securely fastened into the back. The Deuter Kid Comfort Air has some pretty cool features in and around the child compartment that we like as well. Also Check Out 10 Baby Travel Essentials for Better Trips. A great baby backpack child carrier can help you do just that! This pack lacks useful storage or enough pockets for longer adventures. Deuters current line-up of kid carrier backpacks has five main offerings, in addition to older packs such as the I, II, and III. The shoulder straps are a little stiff, but they stay in place once set, and we'll take stiff to set if it means long-term resistance to shifting. While this page contains some affiliate links, we don't do sponsored content here on AwayGoWe and we don't accept requests to peddle anyone's product. Deuter tends to be pretty good about improving on the design and construction of their packs with each new model. The perfect balance between lightness, carrying comfort and stability is provided by the new, extremely lightweight, minimalist and compact Aircontact Lite back system. Sure, weve owned packs with a LOT more padding. 2022 Deuter Sport GmbH All rights reserved. vs. 17 in.) As mentioned above, the child cockpit is well padded and plush. At the time, they created mailbags for the Bavarian Royal Mail. 2010 - 2022 AwayGoWe Travel + Adventure Blog. Our napping testers seemed comfortable, and their head was never in a position where there wasn't padding. BabyGearLab is reader-supported. When it was most obvious that it was going to rain or storm, we would typically plan ahead and make sure we were inside and off the trail by the time the storm popped up. Our hiking (and child carrier usage) increased exponentially when we moved to Sayulita, Mexico in late 2020. Generally, we would rate fit adjustability lower because there is no hipbelt extender included. With only 12 L of total gear storage, you really dont have enough space to pack everything you need for a full day trip. The Aircontact Mesh Back system was also replaced by Deuters Lite Air contact back with ventilation system, which reduced a bit of airflow but increased stability and carrying capacity. However, given that this pack is designed for smaller body frames overall, we give the lack of this feature a pass. Wellprobably NOT the Kid Comfort Air, as this model has since been replaced with the updated Kid Comfort Active. When your child is young, this might not be a critical feature, but as they grow, the foot stirrups are a must. We consider this to be a significant extra feature. Before we jump into the review, well start by trying to clear up the differences between the various Deuter carriers. Why trust our travel gear recommendations? If youre 55 or under and are trying to decide between a used Deuter Kid Comfort Air (theyre discontinued now), Kid Comfort Active or Kid Comfort Active SL, our advice is to go for the Active SL. Our boys were on the smaller side and these straps might not have kept them securely fastened. Compliance is checked by independent inspection companies such as TV SD. Overall, given this pack is meant to fit a smaller variety of body sizes, this pack should fit most women much better than the hybrid packs designed to fit both men and women. The child seat can be raised or lowered using the sliding buckle inside the cockpit of the Active SL. This pack is essentially a replica of the Kid Comfort Active, but the shoulders, torso, waistbelt and padded hip fins are all designed to more appropriately fit a womans body. There are also two mesh pockets on each side, which work well for carrying the boys water bottles. Deuters top-of-the-line child carrier backpack, the Kid Comfort Pro, adds a detachable day pack, rear view mirror, permanently-attached sun canopy, and an additional 3 in height and 0.5 lbs. How can we improve BabyGearLab? On the upper rear portion of the pack, you will find a large mesh stuff compartment. Not only does it provide the rest your child needs, it also provides a little peace and quiet, which is never a bad thing. Padding often just gets in the way and ends up feels bulky and unnecessary. This is a great feature due to it being washable, which will inevitably be needed at some point. In addition to the right backpack, the right adjustement plays a decisive role for perfect wearing comfort. In terms of portability and weight, weve been very pleased with our experience. The main complaint when it comes to storage really isnt the overall lower capacity, but that there isnt even a spot for a full sized water bottle. The child seat itself has an ergonomic design. The Kid Comfort Air has been replaced by the Kid Comfort Active. The padding is comfortable without being bulky and sat nicely on the hips of testers. We found that this pack should fit most women much better than the hybrid packs. The primary reason we rated this pack so highly on extra features is that it is a baby backpack carrier for women! With this, low to medium loads can be comfortably carried. By unlatching the velcro, you simply slide the shoulder harness up or down to fit your body type. PES fibres are very tear and abrasion resistant and hardly absorb moisture. All of the gear on this list has been personally road-tested