At 4 years old, your child is no longer a toddler but not quite old enough to explore fully on their own. It's sometimes somewhat "tricky".
They want to do it “by themselves” but their little legs also tire easily, and at this age, it's not so easy to throw them up on your shoulders for a rest or carry them in a small baby carrier.
They can’t do a whole hike on their own two feet. They will need rest a little too often. For this reason, I've gathered some information about the child carrier backpacks (so called hiking carriers) specifically for 4 year olds.
My top 3 picks are:
- Best overall: Osprey Poco AG Plus
- Best for bigger 4 year olds: Deuter Kid Comfort 3
- Top alternative to these two: PiggyBack Rider Scout
Also see:
REI's top choices for baby carriers (although their picks AREN'T for FOUR year olds specifically) here: https://www.rei.com/blog/hike/best-baby-carrier-backpacks
Our average 4-year-old weighs 40 pounds and is 40 inches tall. It can be tiring to carry a 40 pound ‘sack of potatoes’ along the trail for most of us.
And by the time they're 5, they may weigh 50 pounds or more, depending on their height and build - which means that it becomes impossible for them to fit inside ANY hiking carrier.
Things to consider
First of all, know that they will want to hike too. Four-year-olds are independent and they can hike for short periods of time on their own. Chances are your four-year-old goes to school and they're likely already familiar with carrying a backpack.
On the trail - they might want to be just like the adults - carrying their own little backpack. If that's the case for you, you probably don't want to purchase another small pack solely for this purpose.
None of the three hiking carriers I review in this article come with a removable day pack that your child can wear while walking which then zips on to the child carrier when they're being carried. But, the premium version of best overall pick, Osprey Poco AG Plus, which is Osprey Poco AG Premium does come with one.
Choosing the right child carrier is important because four-year-olds aren’t light. You want the one comfortable for your child AND comfortable for you to carry them for miles on the trail. I'd recommend Deuter Kid Comfort 3 if you'll be hiking longer distances with bigger 4 year olds (more than 40 lbs) - which, I'll review in detail under this post.
Speaking of which, if you don't really know how long you can/will/should hike, my hiking distance and time basics article can be helpful for you.
Be sure you're capable of carrying your child for the required distance, should they happen to need it, before setting out on the trail. You may also require some practice adjusting to carrying a child on your back. Hiking with a child carrier can throw off your balance, so it is not recommended for steep ascents or descents.
In the end, I'd recommend these two models and an alternative to regular child carriers which work pretty well for carrying a 4 year old:
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Overall Score | |||
Osprey Poco AG Plus | Deuter Kid Comfort 3 | PiggyBack Rider SCOUT | |
Bottom line | Best overall | Best one for bigger & heavier 4 year olds | Best one for longest use (even when they turn 5) and the most versatile one - but only for short hikes |
Osprey Poco AG Plus | Deuter Kid Comfort 3 | PiggyBack Rider SCOUT | |
Pros | Comfortable, highly adjustable, tons of storage space, sunshade, stirrups help keep circulation in your kid's legs (and they can play ‘horsey’) | Great for larger hikers, kickstand is great for loading/unloading, drool pillow, easy side loading option is great for a bigger 4 year old | 4 year olds love it (especially boys), lightweight, small, can still be used when they turn 5, great for using off the trail too |
Cons | Sunshade can get stuck, very tall may not fit well, the waist pocket can't fit bigger phones (iPhone Plus models) | Can’t reach water bottle while pack is worn, not for folks under 5’3”, worse ventilation, can be overkill | 4 year olds can't nap in it, less comfortable (unless you purchase the optional hip belt), no storage for gear |
Osprey Poco AG Plus | Deuter Kid Comfort 3 | PiggyBack Rider SCOUT | |
Specs | Pack Weight: 6.86 (7.69 lbs) Maximum Load: 48.5 lbs Gear Capacity: 20 (26L) | Pack Weight: 7.71 lbs Maximum Load: 48.5 lbs Gear Capacity: 18L | Pack Weight: 2.3 lbs Maximum Load: 50 lbs Gear Capacity: n/a |
Fit | Hip-belt Fits: 26"– 48" | Hip-belt Fits: 24"– 54" Torso Fits: 15" – 21” | N/A |
Osprey Poco AG Plus | Deuter Kid Comfort 3 | PiggyBack Rider SCOUT | |
User Manuals | N/A |
Osprey Poco AG Plus Review
This carrier comes in three variations: Standard, Plus, and Premium (although Osprey are no longer producing the premium version, you can still purchase it online from some retailers).
