The Outdoor Life: Kelty FC 3.0 | KIDS Frame Carrier ~ Giveaway *CLOSED
My first “big” date with my husband, we hiked Mt. Washington in New Hampshire. The tallest peak in the eastern United States. What in the world was I thinking? It was a nine-hour date in which we toiled (I toiled, hubby was fine!) through a fine mist and clouds of fog, past enchanting waterfalls, and nervous-making dropoffs to the top. Definitely a relationship make-or-break-er!
As we scrambled over slick rocks lining the Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail (we took the White Mountain Classic Trail up the Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail and down by the Jewell Trail), we saw a family with children making their way down. Parents bringing their children hiking on a strenuous trail? I was impressed. I resolved not to let having children keep me house-bound when I became a parent (oh yes, I was certain I would marry that man loping easily up the trail ahead of me!).
Raising an outdoor baby is not without challenge. First, new moms have to physically recover from birthing. Then, logistical challenges. As in, how to carry the baby? Traditional cloth baby carriers are great for errands, picnics, or mild recreation. But for longer adventures, a frame carrier is a good choice. It bears a heavy load comfortably, plus it has storage for food/supplies (good for day hikes). The cushioning for baby to ride in comfort is good, and there are several mesh openings for airflow.
We were thrilled our very first Kids’ Frame Carrier was a Kelty! My husband has always packed a Kelty backpack when we hike, and we have a few other Kelty items, so we know and love the Kelty brand for outdoor gear! 
What do we love about the KeltyFC 3.0 Kids Frame carrier? (Beside the striking orange-curry fabric!).
- Holds children up to 50 pounds, making longer hikes possible with toddlers / preschoolers. The seat padding is substantial and feels comfortable! (The Velcro pad is a bit easy for baby to remove though).
- The 5-point adjustable harness secures the child and buckles hid under soft microfleece so they don’t irritate the skin.
- Children are level with the adult’s head, to take in scenery without craning their necks. My son loves to pat my husband’s head and urge him forward. He’s always pointing as he rides, and is much more active in this carrier than my other carriers.
- Two storage areas – under the seat and rear allow you to stash lunch, diapers, etc.
- Really loved the enclosed bottom portion – this keeps baby’s legs safe from swinging branches, cold, rain, wind. There is room to wrap a blanket around his legs for added protection.
- Sun/rain hood has a high arch to avoid touching babies head. The side screening lets them see out but stay protected (oh, and there’s a changing pad! Loved that!).
- Torso-adjustment to fit taller/shorter adult builds – keeps the baby riding lower for better balance.
- Patented kick stand – automatically pops out when you loosen the belt/straps.
Obviously there is a lot to say about the Kelty FC 3.0. How did it work for us? My husband loves Kelty so I made him test it out first! He raved about the fit and quality construction. At first I worried it would be “too much carrier” for me, but that was not the case.
Our first hike with the carrier was smooth, baby loved it, daddy loved it, and… mommy decided to try too! We switched packs on the trail, and I adjusted the Kelty carrier to my size in just a minute or two. I had to readjust after walking a little ways, but once I got the carrier settled on my hips, it felt good. Adjusting the torso height of the belt was a little challenging for me; I think this will come with practice.
Excuse the homemade hats made from flat diaper clothes – we forgot our hats AND bandanas, and the tick population is high in our area!
The adjustable fit is impressive, since I am 5’5″ and hubby is 6’2,” and the pack worked for both of us! I need to work on my core strength for toting a growing boy long distances, but fortunately, I do not hike without my husband! Our son is twenty-four pounds, plus the pack’s seven pounds, so I definitely felt a shift in my center of gravity when I wore the pack, but I didn’t struggle (our hike was not very “climby” as I didn’t want to attempt anything challenging with new gear and the baby).
Although the carrier is bulky for packing into the car, we managed to take it camping with us. Which was a huge benefit when it rained the night before we left, and we needed to pack up camp in slightly muddy ground. My husband threw the carrier on, put the baby in, and we packed up without him getting dirty! Another time, we went to an amusement park, and the Kelty was definitely easier than a stroller. We packed in the diaper bag and some food. Definitely made use of the changing pad enclosed in one of the three pack compartments. We got caught in a downpour, so the rain hood came in handy; baby does not love being underneath it despite the ample see-through screens!
I found myself wishing for a water bottle holder in the front or side. I had to share my bottle with hubby or grab his out of the back storage. And some loops on the pack for small gear/carabiners might be a nice addition. Otherwise, the Kelty FC 3.0 is a sturdy piece of outdoor gear that will last many years! While we have other carriers that work well around town, farmer’s markets, library, the Kelty helps us expand our outdoor adventures beyond what an all-terrain stroller can handle! 
Maybe someday you’ll be climbing Mount Washington and we’ll be waving hello to you as we make our way down… with our children!
The Kelty FC 3.0 Kids Frame Carrier retails for $249.95, and can be ordered at Kelty.com and many other outdoor gear retailers! Follow Kelty on Facebook and Twitter to stay updated on the latest in outdoor equipment!
Do you hike? Do you take your children? What’s your favorite feature of this carrier?
WIN IT! Kelty just wants to get families outdoors! So they are giving away THREE Kelty FC 3.0 KIDS Frame Carriers! WOW!
TO ENTER: Leave a topic-related comment on this post. What features would you look for in a carrier? Have you carried your children on long hikes? Etc. Generic comments like “Enter me” or “Cool!” will be disqualified – I really want to hear your thoughts!