by us (unless otherwise noted). This is why we equip our models with VariQuick or VariSlide systems from a volume of 35 liters upwards. They've called the US home since 2010. The male testers and those with wider backs thought it was less comfortable. The only spot for a water bottle is in the lower compartment, which means you will need to take the pack off to get a drink, or have a partner grab it for you. Its hard to believe weve now been using the Deuter Kid Comfort kid carrier for FIVE years!!! The pack doesn't have any bottle or cup holders, and the waistband only has one pocket. With that in mind the fact that the torso length on the Deuter Kid Comfort Air could adjust down a whole TWO inches more than the standard Kid Comfort (15 in. Once you have the seat in the right spot, it doesn't slip even under the weight of a wiggly baby. Lori and I didnt use it a ton in Vientiane because there just werent a lot of hiking opportunities around the city. An often overlooked but super important design aspect of any child carrier is the place where you actually put the child. There are no side panels on this model, which is the main issue. BabyGearLab was founded by a Pediatrician Mom with a mission to provide a reliable, independent, source of information to new parents. The Deuter Kid Comfort Active SL is a baby-carrying pack designed with women in mind, according to the manufacturer. Just real, honest, side-by-side testing by people who care. Foot stirrups come standard on the Deuter Kid Comfort Active SL. And when a child is involved, youll always have extra small items that are prone to falling out of a pack. The padding is good, but it places pressure too high up for our male testers' comfort. Despite this, we believe the Kid Comfort Active SL provides a good value opportunity, primarily for females that are looking for the perfect backpack fit. However, the Kid Comfort Active SL does come with some storage. However, you can purchase it separately. Why Deuter? One of the things we struggled with when deciding between the Kid Comfort and Kid Comfort Air was that the Air did not come with a sun shade (aka KC Sun Roof). Although we did use a rain cover a few different times for rain and thunderstorms, we found that we primarily utilized rain covers for cold weather and windy days. This pack doesn't come with a canopy, and while you can buy one as an accessory for a fee, it doesn't have a dedicated pocket to store it if you aren't using it. Here at The Kid Packer, we want to help you live your best life. Even though the rain cover has to be purchased separately, we are all for it. Our Editors independently research, test, and rate the best products. It can be tricky remembering how everything gets reassembled. Children can get hot in baby backpack, and the Deuter design helps to ensure your child is comfortable all day long. Given that this was Deuters lightweight entry model at the time, we expected wed need to compromise the comfort and durability of their more expensive offerings for the lighter weight and lower cost of the Deuter Kid Comfort Air. Weve washed the nylon shell in cold water on delicate setting with no issues. Still, another inch or two smaller would have been nice to have. BabyGearLab does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.See our Terms for more info. If you are looking to take longer day trips or utilize the pack for a full day of exploring a new city while traveling, you might want to consider other options that have more storage options like the Osprey Poco Plus or Thule Sapling Elite. When the sun is high in the sky, from approximately 11 am 2pm, the sunshade provides good protection. Lori and I arent big people. Planning a Trip with a Baby? It is tear and abrasion resistant, watertight to 1500 mm yet still lightweight. The storage features on the Active SL are the real downside to this pack, resulting in a score that is only about average for the metric. The shoulder straps are easy to access for adjustments. The Comfort Active SL performed well in our tests for wearer comfort, with a score that rivaled most of the competition in this metric. That means that our opinions and recommendations are 100% independent and unbiased (though we will admit we have a strong bias towards useful gear that's built to last!). The main problem with this is there aren't many pockets, to begin with, so using one for a canopy or bladder will take up the limited area you have for other supplies. The Kelty Journey PerfectFIT Signature and Elite models also provide great options at a reasonable cost. In addition to finding ourselves with a growing kid to lug around, we suddenly found ourselves carrying more water, snacks, lunch, jackets, camera, sunscreen, and so on. Weighing in at just over six pounds, wed be hard-pressed to find a comparable kid carrier built as well and equally as lightweight. Additionally, the zippers are the one piece of hardware on the entire pack that have started to corrode in the warm coastal climate down here in Nayarit. As mentioned before, the one and only issue weve had with the design and construction of this pack is the main pocket zipper, which after a few years developed a couple of jammed teeth. Specifically, if you are female with a more petite frame, this is likely one of the only child carrier backpacks that will meet your needs. No sponsored content. *You help support BabyGearLab's product testing and reviews by purchasing from our retail partners. PA fibres are extremely durable and abrasion-resistant. