Best Baby Carrier for Hiking

Actually, I was like, “What? No way. Boooorrrriinnnnggg!”

And they were all like, “Tough Beth, people want to know what the best baby carriers are for hiking.”

And I said, “Guys, I’ve just dislocated my knee (true story - ask me how it happened), I am literally the last person on Earth who should be writing about hiking whilst babywearing.”

“Tough”, they said, again. “You know more about babywearing than anyone, so put 2 and 2 together, make 5 and get writing.”

Ok, you want to know what the best baby carriers are for hiking?

And I guess I'm supposed to start by answering blisteringly obvious questions like

What Is a Baby Carrier?

the answer to which is pretty darn obvious (a device for carrying infants).

And

What is Hiking?

which apparently has an actual definition - "walking in nature as a recreational activity. Especially among those with sedentary occupations."

Oh, and here's another cracker:

Can You Babywear Whilst Hiking?

the answer, obviously, is yes, otherwise I wouldn't be writing this.

Ok then, well you asked for it - keep reading to find out the best baby carriers for hiking…

Actually, let’s stop right there.

The best baby carriers for hiking are your buckle carriers - ones like the Ergobaby Omni and the Love and Carry ONE.

Or the LennyLight.

Or the LennyLamb Preschool Carrier.

Or the Manduca XT.

Honestly, any of them will be amazing. They’re padded and comfy, lightweight and breathable, and ergonomic and supportive for your baby.

You don’t need to overthink it, just get a carrier and get outside hiking.

So yeah, that’s about it. Ta da! Done. Take that, schmarketing department!

"Seriously, Beth? Like, really?"

"Yes, really."

"That's all you're giving us?"

"Yep."

“But what about the Phil & Ted-type framed carriers, or the ones from Deuter like the Kid Comfort?”

"Haven’t included them."

"Why ever not?!"

Cos they’re too big and bulky (think about having to transport them in the first place), baby isn’t held securely enough, and they’re heavy and cumbersome.

You don’t need ‘suspension systems’ or ‘storage space’.

All you need to do is make sure the carrier is comfortable and supportive for you and your baby, and hey, let someone else carry all the gear - you're carrying another actual human after all!

Although having said that, if you do need to carry extra bits and bobs, you can use a waist pack like one of these bad boys.

Now that’s out of the way, let’s talk about the things you can do and the places you can go and how exciting it will be whilst you’re hiking with your baby in a baby carrier!

Yeah, that’ll be much more fun.

So without further ado, let’s look at the

 

9 Places You Can Go Hiking in the UK When You’re Carrying Your Baby in a Carrier But Couldn’t if You Had Them in a Buggy and How Amazing it Will Make You Feel.

 

1. Hadrian's Wall

 

Best For: scenery, history and museums and stuff

Distance: 70+ miles

Can You Take a Buggy: No

Can You Go With a Baby Carrier: Yes

On a Scale of 1 - 10 How Amazing Will You Feel: 10. I mean, it’s a hike + history + babywearing. Triple whammy!

You don’t have to do the whole thing obviously (but you can if you want - hardcore!). You can just do bits of it. You’ll feel great and your baby will love being with you. Bring lunch, admire the views, learn some history and enjoy yourself.

 

2. Lizard Peninsula

 

Best For: beaches

Distance: 7 miles

Can You Take a Buggy: No

Can You Go With a Baby Carrier: Yes

On a Scale of 1 - 10 How Amazing Will You Feel: 10. You and your baby can paddle in the sea!

A popular UK hike in Southern Cornwall, especially in the summer. Gives access to some of the best beaches around, so you can explore to your heart's content, have a picnic and go paddling! Could you do that with a buggy?! You could not.

 

3. Quiraing, Isle of Skye

 

Best For: wild, dramatic scenery

Distance: approx 5 miles

Can You Take a Buggy: The answer should be obvious by now

Can You Go With a Baby Carrier: See above

On a Scale of 1 - 10 How Amazing Will You Feel: 10. It may be a bit of a climb, but you’ll be able to share the dramatic views with your baby / toddler; memories that will last a lifetime!

There’s a handy four mile loop. It’s quite a climb in places, but you’ll be rewarded with some of the most breathtaking scenery the UK has to offer.