I’d be thrilled if you’d share this giveaway (easy share buttons below!), although no extra entries! Please, share the love!!
Giveaway Rules: Giveaway ends 11:59 EST, Thursday, August 11, 2011. Winners will be selected by WP Plugin and emailed directly; winners have 48 hours to respond. Fulfillment handled by Kelty. Must be 18+ to enter/win. Open US only.
Disclosure: I was sent a product to facilitate this review, and was not compensated in any other way. All opinions are 100% my own.
133 Responses to The Outdoor Life: Kelty FC 3.0 | KIDS Frame Carrier ~ Giveaway *CLOSED
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I look for the overall comfortable and fit between child and parent. If my child cannot stand the carrier for a good length of time, then I would end up in a pickle if we were out on a hike! So Comfortableness of the carrier as well as the Safety.
Thanks! I look forward to getting out in the mountains of WA!
sophieandmomma at gmail dot com
I have never been a hikers but have been thinking of ways to lose the baby weight (baby is 3 weeks, others are 13,4 and 1) and this would be awesome to use to hold at least one of the bunch
We look for comfort for baby and parents. Hubby is big on how easy it is for him to use, ie. putting the carrier on and taking it off, adjusting, and how easy it is to put in the baby and taking him out. I want to make sure it’s not too heavy for me. Extras I look at is how easy it is to clean, if we can use it from infanthood to toddlerhood, shade for the baby, water bottle holder for parents, and maybe extra storage for parents.
Hubby loves hiking and exploring and hopes to share his love for the outdoors with our kiddies. =D
When I was pregnant with my second son we decided to go camping at Cades Cove in Tennessee it was beautiful! Well, we also decided to take on the challenge of walking the 2 miles to the falls the way down was not so bad my hubby carried our 18 mo old on his shoulders but the 2 miles back had its challenges with me being 6 months pregnant I could not have even attempted this. Needless to say having this carrier would have made my husband trip a lot better and a lot less sore in the shoulders from carrying him. I am pregnant with our fourth and this would be a blessing.
comfy for the kid and durability
This would be so nice to have. We are an outdoors family and this is a must that we have been planning to get but haven’t done so yet. Kelty is sucha great brand and I don’t know anyone who doesn’t love their Kelty.
I’ve been avoiding long hikes because I wasn’t sure how I would bring my little one along comfortably (and keeps tabs on the toddler & 5 yr old too). This looks like a comfortable carrier…and comfort is the most important thing to me in a carrier!
I would love to have a frame carrier like this! I already have a cloth carrier, but this would be great too!
This would be amazing on hikes and geocaching my h husband and I take turns carrying are youngest we have an ergo but it does not do well for hiking or geocaching with baby. ps I miss portland /vancouver area we have a lot of geocaches hid there. thanks for the chance to win eaglesforjack@gmail.com
We love hiking and took our older daughter on several hikes before our 2nd was born. We have an older version Kelty. Now with 2 kids we could use one for each – they both love the outdoors and hiking iwth mom and dad.
We carry our kids with us when we hike. Our two older ones are now big enough to walk themselves but we have a 2 year old and a newborn. I can carry the newborn in the Beco and the hubby would be able to carry our 2 year old in the Kelty. This would be awesome for us!
One thing I did not have with my little guy was a carrier. It was just out of our price-range. But now that he’s bigger, it is getting harder and harder to carry him around. A stroller is OK, but when we’re in large crowds, it can be hard to get around and even dangerous for him (he nearly got burned by a cigareete on our last stroller outing!) I love that this carrier holds children up to 50 lbs. and has a metal frame.
ohmiss14 at yahoo dot com ☮
I would look for comfort and adjustability. The en in this family all have broad shoulders so it’s hard to find something they can wear comfortably or even fit them at all.
We didn’t carry our son on hikes because it was just too difficult. We tried many times and even on trails it was hard to get a stroller over unless it was paved. I would love to win this for my brother in law so he and his wife can take thier baby.
I’ve never used one… but we have 2 kids now and would love to be more active this fall – I could wear the baby in the moby and my hubby could wear the toddler in this and off we’d go!
This carrier is amazing, our friends have it and used it on a trip hiking all over California. Baby was comfy as were parents! We do a lot of hiking with our daughter and this carrier would be such a blessing!
We’ve used a Kokopax carrier, but babies can only get so big in it. We really enjoy hiking and are looking forward to continuing with our babies, this would be so cool!
My husband has wanted this carrier since our son could still sit comfortably in my pouch slings. I think he was a little jealous that I could have the closeness and he wanted to share in the experience. We actually went to REI so he could try one out. He walked around the store and the baby loved it!!! We ended up not making a purchase since it was a little hefty for out one-income household. I think this would be amazing to win for my hubby since baby is now a hefty toddler and really enjoys the outdoors.
I have a very large 4 1/2 month old (20 pounds!), and we live in AZ….think HOT! Unfortunately, I have no babywearing friends here (online search yields nothing either)
, and have been trying to find the *best* carrier for us. I hike and walk a lot, but have been limited due to our stroller. I was thinking mei tai….maybe I just need to take the plunge and buy something. It’s just hard to do that sight unseen. Anyways, this hiking frame looks great for the family camping trips and hiking that we’d love to do! So many places to camp in AZ, it’d be nice to be able to take advantage. Thanks for your thorough review!
We really would love to start hiking more now that we have my cousin who moved close and loves hiking! This would be great for the 16 month old who probably wouldn’t be able to keep up on a half day hike like the 4 year old!
