Heres our honest review after 5 years and what wed buy today. To assure complete independence, we buy all the products we test ourselves. 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). Our honest, road-tested review of these two popular carriers. 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. Padding often just gets in the way and ends up feels bulky and unnecessary. 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. This is critical for those long warm summer days. Our Editors independently research, test, and rate the best products. The padding is comfortable without being bulky and sat nicely on the hips of testers. 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. Lori and I arent big people. The Kelty Journey PerfectFIT Signature and Elite models also provide great options at a reasonable cost. 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. But on a solo hike with Noeforget about it. 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. A sunshade is a critical part of child carrier backpack. 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!). No sponsored content. The sporty frame offers the height of comfort and naturally bears the TV GS safety seal of approval. The main pocket (above left) on the pack sits low, and between the back legs of the kickstand, it is only accessible when the pack is off or by another adult when you wear it. was a big selling point. With three of us on a hike, Lori could carry a day pack and I could wear Noe (or vice versa). 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. The kickstand on the Active SL is one of the widest and most stable feeling stands in the group. There is a flat pocket directly behind kiddo, which weve found works great for windbreakers or layers we shed. Not only does it provide the rest your child needs, it also provides a little peace and quiet, which is never a bad thing. It can be tricky remembering how everything gets reassembled. Shopping for the best baby carrier? Deuter tends to be pretty good about improving on the design and construction of their packs with each new model. 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. 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. 2022 Deuter Sport GmbH All rights reserved. 600D corresponds to 600 grams per 9000 meters. The waist strap on the belt rests a bit lower than most, and we like that. The Kid Comfort is the latest version of the original Deuter child carrier and a great starting point for comparison. Hans Deuter began the Deuter company in 1898. The Active SL is one with kid comfort in mind, coming in with an almost perfect comfort score. Heads Up! The Kid Comfort Active in a lot of ways replaced the Kid Comfort Air in Deuters lightweight kid carrier backpack slot. We love how much room and air flow this carrier has, while at the same time keeping kiddo securely fastened with an adjustable harness. 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. Outdoor adventures are better with a baby on your back. No issues when it comes to durability and longevity of this pack. The Deuter Kid Comfort Active SL child carrier backpack comes with a 2-year warranty, which helps give you peace of mind. It helps keep the child nice and snug in the pack. Deuter pioneered the 3-D trampoline ventilation back systems and the Aircontact was the best on the market at the time. Created specifically by a team of designers and engineers, the Deuter Kid Comfort Active SL is sure to provide a more tailored fit and better overall experience for a woman. A good nap is critical for everyone. This isnt quite as plush as the Kid Comfort or Kid Comfort Pro models, but it is plenty comfortable. While we absolutely loved the Ergobaby for walks around town or running errands, it became less ideal for hiking and urban explorations as our son grew older and more interested in the world around him. The child seat itself has an ergonomic design. 2010 - 2022 AwayGoWe Travel + Adventure Blog. 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. Lori and I didnt use it a ton in Vientiane because there just werent a lot of hiking opportunities around the city. 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. Also, the lack of side panels on the sunshade means that the child doesnt have a great spot to rest their head if they want to lean to the side. Little ones are secure in the Active SL with a closer to the wearer design that keeps them feeling snug in the cockpit. We will be honest, we dont love the design of this sunshade. Planning a Trip with a Baby? So what have we learned from countless hikes, treks, and urban adventures in that time? Let us know in the comments below. How can we improve BabyGearLab? It is probably better suited to a granola bar or car keys. Also Check Out 10 Baby Travel Essentials for Better Trips. Why the Deuter Kid Comfort Air? Its hard to believe weve now been using the Deuter Kid Comfort kid carrier for FIVE years!!! The Deuter Kid Comfort Active SL prioritizes being a lightweight backpack which comes at the cost of gear storage capacity. BabyGearLab is reader-supported. Especially with loads of more than ten kilograms and long walking times, individual adjustment is crucial for wearing comfort. If you are looking for a child carrier backpack that will absolutely fit your smaller body type, this is the pack for you. Would we buy a Deuter child carrier again? *You help support BabyGearLab's product testing and reviews by purchasing from our retail partners. But nope. 210 denier polyamide fabric with strong ripstop threads and PU coating. However, given that this pack is designed for smaller body frames overall, we give the lack of this feature a pass. 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). The torso adjusts well for height and has a range long enough for most wearers. Yet, I was surprised how little storage some full-size child carriers on the market have. Sure, weve owned packs with a LOT more padding. Weighing in at just over six pounds, wed be hard-pressed to find a comparable kid carrier built as well and equally as lightweight. They've called the US home since 2010. Copyright 2012 - 2022 BabyGearLab LLC It provides enough support for them rest comfortably for an hour or longer. We love some features on this pack, but we would like to see the sunshade included and come with a few design enhancements. What we really like about this pack is that, despite its smaller range of fit, it does fit certain body types much better than other packs. 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. Before our first son, Noe, could walk, we took him everywhere with us in our Ergobaby. This pack lacks useful storage or enough pockets for longer adventures. 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. This deuter product is free of per- & polyfluorinated chemicals. In addition to the right backpack, the right adjustement plays a decisive role for perfect wearing comfort. 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. It is well padded and is then covered with a perforated mesh that helps wick moisture away, and allows for good air flow. We set it up on the first hike, and everything stayed in place and was comfortable for every trip after. 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 entire outer shell comes off (velcro and straps) leaving only the frame, which can then be wiped down. Our napping testers seemed comfortable, and their head was never in a position where there wasn't padding. However, if strength, durability, comfort, stability, and stowage capacity are your priorities Id go with the Deuter. 