Hiking with a baby? With the child on the back, this works wonderfully away from the pram paths. In our Kraxe test, we introduce you to the most popular hiking backpacks and compare them based on the most important criteria for parents who love hiking: load capacity, storage space, equipment, weight, safety and comfort for the baby and, of course, carrying comfort for you.
This is how you find the right Kraxe for your baby
The search for the best child carrier is less about Thule, Deuter or Osprey. Rather, it is about your individual requirements. Outdoor fans who spend days in the mountains need a carrying frame that can withstand a lot and can be adjusted as precisely as possible to the wearer. You need a carrier in which your child feels comfortable for hours, is protected from wind and weather and can comfortably bed their head to sleep. Babies need more limitations, toddlers more freedom of movement. Parents who only use their carrier for short trips can compromise on the comfort features in favor of the price. In our Kraxe test, we give you an overview of the best backpacks for every requirement: from the most popular model to the inexpensive one, from the best price-performance ratio to premium features. So you can quickly find the right children's carrier for your next adventure in nature.
Kraxe test: 4 popular carrier backpacks in direct comparison
affiliate link| Illustration | top seller | Top extras | Best value for money | fair wear |
| model | Deuter Kid Comfort child carrier | Montis Ranger Pro Kraxe up to 25 kg weight - for both parents | Ultrapower Neverland Child Carrier for Hiking | child carrier | VAUDE Shuttle Base child carrier |
| Amazon reviews | 87 reviews | 39 reviews | 290 reviews | 106 reviews |
| payload | 22 kg child weight + 2 kg luggage | 25kg | 20kg | 22kg |
| Dimensions | 72x43x34cm | 89x37x37cm | 75x37x37cm | 72x35x41cm |
| own weight | 3.4kg | 2.3kg | 2.7kg | 2.6kg |
| carrying system | VariSlide (continuous back length adjustment) | completely infinitely adjustable, chest strap with women's ergonomics | Adjustable to 4 sizes (S, M, L, XL). | Tergolight back construction (back infinitely adjustable) |
| back ventilation | ||||
| Child seat height adjustable | ||||
| footrests | ||||
| headrest | ||||
| sun protection | ||||
| rain protection | ||||
| stand | ||||
| storage space | Bottom compartment with zip, side pockets, front pocket with hook | removable additional backpack (10 l), seat pocket (30 l), outer compartment, side pockets | Bottom compartment with zip, thermal front compartment for bottles, side mesh pockets | separate bottom compartment, mesh outside pocket, smaller pouches for drinking bottles and baby utensils |
| particularities | TÜV GS seal | incl. changing mat, rain cover, reflectors, pacifier holder | incl. seat and changing pad, reflectors | reflective elements, fair wear, TÜV seal, headrest, sun and rain protection available separately |
| Available at | To the offer€ 266.65€ 269.95 | To the offer € 359.99 | To the offer € 190.91 | To the offer€ 178.94€ 250.00 |
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- Kraxe test: 4 popular carrier backpacks in direct comparison
- Product comparison: 9 Kraxen in the test
- Deuter Kid Comfort child carrier – the most popular carrier tested with the TÜV seal
- Montis Ranger Pro Kraxe with all the extras - loadable up to 25 kg
- Ultrapower Neverland backpack - great value for money
- Homcom Kraxe - the award winner for short trips
- Fillikid Explorer back carrier - the other inexpensive carrier in the test
- Vaude Shuttle Base child carrier – sustainable backpacks for long tours
- Osprey Poco - the best carrier for babies in the test
- Montis Walk Hybrid child carrier - light combination of Kraxe and backpack
- Thule Sapling Elite - high quality Kraxe with rear-view mirror
- What is a Kraxe?
- Why is a Kraxe worthwhile?
- Kraxe or stretcher - advantages and disadvantages of the Kraxe in comparison
- When is a Kraxe suitable for my baby?
- Up to what age can a hiking backpack be used?
- What makes good Kraxen in the test?
- Which Kraxe is the test winner at Stiftung Warentest?
- Which baby carrier backpacks are best for hiking?
- Which Kraxe is best for babies and which for toddlers?
- How much do child carriers cost?