Wow! That looks awesome! I didn’t get into “baby wearing” until I recently had my second child and my husband doesn’t care for my carriers (for himself), but I bet he’d wear this! I grew up hiking, but since having kids, haven’t been because of the challenging logistics of toting along smaller ones. I love all the extra storage space!!!
We are planning on doing a lot of hiking and I like that this carrier has the baby at head level. It seems they have put a lot of thought to this carrier to make it perfect for baby and parent.
My husband is very active – rides his bike to work, asists with land management for a local reserve, hikes and mountain bikes, etc…. But with three littles ages 2 months to 6 years – its tough for all of us to go be active with him. We once had a frame child carrier with out oldest – but it was lost during a move and we have yet to afford replacing it. This Kelty looks awesome and we would love to use it
I’ve wanted a frame pack for a while now and this Kelty sounds perfect!! We haven’t gone on any long hikes with our little guy yet (he’s already 2 so that’s too long!). We use an Ergo for around town, and the Ergo and/or stroller for the zoo and amusement parks. I love the Ergo, but we live in AZ and having his body against my body makes us both hot and sweaty! I’m thinking a frame pack would also alleviate that issue. Thanks for the chance to win one!
The most important feature to me is comfort for myself and my child. I have only been on a long hike once with a child in a carrier, I was 7 months pregnant and carrying my 25 lb toddler on my back. It was in a simple Mei Tai and we were amazingly comfortable. I’ve been eyeing these backpack style carriers, and I think they might be even more comfortable with a heavy toddler, and I think it’s more likely that my husband would be willing to wear it.
We have taken a few short hikes with our little one, but currently just have a mei tai. We are definitely looking for a carrier that we could use on our back rather than front because I’m expecting baby #2 now. The other thing I love is the sun hood. This summer has been brutal and going out for any extended period of time with our now 1 year old hasn’t been very pleasant as she hates keeping her hat on and is constantly fighting with it. I also look at how long is this carrier go to last? When investing in a good hiking carrier, I want to know that I am not only going to be able to use it for our current little one, but the one on the way too. kelty is definitely a brand that stands up to some use and abuse.
We have 8-month-old twins as well as 4 older children and haven’t been able to do too much outdoors this summer. We do have two old Gerry backpacks, but this Kelty would really come in handy.. Maybe we could even get the 12-year-old to carry a baby, LOL! Seriously, we love to hike and explore nature with the children and this would really help.
gosh that thing is huge…lol…you are 5’5″…I would have guessed taller!
I saw one of these for the first time in real life at a garage sale recently and they’re so cool! Definitely seems sturdy enough for a long hike somewhere cool. My husband and I hiked up Mt Rainier pre-baby but haven’t done much since our son was born.
We haven’t bought a hiking specific backpack yet, but as our children get too big for the traditional baby carriers we might need to! I’ve heard great things about the Kelty ones! We haven’t done any really long hikes, just mainly walks in the woods around our area (PA), but I know my husband’s back was starting to hurt with the current carriers after a while.
I haven’t ever been hiking but would love to go sometime and this looks like a great carrier for a little one to be very interactive with the surroundings and still be very comfortable. I am glad you showed how it is comfortable on mom and dad and that it has such cool features like the storage area. I really love that babies feet are enclosed and protected and love the orange color as well. Your little guy looks very comfortable and safe! This looks like an amazing carrier!
What a great giveaway! I would love a Kelty because my husband PROMISES he would carry our daughter in it! He’s a bigger guy and gets too hot with any other carrier and therefore refuses to wear them, which makes camping, hiking and outdoor activites more difficult since I get the baby! I’ve heard great things about Kelty! Thanks so much for such an awesome giveaway!!
This spring, I took my one and three year olds on a short hike with a friend and her kiddos. We didn’t plan to go fast or far, just enjoy the outdoors and see what we could see. Big mistake…I ended up like a pack horse on the way back up with the one year old asleep on my front in a Beco carrier and my exhausted thee year old on my back, piggy back. Never again will I take both kids hiking without my hubby and a carrier he is happy & comfortable wearing. This carrier looks & sounds perfect.
We’re thinking about going to the mountains this fall and this would be perfect for hiking! We use the ergo a lot but this looks better for out big boy on a long trek
I have the kelty tc 2.0 (which I love by the way!) But its just not enough at the moment. I was totally looking for something with a bit more umph and would love to have one of these!
When looking for carriers, I typically look for one that will be a good fit for both my husband and myself. My #1 requirement however is that it is comfortable!! This looks like it would fit both!
Oh and in the past while camping, I have used either my Ergo or Beco!
I am really liking this carrier. Sometimes is such a pain to bring stroller. I like that you can put stuff in it. That helps if you are going for long walks. I am wondering about the weight. I don’t think it would be a problem with my nine month old, but my three year old weighs 34 pounds. That might be to much for me to carry, but maybe not my husband. Would love to give it a try!
I really like this carrier. I like the sun/rain roof that helps to protect the child. Thus carrier although made for hiking trails I feel that it can also be beneficial for the parent the hiked the urban jungle. Like my brother and sister in law that are expecting their first child in December.
They are very active on the weekends. They enjoy flea marketing, yard sales, local parks, outside concert events and festivals. My brother is in a band that plays at outside events.
I would love to win one of these great Kelty Kids Frame Carriers for them. I believe that the would get a lot of use out of it.