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. With the shoulder strap design and chest clip placement, this backpack doesn't squish boobs like some of the competition, nor does it place unnecessary pressure on the sternum. Get our latest articles in your inbox, plus subscriber-only travel tips, special promotions, and more! There isnt a great spot to store the shade when not in use, but the best spot is in the lower rear compartment. First with our oldest son (whos almost six) and our youngest (whos currently three). The shoulder straps on the Active SL are contoured and fit well without the dread boob crushing and pressure on the sternum we've experienced on other packs. With limited sun protection, children tend to get hot with direct sun and take a much shorter nap. A hand-picked list of our all-time favorite baby travel gear! We dont love a drawstring closure as it provides an opportunity for items to fall out. Yet, I was surprised how little storage some full-size child carriers on the market have. This pack has narrower shoulder straps and pulls the passenger closer to the wearer for a more comfortable experience. Got feedback? Its design is similar to the Active but without features such as the removable chin pad, footrests, side entry, large zip compartment, and Lite Air Contact back system. Similar to their other top of the line backpacks, the Kid Comfort Active SL is constructed utilizing high end materials and is built to last. Deuter pioneered the 3-D trampoline ventilation back systems and the Aircontact was the best on the market at the time. When you click on links to buy products we may earn money to support, Easy on the wallet, fit for narrower builds, comfy for passengers and parents, Very limited storage, canopy costs extra, no dedicated spot for a hydration bladder. To assure complete independence, we buy all the products we test ourselves. The Deuter Kid Comfort Active SL offers a rain cover that is sold separately. The Vari Quick suspension system on the Deuter Kid Comfort Active SL is easy to operate. Living in Southeast Asia, we were also drawn to the Aircontact mesh back system which reminded us a lot of Ospreys Airspeed system on our Osprey Mira hydration pack diaper bag. To install, you place two pegs in the rear of the pack, fully extend the shade and pull it forward, and secure it into place directly behind the shoulders with two drop down straps. In our experience so far, that hasnt been the case. The Deuter Kid Comfort Active SL prioritizes being a lightweight backpack which comes at the cost of gear storage capacity. With all that said, I dont think Id recommend this carrier for kids under 9 months old. If your situation requires you to be able to take off the carrier and shove it into a backpack or suitcase at a moments notice, youre probably better off with something like the Ergobaby Omni 360 (which allows you to wear the child on your back as well as your front) until your kid outgrows it. In addition to its portability and strong, yet lightweight construction, the outer fabric of the Deuter Kid Comfort Air is 100% removable and machine washable. I havent seen the latest Kid Comfort Active, but I wouldnt be surprised if this issue has been addressed by now. A hydration bladder can be placed in the lower storage but, we prefer a designated hydration bladder sleeve as this takes up valuable storage space. The shoulder straps are wide and height adjustable, offering a snug fit with useful padding that never pushes on the baby's face. The Deuter Active series of child carrier backpacks is their lightest weight version in their child carrier series. Instead, deuter now uses DWR (Durable Water Repellency) impregnation that is harmless to health and the environment. Having been designed with women in mind is definitely a unique feature that differentiates this baby backpack carrier from the rest of the pack. Known from household utensils, tools and toys: the voluntary quality mark GS for manufacturers stands for tested safety [Geprfte Sicherheit in German] pursuant to the requirements of the Product Safety Act. It has a clip closure, and the sides have breathable mesh to avoid stowing wet gear in an enclosed space. When it comes to comfort, the waistbelt and shoulder straps are well padded, and covered with a perforated mesh to help wick moisture away and keep you cool. What Makes AwayGoWe Gear Guides Different. With three of us on a hike, Lori could carry a day pack and I could wear Noe (or vice versa). However, if strength, durability, comfort, stability, and stowage capacity are your priorities Id go with the Deuter. Tear and abrasion resistant, watertight to 1500 mm. The cover is removable for cleaning, which is nice given that drool and spit-up can and will happen when you have a baby on board. Heres our honest review after 5 years and what wed buy today. Child comfort starts with a padded