LittleLife Explorer Baby Carrier

**************** Littlelife Explorer Child Carrier ****************

Child carriers are a nifty little invention which allow you to carry your child around on your back - hopefully in relative comfort. They are very similar to normal backpacks in their variability in cost, size and design.

We have always enjoyed walking, usually just long ambles around the English countryside, but occasionally we have tackled mountains ...
...you.

**************** Littlelife ****************

Littlelife is part of the same company as Lifeventure (who make backpacks, sleeping bags, camping gear and that sort of thing) and Lifesystems (who make first aid kits, mosquito nets and other things to keep you safe when you're off adventuring) so they boast a significant amount of experience in hard wearing materials and carrying technology.

They make ... more

**************** Littlelife Explorer Child Carrier ****************

Child carriers are a nifty little invention which allow you to carry your child around on your back - hopefully in relative comfort. They are very similar to normal backpacks in their variability in cost, size and design.

We have always enjoyed walking, usually just long ambles around the English countryside, but occasionally we have tackled mountains as well. We didn't want to limit ourselves to pushchair friendly walking when our little one arrived so we looked into child carriers as soon as she was old enough to sit in one comfortably (this is probably around six months). Now I don't want to scare you off baby backpacks altogether, but buying one is not a job for anyone lacking in persistence or stamina.

Before I get into details about the one we chose here are some tips on the choosing process in general:

**************** Choosing a Child Carrier ****************

• Internet research will really serve you well when choosing a carrier. It is worth setting out what you want from your backpack and making a shortlist.

• Phone round the shops to make sure they have the model and size you want in stock. Most shops only stock a few models and of those usually only a small number are kept at any one time.

• Do NOT buy a child carrier without trying it out in person. That means everyone who will be using it should try it on and the child should get a go in it. If your child gets fed up climbing in and out of the things, outdoor shops should have bags of sand to make up the weight which will give you some indication of the bags comfort.

• Remember, get what you need, but you get what you pay for. Don't expect a cheaper option to stretch to the performance of a more expensive one - your back will not thank you.

**************** Littlelife ****************

Littlelife is part of the same company as Lifeventure (who make backpacks, sleeping bags, camping gear and that sort of thing) and Lifesystems (who make first aid kits, mosquito nets and other things to keep you safe when you're off adventuring) so they boast a significant amount of experience in hard wearing materials and carrying technology.

They make five different types of baby backpack starting with the lightest -Ultralight, Traveller, Cross Country, Explorer and Voyager - the largest. They also make first aid kits, backpack for children, travel cots and some other bits and bobs.

**************** Explorer ****************

The explorer is the backpack we chose because it suited our needs best. It has a small attached backpack on its back - roughly where your child might wear a backpack - and a larger compartment for storage underneath the seat. One of the deciding factors for us was that the back is hugely adjustable. I am 175cm (5'8) and my husband is 193cm (6'4 I think) so we needed something that we could both use comfortably. My husband seems to be basically beyond the height range of most backpacks, except this and the Macpac Vamoose. [The Vamoose was ruled out because it comes in different sizes, so we would have needed two to fit us both comfortably.]

Basic Information:

Weight: 2.6 Kg
Maximum Weight Load: 18 Kg
Dimensions: 26 (w) x 36 (d) x 70(h) cm
Suitable for Ages: 6 months - 4 years

The weight of the carriers was a big stumbling block for us. We wanted, understandably, to have minimal weight which wasn't our daughter, but we soon discovered that the difference between 1.8 kg and 2.6 kg on your back is not really significant, especially when you add a 10kg girl to it.

Obviously 18kg would be a lot to carry, but by this stage (I hope) there will be a lot more walking and we will only use the pack for rests. At the moment, our little one weighs around 11kg and I can comfortably carry her for three hours over even terrain or smallish hills. For example I have recently carried her up Glastonbury Tor and over Brean Down (there will be some non-West Country examples later).