Thank you
I have really look for a carrier/pack that converts well from a bigger daddy frame to a smaller mommy frame seamlessly. Several packs that we’ve had/tried on/used are really not meant for smaller women. Either the straps dig in to smaller shoulders or dad cant get the pack to fit right on his taller/broader shoulders. My hubs is famous for being a pack mule, but he wont carry anything that is uncomfortable for long. There are many times that hubs isnt around to carry the big baby and a stroller just wont due. This week I was picking blueberries and the pack was KILLING me! I ended up with super sore shoulders where the straps were digging in
a few days later we took a stroll around a waterfall and I used the bigger framed pack, but is heavier…which is a big deterrent with a GIANT baby 
though it is more comfortable. Spottedjagiwar at yahoo dot com
We actually just bought the step down from this carrier when we realized our pack did not convert from the front to the back! The 2.0 is comfy, so I could only imagine how nice this one is!
I took my 5 month old hiking for the first time last week (along with my 10 & 8 year old). It was great but I was using a front carrier and my baby’s legs kept bumping into me.
I’d love a real hiking carrier for future expeditions.
I have had an ergo, a beco, a sling, a yamo, and a solarveil. For us, the cloth carriers made the most sense as we adopted internationally for our first two children and the third by birth- a cloth carrier makes the most sense re space and washability. I do like the sun cover though as teh youngesst loves to pull off her hat!
I have a few carriers, but they’re not really ideal for hiking. I like how the Kelty one leaves space between baby and the person carrying baby so it looks comfortable and not too hot. Comfort while carrying baby and the ease of getting baby in and out are key for me. My husband and I haven’t been hiking since before our first son was born so this would allow us to start hiking again.
My wife and I go hiking with our son a lot in Vermont and this bag would be perfect for us since our son is very independent and does not like to be as confined as he was in our Moby carrier. He is now too big for the hip sling, so winning this would be amazing!
We’re expecting our first in October…I am very much looking forward to sharing the carrying duties with my husband.
We’ve looked a lot at the Kelty – it seems to be a really great carrier for folks who like to spend a lot of time on the go.
I have never tried out one of these carries. In the past I have tried a snugli and a moby–neither of which are comfortable for a long period of time. I am traveling with baby #4 (9 mo.) at the end of September and would love to try the kelty out!
Great giveaway! For day to day travel the ability to load kids quickly is key for me. For longer trips, comfort and storage is important. I love when I can carry the kids gear right in the carrier!
I think the most valuable part in this post was the bandana/diaper head coverings. So simple. We have ticks, too, and they GROSS me out more than anything. I will try this next time we hike.
Yesterday morning my 2 year old son woke up and said “Go walk in the woods?” So we did. But I have a 1 year old, too, and this would be an awesome addition to the family outings.
This is exactly what we’ve been looking for! The 50 lb weight limit and sturdy structure of this carrier will keep my 2 year old comfortable and safe for years to come. I love the colors and I know this will be something my husband would be proud to wear, unlike other carriers I have bought for myself, which tend to look too feminine.
I’ve never used a frame carrier before just a mei tai. I’m thinking the frame style would be great for hiking. We just hiked Cloudland Canyon State Park in GA and that was quite a hike!
Features that I look for in a carrier are that it has to be sturdy, and I love that this carrier has sun protection. That’s so smart. I haven’t carried my children on long hikes yet, since I am pregnant with our first. However, we are planning to resume hiking with our little one as soon as we can. We love to be outside, and my husband has already started to talk about how much he wants to introduce the little one to the outdoors. This product looks great!
I love that this holds children up to age 50 lbs, and that it works equally well for people of different heights. I have not tried to go on any long hikes, but with something like this, I think it would def. be doable! I would be a little worried that the weight would be more than I can handle..but I’m sure it would be a great workout!!
erinnicole14@gmail.com
I haven’t carried my son on any really long hikes yet. I only have a ring sling, and that doesn’t fit the bill! My husband broke his foot last year, and its about healed up enough to hike again. I would love to do some hiking this fall, so would LOVE to win a good baby carrier for hiking! I really like that this one has a kick stand and a sun protection hood!
-Hannah
hannahavery85 at yahoo dot com
This carrier is amazing! Several of its features are ones that I would look for in a carrier: the torso-adjustment is essential for us since I’m 5’6 and my husband is 6’4; the sun canopy is great since my son HATES wearing hats; the storage is an amazing plus since I wouldn’t have to carry an additional bag; and the fact that my son would be at head level is great since he wants to be involved in all the action!
Thanks so much for the chance, fingers crossed!
I like to use my carrier for hiking, and also for when we visit large fairs like the state fair or when we went to the energy fair. Its great sobaby girl doesn’t grab everything and she can see everything!
I look for a carrier that is comfortable first and foremost, not only for baby girl but for me, that’s most important. Also, I need one that will be able to be used by me: I’m short! 5ft 2in, so it’s difficult to find a carrier I can use all the time, mostly my hubby uses it since I can’t
I also like carriers that can be used for infants as well as toddlers, so they arn’t outgrown quickly. And they’re able to be used for more, such as, i can stuff diapers and snacks in the carrier pockets or hook up a diaper bag to it so I don’t have to carry it as well, one less thing to carry!
I never used a carrier with my daughter, but when I showed this post to my husband he thought this would be great for our new baby we are expecting in just over a month. My husband LOVES to spend time outdoors and this would be perfect for when we go camping or just out for a hike around where we live. I like how it has storage in it and that the child will still be able to see whats going on.