- Kraxen comparison 2022: Find the best hiking backpack for your baby
Deuter Kid Comfort child carrier – the most popular carrier tested with the TÜV seal
Amazon Rating(87 Ratings)
Deuter Kid Comfort child carrier
Affiliate link Price: € 266.65 Now to the shop Price: € 269.95 Now to the shopDeuter is one of the leading manufacturers of high-quality hiking backpacks. And so parents also trust the brand when it comes to taking their baby comfortably with them on the next trekking tour. Despite the impressive price, the Deuter Kraxe for children is the most popular in our test: it is the most searched for and is one of the best-selling models on Amazon.
The Deuter Kid Comfort back carrier offers TÜV-tested safety and every comfort feature that makes hiking fun for both the carrying parents and the little passenger: From the well-padded VariFlex hip fins to the Aircomfort back ventilation system to the height-adjustable footrests, the soft pillows and the integrated sun canopy for the little ones.
Unlike the Deuter Kid Comfort Active Kraxe, the sun protection is included with this Deuter Kraxe.The Deuter Kid Comfort Kraxe at a glance:
What does PFC-free mean? The abbreviation PFC stands for per- and polyfluorinated chemicals, which are used by some manufacturers to impregnate outdoor textiles. The chemicals are not biodegradable and are considered harmful to the environment and human health. Deuter does not use PFC in the coating of its backpacks.What parents say: For outdoor fans who like to hike a lot, the Deuter Kraxe is a great investment. The hiking backpack is well thought out, offers children maximum comfort and is equipped with all sorts of useful additional features, of which the sun canopy is the most important. But the users no longer want to do without the VariSlide system, thanks to which both parents can quickly adjust the carrier to their size. The only drawback: the well-equipped Kraxe is bulkier and heavier than other models. There is a slimmed-down version with the cheaper Deuter Kid Comfort Active carrier.
FAQ
Montis Ranger Pro Kraxe with all the extras - loadable up to 25 kg
Amazon Rating(39 Ratings)
Montis Ranger Pro Kraxe up to 25 kg weight - for both parents
Affiliate link price: € 359.99 Now to the shopMost Kraxen in our test are approved for a maximum weight of 20 kg. The Montis baby carrier backpack is different: It is suitable for children up to 25 kg. The Montis Ranger Pro Kraxe also stands out due to its plenty of storage space and it also comes with all the extras that hiking-loving parents could wish for, including a sun and rain hood, rain cover, forehead cushion, changing mat and footrests. The gradually adjustable shoulder straps and the adjustable chest strap can be easily adjusted to both mum and dad. And the wide 5-point children's harness ensures that your protégé can safely enjoy the hike. Despite the lavish equipment, the Montis Kraxe is more than 1 kg lighter than the Deuter Kids Comfort carrier - it weighs only 2.3 kg.
The Montis Ranger Pro Kraxe at a glance:
Side entry on both sides: You don't have to hoist your child into the Montis Kinderkraxe. Both sides can be opened, making it easy to enter from the side.What parents say: The Montis Ranger Pro Kraxe leaves nothing to be desired: It is extremely resilient, cuddly padded, offers plenty of storage space and comes with many practical extras. This makes it just as suitable for small hikes as it is for long excursions and is very popular with parents in the customer reviews. However, the Kraxe, which can be loaded with 25 kg, is actually more suitable for larger children. Babies, even if they can already sit, seem a bit lost in the seat, which is open at the side.
FAQ
Ultrapower Neverland backpack - great value for money
Amazon Rating(290 Ratings)
Ultrapower Neverland Child Carrier for Hiking | child carrier
Affiliate link price: € 190.91 Now to the shopThe Ultrapower Neverland Kinderkraxe is a good compromise for parents with a smaller budget who still don't want to forego comfort settings. The Kraxe is equipped with an adjustable carrying system with four size levels (S, M, L, XL). This makes it suitable for both small and large parents. Breathable material and the mesh grid on the back ensure that your back is well ventilated when you wear it and that you don't sweat too much when you're on the go. Meanwhile, your child will be just as comfortable. Thanks to the adjustable seat height and length-adjustable foot pockets, it has the optimal seat height and comfortably enjoys the view. With a maximum load of 20 kg, however, the Ultrapower Kraxe is not quite as robust as those from Deuter or Montis.