The AG stands for ‘Anti-Gravity’ and Osprey has incorporated their famous backpacking technology into this child carrier to help lighten your load. Even the basic version of this pack has all the bells and whistles. Designed for both safety and comfort, all of the Poco AG carriers have the following features:
- A mesh suspension system to stabilize the carrier
- Built in sunshade (removable)
- Lightweight aluminum frame for stability with locking foot bar (for setting pack down)
- Mesh back panel for comfort and ventilation
- Lots of storage (large zippered pocket and accessible stretchy side pockets)
- Rescue whistle
- Washable, padded drool pad
- Fleece covered child harness and comfortable padded child seat with stirrups
- Reinforced handles for lifting pack
- Adjustable torso for different heights of adults
- Pocket for hydration bladder (not included)
Osprey Poco AG Models mentioned in this review can expose you to chemicals including dimethylformamide, which is known to the State of California to cause cancer. Click here for more information.
Available on the Plus and Premium models (and NOT the base model):
- An easily adjustable harness and hipbelt to fit a wide range of adult sizes
- More stash pockets
- Removable daypack (*PREMIUM ONLY)
This comfortable pack has a maximum weight capacity of 48.5lbs (22kg) so can easily handle the load of an average 4-year-old. Keep in mind, though, that this is the maximum packed weight including pack and gear - so it can carry a 40lb child without gear.
Make sure to weigh the pack, fully loaded with your child and gear, to make sure it doesn't exceed the limit.
Now the pros and cons - but more detailed than the table above:
PROS:
- Easy to strap in child
- Kids love being up high to see
- Highly adjustable for all heights of adults (can easily switch to be carried by a short and tall person while on the trail)
- Tons of storage space (can fit almost everything besides tent/sleeping bag)
- Kickstand keeps pack upright for loading
- Easy to adjust on the go (the plus and premium model has a ‘fit on the fly’ hipbelt)
- Pack feels heavy to lift but does not feel heavy while wearing it
- Sunshade (and optional raincover) offers ample protection from the elements
- Stirrups help keep circulation in child’s legs (and they can play ‘horsey’!)
- Removable daypack is perfect for child’s backpack while they are walking (*available with premium model)
CONS:
- Sunshade can get stuck sometimes
- Taller children may not fit well in the cockpit
- Some people find the hip belt uncomfortable and hard to distribute weight on hips
- The waist pocket is not big enough to fit a phone
- The shoulder pad felt too thin to some users
- Hydration pocket can snag
despite adjustments, some shorter hikers found this pack uncomfortable at their head and lower back
Overall, the Osprey Poco AG is probably the best overall hiking carrier for a 4 year old.
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Poco AG Plus doesn't come with a removable day pack that your child can wear while walking (which then zips on to the child carrier for when they're being carried), so if that's important for you, check out the Premium Model:
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The Premium DOES come with a removable day pack. Everything else is pretty much the same for these two models.
Deuter Kid Comfort 3 Review
Another great option is the Deuter Kid Comfort III Child Carrier. This carrier comes highly equipped with rave reviews. Deuter offers a few levels of child carriers. Their Air model is the most lightweight and offers great ventilation for hot climates, however it's a smaller pack with less load capacity so not ideal for carrying older children.
The Kid Comfort III is their most spacious and well-outfitted pack, making it ideal for long hikes and larger 4 year olds. Deuter has an excellent safety record and their high quality packs exceed the required standards, going through extensive testing by the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association.
The Deuter Kid Comfort III has the following features:
- Five point safety harness (similar to a car seat harness)
- Customizable fit for different heights/torsos
- Side and top entry points
- Height adjustable seat for different sizes of children
- Aircomfort ventilation system (to help keep your back cool)
- Retractable sunroof
- Grab handles for picking up pack
- Removable, washable padded chin pad
- Foot stirrups
- Rearview mirror
- Hydration pocket (fits 3L water bladder, not included)
- Flexible, padded, adjustable hip belt with Vari Flex hip fins (helps keep balance)
This pack is ideal for carrying larger 4 year olds, as it's spacious and adjustable. Making it even more ideal is the Aircontact and Vari Flex technology that allows you to adjust your load evenly. Deuter has created a pack that can handle going down stairs and steep, uneven terrain even while carrying a heavy load.