I love the pictures! I have tried carrying JoHanna in front with the Infantino carrier, I loved but she has gotten way to heavy for it! I have been uncertain on what I should get in order to carry her on my back. I see alot of moby wraps etc. I tried one and I just felt like she was going to fall. With her being a good 30lbs I would love something that puts more pressure on my lower back in order to straighten me out instead of feeling hunched over! I must say my back is pretty sore from carrying her in my arms alone!
Thanks for the Chance!
Nicole
Coleeol42784@aol.com
Tweeted!
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I have been wanting to try one of these! Well, I really want to try one of the soft/interior frame carriers from Kelty but this one is second! I have two toddlers and so carriers are a must-have! We recently moved and are living near the mountains so lots of hikes and camping are in our future! The hood for protection from the elements is a must-have! And the storage too otherwise I guess I’d have to use a waist pouch or something, and the number of straps on me can get pretty ridiculous! Thanks for the giveaway!
We love hiking! We took my older daughter out in a carrier when she was a baby (3 years ago), but it was one we borrowed and we haven’t done it since. I know my younger would love it! We have been trying to take the kids hiking, we bought my 4 year old a Camelbak hydration pack and it would make the hikes so much easier if we were carrying our 1.5 year old in a carrier. She is pretty small so she would get a lot of use out of it. We used to hike all the time before we had kids!
Marysa {at} marysa {dot} com
Love all of the features… especially the storage! Wish it came in more colors! My little boy likes to wiggle his legs when excited.. wondering how much I would get “kicked” or if it is designed to prevent that.
I have been wanting to try the Kelty carrier! I have soft structured carrier (Boba carrier) which I LOVE by the way. My baby is almost 28 lbs at 18 months old and luckily he still enjoys the carrier… WHAT I LOVE ABOUT THE KELTY IS THAT IT HAS THE RAINHOOD. Hope I am a winner because I use a carrier every day rain or shine
You guys look like you had fun hiking! Love the cloth hats lol
I would love to win this for my family since we do tons of nature walks on our local river trails. My son likes to be carried which can make my arms burn after about an hour. He hates and I mean hates to hold hands when we walk (this is a huge issue we are working on) so I think if he had a carrier he would love to be able to feel like he was doing his own thing riding around and enjoying the scenery.
I love all the features we have checked these out at the store and my favorites are the storage area I always need more storage, the up to 50 lbs is great, the sun/ rain shade is great since my blue eyed boy burns easily this would be helpful, and the kick stand part is so cool!
I love that this comes with a changing pad and a sun visor. We are expecting and love to be outside and hike. This would be perfect for our new baby-to-be.
I like that this carrier has the ‘hood’ to protect kiddos from the elements and that it has room for storage on the back. I too am 5′ 5″ and am thinking it might fit me comfortably too. Thank you for the post.
I came across this blog while researching cloth diapering, and decided to read further. I used to be very paranoid about carriers(I’d see the little legs being chafed or jutting out awkwardly, and shudder), and have only used the Moby wrap for carrying my little one. After reading your review on the KeltyFC 3.0, it seems perfectly ideal, as well as comfortable, for the baby AND myself, for longer treks, hiking, and exploring the wild in Puerto Rico next time we go. I think my little Boo won’t find any other more comfortable and more suited to his needs, especially with the rain hood and the level he will be at, so he doesn’t feel left out or get frustrated from not being able to see his surroundings. Most carriers have what I call the “scrunch effect”, where the child is staring at their parents’ back with not much room to move their arms or head.(I hate that and it makes me paranoid, as I hate blocking my LO’s face)
Showed this to the hubby, he gagged at the price, but I know quality when I see it!
Thanks for the review and the chance to win this awesome product in a giveaway. And thanks for the article on camping with cloth diapers, I am definitely stoked and empowered for our future camping trips!
J.
I am currently pregnant and we live in the mountains so I think a carrier like this would be amazing for us to have. We like to hike and that carrier would enable us to be able to continue to do so when we have the baby
We went on our first hike since our 2nd child was born and borrowed a carrier from a neighbor. It worked ok but was BASIC and falling apart (but not unsafe). I would love this carrier as I am trying to get the rest of the baby weight off and carrying my 14 month old on a hike would burn way more calories than pushing him in the jogger walking around my neighborhood!
My husband has been wanting to get a carrier for when we go on family hikes through the local nature trails. We have a 3 year old who would love to ride in one.
I have never carried my kids on real long hikes but I definitely look for a high weight capacity and having a carrier with storage would be awesome!
I wish I had one of these since my little one was really little. We’ve done a lot of hikes with tired arms and backs! With that 50 lbs weight capacity she should still fit it for some time to come. Happy hiking with Kelty!
This is awesome! I wish I had one of these since my baby was a baby! However, with that 50 lbs weight capacity, she should still fit in it for a long time to come. We once hiked holding her in our arms. It was ridiculous! Should have at least rented a Kelty!
Enter me!!! My arms are dying, I really really need a back pack for my shortest person. Thanks( :
My husband (grandpa) is always the one who the grandchildren want to have carry them whenever we go anywhere. This would be such a blessing for him. His shoulders get very sore carrying them up there.
While I am not a hiker, taking the grandsons with us when we go shopping or to outdoor events would be great with a Kelty!!! The heaviest one of the three is 36 pounds, so will be good for any of them! The little guts would really love being in PawPaw’s ear – and be able to shout directions!!! Looks like a great product with solid consruction! Thanks for the opportunity!
