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To you parents out there, do you/have you used the baby backpack carriers? Are they worth it or are they one of those things that sound good at first and then never get used? If you use one what do you suggest as far as brands/models and such? Basically gimme the good, the good the bad, and the ugly on this type of product please?

For the real new ones, say infant through toddler, I especialy liked the chest carrier-- It really keeps it more intamate and interactive-- I, personally, never went for the "backpack" style-- One reason was I found them very uncomfortable-- Other was that after the more interpersonal "front" style, It seemed that something had been "lost"-- Also, never buy something for the kid that you can not personally inspect first-- IE: latches- rivets- zippers- straps- sewings- -- Look at everything you can think of and be sure that your kid WILL find something that you forgot!!!-- As far as brands go, it has been so many years that I seem to have "misplaced" that info-- Also ------ CONGRADULATIONS ! ! ! ----- JT ( proud dad of 22 and 25 year olds)

Have you considered "Baby wearing"? My aunt and uncle have done this with both their kids with great success. One piece of fabric gives you many options on where the kid is positioned- front, back, hip, etc. It seems comfortable and versatile to me! Here's a website I just found that looks helpful.. http://www.pookababy.com/101/why.html" target="_blank

One side advantage for Tuba players carrying toddler carriers-------------------we're strong as a 500 lb Gorilla from carrying a Dent Bag and Tuba on our backs for umpteen years.

I used several of the soft front mounted ones by Infantino with my three kids. Especially useful when you have a fussy baby and you have to get chores done.

There are people here in the alps who will actually go on hiking tours with toddlers in backpack carriers.
(Usually not the tough climing trails, though).
If that´s what You´re going to use this for, make sure it has a sufficient sun screen, and don´t walk alone.
You should have someone keep an occasional eye on the kid to make sure it´s kept well in the shade.
Do not compromise when it comes to quality of straps.

We have and use regularly the soft front carrier around the house doing chores and such but she's getting a little too big for that as she's at the front facing stage now. I do not like how it works as the backpack though so I'm looking for different options. I'm looking at the full packback styles where the kiddo is up high enough to see what's going on and can take things in with you such as goodgigs was saying. With the weather soon to be warmer (fingers crossed here) and with the gas prices going the way that they are foot and bike travel are going to become prominent modes of transportation this summer.

As stated, we are used to carrying large heavy things with the tuba dent bags (sadly, my only case for my 983) so this won't be too much of a problem. I don't plan to do any heavy hiking other than the local sidewalk trail next to the river. We do have the bike trailer already so thiss will be the next "fun" purchase. I'm hoping to find one at the 2nd hand baby store tomorrow so that I can carry her around at the home & garden show tomorrow afternoon rather than use the stroller in that crowd.

Back in the days when I used to play in studios, the backpack baby carrier worked pretty well in combination with my tuba gig bag. When I taught high school marching band (after school rehearsals, when the wife had to work), she'd bring the baby I'd put the baby on my back and I never heard my daughter unless the band got really loud. It was a lot easier than lugging around an 80 year old monster sousaphone.

I got mine for a couple of bucks at the Goodwill.

I broke down and bought a used one yesterday made by Tough Traveler. Didn't look as big as some but had all the padding and comfort that I was told to look for. For the price I'm pleased and feel that I could recoup that if it doesn't work out for us so we'll see what happens. Hopefully that silly groundhog was correct and it will be an early spring. Zero yesterday and 23 today has me with a bad case of cabin fever and itching to get out. Add to that the money I spent to fill the car and the truck with gas before the prices jump up the next dime the surrounding areas did the day before really has me ready to get the bikes out.

We had both when our first 2 kids were babies. They were about a year apart in age. Usually I carried my son ( the oldest and biggest) in the backpack and my wife would carry the youngest in the chest carrier.
We decided to go on a trip to Luray Caverns( Luray, Virginia) using these to haul the kids during the tour since no strollers were allowed.There was a wait of about an hour before out tour began and my wife got too tired from the walking around and I wound up having to carry both of them for the entire tour. I suppose it was a very odd sight to see this large man lugging around two babies like so much luggage! Wish we had taken a picture of that.It wasn't too bad.