OutGrown

How to carry supplies when hiking with a soft-structured carrier

  2. Share
Vong Hamilton Vong Hamilton
0 0

How to carry supplies with a soft-structured carrier by Vong Hamilton for Hike it Baby

One of the biggest challenges of hiking with a soft-structured carrier (SSC) is the lack of storage space for all the hiking supplies you think you may need. And when you have a kiddo not yet potty-trained, along with the usual supplies like water, snacks, cell phone, First Aid kit and that favorite toy that just couldn’t be left behind, you need to carry extra supplies like diapers, wipes and trash bags for dirty diapers. Without the extra storage that frame carriers offer, hiking with an SSC calls for a bit of creativity. And humor. You can never feel that you’ve packed “enough” supplies, but you can feel assured knowing that there are some options for you to pack the essentials without hiring a pack mule. Here are some tips from our Hike it Baby community to make your preparation a bit easier.

Backpacks

Alexandra, Salt Lake City Branch – On short-ish hikes, I wear a fanny pack from Matador that always stays in my car. Then I clip a water bottle onto my waistband with a carabiner. On longer hikes I have a fanny pack from Ultimate Direction that can hold two 1-liter bottles of water and a ton of snacks and supplies. On even longer hikes when I can hope my son does at least some hiking, I'll wear a Camelbak backpack (hoping to upgrade to a Deuter soon). If I have to wear my son, I'll put the backpack in front of me. If my 8yo is with us, he carries some water and most of our snacks in his Deuter Junior backpack. How to carry supplies with a soft-structured carrier by Vong Hamilton for Hike it Baby

Alexandra

Lyndsey, Monadnock Branch– I have an ErgoBaby backpack that I used until I switched to framed carriers. It attaches to the straps of a SSC so no extra straps on your shoulders/waist. Only downside is keeping an eye on weights since the backpack counts toward the carrier limit. It also has "normal" straps for using it without a carrier.

Vanessa, Vancouver Branch– I wear a backpack with bladder on my front. It's heavy but it balances out the weight. At least that's what I tell myself to feel better.

Melanie, Ringwood & Bergen County Branch – This is me carrying my 2-year-old daughter in a Tula with a backpack diaper bag over it. As long as the straps are long enough, it works! On this day, we did a 5-mile hike and I was carrying all of the essentials, plus lunch for the two of us and my other two kids (4 & 5 years old). I would have used a frame carrier, but I was also 7 months pregnant at the time and the frame carrier didn't agree with the bump!  

Jordan, Ann Arbor Branch– We’ve done long, hot hikes with this [backpack] setup and it works best for us. 

Fanny Packs

Ashley – Fanny pack! Even when I tandem wear, the fanny pack prevails.

Sarah – With a kiddo on my back, I use a MountainSmith lumbar pack worn as a crossbody bag.

Nicole, Orange County Branch – Recently I started using my Toddler Tula and a really big fanny pack/runner's belt with 2 "cup holders" and a big compartment for snacks, an occasional 3rd water bottle, wallet, cell phone, keys, an extra pull-up or two, an extra shirt for my daughter (since her front gets sweaty from riding in the carrier and she usually likes to get out and walk/play in the middle of our hikes). This method has worked great for multiple hikes now, with mileage up to 6 miles. I'm planning to add some carabiners to the top of the fanny pack so I can attach a small bag or two for more supplies, including use as a stuff sack. I always carry my toddler on my back and fanny pack in front. How to carry supplies with a soft-structured carrier by Vong Hamilton for Hike it Baby

Nicole

Running/Biking Belts

Kendra, Harrisburg Branch – I use a biker’s fanny pack. It has holders for my water, cell phone, snacks, etc. this is the one I got and I use it whenever I’m using my SSC. I use an Onya and I strap this around the bottom (waist) strap. I have a toddler so I carry him on my back and then have the fanny positioned on the front.

Jessica, Harpers Ferry Branch – I got a nice waist pack that I can wear under the carrier. It carries snacks/treats, two water bottles, small first aid kit/emergency supplies, diaper/small amounts of wipes, phone, and keys. Plus, I generally have another water bottle I clip on for me and the little fanny pack thing that attaches to my carrier that ends up holding a couple little toys and miscellaneous things. I will say I'm always glad for lunchtime when we hike so my pack can get lighter!

How to carry supplies with a soft-structured carrier by Vong Hamilton for Hike it BabyJessica

Crossbody bags

Katie, Ann Arbor Branch–  I wear a crossbody bag under the carrier. I manage to squeeze a diaper, wipes, small first aid kit, sunscreen, bug spray and snacks in it. I clip our water bottle to the outside. I can't find a pic but I have this one Dakine Jo Jo Women's Crossbody Bag - Perfect Size - Fits Tablet - Adjustable Cross Body Shoulder Strap - Interior Zippered Pocket - 10" x 11" (Stella)

Becca, Southern Adirondacks Branch – It’s hard to see in the photo, but I also use a crossbody bag. My husband calls it my clown bag because I can fit so much in there (diaper and wipes, Small first aid kit, snacks, sunscreen and bug spray, etc.). I usually clip a water bottle to the chest strap of the carrier so my bag doesn’t get weighed down awkwardly. I just throw it on over the carrier, and it has never bothered my rambunctious toddler.

