Hiking with toddlers

[R_Lefebvre]

I think the key to a decent wagon is the wheels and bearings. True pneumatic tires, and quality bearings would make it roll so much better.

 

[elmo_4_vt]

We've done 4-5, 5+ mile hikes in on the AT in Virginia, and a few little ones around the neighborhood/mall/parks with a backpack and it works pretty well. You will get a great workout though. My son loves being up high with better visibility, and the pack has extra room for water, snacks, and the diaper essentials. When he gets tired he can just fall asleep (the bouncing will do it on a rough trail). You can also sit it on the ground and it stands by itself. The pack has a 45lb rating, though I think once he hits 35 it will hit my rating for anything other than a small hike. He is about 25lbs right now and it's not problem at all, just makes it a better workout.

Don

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[Alchemyguy]

I also checked out these ones:

http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_...T<>prd_id=845524441776409&bmUID=1268330469328

We've got that one, and it's been good for our 22lb-er. She loves it.

 

[pan7eraboyca]

picked up a Runner at a baby swap meet for $60. We have taken it everywhere and it has been super durable. Just get something with larger tires and shop used. I always get a laugh at the girls pushing the $1200 stroller with the tits still on the wheels. We wore ours off (they were still on our used one) after a month.

Expensive strollers are a fashion accessory.

 

[The Adam Blaster]

Expensive strollers are a fashion accessory.

I was just over at my cousin-in-law's place returning his battery charger, and he showed me a brand new $500+ jogging stroller. I said "Looks nice, but there's no way I'm paying that much for a stroller!". lol

And it was a good looking stroller, 12" tires on plastic large spoke wheels, light and sturdy. Everything seemed to be high quality.

I don't think I'm being cheap, I could afford it if I really wanted to, but I just think they are WAY over priced.

My wife is heading to a baby sale right now.
(The babies aren't on sale, just the baby gear.)
I tried to call her to look out for a decent wagon with "real" tires, but once again, her cell is off. I'm not sure why she has a cell phone if she's not going to ever turn it on. That's a subject for a different thread though... lol

 

[Ford Prefect]

FIND a Used "BABY JOGGER" Brand jogger

They fold down smaller than any other jogger out there! Get the ones with the fixed front wheel, because they fold down a LOT smaller. Plus all the wheels can detach, so you really can fit them in well. I used to put our baby jogger into the tunk of my convertable (which if you know convertables about all you can put back there is a back pack and a day bag.)

We have a Kelty backpack and kid holder, our kid hates the thing, so we never use it. The jogger works really great on those hard trails.

Never thought about locking it to a tree! Great idea, thanks.

Brian

 

[SMD]

Introduce the child to Diego and Dora, and then work off that when you go hiking. That's what worked for us.

"Hike, hike, hike... we're hiking in the woo-oods!"

My daughter (2 yrs) started singing that song last fall when we were out on a short trail. I've finally seen the episode.

We stay on shorter trails and alternate between putting her in the REI backpack carrier or letting her do her own walking. Lots of stops and starts to get in/out of the carrier, but it's a necessary annoyance to get her some time out in the woods. She usually falls asleep in the carrier before we make it back to camp.

 

[ignorant]

We have a Sherpa (?) kid's carrier that we picked up @ REI. We had a crappy one that I suffered through the first kid with, but when kid #2 & #3 came along I upgraded to a real one.

I've hiked lots of the AT with him on my back as well as just in crowds, etc. Much better than a stroller.

Sherpani.

We have one as well and It will hold up to a 45lb child.

 

[flyingwil]

I prefer the Kelty carriers. I tried a few at REI with our daughter loaded in them and the Kelty's seemed to be the most comforable out of the group of different brands. The problem is when we encounter terrain that just isn't too kid friendly... it becomes a load and unload situation(s) depending on the terrain.

My favorite is the Kelty.

More recently we used a hand me down while on vacation that worked pretty well too, but it was not as comfortable for me.

 

[Willman]

More recently we used a hand me down while on vacation that worked pretty well too, but it was not as comfortable for me.

Wil....got that same one!....It is ok for the most part....My kid weighting 30 plus pounds sure makes it a workout....I think the fat old man just need to lose 30 pounds then it would fit better on me!

With a larger kid in it...makes me feel top heavy as well....

Just wondering....Any details on the one you got Wil (red one)?

 

[racingjason]

I don't like the Baby Bjorn, it might be my lack of physical fitness, but my back gets sore in about 5 minutes from that thing...
Or I'm carrying him too high?
He's too big for it anyway.

I agree about the Bjorn, it is fine for me on the flats but I was climbing up the side of a snowy mountain slope at x-mas and the weight seemed to really pull at my back. We just upgraded from the Bjorn to a Babyhawk Oh Snap(???). Great unit. It has a padded hip belt and straps and can be worn on the front or rear and the child rides nice and close to the body. It is now like wearing nothing at all and, apparently, it is good up to 45 lbs.

 

[jayshapiro]

Buy a Kelty

I cannot speak highly enough about the Kelty FC3 kid carriers. They are awesome we have two now, one for Kurt (now 4, but bouncing in his Kelty since he was 1.5) and one for Maya (2).

They both love them. Great view, comfortable ride, fun stuff to play with.

We love them because they put the weight on your hips not your back. We've done 10k hikes with the kids, no problem.

The other nice thing about them is there is plenty of cargo space for picnics, change of clothes, diapers, sleeping bag, etc. The removable mini-pack is helpful for flights too.

We own a chariot jogging stroller for two and it's great too (especially behind the bikes) but doesn't do well in the forest.

Great thread, hope this helps!

Cheers,
jay

 

[ignorant]

I just did a short hike with some friends who recived a Deuter brand baby carrier. I must say it puts my sherpani to absolute shame. It is better padded, better constructed and just flat out a nicer bit of kit. Too bad it's double the price. I would check one out if you have some serious cash to burn. It was pretty cool.

Like $300 or so, but DAMN it's nice.

 

[R_Lefebvre]

Yeah, that's the one I got. It was more than twice the price of the MEC branded carrier, but it's just SOO much nicer. I still don't know if it's justified but... we've gotten out a number of times. Sometimes I even like to use it when we're just going to crowded city places, because it's easier to manoever in crowds than with a big stroller.

 

[jayshapiro]

Rock-on!

Sometimes I even like to use it when we're just going to crowded city places, because it's easier to manoever in crowds than with a big stroller.

We do the same thing, great for parades, concerts, etc.

Yes, they're $300 but when you consider they double as a day-pack (though not without a kid inside) and you use them for going through airports (unzip the small pack and gate check the rest like a stroller), in the city, and at least 10 times a year for 3 years, the price/utility balance becomes pretty good.

I love our Kelty's and have no regrets on them. I know we've gotten out money's worth out of them. ...And based on what I see on eBay, we should be able to get some value back for them when we're (eventually) done with toddlers...

Cheers,
Jay.