**************** Features ****************

◙◙◙◙◙ For the Child ◙◙◙◙◙

• The seat: made from foam padding and has semicircles cut out of it to fit little legs more comfortably. It is also adjustable up and down by about 15 cm (six inches) so that it can keep being comfortable as your child grows. The back and sides of the seat are also padded so that when your child is all strapped in, they are surrounded by soft bits. There is an extra padded section on the back which acts like a cushion for extra comfort. At the front is a little pillow with a frog, a duck and a sheep in bright colours on it. This pillow cover is removable and washable so that you can clean off the inevitable saliva and potential vomit.

• The straps: these are thin but sturdy. They have padded fleece covers where they sit over your child's shoulders. The straps are firmly attached at the back of the seat and go to the front centre where they fit into two separate clips. Once strapped in, you then tighten the sides of the seat so that your child is securely held and cannot reach the clips for the shoulder straps.

• Toy hooks: there are two brightly coloured ropes, one on each side, for attaching toys so that they don't get lost along a walk.

◙◙◙◙◙ For the Adult ◙◙◙◙◙

• Back system: the backpack uses something called the Comfort Adjust padded backsystem. The shoulder straps attach to a fully movable part which slides up and down a metal strip in the centre. It adjusts by about 15-20cm (6-8 inches) using a simple pull strap. This means that it can be adjusted when it is on your back for fine tuning. This is the really important bit for making carrying that much weight comfortably because you need the pack to ensure that most of the weight is carried on your hips - or your shoulders will be aching very badly within half an hour.

• Shoulder straps: these are very well padded and can be length adjusted. There are also straps which anchor the shoulder straps to the backpack which can be adjusted for comfort and to increase or decrease pack stability. The shoulder straps can be joined together with a chest strap. This can be easily slid up and down so that it sits comfortably on your chest and holds the shoulder straps where you want them.

• Hip strap: This is again well padded, and the part that takes the weight of the pack and rests it against your lower back is a large chunk of padding as well. The hip strap is very adjustable and can easily be tightened to secure the pack in place. There are also more anchoring straps down here. I usually leave them loose to allow for the natural movement of walking, only tightening them up on steep inclines or very rough ground.

• Anchor point: this is the unique point of most Littlelife child carriers. It is basically a small hole at the back base of the backpack set into the metal frame of the pack. When getting a child in and out, you simply put your foot in here and the pack will not fall over - as long as you don't. Most other packs have a frame, either permanent or pull out, which acts as a stand. This means that on unstable ground it may not work. The anchor seems like it isn't a good thing at first, because you have to have your foot in it for the pack to stand up, but realistically you wouldn't leave your child in the pack when it's not on your back - none of them are very stable - and it also gives you enough resistance when taking your child out so you don't end up with a backpack attached to your child's feet.

• Hip pocket: this is a tiny pocket on the hip strap which contains a small, wonky mirror for taking a look at your child - it is attached to a string so you can't drop it. You could probably fit a coin purse and a small phone in here, but not much more.

• Lifting straps: there are two of these, just in front and just behind where the child sits. These are perfect for another person to lift the pack onto your back. There are also two straps, one at each side right at the bottom, but these are not really for lifting, more for steadying as you lift it yourself onto your back.

◙◙◙◙◙ For Storage ◙◙◙◙◙

• The storage pocket at the bottom also houses the anchor point so it is a slightly odd shape. In this I can fit the sunshade, waterproof and a small changing bag.

• The small backpack has two pockets in it for keeping things in place - phone or wallet. I usually fit our lunch in here as well as all of my bits and bobs. However, it is stuck right on the back of the pack, so if you're going somewhere crowded I would not recommend keeping anything valuable in it, as chances are you wouldn't notice if someone decided to pinch something. There is also a small mesh pocket on the outside of this part of the pack. You can just about fit a map or guide book in here.

◙◙◙◙◙ Extra Bits ◙◙◙◙◙

• The pack is quite attractive really. It is mainly black and grey with the inside of the seat a bright yellow. There is reflective piping all over the pack to add to your visibility.

• There is a large Littlelife logo on the back and a sign pointing you towards the location of the anchor point.

