best baby backpack carriers for women
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Best baby backpack carriers for women?
Updated: May 6, 2021
Best Baby Backpack Carriers for Women
The best baby backpack carrier for women is the Deuter Kid Comfort Active SL. It is the only kid carrier backpack on the market today that is specifically designed for a woman.
With so many great backpacks out there, it is a pretty close call, but with slimmer shoulder straps and conically shaped hip fins on the waist belt, the Deuter Kid Comfort Active SL is our top baby backpack carrier for moms.
However, there are other great options for women! The Osprey Poco, Osprey Poco LT (new 2021) and Thule Sapling are very similar products, offer great storage, a slim backpack profile, and quality sunshades. If you are looking for a feature filled backpack at nearly half the price, the ClevrPlus Urban Explorer is certainly worth a look as well!
What to Look For When Shopping for a Baby Backpack Carrier for Mom?
If you are looking for the best baby backpack carrier for a woman and not planning to share the backpack with a larger framed partner, your decision becomes a bit easier. For starters, several backpacks offer hip belt extenders to ensure those with a larger frame can find a proper fit. This usually is not necessary if the backpack will be primarily used by a woman. You can save a few dollars by shopping for a backpack without this extra feature.
The next thing to focus on is the hipbelt and shoulder strap design. Although nearly every child carrier backpack on the market will fit a woman just fine, there is only one that is specifically designed with the female anatomy in mind, the Deuter Kid Comfort Active SL.
Lastly, you will still want to consider features such as gear storage, child comfort, sun protection, and value. We have researched them all and the list below covers our top kid carrier backpacks for women.
Best Baby Backpack Carriers for Women
Quick Links:
Deuter Kid Comfort Active SL
Osprey Poco
Thule Sapling
Kelty Journey PerfectFIT Signature
ClevrPlus Urban Explorer
Top Rated Baby Backpack Carriers For Women - Comparison Table
Below, The Kid Packer has compiled ratings on the top 5 best baby backpack carriers for women. We break it down into three specific categories, Comfort, Safety, and Other.
The Comfort category evaluates adult comfort, child comfort, and adult fit adjustability. The Safety category evaluates child safety, sun protection, and nap effectiveness. And lastly, the Other category evaluates gear storage, extra features, durability, and value.
1. Deuter Kid Comfort Active SL
Pack Weight: 5.9 lbs.
Pack Weight Limit: 48.5 lbs.
Gear Capacity: 14 L
Hipbelt Extenders: No
Best for: Female Comfort
Price: ~$250
What we love:
- Slimmer shoulder straps better fit female body
- Conical shaped hip fins do an excellent job of transferring weight to lower body
- Top notch child comfort
- Excellent build quality
What’s not great:
- Limited gear storage
- Sunshade sold separately
As the only baby backpack carrier specifically built to fit a woman, it sits atop of our list of best baby backpack carriers for women. Deuter makes four different baby backpack carrier models but, the SL model is designed specifically with women in mind.
So, what has changed to ensure women have the best experience possible? For starters, the shoulder straps have a more narrow and tapered design vs. the standard unisex Kid Comfort Active. This helps the backpack rest on your shoulders in a more natural fashion. Second, the torso adjustment has been tailored to fit the average female body type, with a 14” – 18” torso adjustment, a few inches smaller than the standard Kid Comfort Active. Lastly, the hip fins on the waist belt have been modified with a more conical shape. This helps ensure weight is properly distributed to the lower body and minimizes back strain.
Another great feature about this backpack is the child comfort. Deuter builds some of the most comfortable baby backpack carriers for both the adult wearer and child and the Active SL is no different. The child cockpit is extremely plush and fully lined with padded mesh. The child seat is fully adjustable, and the backpack comes with a removable and washable, plush drool pad. Great for nap time!
Another reason we have this as our top child carrier backpack for moms is the pack weight. Coming in under 6 pounds, the Kid Comfort Active SL is among the lightest backpack child carriers.
Despite all the positives of this backpack, there are two drawbacks. 1) A sunshade is not included. A sunshade is a critical item on a child carrier backpack to keep your child safe, and even helps during nap time. However, we can let this slide as Deuter does have a sunshade for purchase separately. 2) The Kid Comfort Active SL only has 14 L of storage. This isn’t much. Enough for a jacket, some snacks and changing gear, but not much more than that. We would have appreciated an extra zippered storage compartment vs. the upper mesh stuff compartment.
However, even with these two drawbacks, we still ended up with the Deuter Kid Comfort Active SL as our top baby backpack carrier for women. For our full review of Deuter Kid Comfort Active SL, have a look at this article.
2. Osprey Poco
Pack Weight: 7.7 pounds
Pack Weight Limit: 48.5 lbs.
