It’s amazing what I took for granted before becoming a mom. Sleeping, for example. Or having two free hands at once.
While I still dream of summiting 14ers, as a new mom I’m happy these days to just make it to the trailhead. I’ve found that a comfortable, durable child carrier has been a game changer in getting me outside with my son and starting to foster a love of the outdoors in him at an early age.
That’s why I was excited to test out the Osprey Poco Soft Child Carrier with my 18-month-old.
For backcountry hikers and adventurers with young ones, internal-fame, backpack-style kid-carriers can be a game changer: These packs’ advanced suspension, storage features, and kickstands for easy loading and unloading can feel like having an extra set of hands on the trail or at camp.
My 18-month-old and I, however, needed something that could work for everyday trips to the park and around town. I wanted a lightweight, compact carrier to take on frontcountry day hikes in nearby Indiana Dunes National Park—when a ring-sling carrier just won’t cut it.
Osprey aims to fill this gap with two new products in its popular Poco line of child carriers. The brand recently launched two frameless baby carriers designed for active caregivers of the littlest adventurers—newborns and beyond: the lightweight, compact Poco Soft LT ($120) and the Poco Soft ($135).
I tested the Poco Soft; the biggest difference between the two is that the Poco Soft weighs roughly 4 oz. more and comes with a breathable 3D mesh material that’s designed to allow better airflow.
While many child carriers specialize in either everyday use or are structurally designed for outdoor activities, Osprey aims to excel at both with this one.
Who is this baby carrier for?
While the Poco Soft child carrier isn’t built for backcountry camping or backpacking with kids, it is versatile for use in place of similar wearable child-carrying products on the market, such as other soft-structured front packs or wrap sling. The Poco Soft Carrier wears well for everyday errands, but its additional features—like a ventilated mesh child seat that keeps your little cool on the go, and nonfluorinated durable water repellent (DWR) treatment that protects against rain—are especially tailored for outdoor use.
Notable features
Three carrying positions: This frameless baby carrier allows your budding outdoors kid to ride in three positions—front facing in, front facing out or in and back carry for older children—to accommodate your child’s growth and your own preferences. (Younger children should be carried facing inward until they have more neck control; they can typically be carried in front facing outward after 4 to 6 months.) You can fold away the adjustable headrest if you don’t need it. Osprey recommends the soft carriers for loads from 7 to 33 pounds; I found it comfortable to carry my 27-pound son in all three positions.
Breathable: The Poco Soft has a more breathable mesh material than the Poco Soft LT, and in test hikes in the sandy Indiana Dunes National Park, its 3D mesh fabric kept both me and kiddo sweat-free. (The dunes are a tough climb, even in winter.)
Wide hipbelt: The Poco Soft’s extra-wide padded hipbelt fits waists up to 50 inches. It tightens easily with a hook-and-loop closure, which makes the clipped belts of other soft carriers suddenly seem very fiddly. It packs down for easy storage and weighs 1 pound 11 ounces, about 5 pounds less than the aluminum-framed Poco LT child carrier.
Sustainability: Both the Poco Soft and Poco Soft LT are made from bluesign®-approved, 100% recycled nylon with a nonfluorinated durable water repellent (DWR). They’re also machine washable, and the removable drool pad helps keep small faces dry after a nap.
Testing the Poco Soft Child Carrier
To get a sense of the soft carrier’s comfort, durability and suitability for outdoor adventures, I strapped in my toddler for a 4-mile hike at “the Dunes,” plus a short .5-mile hike to his outdoor preschool class and a 1-mile walk along our neighborhood bike trail. We explored on winter days that ranged from gray and cold to sunny and cold, and even got to tromp in the snow a couple times.
Results
I found the Poco Soft child carrier’s shoulder straps a little finicky to adjust on my own; I needed support from another adult for my first couple of wears to get them fitting right. With some practice, however, it became easier to do solo. Once I customized it to my body, the Poco Soft was comfortable for both me and the baby. My hips did the heavy lifting thanks to its wide padded hipbelt, sparing my back. My shoulders felt good too, no digging at all. My little guy seemed to love it—he was smiling and waving eagerly to all passersby. (And not just the cute trail pups, either.)
Unlike internal-frame child carrier backpacks which generally have ample storage for longer treks, the Poco Soft only has one small pocket. Where will I keep my baby’s cheese crackers, his backup cheese crackers and the supplies for the inevitable trailside blowout? So, I tested the carrier while also carrying my standard daypack/diaper bag. Storage problem solved: My pack’s and the child carrier’s shoulder straps layered well, and there was enough space to fit both sets atop my shoulders. Stacking hip belts with my bigger backpacking pack was also fairly comfortable. This “combo treatment” could be handy for caregivers who need more gear than this minimal pack allows. Meanwhile, for shorter trips requiring less extras, this kid carrier isn’t so kitted out that you’d look out of place in a grocery store or at the zoo.
Bottom Line
Multiday treks or journeys requiring additional gear won’t be where this kid carrier shines. For that, look to other standout internal frame baby carriers in the Osprey Poco line, like the Poco LT or the Poco Child Carrier. Active families who primarily find adventure in traveling, day hikes, or urban or everyday settings will be plenty happy with the Osprey Poco Soft Child Carrier or Poco Soft Child Carrier LT.