deuter Kid Aircomfort Framed Baby Carrier: Another Thing I Wish I'd Bought Sooner

I wish I could go back in time and buy all the things I wasn't sure I'd use because "this is the last baby." Heh. After having four kids, I obviously wasn't on my "last baby" and I've finally gotten some things I could have used a LOT sooner. One is the deuter Kid Aircomfort Framed Baby Carrier.

::: Affordable Option :::

I'm going to start out by admitting that I am NOT a serious hiker. That said, however, we live right on top of one of the County Park trail systems (as in at the end of our street on top of) and the kids have been BEGGING to go on hikes as long as they've known about it. Seeing as this is the first summer in almost 9 years that I haven't been pregnant or caring for a newborn, we decided that this was the year to hit the trails, and we needed a back carrier for the littlest one.

Since this is our last (and we MEAN IT this time) child, we didn't want to go all out with a pricey model, and the deuter Kid Aircomfort Framed Baby Carrier was a very affordable option. It seemed to have most of the basic features we wanted, and best of all, it was in our price range.

The deuter Kid Aircomfort Framed Baby Carrier has a lightweight frame, adjustable 5-point harness restraint, mesh layer between your back and the carrier so you aren't soaked at the end of your hike, a good-sized zippered compartment under baby's seat for storage, clips on the adult harness for attaching keys and gear, padded headrest for your little one, padded shoulder pads and back pads for you, and an easily adjustable strap system for added comfort.

The deuter Kid Aircomfort Framed Baby Carrier is made of a combination of mesh, ripstop nylon, and Duratex, a rip-resistant fabric, and comes in a pleasant forest green and granite grey color scheme that doesn't show much dirt. A weather protector (sun shade and rain gear) is sold separately. It has a carrying capacity of up to 48.5 pounds including child, and gear.

::: Easy to Use, Even for the Inexperienced :::

Again, I'm not a hiker. And the first time I've EVER used a frame carrier was the day I unboxed this and tried it out, and even with NO experience with frame carriers, I was able to get it out, set up, adjusted, and holding a baby within 15 minutes, and that includes adjusting the straps to fit my itty bitty toddler. The deuter Kid Aircomfort Framed Baby Carrier is only for use with children who are able to sit on their own, but if you are wondering about sizing, my tiny little peanut is only 19 pounds at 21 months old, and I was able to fit her with absolutely no trouble at all.

The carrier has a sturdy stand for getting baby in and adjusted, and I found that if I put Butter in on the porch steps, I was able to sit, get her in, and stand easily with no assistance.

There is no adjustable torso on this carrier, but I was able to get a decent comfortable fit using the adjustable shoulder straps, chest strap, and waist strap. Best of all, however, Butter LOVES the deuter Kid Aircomfort Framed Baby Carrier. The second she sees it come out, she starts shrieking with delight and climbs in without any fuss at all. I know she's secure between the 5-point harness and adjustable padded sides, and have even gone up and down a pretty steep incline with her in the carrier with nary a move on her part.

I would definitely recommend the optional weather canopy (I paid $25.00 for it) since the deuter Kid Aircomfort Framed Baby Carrier has no sun protection at all, and I've found that my little one is fond of removing her hat and tossing it backward without me knowing it. This really is a great (and affordable) carrier for the casual hiker, and I definitely recommend it.