Their design allows the pack to sit close to your back and centre of gravity to that it stays as stable as possible. The carrier is well-padded for both children and parents, making for a comfortable ride on long hikes. In one test, it scored 9/10 for child comfort (the highest of all reviewed packs) and scored 8/10 for parent comfort.
For long hikes, the Deuter Kid Comfort III is my top pick!
PROS:
- Hipbelt fits wide range of sizes, great for larger hikers
- Distributes weight well, even on more aggressive terrain with older child - easy to keep balance even with heavy load
- Very comfortable for kids and the adults who carry them
- Child feels very secure with easy-to-use five point harness (even when bending over, child is safe)
- Kickstand great for loading/unloading
some people found this carrier more comfortable than the Osprey Poco AG - Drool pillow is comfy for kids to fall asleep (and removes easily to wash)
- Easy side loading option and adjustable harness is great for bigger kids
- High backrest allows kids to sleep easily and is an added safety feature in case of fall
CONS:
- Can’t reach water bottle while pack is worn
- Some shorter hikers found the pack too large and were unable to adjust the fit properly (especially those under 5’3”)
- Some adults found the chest strap uncomfortable
- Can get sweaty on long hikes (Kid Comfort Air has better ventilation but less premium features)
- Can be overkill
- Pack can tip over when child is in it, even with kickstand in use - never leave a child unattended while in the pack
For the longer hikes with bigger 4 year olds, Deuter Kid Comfort III is probably your best choice.
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Product Video:
PiggyBack Rider Scout Review
As you see, this is an alternate model to more regular designs of previous 2 hiking carriers.
How to get on.
Finally, I'll to tell you about the PiggyBack Rider Scout Child Carrier. Invented by two brothers, this carrier is excellent for 4 year old kids as it was designed specifically for the creator’s 4-year-old son.
While not a traditional child carrier, the Piggyback Rider is a unique design that is an alternative to… you guessed it… a piggyback. Kids love the Piggyback Rider because they are up high and can take in all the sights.
This carrier has received a lot of media attention and endorsements for its innovative design. You'll likely get a lot of attention from people on the trail who want to know where you got it (not necessarily because you want that attention, haha).
How to get off.
With the PiggyBack Rider, your 4-year-old is attached to a harness and they stand up on a bar that runs across your back. There are handholds on the shoulder for them to hold onto during the ride.
The PiggyBack Rider doesn't have any storage space, so it isn't ideal if you're hiking on your own; however, if you're just doing a short hike or hiking with a group, the PiggyBack rider can be pretty good.
It's also very light at only 2.3 lbs and easy to carry when not in use (it rolls up as small as a towel), unlike the bulkier alternatives out there. It can accommodate children up to 50 lbs.
The original model is quite basic, but you can purchase additional features, such as a hipbelt, water bottle holder, pockets, etc. You can also purchase a child’s backpack, which fits a 1L hydration bladder, which they can wear while hiking or riding on your back.
PROS:
- 4 year olds love riding and being up high in the PiggyBack Rider (especially boys)
- lightweight and packs up small, easy to carry or store in backpack when not using
affordable - easy for child to balance and hold on
- can still be used when they turn 5
- great for using off the trail too - at the zoo, grocery store, etc.
CONS:
- If child is tired, they can’t nap while using the PiggyBack Rider as they have to stand
- Can put a lot of weight on shoulders as doesn’t distribute weight to hips (unless you purchase the optional hip belt)
- Bar can bump against bum/lower back of adult, which can cause discomfort over time
- No storage for gear
- Additional features must be purchased separately
For the most versatile use with short hikes, PiggyBack Rider Scout can be your best choice.
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Product Video:
I hope this review was helpful for you to understand which child carrier backpack for a 4 year old is the best one for your needs. Feel free to ask me any questions, provide feedback and I'll be happy to respond in the comment section below if it's within my knowledge.
Thanks a lot for reading. Happy trails.