I have a 9 month old who I can’t carry in the front carrier anymore. I’d actually never even thought about one of these but 50 pounds! Wow! That would be awesome to have and leave 2 arms free!
50 pounds?! Wow…my 4 1/2 yr old only weighs 32 pounds. I didn’t realize that any carrier would carry up to a 50 pound child. I would love to try one (or two) of these for my 4 1/2 yr old or my 2 yr old. We are really starting to enjoy hiking as a family, this would sure make it easier…as opposed to struggeling with a jogging stroller. Thanks for this opportunity!
I love the neutral colors of the one that you guys have. We had a Kelty with our daughter for hiking and taking walks around and near our house. We are going to Florida next month, and this would be perfect for moving around Disney and the parks.
Oh how I would love to win this for my new grandson!
I love the colors of the one you guys have on. Love the beige/orange. A few children ago we had the darker kelty and we are in need of a new one now. I always loved the sun/rain visors on them. I also love the large storage pockets. Best brand of baby carrier around.
I also like the shoulder padding because that is what makes it or breaks it in a carrier especially carrying a toddler.
Actually I am hoping to get this for a friend. They are very into hiking, kayaking, camping, backpacking, etc. but over a year ago their first bundle of joy came into their lives and they really have been doing it as much. I have been looking for ways to help even offered to babysit for a whole weekend free of charge. It works out because my mom lives next door. Play time with all the kids, I would totally love it. But they have refused. I saw this and why not try. Thank you bring such a great offer and I hope whoever does win loves it as much as you two do.
Always looking for sturdy and reliable products for my chldren and my grandchildren. This would come in handy while goin on my long walks wit my grandbaby. Seems like a great and trustworthy product well worth having
We love to hike! Just went last weekend and this would have been WONDERFUL! Hope to win, if not, we might just be purchasing one of these, so thanks for the helpful review you made our decision much easier!
I know just the baby that could use this for sure!!!
I love the storage options in this carrier. I always feel off-center when I am using the Moby and carrying a bag. Awesome!!
we just started hiking, and this would make it so much easier. Since i am left behind with my little one. I would love to take in all the scenery as a family. This carrier is so nice and could be worn by myself or my husband. Thanks for the chance at such a great giveaway.
We try to hike as much as possible when on vacations – either in Colorado or when we visit family in Kentucky. I love the fact that this is so much more than a carrier!!
We just came back from vacation. While it wasn’t hiking or camping, it did require a lot of walking (Grand Canyon, Sequoia and Yosemite to name a few spots we stopped at). We weren’t brave enough to try the hiking trails! LOL Plus we had my dad along and there was no way he was doing the trails and we didn’t want to leave him for hours at a time! We thankfully had a Phil & Teds metro backpack carrier that dh used A LOT. The only drawback is there is nowhere for your child to place their feet so dd would end up with red marks on the back of her legs after sitting in it for awhile. I would love love love a Kelty because it has someplace for them to place their feet and it has a huge (well compared to the Metro) bakpack for storing items! We will just have to take another trip where carrying her is a must! LOL
We would love to have this for camping trips. The steep price has always tripped us up. Kelty’s are the best.
We haven’t been hiking or camping in ages. I think our wee one would love it! The mountains are only a few hours from here so it might be time for a toddler adventure! That’s an awesome carrier, what a great giveaway!
I look for quality construction-comfy material, yet sturdy and also a wide weight range-I don’t want to purchase a carrier that holds up to 12 lbs or something! I want one that has a good range and this carrier def does!
annae07@aol.com
This looks amazing, Julie! I have not taken my boys hiking yet but this carrier would be amazing!!
I would love to win this.. It would make trips outdoors a whole lot easier!!
venturesofsahm at yahoo dot com
I don’t what features I like best in a carrier like this since I’ve never used one but I’d definitely want it to be adjustable since I am 5’5 and DH is 6′. We live in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains so this would be perfect for exploring all this natural beauty we have around us. Also, it would set a grat example for my daughter and show her how to experience different things in life (she’s only 18 months so we have plenty of time to do this).
This looks so incredible. This looks safer than walking around in a regular soft carrier with your child. I’d feel better about having my child up higher too if the ticks are bad there. I always dread walking on the trail by our home because they seem to jump so easily from the grass to the stroller. And having a pack like this would make it sooo much easier to walk the dogs too instead of holding 2 leashes and pushing a stroller! lol
I really like the storage and rain hood features! Useful things that you don’t see in a lot of carriers!
I remember when me moved from Florida to Tennessee, my husband wanted to get out and find some fishing spots…we went to this one place a friend recommended. “A great fishing spot”he called it….well, we took the kids, as usual and it turned out we had to hike up a mountain, down a mountain to get to the spot. I was not prepared for that. I carried my 1 year old the whole way while he carried the gear. I wish I had the Kelty FC 3.0 at that moment! I think what I look for most in a carrier is comfort for both parent and child. Storage would be awesome too!
I absolutely love this giveaway for my daughter to carry my grandson while hiking. They love the outdoors and she’s extremely small framed and has yet to find a carrier that doesn’t kill her back. This carrier looks so sturdy and looks like it helps to take the weight off your back and distributes it so it isn’t as painful. I love that it has pockets too for a water bottle and loop holes. I love all of the compartments! So useful! I hope I can win this for my daughter and grandson – they would love it and would allow them to have more comfortable, quality time together!!