How to carry supplies with a soft-structured carrier by Vong Hamilton for Hike it BabyBecca Hosley

We would also love to hear your creative tips for hiking with a soft-structured carrier in the comments below. Read More:

Photos courtesy of Maricar Korff, Alexandra Wong, Melanie Lekaj, Jordan Else, Nicole Dominick, Jessica Sekula and Becca Hosley.

 

ABOUT OUTGROWN

OutGrown is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works to create a world where everyone can enjoy the physical and mental benefits of spending time outside. We are focused on creating opportunities and removing barriers to access so families with babies and young children can take their first steps outside. We believe all families have the right to connect with nature, benefit from spending time outdoors and be inspired to a lifelong love of nature. Since its grassroots inception in 2013, OutGrown is a growing community of 280,000 families and over 300 volunteer Branch Ambassadors. More information on all of our programs can be found at WeAreOutGrown.org 

 

EDITORS NOTE:

We hope you enjoyed reading this article from OutGrown. We’re working hard to provide our community with content and resources that inform, inspire, and entertain you.

But content is not free. It’s built on the hard work and dedication of writers, editors, and volunteers. We make an investment in developing premium content to make it easier for families with young children to connect with nature and each other. We do not ask this lightly, but if you can, please make a contribution and help us extend our reach.

 

Community tags

This content has 0 tags that match your profile.

Baby (Newborn to Crawler)

Babywearing

Comments

To view comments or leave a comment, login or sign up.

