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When it comes to longer-ranging kid carrier backpacks, it’s hard to beat the Osprey Poco Family of packs.  The Osprey Poco Plus was one of the main items on our “desired” list (I’m going to tell you why).  As soon as our son was big enough (and neck muscles strong enough) to sit in this pack, we were adjusting and fitting it to him to head out on hikes.

First, let’s talk about our why’s for this pack, then we’ll talk about features.  I had a sling and a front baby carrier to begin.  They were wonderful when The Dude was teeny tiny, but as he grew, so did my back discomfort.  I was already totting more weight on my chest than usual (cough, cough…) and adding another front-focused carrier just added to posture strain and muscles aches.  For short periods of time (say, going to a farmer’s market), these worked fine.  

Yet, once he was big enough for the Poco carrier, there was no looking back.  We were never fans of strollers for many reasons.  And we wanted something that could be multi-use, regardless of where we were or what we were doing (you’ll see that’s a theme with us).  So, while we used the Poco carrier for our hiking and backpacking excursions, we also used it in place of a stroller when we traveled: on the beach, in shops, through historical sites, you name it.  We can’t even remember how many times people stopped - even driving down the road pulling over - to ask us what the backpack was because they wanted to find one.

Let’s talk about the Poco features and pros:

• It’s adjustable for everyone. Both of us could use the same carrier, adjusting the torso length, shoulder straps, and hip belt to fit (Cristen’s 5’6”, Matt is just under 6’). But it’s also very adjustable for the kiddo riding along, with foot stirrups and shoulder straps for them, too. When he was very little, we would tuck a small blanket or stuffed animal around him to fill the space and create a comfier ride. That said, the seat and straps are also adjustable for your child as they grow, accommodating a range of age and size. From six-months-old to three years old, this was an added necessity to our gear packing. We were all sad when it was outgrown.

• It’s lightweight. There are three different options in the Poco Family of carriers: Poco LT (lightweight), Poco, and Poco Plus. I would definitely look at Osprey’s site to compare the three and see what fits your needs best. Each has a different price point and is geared toward different levels of use. The LT is lighter weight, but the suspension system for back support is a bit heavier duty in the Poco and Poco Plus, for example. One thing to note: take their measure of Trip Length (Volume) with a grain of salt… it’s a kid carrier. Storage in the pockets is great compared to other carriers, but lacking compared to a standard multi-day backpack. If you’re backpacking with a baby/toddler, one person will be focused on carrying the child and some essentials, the other person or people will carry most everything else. That’s just the nature of it.

• Great warranty. Osprey has always been known for their “Almighty Guarantee” - this is one of the reasons we find ourselves looking strongly at Osprey when we need a backpack. Wouldn’t you rather repair something that’s served you well than add to a landfill? The Guarantee is adjusted a bit when it comes to their child carrier (safety standards necessitate different guidelines), yet it’s still quite generous. I’m copying and pasting this from their website so nothing is lost in translation: “7 YEAR ALL MIGHTY GUARANTEE: POCO CHILD CARRIER AND ACCESSORIES Osprey Child Safety Products LLC will repair any damage or defect for any reason free of charge during the first seven years from the date of manufacture. If we are unable to perform a functional repair on your Poco Child Carrier or Poco Accessory, we will happily replace it. Additional or replacement parts should only be obtained from manufacturer, importer or organization responsible for its sales.”

• Longevity. Did you read that 7 year guarantee above? Seven years! On a product that’s typically heavily used and still has life in it. Yes, when our boy outgrew the Poco, we gave it to friends who were having their first child. The thing is tough, hiked hundreds of miles with us, and still had more to give.

• Special features. Some of this will depend on which Poco you choose. I’m going to roll through some of the possible features (these would all be on the Plus version): built-in sunshade, removable/washable drool pad, mesh side pockets for easy kid-access, dual grab handles, external hydration sleeve, zippered hip-belt pockets for mom/dad, ventilated back panel, collapsable kickstand (so you push it out to make a stable base for setting the pack on the ground and it stays steady and upright - or you push it in to be more compact while on the move), lots of storage pockets.

• Comfort. Truly, this thing is comfortable. The way it sits on your hips - just like you larger backpacks, distributes the weight off your shoulders and onto your lower body so that your center of gravity feels good and you’re not as tempted to lean forward into carrying it with your shoulders. You can hike miles upon miles in this pack and still feel good at the end of the day. We do strongly recommend hiking with trekking poles because, well, you have a baby strapped to your back and stumbles can happen. Your child will probably fare much better in the Double Halo child harness that you will simply falling with extra weight on your back.

• Extras. They also make a rainfly for this pack that allows for ventilation and visibility for your little one, as well as a carrying case if you want to protect it as a check-bag on a flight.

Finally, here are our limited list of cons:

• It could be considered bulky. I mean, yes and no. Compared to other backpack carriers, it’s no different. We think it’s less intrusive that a stroller. Of course it’s not as small as a sling or front carrier, but your back will thank you for sacrificing the space in your car for the Poco.

• It’s pricier than other brands of carrier backpacks you might find at box stores or Amazon. But those are carriers aren’t going to have the kind of engineering that Osprey has put into the Poco series. Like always, find what works in your budget, but if you plan on using this carrier most of the time, try to find a Poco that can fit you. You might even get lucky on one of the pre-owned or discount sites we talked about in this blog post. The other backpack carrier we’ve had experience with is the Deuter Kid Comfort Child Carrier (read that review to compare!).

The Osprey Poco Plus was our first child carrier backpack, so I think it stays dear to our hearts.  We often think fondly of the long hikes we used to do with The Dude strapped in, singing along, and asking to touch the trees as we strolled along.  Like many parents, we’re happy to see our boy growing and getting strong enough to join us on some mileage with his own two feet, but we definitely have great memories of pulling the Poco out for a new adventure.  Hopefully, you will have the same experience if you decide this carrier is right for you!

Finally, when your kiddo is big enough to hike independently, have them help carry, too! Osprey makes a wide range of kid-sized backpacks for them to begin adventuring alongside you.