We’ve been looking for the next stage carrier (our daughter is too big for our Baby Bjorn), because it’s too hard to hit the state parks on the trails with a stroller. I love that the Kelty fits kids to 50 lbs (although I’m pretty sure that I can’t carry that amount of weight on my back). The added bonus? My husband is completely ok with carrying her! When we had the Baby Bjorn, I told him that I carried her for 9 months, so now it was his turn. Now, he likes to do it. Daddy-daughter bonding time, I guess. And I love that it has pockets/storage – no need to lug around a diaper bag in addition to the carrier! But I’d love to be able to get back out and explore the parks and trails in Wisconsin, and a Kelty is just what we’d need to do that!
I have been wanting one of these for a while now. I have a friend who has one and she is always talking about how easy and comfortable it is to use. She is a tiny little thing and carries her 25 pound son around in it with no problem. We love going on hike and nature walks but have never found the right carrier, I really think this might be the answer! The storage and leg protection are probably my favorite features.
I’ve never worn a carrier before because I am afraid it will be TOO HEAVY for me
xoxoxo
A Kelly would be a the giveaway of my dreams come true! Hiking the Smoky Mountains would be so much easier with a superior carrier for my baby girl. The old frame that I have digs into me and it’s time for an upgrade. Fingers, toes, and eyes crossed for this!!
I must say back carriers have come a long way! When my daughter was born (27 years ago) my back carrier consisted of this tiny flimsy carrier that I was afraid she would fall out of. I love the idea that this one can free stand on the floor, it has a cover to block the sun & a pocket to carry small items. Not to mention it’s just plain adorable! My granddaughter is due in October & I can say this carrier would get so much use as my daughter loves to walk.
carriedust@yahoo.com
BTW; I did share this on Twitter -
http://twitter.com/#!/CarrieDust/status/96901066121166849
My brother use to work for Kelty, and I know first hand they are an awesome company with fantastic products!!!!
Wow, what a great giveaway! I’ve just been using a front infant carrier or stroller when I take my son to the park for our walks. Though he is starting to get really heavy for my back! The next carrier I would have for him would definitely need some sort of back/lumbar support. I’d look for something that definitely felt comfortable and not hurt the shoulders. My carriers now I feel both pull on my shoulders, giving me neck pain
I love that this carrier holds up to 50 lbs. My son is not even 4 months, but he is big for his age, in both length and weight. He’s tall and heavy! It would be great to have a carrier that can hold him!
abgillette at gmail.com
I didn’t use my Ergo until I was practiced enough to put it on by myself, so the ability to do that is pretty practical.
What an awesome carrier. I love the rain hood and storage areas. I enjoy the review and especially the pictures
Kims2312@verizon.net
We actually just started to take our baby to local parks. We would love to go camping and hiking but honestly I pack too much baby stuffs to go, so it’s not convenient to carry 2-3 bags. Also we don’t really want to spend too much $$ on a carrier that can only last a year or so. So your review indicated the ‘cargo’ spaces which is great because it’s exactly what I will need, and the giveaway is very cool
Wow! I cannot believe that you are giving away 3 of these! Very generous. I like that it has the pack on the back of the carrier. That was you can carry your stuff and the small child. After all, we do only have 1 back.
This has so many great features I don’t know where to start. But I really like that it has such a high weight limit. You can carry your child for a long time in one of these. I also know someone who has one and she is tiny. Because of the weight distribution and such even she can carry her boys. I would love to win one of these.
This is such an amazing carrier! I absolutely love shade cover! That, and the extra storage makes this the best carrier yet. Kelty never fails to have the best products.
Great review, thank you! I”m in the market for a carrier to take with us on a fall camping trip. Hiking with a stroller only gets you so far even on well worn paths. Love the shade cover feature of the Kelty. A must have in the hot desert sun. I’d love to put one of these carriers to the test with my 1 year old. Might have to let hubby do the honors though. =)
Living in the desert some very important features of the carrier would have to be breathable material. (no fun sweating under a carrier) The second would be the shade cover. The sun is brutal here in the desert. Comfortable straps so they don’t dig in to the shoulders on longer treks. My husband would love me to also add, not girlie looking or there would be no way you could get it on him to carry the kiddo.
I really love the looks of this carrier and think it would be one my DH would actually use!!! We try not to use strollers too often, we like to wear our babies especially when out and about but he thinks my babyhawk is too girly and doesn’t like to use it. Then my hips are terrible and I can’t wear them for long periods of time. This would be PERFECT for dh to use when we are out and about with our 4 little boys…especially places like the zoo, hiking, when we go up to Breckenridge, CO for our yearly summer pics we do up there
What an awesome pack. Ok, first I had to chuckle – because I looked up Mt. Washington and saw the peak is at 6200 feet…we live at 7000 in Colorado…but then I was truly impressed because I saw the hike is a 4000 foot elevation gain – that’s a lot no matter where you start.
Anyway – we hike as a family. We have three kiddos – two carry themselves (they are 6 & 8). The third gets a ride on daddy’s back. We have a pretty decent pack – not nearly as tricked out as this one.
But we just found out we’re expecting another one! We’ll definitely be needing another pack because I’m not willing to put our hiking on hold until the younger two can walk themselves, lol!
I am traveling to Napa/San Fran. CA. with my 11 month old very soon and will be doing a lot of sight seeing- this carrier seems like a good idea for the trip, however, I’m not sure if I would be able to handle it…I didn’t even like the front baby carrier when my baby was younger! I also have a pretty extensive hiking trail right down the street with me and our stroller just doesn’t cut it on the path- this may be the answer- for the hubby at least, lol
Living in Utah we do a lot of outdoor activities, specifically hiking. There are only 2 packs that I would consider purchasing and the Kelty is one of them. They have a great reputation and I don’t know anyone who doesn’t love theirs. This is one giveaway I would love to win. I love how it has the shade top and a place for them to put their feet. If you aren’t a hiker, these are also great for zoo trips and mowing the lawn.
