Rebel and Luca, getting a cold-weather hike in the Deuter Kid Comfort III.
For a lot of us, having kids means not getting out as much as we used to–fair enough. A little creativity will reveal new opportunities in our obsessive, I-wish-I-could-get-in-a-ski/hike/climb/adventure mentality. Bicep curls with a toddler? Why not? The always popular kid-shotput in your local pool? Hell, yes! Add to your list of post-baby workouts the Deuter Kid Comfort speed hike and Nordy ski.
Deuter is a German brand, but its North American distribution partner calls Longmont home, making it a “local” company in a sense. I first scored a Deuter pack in Europe, finding a “Guide 25” on the sale rack in a shop in France. A decade later, having used it all over the States, throughout Europe, and even as a traveling pack in Asia, the thing is still going strong. In the years since I became a Deuter fan, I’ve had the opportunity to use a few of their models, the “Cruise” (a ski-specific pack), the “Pace” (a great alpine pack, but now discontinued), and the Guide 45–a nice do-it-all rig that handles bigger loads. Last summer we talked Deuter out of a couple Kid Carriers and I gotta say–they are primo.
Deuter’s Kid Comfort Carriers come in a variety of models and we have the II (6 lbs., 8 oz., $239) and III (7 lbs., 10 oz., $299). They’re nearly identical, save for a more “deluxe” headrest on the III (which houses the rain/sun cover). While the III does offer a bit more padding and support, it’s also nice having the option of paring down the II’s relatively lower-profile top section with the removable headrest. Check ’em out both out (they’re available at REI) and see which one you dig.
Both carriers feature Deuter’s utterly simple, totally functional, and completely underrated “Vari Quick” adjustment system. A hook-and-loop strap allows you to adjust the frame length in seconds and though it’s low-tech, the system works–really, really well. Both the II and III offer peerless comfort–no joke, I always remark how comfy they are when I put one on. The quick adjustment allows you to swap packs between carriers, too–Rebecca and I are a few inches off in terms of height, so it’s easy to switch back and forth. I can’t overstate how well designed and successful the suspension system for both models is.
The whole Carrier opens up to swallow your miniature adventurer. A system of shoulder straps and side webbing secures your little dude(tte) in–plenty secure for hiking, skiing, maybe even a short bike commute, and I’ve even seen some folks climbing (yes, pitched climbing on a rope) in one of those. My opinion, a bad idea, but you get the idea–the Deuters comfortably fasten your kid into the pack and onto your back.
Ample pocketry stashes jackets, snacks, and yes…diapers. In hot weather we’ve stashed ice packs in the lower pocket, which sits just under one the boys. There’s also a sleeve for a hydration bladder which rests between the passenger and pilot–great for drinking, but another opportunity for cold fluids along the kid. Maybe I’m just the guilty, obsessive parent making my kids endure a hike in 95-degree heat, but Rebel and I think the extra ice keeps the punks cooler!
Quality is right where it should be–no fancy materials like Dyneema or anything, just quality, ripstop nylon, like all Deuter packs. After more than a year of use, ours look brand new. That’s been my experience with everything Deuter makes and should something go wrong, they stand by their products. My Guide 25, after a decade of climbing, skiing, thrashing, blew a zipper and they replaced it immediately, even though they’ve never sold the 25 in the States.
Detailing on the packs shows some serious thought–the little “rest” in front of the child’s head comes out for easy washing. Any parent knows that a full one-third of all snacks ends up on the kid’s chin/shirt/whatever’s in front. The Deuter “slobber bumper” (my term, but maybe I should trademark it and license it to Deuter?) pops right off, washes up and stays soft–great when the kid naps and slumps forward into it.
The Kid Comfort Carrier II has a small, lightweight, removable sun shade that slots into the top, while the III has a raised headrest which houses a zip-out sun shade. The III seems a little more deluxe, but having the ability to pop the top completely off makes the II quite a bit shorter and easier to store or load in the car. Definitely consider this when you’re choosing a model. I didn’t get a chance to compare these two models to the Kid Comfort I ($199), but it looks just a little less featured, but with the same adjustable frame and pockets.
Deuter also makes their “KangaKid, (4 lbs., 3 oz., $159)” which is a BRILLIANT idea–it’s a compact backpack, fully worthy as a diaper bag (yes, dudes you WILL end up carrying one of these, so it may as well be a badass one from Deuter, instead of a flowered-up faux-messenger one), but then zips out for a kid carrier. I haven’t used this model, so do your homework, but it looks as though it would carry a kid comfortably for shorter trips–think airport, shopping, meltdown at the park. Not a bad gift idea, too, for new parents. Give it a look.
As usual, Deuter delivers on their Kid Carriers. Just like their alpine, ski, and hiking packs, these are not the sexiest models on the market, but they’re some of the best: they work, they’re on the lower end of the price spectrum, they’re well made, and they will last.
I’m a major Deuter fan and my only consistent gripe with them is weight in their technical packs…but to that end, Deuter’s bringing their “Guide Lite” series to the States this year–hot damn, too, because these are super cool packs. Keep your eyes peeled for them. In the meantime, consider a Kid Comfort Carrier if you’re looking for a great way to keep getting out with a kid in tow. Our little guys LOVE hiking in them and they nap really well, enjoy looking around, and generally have a blast. Believe me, once you have kids–these are priceless commodities in life…and Deuter has them in ample supply. Yes!