Gear Capacity: ~20 L
Hipbelt Extenders: No
Best for: Hiking, Travel, Day Trips
Price: ~$290
What we love:
- Great gear storage with two zippered compartments
- Best sunshade on the market
- Rain cover sold separately for bad weather
- Excellent during nap time
What’s not great:
- Not as plush as some competitors
- High-end price tag ~$290
The second pick on our best baby backpacks carriers for moms is the Osprey Poco.
Built with no hip extenders, a slimmer profile, slightly lower weight, and coming in roughly $40 lower than the Osprey Poco Plus, the Osprey Poco is a great pick for women.
The Osprey Poco does not include hip belt extenders. You will find these on the Poco Plus model, and they are great for helping ensure larger and wider body frames can find an ideal fit. However, if you really don’t plan to share the backpack with a male partner or someone with a XL sized frame, the Osprey Poco would be more ideal. However, if a female is to be the primary user of the backpack, don’t worry, a male can certainly wear this backpack too, it might not be as comfortable for a full day outing if they are a larger frame.
Other features we love that make it ideal for moms is the slim profile. Compared to the Poco Plus, the Poco has a slimmer profile. Sometimes, the bigger, bulky backpacks with more storage are a bit unwieldy, and can feel a cumbersome on a female frame. Not the Osprey Poco. It still has plenty of storage at 20 L and offers two reasonably sized zippered gear compartments. The slimmer profile also means this backpack weighs less than other models.
Lastly, you can’t talk about the Osprey child carrier backpacks without bringing up the sunshade. Osprey has the best sunshade on the market. It is fully integrated, provides excellent sun protection, keeps your child cool, and even helps out at nap time. A sunshade is critical, and Osprey does it right.
The primary downside to this backpack? High-end price tag. But, you get what you pay for. This pack will last, have great re-sale value, and even comes with a 7 year limited warranty.
If you are interested in the Osprey Poco, have a look at this article for our full, in-depth review. Like the Poco but not sure if the Poco or Poco Plus is the better option? Check out The Kid Packer’s comparison article.
New 2021 - Osprey Poco LT
A new option from Osprey for 2021 is the Osprey Poco LT. This latest addition to the Osprey Poco series is their lightest and most compact design yet! Take a look at our full Osprey Poco LT Review for more information. Also, take a look at our Osprey Poco vs Osprey Poco LT Comparison to see what is different about these two child carrier backpacks!
3. Thule Sapling
Pack Weight: 7 lbs. 5 oz.
Pack Weight Limit: 48 lbs.
Gear Capacity: ~20-25 L
Hipbelt Extenders: No
Best for: Hiking, Travel
Price: ~$299
What we love:
- Excellent child safety
- Best storage of any on our list
- Walk in child loading
- Can purchase rain cover separately
What’s not great:
- High end price tag $299
- A bit more bulky
Our third pick on our best child carrier backpacks for women list, and very similar to the Osprey Poco, is the Thule Sapling. Thule offers two models of child carrier backpacks, and the Sapling is our top pick for women.
The higher end model, the Sapling Elite, comes with even more storage and hip belt extenders. Although these features are both appreciated, if you are a woman or buying for a woman where she will be the primary user, the hip extenders just aren’t helpful. The lack of hip extenders and the lower storage volume results in a backpack that costs $50 less and has a slimmer profile, more ideal for women.
Overall, the Thule backpacks are some of our favorites. For starters, the storage is great, at around 20 L, two rear zippered compartments, oversized hip belt zippered pockets, and a rear stuff pocket, you’ll be able to carry everything you need for a full day on the trail.
Other features we really appreciate about the Thule Sapling is the child safety. With fairly unique child thigh straps, this backpack offers your child the very best. We also really love the child cockpit compression straps. With the backpack on and fully loaded, you can reach behind you and pull on two straps that essentially compress the child seating area, bringing the child closer to you. This accomplishes a few things. 1) It stabilizes the pack by ensuring the weight is close to you. 2) It gives the pack a slimmer profile. 3) It gives your child less wiggling room and also provides a cozy spot to sleep during nap time. Thule really did a great job designing these types of features. Oh, and don’t forget about the rain cover, a must have!
The downside? Really it just comes down to cost. At ~$300, the Thule Sapling is among the higher priced child carrier backpacks. If you plan to use your backpack frequently, we don’t have any issues with this price. You and your family will have countless adventures and memories from this purchase. However, if you only plan to use this backpack from time to time, perhaps our number five option below might be a better choice.
For a full review of the Thule Sapling, have a look at this article.
4. Kelty Journey PerfectFIT Signature
Pack Weight: 6.4 lbs.
Pack Weight Limit: 48.5 lbs.