C’mon Random.org pick me!! 
We have a backpack and used it a bunch last summer but it doesn’t have a sunshade and our daughter is nearing the size limit so we haven’t used it this summer. I love that this backpack has a sun/rain cover and can be used for kids up to 50 lbs.
I love the homemade hats! I never thought about using bandanas to keep the ticks off, or atleast easier to see if they are crawling on your head. We do not go on hikes anymore, I have a fifteen year old who needs a wheelchair on long walks and that limits where we can go. However, when we are out, something like this would be great for the baby. The carriers that have the baby in the front kill my back, and they do not keep the sun off! Great review and pictures.
We bought a backpack carrier two years ago on Craigslist and have used it multiple times every summer since. It was the obvious choice for hiking the first two years we had it when our son was a baby, and then when he was still a very slow walker. This summer we’ve used it once, and will be taking it along in a couple of weeks, for longer hikes. The carrier was pretty “well-used” before we bought it, and with our added use, it’s not in very good shape any more. It’s starting to fray at the seams in a couple of spots, and the fabric is really worn and thin in others.
It doesn’t have a rain-fly/sun-shade, or much storage space at all. I think we may end up buying another when we adopt another baby, and those two feature will be a must for me.
Ok this is by far the nicest framed carrier I have seen. Hubby and I have been checking out baby consignment shops for a framed carrier and we haven’t been impressed with their quality. We even looked into the LL Bean one and it def. didn’t have nearly as many bells and whistles as this one. As of right now we don’t hike, but that is because we live in FL! We are hoping to transfer North here in the next few months and both look forward to be able to go hiking again. I have awesome memories of hiking/back packing as a kid. It is in my blood and would love for my kids to experience it as well. I love the dome that goes over the childs head for extra protection and all the storage. It would be great to win this carrier.
I would absolutely love to win this carrier! I used to go hiking and camping a lot as a kid. Now that I have kiddos of my own, I’d really like to get them outdoors. I think hubby would really like this carrier! And I love the storage (plus a changing pad? Very cool)!
AMAZING giveaway!!! We look for a carrier that is light BEFORE you put in your child. Also, we look for padding so our child is comfortable as well. We also look for breathability of the fabric so neither of us is sweating bullets! Lastly, I want something that will not dig into my shoulder, so ample shoulder padding is also a plus. I have my fingers crossed on this one, rubbing my rabbit’s foot, sending out prayers, etc…So generous of Kelty!!! We love to hike and for now my LO goes in the Boba, but he is now 12 months and is wanting to “see” more scenery. It just isn’t working for long hikes.
This is such a cool carrier. We live out in the country with woods behind us. I like to take my son out to farms and festivals in our area and a stroller usually can’t go everywhere I want to go with him so I end up taking him out and carrying him and the stroller or parking it. This would be wonderful for packing everything I need and the most important person all in one! I also love the look of this carrier.
i hike with my 32# son in an older model kelty carrier, and i love it, but it does seem to hurt my shoulders after a few miles- did that happen to you? maybe mine needs to be adjusted. i love to take him outdoors with me though!
This would be so nice to carry my daughter in! I once did a hike carrying her in my moby wrap and it was difficult!
My husband and I were engaged on Mt Washington! I would have thought the same thing: kids on this hike?? It was hard enough for me! We have started hiking with our little one– a short 1.5 hr hike on a small, easy path near our house. We are planning camping trips in the future and will absolutely use a backpack carrier!
I have not used a carrier, but as we are expecting I would love to have one for our child. I really like that the Kelty carrier lets the baby sit at head height. I have seen so many where the child is staring at someone’s back. The Kelty seems to have taken the child into account in their design.
What an awesome giveaway. I have carried my middle two children on lots of hikes. A framed carrier even came in handy at the aquarium years ago. The problem is that the carrier has seen better days and we are in need of a new one so my youngest can go places.
So this would be great!
Oh my goodness, we’d love to win this. My husband and I love hiking but it’s so difficult with a 3 year old and an 18 month old. We’ve used frame style carriers and love them, but the ones we have right now are old ones and not the greatest. I love the hood to cover baby and protect him from the sun. Looking at hiking next summer with a 3.5 year old, 2 year old, and infant.. we’ll need all the help we can get!
Great review– We really want to get back into the outdoor life. We have done a little hiking with the kids, but haven’t been tent camping since our first baby was six months old, and now we have three.
This carrier has some great features that others I have tried are lacking–love the cover, all the storage, and the way the legs are protected.
I have always heard people talk about Kelty carriers, and now I can see why!
I really like this carrier…but I wonder about the extra weight. We went camping in June and took some shorter hikes. J was about 25 pounds. I carried him in a MeiTai, which I like in part because it doesn’t add any real weight to the situation. 7 more pounds though? I guess maybe you don’t notice it when he’s up there. The carrier looks awesome, though! I’d love to give it a try!
Funny that I come across this giveaway. My DH and are going to be moving to WA this winter and my husband is thrilled for all the mountain hikes we’ll do. But we’ll have a one year old by then! These are awesome. I would probably have to agree with you though, caribeeners would probably help out a lot!
I live in WA! you’ll love it!