The Ultrapower Kinderkraxe at a glance:
Kraxe with or without footrests? Footrests, which look like small stirrups on the Kraxe, relieve the child's little legs, which may hang in the air for several hours without support. The foot straps promote blood circulation and thus prevent the legs from falling asleep.What parents say: The Ultrapower Kraxe impresses in comparison with its great price-performance ratio and is clearly recommended by most users in the ratings. The comfort for parents and child is rated very well, as are extras such as the thermally insulated bottle compartment or the sun and rain protection. There are complaints that the seat bridge is too small for larger children and the shoulder straps are not quite as well padded as, for example, on the Deuter Kid Comfort carrier.
FAQ
Homcom Kraxe - the award winner for short trips
Amazon Rating(22 Ratings)
HOMCOM Kraxe for travelling, children's backpack with sun protection
Affiliate link price: € 89.90 Now to the shopAt just under 80 euros, the Homcom children's backpack is one of the bargains among the carriers. Compared to the high-priced models, it can withstand less weight (18 kg) and does not offer as many individual adjustment options, making it not the best choice for long, extensive hikes. On the other hand, it is a cheap alternative for short hikes and walks in the city. At 2.5 kg, the Kraxe with the aluminum frame is also quite light and can also be folded up to save space.
The Homcom backpack at a glance:
The Homcom backpack meets the safety requirements for backpacks with a frame and is certified according to EN13209.What parents say: The Kraxe is still relatively new on the market and therefore only has a few customer reviews online. Nevertheless, it is already one of the best-selling in the Amazon shop. The parents who have already tested the Kraxe describe them as very robust. Because there are no head and footrests, babies do not sit quite as comfortably in this inexpensive model as in the Deuter or Montis back carrier.
FAQ
Fillikid Explorer back carrier - the other inexpensive carrier in the test
Amazon Rating(31 Ratings)
fillikid backpack Explorer
Affiliate-LinkPrice: €95.99 Now for the shopPrice: €109.90 Now for the shopPrice: €109.90 Now for the shopPrice: €109.77 Now for the shopThe Fillikid Explorer Kraxe also stands out because of its low price. Compared to the Homcom backpack, it can carry a slightly higher load of 20 kg and the weight remains the same. However, the hiking backpack has significantly larger dimensions: a height of 1.20 cm is certainly not to everyone's taste. The fact that the Kraxe remains so light is also due to the open design of the child seat, which is more suitable for larger children and less, as recommended by the manufacturer, for children from 6 months. The back area, which is equipped with a ventilation system, and the well-padded hip belt are pleasant for parents.
The Fillikid Kraxe at a glance:
Age recommendation: The manufacturer recommends the Kraxe from 6 months. A baby of this age has only just learned to sit, if at all. It is seldom strong enough to sit upright in the backpack for a long time and to compensate for the jolts of walking. 6-month-old babies are better off in a sling or in a conventional baby carrier.What parents say: The Fillikid Kraxe is easy to carry and easy to handle alone. In their reviews, parents especially praise the good price-performance ratio. For babies from 6 months, however, a child carrier with an enclosed baby seat that provides more support is recommended.
Vaude Shuttle Base child carrier – sustainable backpacks for long tours
Amazon Rating(106 Ratings)
VAUDE Shuttle Base child carrier
Affiliate linkPrice: €178.94 Now to the shopPrice: €250.00 Now to the shopEnjoy nature with a clear conscience - that is the motto of the sustainable outdoor outfitter Vaude. The Vaude Shuttle Base Kraxe was also manufactured according to this principle. The child carrier combines high wearing comfort with a compact design that makes it easy to go up the mountain. The in-house Tergolight suspension system and the relieving hip padding were specially developed for long tours with heavy luggage. The Vaude Kraxe offers children TÜV-tested safety, a well-padded, height-adjustable seat and side foot straps that you can adjust to the size of your child. However, headrests and sunroof must be purchased separately.
The Vaude Shuttle Base hiking carrier at a glance:
Fair Wear: Vaude is a member of the Fair Wear Foundation, which advocates fair working conditions and more transparency in textile production worldwide.What parents say: Great carrier for long tours. The back does not hurt and the children are still satisfied even after several hours. The only drawback: the lack of sun protection, which has to be bought separately.
