Kelty KIDS Pathfinder Child Carrier (Cobalt / Silver)
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List Price: Our Price: $115.00 You Save: $75.00 (39%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: Sports See more product details |
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Description of Kelty KIDS Pathfinder Child Carrier (Cobalt / Silver)
Share all of your favorite activities with your newest addition in the Pathfinder, our best- selling model. The PATHFINDER is the deluxe top of the line child carrier on the market. If you want the best with everything included, this is your best choice.Sports reviews of Kelty KIDS Pathfinder Child Carrier (Cobalt / Silver)
Customer Review: Great carrier but should have skipped the sun shade
Sport shop rating: 5 Stars
We've had this carrier for 7-8 months and have only used it to go hiking - our intended purpose - a handful of times. We used to go backpacking a lot in our childless days and I would not say this carrier is quite as comfortable as the pack I used for that (a Gregory) *but* then again my Gregory pack has always just ridden quietly on my back and doesn't throw its weight around and yell in my ear. I think the wiggle of the cargo accounts for the difference in comfort, and the difference is not that big. Still, I have never hiked more than 6 miles with my kid in this and I can't imagine going much further than that. I'm willing to admit this is due more to my going soft than poor pack design, though.
We can fit all his diaper supplies in the attached backpack if we use disposables, tie a few toys off the loops on the carrier, and stuff a sippie cup in the holder in back, and it makes for a nicely contained baby unit for a day hike.
What I have found this pack to be unexpectedly great for is to use in place of a stroller where strollers are a hinderence - such as historical sites - or for walking around the mall or grocery store. My kid has reached this point where he hates to ride in the shopping cart and tries to climb out, but for some reason he is happy as a clam riding up high on my back in this pack. Generally happier than when in the stroller, even. Never fights to get down.
My husband and I can both use this pack comfortably. I am about 5'4 and use the pack on the second from the smallest setting; he is 5'10 and uses it maybe 2 settings bigger. I think there are about 8 settings in all so this could certainly work well for a wide range of people.
From a kid perspective, my boy is about 30 pounds, 35 or 36 inches, and he's riding with the seat in the middle (of 3) adjustment.
The only thing I don't like about it is the sunshade/rainhood, which is included with this model but makes this model more expensive than the next model down, which I think is called the Journey. We just never use it because it wigs my kid out so we should have saved the money.
I also looked at REI's child carriers, Baby Trend, and a lower priced Kelty (Base Camp, I think?) and the suspension just didn't compare. The Pathfinder line is just much, much more comfortable. I don't even understand why Kelty puts out carriers like the Base Camp.
My only regret is not having gotten a frame carrier sooner. I overestimated at which point he'd be ready for one.
Customer Review: LOVE, love, love this backpack!
Sport shop rating: 5 Stars
We bought a lightly used Kelty Pathfinder when our daughter was about six months old and started using it immediately. We've definitely gotten our money's worth in just six months! My husband and I both find it to be very comfortable and even "argue" over who gets to wear it. :) The sun/rain shade is a must-have, and we also bought a bug screen to go over the entire pack. We live on a farm where flies, sand gnats, and mosquitoes are horrendous all summer long. The bug screen was a life saver and allowed us to spend a lot more time outdoors this summer than we would have otherwise.
This works incredibly well for allowing us to get all kinds of outdoor projects done around the farm. Our daughter gets to come with and be part of the "action", and we're still able to get all our work done. I do tie a toy onto one of the loops, but our daughter never plays with it. She has even been known to fall asleep in the pack. And now that she's walking all over on her own, I occasionally put her in the pack and strap her on just to get some house work done!
It's nice to use this anywhere a stroller would typically be used, and also in places where strollers are less than handy to use. As others have mentioned, you just have to be aware of how far you stick out in back so you don't run into anything/anyone, but you get used to it rather quickly. We did not get a manual with our backpack (since it was used), but it was easy to figure out - you can also download a manual online. We find it works best to move the pack to an elevated surface before strapping it onto your back, but it can also be done directly from the floor without much trouble.
Love this Kelty!
Customer Review: We love it!
Sport shop rating: 5 Stars
We bought this two weeks ago from Amazon and could not be happier with it. I purchased this after much research and seeing used Pathfinders going on ebay for about the same price (We paid $120 total for the carrier and shipping). Our son loves being up high and able to see. We went to the St.Louis Zoo last weekend and received a lot of compliments from other zoo visitors. This fits both my husband and I (I am 5'6", He is 5'10") and we found the adjustments to be easy, after reading the instructions. Be prepared to make the adjustments and follow Kelty's suggestion to mark the location of the adjustments if sharing between two or more adults. It also helped that we tried other carriers at local biking/camping shops and learned about the adjustments from the staff.
The carrier is extremely well constructed (aluminum frame, super strong fabric, well sewn, even the velcro is a higher grade than you see on most products) . The sunshade is great for sunny days and has kept our 8 month old from pulling our hair and hats. We bought this for hiking, festivals and other events that require a lot of walking. We tried the new Kelty FC line at a local store. I could not find any difference in the construction, just the storage. We liked the Kelty Pathfinder better, mostly for aesthetic reasons, but I also find it more comfortable and I am not certain why there would be any difference between the two Kelty lines. The zip off back pack is also very handy for diapers/wipes/diaper cream/sunscreen. There are two water bottle holders on the zip-off pack and the 2 pockets on the belt are great for keys/phone. I highly recommend this product.
Customer Review: The best I've tried!
Sport shop rating: 5 Stars
The best part about this pack is how adjustable it is. I am 5'1" and was unable to properly fit any other pack that I tried. The Pathfinder is very easy to adjust for my height and there is no stress on my shoulders when my 9 month old son is in it. It is easy to put on and take off by myself (just read the instruction manual and you don't even need an elevated surface to do this). I have had my son in it for up to 1.5 hours while we go for walks, go shopping, or do yard work and he loves it. He sits up high in the pack and is able to see everything going on around him. The toy loops are great for attaching toys or pacifiers (to prevent him from throwing them to the ground). I have not had to use the rain hood yet but I am very happy to have it. The day pack attachment is also great as you really can't carry any other pack or bag when using the carrier. I would definitely recommend the Pathfinder to anyone looking for a child carrier. I can't wait to get out hiking with it in the spring and summer.Customer Review: What a great backpack baby carrier!
Sport shop rating: 5 Stars
I thought I would want this pack to be able to easily take the baby along without holding up the rest of the family. That is exactly how it has worked out so far! While we haven't been on any serious hiking trips yet, this pack is just as comfortable, around the yard for an hour or so, as I had hoped it would be. The baby seems quite content and life goes on without having a baby in your arms or a stroller in the way. I couldn't be happier with this product. As expected, Kelty knows how to make a backpack!
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