Child Carrier Guide / Outgrow ages
Age at which children reach hiking carrier weight limits
Osprey, Deuter and Thule hiking child carriers stop at an 18 kg (40 lb) child. On the WHO growth standard, a median girl reaches 18 kg at about 4 years 11 months and a median boy at about 4 years 10 months. A child on the 85th percentile reaches 18 kg more than a year earlier.
Age at 18 kg, the child maximum for Osprey, Deuter and Thule
| Age at 18 kg | 15th percentile | 50th percentile | 85th percentile | 97th percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WHO girls | after 5 years | 4 yr 11 mo | 3 yr 10 mo | 3 yr 1 mo |
| WHO boys | after 5 years | 4 yr 10 mo | 3 yr 9 mo | 3 yr |
Age at 15 kg, the maximum load of the LittleLife Traveller S3
| Age at 15 kg | 15th percentile | 50th percentile | 85th percentile | 97th percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WHO girls | 4 yr 8 mo | 3 yr 7 mo | 2 yr 9 mo | 2 yr 2 mo |
| WHO boys | 4 yr 5 mo | 3 yr 4 mo | 2 yr 6 mo | 2 yr |
Age at 20 kg, the maximum load of LittleLife framed carriers
| Age at 20 kg | 15th percentile | 50th percentile | 85th percentile | 97th percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WHO girls | after 5 years | after 5 years | 4 yr 7 mo | 3 yr 8 mo |
| WHO boys | after 5 years | after 5 years | 4 yr 7 mo | 3 yr 9 mo |
"After 5 years" means the curve stays under that weight through 60 months, where the WHO standard for ages 0 to 5 ends. Each age is the first whole month at or above the weight. Source: WHO weight-for-age expanded tables. The method is on the calculation page.
Percentiles
A percentile shows where a child's weight sits against the WHO reference group at the same age. A 2-year-old on the 85th percentile is heavier than 85 of 100 children in that group. Each table shows the age at which a child who stays on one percentile reaches the weight.
Children move between percentiles as they grow. The ages are a statistical projection, not a medical assessment. A pediatrician answers questions about a child's growth.
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.