Traveling with a child gives you a whole new perspective.

You don’t look for a Michelin Star in a restaurant, but for an available high chair.
You spend way more time sitting in the sand box than at the bar of some fancy club.
You get overly excited about ducks on the camping ground, funny noises included (“Look darling, over there, quack quack quack quack”)

And you get a whole new perspective on distance.
What used to be an easy days hike seems to stretch out forever when you have to think about taking the stroller, or let alone have the toddler walk along.
Don’t get me started on how long it takes us to cross the street to go to the playground now she insists on waddling herself…

Two of the most important persons in my life. And some sheep.

And while it was pretty easy to swear off clubbing for a while, not going on a hike was never an option.
I have talked about the baby sling here, but with the Little Bean reaching 10,5 kg and being eager to move herself, we needed another solution.

After hours spend at our local outdoor store, trying a multitude of different brands, we finally settled for the Deuter Kid Comfort III.
It is the only one I tried, so I can’t compare to other brands, but the overall concept seemed to be the same.

Deuter Kid Comfort III

What it is:
A trekking rucksack base with a high chair attached. That chair is padded, adjustable in size, and suited to all children able to sit by themselves (aka older than six months) and weighing less than 22 kg (aka you better walk yourself anyway).

Facts:
Deuter Kid Comfort III is available in stores and online, retailing for around 269,95 €.
The rucksack itself weighs 3,5 kg.
It only comes in one color (black-granite), and has a little polar bear in one of the pockets, which is absolutely not necessary for using that rucksack, but adorable.

Hallo there, Mr. Polar Bear!

In the back of the child´s seat is a foldable roof, offering protection from rain and sun. When not used, it stores nicely, without adding bulk. (You can see it in action in the first picture, used against the sun.)

Below the child’s seat is a pocket, big enough to store drinks, food and diapers, as well as some pieces of clothing. On the sides are pockets for purse, keys, water bottles and smaller toys, and there are zip pockets on the straps.
You can add a camel bag in a special pocket, just like you could with a regular trekking rucksack.
If you plan on going on more than a day trip, you will need an extra rucksack for yourself, and preferably someone to carry it for you.

The portable high chair.

How does it perform?
If you are familiar with carrying a trekking rucksack, imagine you wear one that you packed entirely wrong. All the weight sits at the top, and in this case the weight has a mind of its own and keeps turning and shifting.
Apart from that, I love it. The child´s weight rests on your hips, the straps are comfortable and easily adjustable, and carrying it gives you a nice extra workout for your glutes and back.
Although it is easier if you have some help, you are able to don it or remove it all by yourself.

And the Little Bean loves it.
She will sit up there, smiling and waving at people we meet, chatting away in her language that I not yet understand, and every now and again she will grab the straps and start hopping up and down to encourage the one carrying (usually her father) to start running.

Will I rebuy?
I hope I won’t have to, as this is meant to last us through all her childhood and the ones of the following children, too, but I wouldn’t want to be without it anymore.

Who do I recommend it to?

MerkenMerken