Child Carrier Guide / Carrier limits
Child weight limits and maximum loads for 11 hiking child carriers
This table lists the child weight range, maximum load, age limit, carrier weight and volume for 11 framed hiking child carriers from 4 manufacturers. All limits come from the manufacturers' product pages and owner's manuals. A limit the manufacturer does not list is shown as Not listed.
Limits by manufacturer and model
| Carrier | Child minimum | Child maximum | Maximum load | Age | Carrier weight | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Osprey Poco | 7.3 kg (16 lb) | 18 kg (40 lb) | 22 kg (48.5 lb)child, gear and carrier combined | 6 months | 3.49 kg | 24 L |
| Osprey Poco Premium | 7.3 kg (16 lb) | 18 kg (40 lb) | 22 kg (48.5 lb)child, gear and carrier combined | 6 months | 3.79 kg | 36 L |
| Osprey Poco LT | 7.3 kg (16 lb) | 18 kg (40 lb) | 22 kg (48.5 lb)child, gear and carrier combined | 6 months | 2.52 kg | 25 L |
| Deuter Kid Comfort | Not listed | 18 kg | 22 kg18 kg child plus 4 kg gear | about 9 months | 3.23 kg | 14 L |
| Deuter Kid Comfort Active | Not listed | 18 kg | 22 kg18 kg child plus 4 kg gear | about 9 months | 2.68 kg | 12 L |
| Deuter Kid Comfort Active SL | Not listed | 18 kg | 22 kg18 kg child plus 4 kg gear | about 9 months | 2.65 kg | 12 L |
| Deuter Kid Comfort Pro | Not listed | 18 kg | 22 kg18 kg child plus 4 kg gear | about 9 months | 3.55 kg | 12 L |
| Thule Sapling | 7.3 kg (16 lb) | 18 kg (40 lb) | 22 kg (48.5 lb)contents of the 22 kg not stated | 6 months | 3.8 kg | 22 L |
| LittleLife Voyager S5 | Not listed | Not listed | 20 kgsplit between child and gear not stated | 6 months to 3 years | 2.9 kg | 28 L |
| LittleLife Cross Country S4 | Not listed | Not listed | 20 kgsplit between child and gear not stated | 6 months to 3 years | 2.5 kg | 20 L |
| LittleLife Ranger S2 | Not listed | Not listed | 20 kgsplit between child and gear not stated | 6 months to 3 years | 1.7 kg | No main bag |
Sources are listed at the end of this page.
The manufacturer's current manual sets the limits for each carrier. A pediatrician answers questions about whether a child is ready to ride in one.
Child weight limits
Osprey, Deuter and Thule set the child maximum at 18 kg (40 lb). Osprey and Thule list a child minimum of 7.3 kg (16 lb). Deuter lists no minimum weight. Deuter lists its carriers for children from about 9 months who sit upright independently.
Maximum load
Osprey's 22 kg maximum includes the carrier itself, which weighs 2.52 to 3.79 kg depending on the model. Deuter allows an 18 kg child plus 4 kg of gear. Thule lists 22 kg and does not state what it includes. LittleLife lists a 20 kg maximum load and does not state how it divides between child and gear.
Age limits
Osprey, Thule and LittleLife list a minimum age of 6 months. LittleLife also lists a maximum age of 3 years. On its Freedom S4 page, LittleLife states that there is no maximum height and that the limit "is done on weight".
Limits by manufacturer
Sources
- Osprey: Poco product page
- Osprey: Poco and Poco Premium owner's manual (PDF at Aventure Nordique)
- Osprey: Poco LT owner's manual (PDF at Aventure Nordique)
- Basecamp Gear: Osprey Poco LT listing
- Deuter: Kid Comfort product page
- Deuter: child carrier advice page
- Deuter: Kid Comfort Active product page
- Deuter: Kid Comfort Active SL product page
- Deuter: Kid Comfort Pro product page
- Thule: Sapling instructions (PDF)
- Thule: Sapling product page
- LittleLife: Voyager S5 product page
- Summits: LittleLife Voyager S5 listing
- LittleLife: Cross Country S4 product page
- LittleLife: Ranger S2 product page
- LittleLife: Freedom S4 product page