Anyone have hiking backpacks?

In honor of DH's birthday, we're buying frame backpacks so we can take the girls hiking. If you have them, what kind do you have, and what do you like or not like about them?

 

QUOTE(Minette @ Apr 13 2007, 12:26 PM) [snapback]218279[/snapback]
In honor of DH's birthday, we're buying frame backpacks so we can take the girls hiking. If you have them, what kind do you have, and what do you like or not like about them?


We got some as a gift and used them a grand total of TWICE! If you lived nearby I'd sell them to you CHEAP! I think they are really nice ones. Loading them in was a little cumbersome, but we're spazzes. I think you'd get used to it. I'll write back once I'm home to let you know what kind they are. Very comfy ride.

 

We have a Sherpani, but have never used it.

Long story, but my MIL bought it to take my son on hikes/walks and she couldn't figure out all the buckles. So, it ended up at our house. It's just sitting there!

It is really nice though.

 

We have Keltys. Try craigslist if you want to save some $ - We bought one new for >$150 and one used for $40. Where are you going hiking? I just checked a book out from the library on the best places to hike in CO with kids, and one that includes 45 hikes within 45 min of Denver.

I used to belong to this group when my singleton was a baby, before you had to pay to be a member: http://www.comountainmamas.com But you can find some good hike descriptions on their site still.

Have fun! We plan to do a lot of hiking with the kids this summer too.

 

QUOTE(marieber @ Apr 13 2007, 04:29 PM) [snapback]218288[/snapback]
We got some as a gift and used them a grand total of TWICE!


Yeah, I'm a little afraid of that. The girls are already kind of heavy, and with all the stuff we do on weekends anyway, we probably won't get out there very often. But we really miss hiking. We're not planning on anything really adventurous, more like short walks that happen to be on trails rather than on sidewalks. (There are dozens of trails within a 1/2 hr drive of our house -- some within walking distance.)

Three4Me, thanks for the link -- I'll definitely check that out. We'll mostly just be hiking in Boulder, at least for starters. I've been checking Craigslist, but Trail Kids (an awesome store near our house that sells new & used kids' outdoor gear) has a selection of packs too. They let you borrow one for a weekend just to see if you like it!

 

It really makes a difference how much you're willing to pay. We have 2 Kelty's and 1 cheaper brand; Graco, maybe. We never use the cheaper one. We love our Kelty's, but for me they're a little more uncomfortable b/c I'm only 5' and they're really designed for a taller person. But we've used them several times already, even for non-hiking days. Recently we went to a Home Show at the fairgrounds & it was way too crowded for the stroller; the backpacks worked perfect!

I would try to find a store that carries some to try on; that's really what helped me decide what kind.

Or, depending on the trails maybe a good rugged jogging stroller would work?

 

We have 2, one's a Graco and the other is a Kelty. We've only used the Kelty so far, and yeah it can be a little cumbersome to get on, but nice once you do.

We are planning some short trips and since DS can walk pretty well, we're hoping to get some real use out of them. Otherwise they will get sold at this fall's twin sale, which is where I got them in the 1st place.

 

We bought two used Kelty's and I am glad we went that route. We don't use them that often, but we have used them for trips (where we use them daily, all week) and local day hikes. I am a little short for it (5'3'') but it fits way more comfortably than my brother's Graco (or Gerry, I can't recall) pack I borrowed.

I wanted one originally that had the shades on them, but I am glad that we didn't get them since we really do not need them. We got one on Craiglist and one through our local twins club. I am glad I did that since they are really expensive and we don't use them that often. The ones we bought were older models (three years, maybe) but look brand new and have all the same features as the newer ones.

 

i used my everyday for what seemed like a year... there was no way to take walks without one because we couldn't afford a triple stroller...

we just have a cheap-o evenflo one. it works great for me, but it's harder for my hubsand (who is a bit wider than I).... it came in very handy...