Osprey Poco - the best carrier for babies in the test
Amazon Rating(98 Ratings)
Osprey Poco child carrier backpack for hiking
Affiliate link price: € 302.94 Now to the shopWith its all-round padded child seat, the TÜV-tested Osprey Poco Kraxe is the best choice for babies who have not yet been able to sit up independently for long. The soft side walls provide support and a safe boundary and at the same time are ventilated so that it cannot get too warm in the cockpit. The sun canopy with sun protection factor 50+ reliably protects your offspring from the sun when you are out and about, but can also be stowed away when it is not needed.
Parents benefit from the ventilated, breathable back plate, which is height-adjustable by up to 15 cm and can therefore be ergonomically adjusted to mum or dad. However, so much comfort for the little ones has the side effect that the Kraxe is relatively heavy compared to the other carrier backpacks in our test.
The Osprey Poco Kinderkraxe at a glance:
Removable and washable headrest : so that your baby can always rest his head on a clean headrest, this can be easily removed and washed after every outing.What parents say: Whether for a trip to the mountains, a walk in the woods or a visit to the market or music festival - the Osprey Poco child carrier makes it easy for parents to be active with a baby. Because it offers even the smallest an all-round safe and comfortable seat and makes it so easy for parents to carry it, it only has positive reviews online. However, their suitability for smaller babies could be a disadvantage for larger children. The stirrups are judged to be too tight for sturdy children's shoes.
Montis Walk Hybrid child carrier - light combination of Kraxe and backpack
Amazon Rating(49 Ratings)
Montis Walk Hybrid Kraxe child carrier for both parents up to 15kg
Affiliate link price: € 79.99 Now to the shopHiking backpacks don't have to be bulky. At 1.9 kg, the Monti Walk Hybrid Kraxe is a light and compact companion on short hikes and walks. Although the carrying backpack, which can be converted from a backpack to a backpack in just a few simple steps, can only be loaded with a maximum of 15 kg, it still offers the Montis-typical comfort features. The back system here, like all other Montis Kraxen, is continuously height-adjustable and therefore well suited for both parents. The reinforced back area and the ventilation system ensure a comfortable fit. With a total volume of 20 liters, the Hybrid Kraxe offers plenty of storage space for diapers, drinking bottles and a change of clothes. Reflective elements make you clearly visible even in the dark.
The Montis Walk Hybrid Kraxe at a glance:
The Montis Forest Hybrid stretcher is primarily a backpack that is used for carrying over short distances. The backpack is not suitable for extensive hikes.What parents say: The idea is great: A light, compact hiking backpack that doesn't strain your back and also offers space for a baby. However, because the child seat is quite narrow and the seating comfort for the little ones is limited, this backpack is only recommended for short, occasional hiking trips.
Thule Sapling Elite - high quality Kraxe with rear-view mirror
Amazon Rating(179 Ratings)
Thule Sapling Elite child carrier
Affiliate link price: € 310.11 Now to the shopWith the Thule Sapling Elite Kraxe you hike with your child at the highest level. Thanks to the individual adjustment options for the back length and the hip belt, both parents can adjust the child carrier exactly to their size. Extras such as the detachable backpack or the rear-view mirror, with which you can keep an eye on your valuable cargo, set the Thule Kraxe apart from the others in the test. The cockpit for the little passenger is well padded and enclosed, similar to the Osprey Kraxe, so that your offspring can enjoy the view very comfortably and well protected. So much comfort is not without consequences: At 3.6 kg, the Thule Kraxe is quite heavy and bulky in comparison. The weight can be reduced by removing the backpack.
The Thule Sapling Elite child carrier at a glance:
Thigh support and load control straps - the Thule Kraxe is designed to distribute the child's weight as best as possible, so that parents and child feel as light as possible on the go.That's what parents say: "The best Kraxe", "really good", "great workmanship" - users on the Internet are enthusiastic about the Thule Sapling Elite stretcher. The Kraxe can be perfectly adjusted to your own size and offers the little ones a comfortable seat in which they are safe. However, due to the fact that the backpack is relatively massive, it is recommended for longer hikes rather than everyday excursions.
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