It’s the Rolls Royce of child carriers. The equivalent of the sultan on his throne carried down the street on the backs of servants, only for children and not rulers. It’s called the Deuter Kid Comfort II and I’m convinced this item has just saved my summer from a long four month absence of getting out on the trails with my 9-month-old son.
In the world of child carriers, just about every major backpack manufacturer has thrown their hat into the ring, giving the consumer a nearly overwhelming set of options and the child a far too comfortable introduction to the world of outdoor recreation. The Kid Comfort II is just one of about 20 or so choices in this segment, but boasts a number of features that help it stand out from the rest:
Price: Before we dive into the nitty gritty details of the Kid Comfort II, it’s best to address the only big red flag: the $240 price tag. Remember, to drive a Rolls Royce, you must prepare for the price tag of a Rolls Royce. Yes, the Deuter kid carrier line is at the very end of the expensive side of the spectrum, but if it means keeping hiking in the mix this summer, $240 is easily justifiable. (Side note- you can occasionally find it on sale for around $190)
Comfort (for the adult): It’s immediately clear that Deuter relied heavily on their experience with long-distance backpacks when putting together the build for the Kid Comfort II. Using very comfortable waist straps and a tightening system that allows for even the smallest of adjustments, the vast majority of the weight of a fully loaded backpack rests on your hips. The shoulder straps are equally comfortable and easy to adjust, however, the standout feature here is Deuter’s VARIQUICK system. This unique adjustment mechanism quick and easily let’s you adjust the height at which the shoulder straps connect to the actual frame. For parents who are carrying older, taller, and heavier children, the ability to raise the height of the straps and ultimately lower the center of gravity of the pack is an absolutely required feature that the Kid Comfort II puts to use in the best way possible.
Comfort (for the child): If my 9-month-old could speak, he’d probably rave about this thing. There’s plenty of padding to make the constant movement of the pack bearable, along with a harness system that is a typical design but as effective as it needs to be. More importantly is the ability to adjust the compartment as a whole by pulling a side strap to tighten things up and make the space smaller or releases for more wiggle room. This is especially handy if you kid falls asleep and is more prone to having a head that bounces side to side very easily. Tightening up the compartment limits that bounce room and directs any tired heads to a heavily padded section akin to a built-in pillow, which is one of the best parts about the Kid Comfort II. The whole system seems to be an enjoyable experience every time my son is sitting in it. He can sleep when he wants and doesn’t fuss when awake, which wouldn’t happen if he was even the slightest bit uncomfortable.
Storage: With a kid comes the constant process of moving the majority of your earthly possessions anytime you travel anywhere. Even a short day hike is no exception. The Kid Comfort II features ample storage areas, the largest of which is able to fit all baby supplies needed for a day hike including bottles, warm water in a thermos, diapers, wipes, toys, burp clothes, change of clothes (because you never know), and more. A handful of additional pockets around the carrier are enough for your supplies, but also reveals the backpack’s only major flaw: no water bottle pocket. This is a huge red mark for me, as the only hydration option the Kid Comfort II offers is a fantastic integrated hydration bladder system that fits nicely between your back and the child. The problem is, a bladder isn’t included and if you don’t have one on hand, you’re stuck with no options for hydration.
Shade: An optional shade attachment is available for the Kid Comfort II providing the carrier’s occupant with a surprisingly adequate amount of shade from almost any angle. The downside? The seemingly simple attachment is sold separately for a whopping $30 at most online retailers. Expensive but necessary. Guess we know how Deuter makes their money…
Stand: Ahhh the brilliance of German engineering. Probably the best feature of the Kid Comfort II is the retractable stand which allows the backpack to double over as a high chair when not on the move, skipping the generally unpleasant process of getting your kid in and out of the child carrier. The stand makes picking the backpack up to put on much easier than I imagine it would be without it and is easily retractable when the carrier is snug on your back.
The Bottom Line:
Amazing comfort for baby, almost better fit for whoever gets to carry baby. Lots of features, amazing build quality, but you certainly pay for it. But hey, who ever said owning the best was cheap?