 

4. Causeway Coast, N Ireland

 

Best For: rugged coastal scenery, geology

Distance: approx 33 miles, but you can explore the bits you want

Can You Take a Buggy: you're still asking this?

Can You Go With a Baby Carrier: See above

On a Scale of 1 - 10 How Amazing Will You Feel: 10. You’ll be immersed in some of the most dramatic cliff scenery in Europe.

Imagine how cool it would be to be sitting with your baby / toddler on top of the ancient basalt columns at the Giant’s Causeway (which is a World Heritage Site, didn’t you know).

There are coastal hikes and amazing beaches; you’re guaranteed to have mega fun.

 

5. Scafell Pike, Lake District

 

Best For: mountains, Gandalf!

Distance: 3 miles

Can You Take a Buggy: Ok, you're starting to bug me now

Can You Go With a Baby Carrier: Like I said...

On a Scale of 1 - 10 How Amazing Will You Feel: 10. You'll be walking with your baby in mountains, you're gonna feel amazeballs.

The highest mountain in England. Whilst you’re probably not going to get to the top, there are still some stunning views and a real sense of wilderness. Find a relatively quiet spot for some quality family outdoors time.

 

6. Jurassic Coast

 

Best For: fossils

Distance: It's 95 miles, but you can explore bits

Can You Take a Buggy: Of course not

Can You Go With a Baby Carrier: Of course you can

On a Scale of 1 - 10 How Amazing Will You Feel: 10. You'll be exploring the Jurassic Coast with your baby / toddler; you’ll be creating a future palaeontologist for sure!

Stunning coastline along the south coast of England between Exmouth in East Devon to Studland Bay in Dorset.

It’s a World Heritage Site on account of the rocks, fossils and landforms and some iconic British landmarks.

Imagine how cool it would be if you went fossil hunting with your toddler! And imagine if you found one that they could keep forever! Amazing.

 

7. Snowdonia

 

Best For: exploring Snowdonia (duh)

Distance: approx 6 miles

Can You Take a Buggy: Have you not been paying attention?

Can You Go With a Baby Carrier: I don't want to have to repeat myself

On a Scale of 1 - 10 How Amazing Will You Feel: 10. Especially if you’re interested in industrial archaeology.

A circular walk that you could probably easily do with your baby, taking in some of Snowdonia’s most stunning scenery. And if you or your partner are interested in industrial archaeology (who isn't?!), well that’s just an added bonus.

 

8. Cheddar Gorge

 

Best for: being a deep gorge (oh, and wildlife, history and adventure)

Distance: 4 miles

Can you take a buggy: I am not answering this question

Can you go with a baby carrier: Or this one

On a scale of 1-10 how amazing will you feel: 10. Especially if you love cheese gorges, caves, cliffs and scenery.

No, not your toddler gorging themselves on a block of cheese they found at the back of the fridge. Cheddar Gorge is a limestone gorge in the Mendip Hills in Somerset. Walk cliffs, explore caves and find out about the Cheddar Man (no, not your cheese loving husband). It’s one of Britain’s most spectacular natural landscapes, one you’ll get to easily explore when you have your baby in a carrier!

 

9. West Highland Way

 

Best for: dramatic Scottish scenery

Distance: well it’s 96 miles, but you’d just be doing bits of it here and there

Can you take a buggy: Yes

Can you go with a baby carrier: No. (psych!)

On a scale of 1-10 how amazing will you feel: 10. The beauty is awe inspiring, you can’t help but feel incredible.

I don’t suppose you’d be walking the full thing which would likely take over a week.

But you can explore parts here and there around Loch Lomond and Fort William, along with Rannoch Moor. It’s wild, remote and mountainous. Realising that you can explore all this when you have your baby in a carrier will make you fall in love with babywearing.

So there you have it. The best baby carriers for hiking AND the best places you can go hiking with your baby in said carriers.

"How's that, marketing department?"

"S'pose it'll do."

"You suppose it'll do!?"

"Yep, for now."

Jees, some people.

Well, thanks for bearing with me and making it down here :) I hope you found this article helpful. Please get in touch or email me - beth@lovetobenatural.co.uk - if you'd like any further info on hiking with your baby in a carrier, babywearing in general, advice on any products, or how I dislocated my knee.