• The sunshade that comes with the pack is also grey and fits very easily and quickly onto the top of the pack. It doesn't have a bag or anything, so it usually stays loose in the bottom pocket. The top and back are made of waterproof material and the sides and roll up front are made from mesh meaning that if you roll the front down it is sort of like a baby prison. Note that this does not cover the whole pack - or your child's legs - so you really do need the extra waterproof cover.

**************** Conclusions ****************

It is really very difficult to buy one of these. We couldn't find one anywhere near us to try it out. Eventually I found one online and happened to notice that they were based just up the road from us and had a small showroom (quite a coincidence considering we lived in a small Oxfordshire town at the time) so I rang them up and made an appointment to try one. We had originally intended to try the three littlelife carriers that might have been suitable and then go away and think about it. But we were so impressed (having previously tried carriers by Macpac, Deuter and Vaudé) we bought it on the spot. And they aren't exactly cheap either. But then you wouldn't scrimp on a pushchair, so why scrimp on something that has to be comfy for two people?

The RRP is £129.99, but online deals at the moment (and how you buy one in a shop I'm not sure) make it about £110, including delivery. We bought ours about a year ago from Babyworld for about £120, if I remember correctly. Since then we have also purchased the full rain cover (we got this from Cotswold Outdoor in Betws-y-Coed for £25) and the neck pillow (about £5 from an outdoor discount store).

--------A Note on the rain cover: this is much bigger than the shower cover, although it does also fold up and go in the lower pocket. It also has a roll down front section and is easily attached. As far as I am aware, while it is made from waterproof fabric, it does not have fully sealed seams and so is not as waterproof as your waterproof jacket might be. The reasoning behind this seems to be that you shouldn't be taking your child out in a storm anyway. But generally with this and her usual coat and salopettes on, we have never had any complaints - except of the bored with being in a small tent variety.

We have had the carrier for over a year and we have used it up mountains, on weekend walks, around town and all over the place. It is really fabulous to have the freedom from the pushchair and our little one loves the views from up on a back. It is more difficult for her to fall asleep in it than the pushchair, especially now she is a bit bigger, but then she sleeps better at night after a long walk.

Comfort wise, I find the pack fine. My husband complains a bit about it, but I think maybe that is because he isn't used to carrying a heavy backpack anyway. Realistically, it's not going to feel like nothing - you are carrying about 15kg, after all. The best thing about this pack is its adjustability so you, and anyone else who wants a go, should be able to adjust it to what is comfortable for them - even if you are especially tall. I can't comment on what it's like if you're especially short as the smallest person to have used ours is 168 cm (5'6) - but (and this applies to everyone) I really, very strongly, urge you NOT TO BUY ANY CHILD CARRIER WITHOUT TRYING IT ON FRIST.

**************** Adventures with a Baby ****************

When our daughter was seven months old we took her up Snowdon with a friend who is also a friend of the mountains. My husband carried her up by the PYG track and she enjoyed the glorious scenery and the many dogs being walked past her. We then took in the views at the summit and I carried her down the Miners' Track just as the rain began. She did not much enjoy the descent. It was getting to be too long in the pack (especially with the raincover on), it was raining and the descent was a lot bumpier than the ascent. She eventually fell asleep on her pillow as we trudged back to the car in the rain. We had a really good walk and we proved to ourselves that we could still do things like this with a baby.

WARNING: Snowdon is NO JOKE. It may be in the British Isles, but it is a MOUNTAIN! Parts of it are extremely dangerous and none of it should be taken lightly. You need proper footwear, clothing, a map and to know what you are doing before you venture up any mountain with or without a baby or child.

Now that she is bigger, and it is winter, we have mostly been taking her up local hills. Glastonbury Tor on a gloriously sunny day was only possible with the backpack and it seems the best (and only?) way to get both us and our daughter out into the great ourdoors. She loves the backpack and hoots with delight whenever she sees it getting packed into the car. It has to be well tucked away in the house because once she has seen it, it is hard to pry her away from it. I would wholeheartedly recommend backpacks in general, and the Littlelife Explorer in particular, to anyone who wants to keep being active outdoors with their children. 

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