Related Content

0
Breastfeeding on the Trail: Tips for Outdoor Feeding
In August 1990, a declaration was signed to promote World Breastfeeding Week (Aug. 1-7) to encourage moms to breastfeed and improve their and their baby’s health and well-being. With all the benefits that come with breastfeeding, the decision to nurse also brings many challenges – including the many obstacles that come with nursing on trail. But don’t let that keep you from hitting the trails with baby. To help you overcome some of the fears you might have about breastfeeding on trail, we’ve gathered some firsthand tips from our Hike it Baby families to help you breastfeed on the go trailside. Practice makes perfect It takes some practice playing with your SSC carrier to drop baby down lower so they can latch and you are still comfortable. I keep the waist the same and loosen straps and just keep adjusting baby so that he can latch. Nursing camis work best because you have one shirt under your SSC hip belt. Try to make sure the shirt over your cami is not under the belt. It’s not the end of the world but it takes a little longer having to pull it out to get it up. I often pause until I get him lactched and then I can keep going. It’s easier to readjust after they unlatch while on the go. Practice before you go out on the trail (or store). It helps with your confidence when they are hangry. – Keira, Lexington Branch In a front carry SSC, wearing layers and practicing loosening the shoulder straps to lower the baby is key! Nursing tanks with a shirt over makes it easy to lift the top shirt and still have a covering on your stomach. It also prevents baby from sticking to you (I have sweaty kids) while hiking. With a little practice, I was able to very discreetly feed my son on the trail or out in public and keep going. – Suzanna, Akron Branch Use gear that works for you I really love hiking with a short woven wrap because it makes it really easy to move baby from back to front or hip to nurse and keep on moving. For toddlers who want to walk on their own feet but may still want to nurse, a ring sling is awesome. They pack down small and it's super fast to get kid up and then back down when they're ready. – Courtney, Charleston/Lowcountry Branch For me, layers are great. My favorite combo on the trail is a synthetic nursing tank top with a zip jacket or button-down shirt. Not having to pull my clothes up or down in weird ways allows me to get baby to latch quickly and usually I don't have to stop and remove my pack, etc. – Sarah, Albuquerque Branch Learning to nurse in a carrier was one of the most freeing skills I ever acquired as a parent. I could simply loosen the straps on my SSC carrier to give my baby access and she would contentedly nurse as I walked along. In fact, she got so used to nursing in the carrier that she would grab for the carrier, even when home to tell me she wanted to nurse! The carrier hood also served as a good cover for those times I wanted to be more discreet. It worked so well that I once had a Monk (we were visiting a monastery) come up and pat my daughter on the head when she was nursing, thinking she was simply snuggling! – Rachel, Charleston/Low Country Branch I loved how so often you couldn’t even tell I was nursing, like in this photo. – Rachel Minimize breastfeeding stress on trail If you’re nervous or shy about nursing in public or on the trail, find another mama to nurse with! It's a huge confidence booster when there are 2+ of you sitting together feeding your babies. It definitely helped me the first couple times nursing in public without a cover. – Sandy, South King County Branch My advice is to make it awesome. Find the best possible spot with the best possible view and own it. Make it something to look forward to. – Kathryn I personally don't like nursing in a carrier while walking/hiking because my kids would gag or choke if I was moving. I LOVE the "no hiker left behind" mantra of HiB because I never feel awkward asking to take a nursing break. Luckily, both my kids are fast eaters, so it's never a long stop. My advice: if you're not comfortable hiking while nursing, don't feel bad about asking to stop! – Colleen   What are some ways you’ve successfully nursed on trail that weren’t mentioned here? We’d love to hear your tips in the comments below. Read more: Ways to get back on the trail after having a baby Babies on trail: 4 ways to feed your baby on a hike 9 Tips for soothing a cranky baby on the trail How to prevent clogged ducts on trail Photos by Jessica Human and Andrea Leoncavallo, as well as courtesy of Kiera Wickliffe and Rachel Adams.    About OutGrown OutGrown is a national nonprofit working to ensure that every family, especially those with babies and young children, can experience the benefits of time outside. Since our grassroots beginning in 2013, we have supported more than 300,000 families with the help of thousands of volunteers across the country. We believe nature belongs to all of us from the very beginning. That means creating opportunities, removing barriers, and supporting families in finding their way outdoors, whether that starts with a stroller walk, a community outing, or a quiet moment under the sky. You can learn more and explore our programs at WeAreOutGrown.org. Editor’s Note Thank you for reading. At OutGrown, we believe content should offer more than information. It should create a connection, support real-life caregiving, and reflect how families grow together through nature. Everything we share is made with care by our team and volunteer community. If this piece inspired you or helped you feel more confident in your outdoor journey, we invite you to support our work by donating today. Your contributions help us keep resources free and accessible to all families. Please remember that the experiences and tips shared in this article are for general information only. They are not a substitute for professional medical, mental health, or safety advice. Always consult with a qualified provider if you have specific concerns or questions. We are glad you are here. We are growing something meaningful together.
0
4 Fall Crafts You Can Make Using Leaves
Whether it's listening to the leaves crunching under our shoes on a hike, jumping into leaf piles, or smelling the fresh crisp air as we admire the beautiful hues of the harvest season, the sensory experience fall invokes within us all is sure to make a lasting impression on our family as we head outdoors. We can take those memories a step further by creating leaf crafts that we can admire each season. We’ve thought of four simple low prep and low cost crafts to spend time doing with your kiddos this season. Head out to your own backyard to explore and gather different leaves to make these fun leaf crafts! Looking to make these crafts a little more Leave No Trace friendly? Pick up some fake leaves at your local craft shop! Your kiddos can pick their favorite colors and their finished products will last for years to come! Door wreath Materials: Paper plate, glue, leaves, optional: ribbon to hang wreath Instructions: Cut the center out of the paper plate and glue leaves all around the front of the wreath. Use similar colored leaves or mix them up for an even more colorful wreath. Butterfly Materials: Cardstock, green felt, googly eyes, glue, leaves Instructions: Glue two same-sized leaves on a sheet of cardstock, stems facing inward. Cut a long oval out of green felt and glue over the stems. Glue on googly eyes and watch your butterfly come to life! Turkey Materials: Cardstock or construction paper, felt or construction paper in dark brown, light brown, and red, googly eyes, leaves, glue Instructions: Spread glue on cardstock and have child place leaves in a fan shape on the glue. Cut a peanut shape using the dark brown for the body and glue it down over the leaves. Glue on the googly eyes, cut out the waddle with red, and beak and feet and glue down. Canvas tree art Materials: Canvas or cardstock, craft paints in red, brown, orange, and yellow; paint brush/ear swab/folded pipe cleaner (anything that can be used for paint dabbing);  leaves (optional); glue stick (optional) Instructions: Spread the brown paint on your childs hand, and then stamp it on the cardstock or canvas and then paint on a trunk for the tree. Using the red, orange, and yellow paints dab in leaves around fingers and background. Cut or rip the leaves into smaller pieces, then using a glue stick, select an area near the trunk of the painted tree to apply glue and spread the cut of pieces of leaves at the bottom to create the look of fallen leaves. What are your favorite fall crafts? Leave a comment below!   Read more: Easy DIY Nature-Inspired Costume Ideas 4 Easy Winter Crafts for Kids Wox Presents: Winter Frozen Crafts! Photos by Vong Hamilton.  ABOUT OUTGROWN OutGrown is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works to create a world where everyone can enjoy the physical and mental benefits of spending time outside. We are focused on creating opportunities and removing barriers to access so families with babies and young children can take their first steps outside. We believe all families have the right to connect with nature, benefit from spending time outdoors and be inspired to a lifelong love of nature. Since its grassroots inception in 2013, OutGrown is a growing community of 280,000 families and over 300 volunteer Branch Ambassadors. More information on all of our programs can be found at WeAreOutGrown.org    EDITORS NOTE: We hope you enjoyed reading this article from OutGrown. We’re working hard to provide our community with content and resources that inform, inspire, and entertain you. But content is not free. It’s built on the hard work and dedication of writers, editors, and volunteers. We make an investment in developing premium content to make it easier for families with young children to connect with nature and each other. We do not ask this lightly, but if you can, please make a contribution and help us extend our reach.
OutGrown
Powered by Cause Machine. All rights reserved.