seat that supports little ones without adding bulk between the legs where it could chaff or grow uncomfortable. The sporty frame offers the height of comfort and naturally bears the TV GS safety seal of approval. After five years and some hundred miles of use, it still cleans up looking like new and with the exception of a sticky zipper (which started very recently), everythings intact and works perfectly. This means that models with back length adjustment should be adjusted precisely. But unless we were fine with capping our hikes at a mile, we knew wed need something more comfortable, more robust, easier to put on and take off, and offering more stowage than our Ergobaby. We After months of intense testing with six leading Backpacks tested thousands of baby and kids products, Comfy to wear and ride in, lots of storage, canopy and hydration pocket, Best child comfort, custom fit possibilities, loads of storage, Vari-flex waistband, day pack, comfy for baby, Higher price, hard to adjust seat, may be too long for shorter torsos, Lower quality, not very comfortable for parent or child, Comfortable pack with lots of storage, a canopy, and easy to use features, Super comfortable carrier for parents and children with lots of useful storage, Expensive, high-end pack that is cozy for kids, but harder to use, Inexpensive option with good storage, but it isn't that comfortable to wear or ride in, 40.6cm x 25.4cm x 78.7cm | 16" W x 10" H x 31" L, 38.1cm x 27.9cm x 76.2cm | 15" W x 11" H x 30" L, 41.7cm x 24.1cm x 88.4cm | 16.4" W x 9.5" H x 34.8" L, 37.3cm x 24.1cm x 72.4cm | 14.7" W x 9.5" H x 28.5" L, 210 denier polyamide fabric. Our honest, road-tested review of these two popular carriers. Especially with loads of more than ten kilograms and long walking times, individual adjustment is crucial for wearing comfort. Both of us have worked this child carrier hard (with the help of our boys, of course). Through a series of easy to operate buckles, you can quickly adjust the harness to fit your child. The Kid Comfort Venture is Deuters most basic child carrier to date, marketed as their value offering. If looking for a highly versatile pack built in a bit more of an economical fashion have a look CleverPlus Urban Explorer. The shoulder straps on this pack are closer together, and our smaller testers liked the contour of the shoulder straps. They help ensure your child finds a comfortable sitting position with good circulation. Similar to the other Deuter child carrier backpacks, the Active SL has a very plush child cockpit area. After all, it is a lightweight, entry level carrier. If you are looking for a child carrier backpack that will absolutely fit your smaller body type, this is the pack for you. * PA stands for polyamide. Good news, children generally get great naps in a child carrier backpack. We set it up on the first hike, and everything stayed in place and was comfortable for every trip after. (48 lbs. * D stands for denier. What we really like about this pack is that, despite a smaller range of fit, it does fit certain body types better than other packs. They are also characterized by high elasticity and low weight. The hardest part might be hoisting the pack loaded down with a kid and drinking water up and on (particularly if youre doing it yourself for this, the built-in stand is a godsend). The Kid Comfort is the latest version of the original Deuter child carrier and a great starting point for comparison. Fortunately, the current Kid Comfort Active SL adjusts all the way down to 14 inches and all the way up to a whopping 22 inches. Deuter consults with a variety of bikers and mountain experts to help design their current lineup of products. Deuter Kid Comfort Pro - Check Amazon Price. Since we value lighter and less bulky over padding and doo-dads, wed go with the Kid Comfort Active or Active SL. While the Active SL's cockpit can be challenging to reach while wearing the pack, it isn't impossible and it creates a stable base for resting the pack for removal. Suddenly, we had a 4-year-old who was eager to hike on his own, a 2-year-old who wasnt so eager (but willing to come along for the ride), and endless hiking opportunities at our doorstep. The kickstand is a bit stiff and opens wide to creates a stable base; we were never worried during testing about an accidental closure. The Deuter Kid Comfort Air far surpassed our expectations after years of hard use. Before our first son, Noe, could walk, we took him everywhere with us in our Ergobaby. Deuters packs offer a variety of different back systems, sizing, colors, and features, so it can get confusing shopping for the right one because Deuter doesnt always make the differences very clear. Most of the parent fit adjustment son the Active SL can be done while hiking making it easy to keep comfortable even if shifting needs to happen while moving. It provides enough support for them rest comfortably for an hour or longer. Learn more in our privacy policy. Absolutely! However, the reasonable price and the design suitable for those with narrower frames may make the lack of storage something you can easily overlook if comfort and baby features are your main goals. The torso adjusts well for height