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. I havent seen the latest Kid Comfort Active, but I wouldnt be surprised if this issue has been addressed by now. 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. By the early nineteen hundreds, they graduated to saddlebags and tents for the army. Similar to the other Deuter child carrier backpacks, the Active SL has a very plush child cockpit area. The Deuter Active series of child carrier backpacks is their lightest weight version in their child carrier series. In terms of portability and weight, weve been very pleased with our experience. In terms of price, size, weight and features, it falls squarely in the middle. We're also members of other affiliate programs. The Kid Comfort Active SL strives to optimize weight first and foremost but, comes at the cost of a few extra features. They went on to create the first nylon backpacks and were recognized by Germany as the leader in backpacks in 1970. At Deuter, they want to ensure that the products they offer fit the needs of everyone. We hope our comprehensive research allows you to confidently find the right backpack for your needs! 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. However, you can purchase it separately. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. The biggest downside to this pack is the lack of storage. 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. Combined with the wide drool pad, your child will be well protected from bumps along the trail. It is a big open pocket with no internal organization, so you might have to move things around to find what you want. At the time, that was the Air. The shoulder straps are wide and height adjustable, offering a snug fit with useful padding that never pushes on the baby's face. On the upper rear portion of the pack, you will find a large mesh stuff compartment. The male testers and those with wider backs thought it was less comfortable. This pack has numerous anatomical design considerations built in to help ensure that it properly fits the female body. Unlike other carriers we tried, our kids seem to sit up high enough to get a good birds-eye view of their surroundings (just watch those low-hanging branches!). Suitable for children from about 8 months. The child seat can be raised or lowered using the sliding buckle inside the cockpit of the Active SL. 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. 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. All of the gear on this list has been personally road-tested by us (unless otherwise noted). Here at The Kid Packer, we want to help you live your best life. If looking for a highly versatile pack built in a bit more of an economical fashion have a look CleverPlus Urban Explorer. The unisex fit with specially adapted shoulder straps and hip fins lets mum and dad take turns carrying the child. However, the real game changer is to use this full pack rain cover when it is cold out. The Deuter Kid Comfort Air has a full 14 liters of zippered storage space that sits right under kiddo, enough to carry all our water, lightweight jackets, snacks, and whatever treasures the boys find along the way. The Deuter Kid Comfort Active SL comes with a five-point safety harness to help ensure your child is securely fastened into the back. As mentioned above, the child cockpit is well padded and plush. 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. 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 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. 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. And thats exactly what weve found with this pack. We spend tens of thousands of dollars crash testing car seats to inform our ratings. The back panel utilizes a ridged foam with a mesh covering. It was easy to open and close while wearing the pack, but it was harder for some testers to reach than the kickstand on some of the competition that was closer to the user. 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. After all, it is a lightweight, entry level carrier. vs. 17 in.) The shoulder straps are easy to access for adjustments. They help ensure your child finds a comfortable sitting position with good circulation. Weve washed the nylon shell in cold water on delicate setting with no issues. Our experts have tested thousands of baby and kids products to share key performance, health, and safety findings. 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. Tear and abrasion resistant, watertight to 1500 mm. The perfect balance between lightness, carrying comfort and stability is provided by the new, extremely lightweight, minimalist and compact Aircontact Lite back system. The zipper is still fully functional, but just takes a bit more effort to open and close. This pack includes one zippered hipbelt pocket for small items such as chapstsick or keys. Deuter Kid Comfort Pro Child Carrier Review, Deuter Kid Comfort Active Child Carrier Review, Deuter Kid Comfort Active SL Child Carrier Review, Kelty Journey PerfectFIT Child Carrier Review, Kelty Journey PerfectFIT Elite Child Carrier Review, Kelty Journey PerfectFIT Signature Child Carrier Review, ClevrPlus Urban Explorer Child Carrier Review, Chicco SmartSupport Backpack Carrier Review, LuvdBaby Premium Baby Backpack Carrier Review, Osprey Poco Plus vs. Kelty Journey PerfectFIT Elite, Osprey Poco LT vs Deuter Kid Comfort Active SL, Deuter Kid Comfort Venture vs Deuter Kid Comfort Active, Thule Sapling Elite vs Kelty Journey PerfectFIT Elite, Kelty Journey PerfectFIT Elite vs Signature, Kelty Journey PerfectFIT Elite vs Kelty Journey PerfectFIT. The Deuter Kid Comfort Active SL offers a rain cover that is sold separately. 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. Let us know! The Deuter Kid Comfort Active SL typically sells for $100 less than Deuters top end model, the Kid Comfort Pro, but does so with quite a few less features. A hand-picked list of our all-time favorite baby travel gear! Before trying out a Kid Comfort Air, I fully expected it to be lacking in this department. The primary reason we rated this pack so highly on extra features is that it is a baby backpack carrier for women! Our brother-in-law had a Kid Comfort and swore by it, which put Deuter on our radar. weight. However, when your child is young, they will most likely nap leaning forward. Once you have the seat in the right spot, it doesn't slip even under the weight of a wiggly baby. The kickstand is a bit stiff and opens wide to creates a stable base; we were never worried during testing about an accidental closure. Theres a removable chin pad which is nice for sleepy passengers, and can easily be washed. The Comfort Active SL is relatively easy to use compared to the competition. This means that models with back length adjustment should be adjusted precisely. We really dont feel like weve had to sacrifice any of that for the price. The Active SL stirrups are adjustable for height and fit little feet well for comfort when riding. We love the system (more on that later), but it does reduce the child max weight to 35 lbs. Privacy | Cookies | Terms, In-depth baby product reviews led by a Pediatrician, This high-quality, less expensive pack is comfortable for babies and parents with narrower builds but the storage is limited. For sunshades that have side panels, your child can rest their head on them, somewhat like a hammock for their heads. 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. 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. 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.