Gear Review: Deuter Kid Comfort III Child Carrier

Having a baby has required that we invest in some new camping and hiking gear. Given that we love to hike, and try to do so as much as possible, one of the top items on our to-buy list was a child carrier backpack. After a lot of research, I had my heart set on the Deuter Kid Comfort III Child Carrier. Of course, with a hefty price tag of $289, I assumed that I would have to settle for a cheaper carrier. However, I went on the REI’s website this spring, and found last year’s model on sale for $213.93, plus they were having a 20% off one item sale. In the end, we got the pack for $175 – a price we couldn’t beat.

Though we took the carrier out for a quick jaunt up Weir Hill earlier this year, our camping trip to the White Mountains provided a great opportunity to try it out on a longer, more difficult hike on the Imp Trail. We both shared the load, with Kendra carrying Addison for 30 minutes, while I carried her for the last hour and a half. With an almost 5 inch difference in our torsos, the Vari-Quick System came in handy. It is super-easy to adjust, even with Addison loaded into the carrier.

In terms of comfort, this is one of the MOST comfortable backpacks I have ever worn. The back paneling kept the pack itself off of my back better than any other pack I have owned, allowing airflow which helped to keep me cool. I was incredibly surprised with the amount of mobility I had – at no point did I feel unstable or top-heavy. The combined weight of Addie, the pack, and our gear, was about 30 pounds, yet it did not feel like I was carrying that much weight. The pack’s design did an excellent job of distributing the weight in a way that allowed me to scramble up rocks and easily move up the trail. Addison also seemed to enjoy riding in the pack, as her snoring indicated. She slept for over an hour while the five-point harness kept her snug. With the built-in sunshade, I was never worried that she was getting too exposed while we hiked. As an added bonus, it kept branches from hitting her face!

The multiple compartments allowed me to organize my gear, and Addison’s. The lower compartment easily held her bottle, formula, food, extra clothing, and a few snacks, while the upper compartment held my snacks. With a roomy outer pocket, and two mesh pockets on the outside of the pack, I was able to tuck in jackets for both of us, and more toys for her. The hip belt pocket held my lip balm, with plenty of extra room to spare. Even with everything I packed, I had plenty of room for more gear for longer hikes.

I would absolutely recommend this carrier for anyone who wants to take their little one hiking. We’ve used it several times now, and it works great for everyday jaunts as well!