and has a range long enough for most wearers. Hans Deuter began the Deuter company in 1898. Some of the straps have the forward pull tightening like the waistband, and we appreciate this style for the increased ease of use over those that pull back and away from the body. This pack scores well for on-the-go baby seat and cockpit adjustment with Velcro height adjustment that is easy to use and stays put. But on a solo hike with Noeforget about it. The torso length isn't easy to adjust with Velcro tabs; you have to slide through small slots to change. A sunshade is a critical part of child carrier backpack. This spot is plenty large enough for extra clothing layers, jackets, or toys. Copyright 2012 - 2022 BabyGearLab LLC Could this be one of the designed-for-women features? Its been tossed unceremoniously into the bed of pickups and SUVs, tied to the back of golf carts, and covered in mud, dust, sand, and kid food. Still, we read up on and checked out a number of different brands and models but found that nothing offered quite the same combination of features that the Kid Comfort offered. * PES stands for polyester. Our Experience with the Deuter Kid Comfort Air, REVIEW: Ergobaby 360 vs. Omni 360 Baby Carrier, 6 Best Super-Comfy Wide Toe Box Shoes in 2022, Lotus Travel Crib A Travelers Detailed Review, ErgoBaby 360 vs Omni 360 A Travelers Review, 10 Game-Changing Toddler Travel Essentials, Traveling with a Toddler 10 Expert Tips from a Nomadic Family. The side door (secured with a plastic buckle) is really handy if I need to pull our boy off mommys back to use the potty in a pinch. For the pack that offers the best sunshade and gets the top scores for nap effectiveness, have a look at the Osprey Poco Plus and Osprey Poco child carrier backpacks. Between one and three years, our son gradually started hiking more and more on his own two feet. Testers recommend making torso adjustments before you hit the trail as it can take some trial and error to find the right fit, and the adjustments take time. We really dont feel like weve had to sacrifice any of that for the price. A good nap is critical for everyone. It is narrower than the competition, but we assume this is part of the "made for women" schtick happening with this pack. They went on to create the first nylon backpacks and were recognized by Germany as the leader in backpacks in 1970. Some of the adjustments for the child's cockpit seat and shoulder straps are less friendly than those for the wearer, but they are manageable, and once you get your hands inside, the buckles aren't hard to operate. The Active is one of the easier backpacks in the review to use with one of the highest scores for the metric. Below the child youll find a decent sized storage compartment sealed by a drawstring cinch. The unisex fit with specially adapted shoulder straps and hip fins lets mum and dad take turns carrying the child. And thats exactly what weve found with this pack. was a big selling point. PFC is used, among other things, as a coating for rain protection, as they have water-, dirt- and grease-repellent properties. If you are looking for a child carrier thats built to last yet lightweight, easy to clean, and super comfortable for you and the kid, then wed recommend the Deuter Kid Comfort Air (and now the Kid Comfort Active) hands down. When they are young, you can slide the seat up high to ensure they have a great view of the world as things pass by. We like the larger waistband pocket on the Active SL but we wish there was more than one or better storage overall. The main storage pocket on the Active has a pull tight closure that isn't as secure as a zipper but the sides are mesh to help prevent any wet items from getting gross in the pack. It is more convoluted than some of the competition for adjusting, but the back padding ensures you'll be comfortable once you get it fitted. In terms of balance, Ive been impressed with how the suspension system continues to keep the load centered, even when kiddo is rocking from side to side. The waist strap is super easy to adjust with a buckle attached with a V-shape strap; this allows the pressure of the pack and baby weight to be distributed over a wider area with no tight or pinching spots. Outdoor adventures are better with a baby on your back. The Kid Comfort Active SL strives to optimize weight first and foremost but, comes at the cost of a few extra features. It is probably better suited to a granola bar or car keys. The Deuter Kid Comfort Active SL child carrier backpack comes with a 2-year warranty, which helps give you peace of mind. Last, but not least, there is a handy zippered pocket on the waist belt thats big enough for a phone and sunglasses with room left to spare. Theres a removable chin pad which is nice for sleepy passengers, and can easily be washed. Certainly once you get into the 5-6 range and taller, almost all of the hybrid backpacks will fit well. We will be honest, we dont love the design of this sunshade. A well-designed pack wont need a lot of plush padding if the load is evenly distributed and the pack is properly sized and adjusted. What did we miss? Thats why they offer an SL line of backpacks specifically designed to fit a womans frame.