Gear Capacity: ~26 L
Hipbelt Extenders: No
Best for: Hiking, Travel
Price: ~$260
What we love:
- Full featured child carrier backpack
- Exceptional storage
- Sunshade comes included
- Great child seat design
What’s not great:
- Sunshade could use some design changes
- A bit bulky
Kelty makes excellent quality outdoor products, and their child carrier backpacks are no exception. Kelty offers three models, with the Signature being their mid-level offering. The Signature model comes in at number 4 on our list of top baby backpack hiking carriers for females.
As mentioned earlier, only the Deuter Kid Comfort Active SL is designed specifically for women. However, we found that the Kelty Signature was not too far off. Compared to other backpacks, the shoulder straps on the Kelty Signature have a more tapered, S shape, that rest more comfortably on a female body. The hipbelt fins are also curved inward a bit more, and rest more naturally on a woman’s body. We are not sure if this was by design, but either way, the Kelty Journey PerfectFIT Signature is ideal for a mom!
Other features we love are the storage and the child seat design. First the storage, with 26 L of storage and numerous zippered compartments, you’ll have plenty of room to pack pretty much anything you want. Secondly, the child seat design. Kelty utilizes a bit wider child seat, with flaps of soft material draping down the sides. This prevents your child’s thighs from rubbing, helping them stay comfortable for hours in the backpack.
Although a sunshade is included, which we are thankful for, we would like to see some design improvements. The sunshade doesn’t have side panels, and when the sun is lower in the sky in the morning or afternoon, your child will have more sun exposure. Side panels on the shade would also help with nap time.
The other slight drawback is the profile of the backpack. With all that storage, it really bulks up the backpack. You might not mind this, but it is worth noting! For a the full review of the Kelty Journey PerfectFIT Signature, have a look at this article.
5. ClevrPlus Urban Explorer
Pack Weight: 7.2 lbs.
Pack Weight Limit: 48 lbs.
Gear Capacity: ~28 L
Hipbelt Extenders: No
Best for: Short Hikes, Travel
Price: ~$155
What we love:
- Solid alternative to the well known named brands
- Removable daypack for extra storage or slimmer profile
- Gets the job done at a much lower selling price
What’s not great:
- Sunshade design is a bit flimsy
- Not the most comfortable
- Noticeably lower quality materials vs. name brands
If you are looking for a top baby backpack hiking carrier for moms, but looking for something more economical, the ClevrPlus Urban Explorer is for you.
This is a top baby backpack carrier for women for several reasons. 1) It has a detachable day pack. You can load it up with gear for a full day on the trail, or leave it at home for a slimmer profile for heading around town. Or, you could share the day pack with a partner to split the weight. 2) The backpack is more stylish than most of the other options. This pack comes in several colors, including our favorite, Heather Gray. ClevrPlus also uses some brown leather on the day bag, which has a really nice look with the gray. 3) The ClevrPlus Urban Explorer sells for about $155, nearly half of what other brands sell for. No, this isn’t female specific, but who doesn’t like a great value?
This backpack also comes with a sunshade and has zippered pockets on the hipbelt.
The downside to this backpack is that it just isn’t quite as comfortable as the others. The padding isn’t quite as plush, the straps don’t adjust as easily, etc. Honestly, we really don’t mind for light use given the Urban Explorer sells at such a reasonable price point. At only $155, the materials are bit lower quality, and it shows in terms of backpack comfort. If you plan to put heavy miles on a child carrier backpack, and use it many times each month over several years, another backpack might be a better option. However, if you plan to use this backpack once or twice a month and on family vacations, this backpack will be perfect!
For our full review of the ClevrPlus Urban Explorer, have a look at this article.
Best Baby Backpack Carriers For Women - Summary
Baby backpack hiking carriers are spectacular, and really open up a world of adventure for you and your child. For a woman, the best child carrier backpack on the market today is the Deuter Kid Comfort Active SL. Designed specifically for women and loaded with features, you can’t go wrong.
Two other options that are perfect for women, have plenty of storage and have a slimmer backpack profile, are the Osprey Poco and Thule Sapling. Both great options.
For another option that fits a female body exceptionally well, and has more than twice the gear storage of the Deuter SL is the Kelty Journey PerfectFIT Signature. Lastly, the CleverPlus Urban Explorer rounds out our top baby backpack carriers for women. At nearly half the cost and loaded with features, the Urban Explorer is one of our favorite backpacks on the market.
Lastly, if you are looking for something a bit more versatile that can be shared across a wide range of body types and sizes, has all the features for a full day on the trail, an international trip, or just a trip the grocery store, the Osprey Poco Plus is our top rated baby backpack carrier, and is definitely worth consideration. Although it wasn’t made specifically for women, it should fit a male or female just fine.
Deuter Kid Comfort Active SL
Osprey Poco
Thule Sapling
Kelty Journey PerfectFIT Signature
ClevrPlus Urban Explorer
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!
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!