Stroller Versus Baby Backpack Carrier for Travel
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Updated: March 23, 2021
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Stroller or baby backpack carrier for travel?
Here at The Kid Packer we are huge proponents of the baby backpack carrier. It has been a life changing addition to our lives that has given us access to places we never would have considered before using one. In some cases, carrying a heavy baby backpack is either not possible or less ideal. Even with our love of the backpack carrier we acknowledge that there are other ways to transport your baby while traveling so, we wanted to compare travel with a stroller versus a baby backpack carrier in five different travel scenarios!
Stroller vs. Baby Backpack Carrier – Family Visit
For a family visit with a baby, a stroller is most likely the better fit for transporting your bundle of joy. A trip with grandparents, walks around the neighborhood, a visit to the zoo. These are all great places to use a stroller! A baby backpack carrier can definitely be used in these travel scenarios but, if you have a stroller it would work perfectly. It is a lot less straining to push a stroller compared to carrying a pack on your back and grandparents and other family members love to help by pushing the stroller.
Stroller vs. Baby Backpack Carrier – Flying Internationally
After pondering this for a while, we really couldn’t think of many situations where a stroller would be better than a backpack carrier while flying (except one listed below). I don’t think many parents consider a baby backpack carrier for flying internationally with a baby and are asked frequently: ‘Can you fly with a baby backpack carrier?’ The answer is yes! There are so many benefits to flying internationally with a baby backpack carrier versus a stroller. Here are our top 5:
Security
Everyone feels the same pressure of other passengers watching you while going through airport security. Especially if you have a baby in tow. It is so much easier to collapse a baby backpack carrier and place it on a conveyor belt than to unpack and collapse a stroller that may or may not fit through the security scanners. Baby backpack carriers typically fold flat and you can leave the contents in the pack storage compartments. This can be a big time saver during an already stressful and time crunched moment.
Hands Free
Ever try filling out immigration paperwork with a long line of grumpy travelers behind you while trying to keep track of your documents, child and sanity? Now picture yourself at baggage claim with a stroller, suitcase, car seat, diaper bag and a purse. This is where the baby backpack really shines! It can be so difficult to deal with luggage, the kids and manage the wonderful chaos that is travel. Utilizing a baby backpack carrier for your child and their things can free up your hands so that you can tackle any and all obstacles while traveling.
Impromptu High Chair
In this case, a stroller is probably better for an impromptu high chair but, a baby backpack carrier works as well. If you are eating in the airport and need a safe/clean place for your little one to be while trying to eat, the baby backpack can be just that! I didn’t prefer my son to eat messy foods in the baby backpack (especially at the start of a trip) but, when in a pinch it works!
Overhead Compartment Compatible
We took our baby backpack carrier on countless flights. We never had to check or even gate check our pack. Even on small planes. Once the pack is flattened/folded (different per brand), it fits in the overhead compartment perfectly. The amount of time and stress saved by having the baby backpack on board with us is unmeasurable. The thought of waiting in line for a gate checked stroller on a tight connection is just ridiculously stressful so, walk right past that line with your kid on your back!
Nimble
No nipped heals here! A baby backpack carrier allows you to nimbly navigate crowded airports without having to say ‘Excuse me! Sorry’ a million times. With a baby backpack carrier you have the same footprint as you would with any big backpack. This alone is a huge benefit to the baby backpack carrier versus a stroller while flying internationally.
Take a look at our Top 10 Items for Flying with a Baby!
Stroller vs. Baby Backpack Carrier – Road Trips
Depending on the length of your road trip and where you are going, a baby backpack carrier may make the most sense. If your road trip includes hiking then a baby backpack carrier is definitely the way to go! If your trip includes exploring new cities, theme parks, shopping and/or a festival you could use a stroller or a baby backpack carrier but, we would still lean towards the backpack carrier. A baby backpack allows for a much more nimble experience in crowds. Baby backpack carriers also fold and compress to a small footprint, perfect for packing in the car.
If you are planning a road trip, take a look at our Tips for Road Trips with a Toddler article which includes details on planning, packing and taking a road trip with a toddler in tow!
Stroller vs. Baby Backpack Carrier – Beach Vacation
There are pros and cons to both strollers and baby backpack carriers on a beach vacation with a baby. The most obvious con to a stroller at the beach is that pushing a stroller through the sand is just not going to go well. The pro’s with a stroller is the ability to store a ton of beach gear underneath but, not being able to push it in the sand kind of makes it a no go. Walking with a baby backpack on the beach is no problem but, while there is gear storage on most packs, its definitely not enough for a day at the beach.
A con for both strollers and baby backpack carriers is all the sand that is nearly impossible to get out. Depending on your intentions for the beach, you may just leave both behind but, if you need help with carrying your baby, the baby backpack has the advantage here with mobility in the sand.
Stroller vs. Baby Backpack Carrier – Cruise Ship
Taking a cruise is a wonderful way to travel with a baby! Deciding on packing a stroller versus a baby backpack carrier for a cruise mainly depends on your itinerary. If you plan to spend most of your time strolling beaches then a baby backpack carrier would be best. If you plan to stay mostly on the ship and explore different ports then a stroller would be your best bet.
SUMMARY
To summarize, if you own a baby backpack carrier and a stroller you are covered for most any type of travel with a baby! Determining which to bring for a trip depends on the trip. We feel that in general a backpack carrier provides the most flexibility in most travel situations with a baby. This is not always the case though! There are a lot of travel situations with a baby that a stroller would be a better fit for. In addition, carrying a heavy pack may not be feasible for everyone and that is completely OK! You and your baby can travel the world, or just your neighborhood, in the way that best suits you and your family. We just encourage you to take those opportunities whenever and however you can!
If after reading this you are interested in purchasing a baby backpack carrier but are unsure where to start looking, take a look at our Top 5 Baby Backpack Carriers!
About The Kid Packer
Here at The Kid Packer, we want to help you live your best life. A great baby backpack child carrier can help you do just that. After having used a child carrier backpack for over 1,500 miles of adventuring and exploring, we have a passion for them and know what makes a great pack that both you and your child will love. We hope our comprehensive research allows you to confidently find the right backpack for your needs!