MacPac Possum baby backpack

the pack is great. very technical. I feel that this would be a great pack for extended hikes and overnight trips. it is very comfortable and my daughter loves it. my only wish is for a better sunshade attachment- one that is open on three sides allowing for unobstructed views.

I have been using this carrier for about four months and I love it. I tried several carriers before picking the MacPac Possum but this is the one that both my son and I liked the best. It can be adjusted so that it is comfortable for both me (5 ft. 6 in) and my husband (6 ft. 2 in.) and our son loves to ride in it. He is now nine months old and he gets excited every time he sees the carrier. One negative is that it is pretty big. My husband and 12 year old joke that it looks like I am planning to go mountain climbing rather than around the block. Oh well, It's a small price to pay for a carrier that keeps both me and the baby happy for walks around the block, hiking, soccer games and trips to the grocery store and farmers market. I use the carrier most often for day to day activities like walking the dogs, getting groceries, carrying firewood, etc., but we have also used it quite a bit for day hikes. It works really well. I can carry it for long periods with no problem and our son is willing to ride in it for hours. The only drawback is that he has trouble napping in it; so, for longer hikes we have to plan to stop for his nap.

After trying and returning a Deuter Kids II and a Sherpani Rhumba, I was thrilled to find the Macpac Possum. All three have adjustable frames to fit a wide range of heights. I am 5'4", about 125-130 pounds - a normal sized woman, maybe slightly on the small side, but hardly tiny. The Deuter and the Sherpani seemed to be designed with a 6' foot man as the default setting. The Deuter is clearly a quality product, and if I had been an inch or two taller, I might have loved it. But I had the choice of having either the waistband or the shoulder straps in the right spot. It was terribly uncomfortable. I was able to adjust the Sherpani to fit - but sliding the frame to the smallest setting meant raising the back of the pack well above my head - I couldn't move my head back, and the child seat was at my shoulders, much too high. On to the MacPac: It fits beautifully , and it isn't even at the smallest setting, so this should work for you truly petite women. I tried it first on a 20 minute walk and had some upper back pain. However, I spent some time perfecting the straps while my daughter napped (make sure the waist belt is over your hip bones and snug in order to shift the weight down). We then hiked for an hour around the neighborhood, and I didn't feel a thing. This feels as good as the Gregory internal frame backpack that I take on long, multi-day hikes. Excellent details: two pockets on the waistband, in reach even when the pack is on. One will fit cash, keys, and a small cell phone. The other holds a mirror which you can remove and use to check on your baby. I love that feature. For context: My daughter is 11 mos old, and about 20 pounds, maybe a bit heavier. She fit well in the seat at the highest adjustment. I wish the seat had a five-point harness, instead of just the shoulder straps and chest buckle. However, it also tightens on the sides, and I was confident my daughter wasn't going anywhere. She loved this - she is used to back carries, though, as I have been carrying her around in a mei tai. This is bulkier, but in some ways more convenient because you can load the baby in while it rests on its stand, then put the pack on. I have trouble getting my daughter into a mei tai unless there is a couch handy, which makes it less useful for taking her to the park or the coffee shop because I have trouble getting her tied back on) The Possum, on the other hand, is a snap - I strap her in securely, then swing it onto my back. I could easily do it from the floor if necessary, although a chair or bench makes it easier. There is plenty of room in the bottom for diapers, snacks, and a change of clothes. Finally, this is by far the best-looking child backpack I've seen. A nice restrained slate (almost black) on the exterior, with a terra cotta fabric lining the child's area. It is a streamlined design, with the kickstand is contained within the lower pocket. It is much more appropriate for urban use than something like a Kelty or Deuter, and much better looking than the awkward Sherpani, which seems to be trying to hard to be trendy. I LOVE this product. I am thrilled that I found it after much trial and error.

Comfortable, both to carry and (apparently, more later!) to be carried in. Hard wearing. Has many useful features and no useless gimmicks. Is size adaptable so both my wife (5'6") and I (6') could use it. Has reasonable room for carrying equipment, food drinks etc. The child harness seems very securewith little chance of the child falling out. My Macpac Possum is now finally retired after 3 children and countless miles. Some of the seams are looking stretched and there has been some wear on the contact points particularly around the hipbelt. However no repairs have been required although the buckle is now cracked after it was stood on by a size nine Scarpa Manta. The child contact points are stained by years of dribble and dropped food and no longer look clean. Also the colours have faded and wear is evident but after seven years this is to be expected. This carrier has been used to climb mountains (OK walk up hills), on long full day walks, on holiday strolls, through Christmas shopping crushes and whilst supermarket shopping. It has gone on aircraft, ships, trains, buses, in cars and even on a bike (not recommended!!). It has even been used by my wife whilst cooking and cleaning in the house (sorry if that seems chauvanistic). All 3 of my children have been carried from around 6 months to over 3 years of age at times and they all fell asleep at times whilst being carried. They all still remember being carried on Mummies or Daddies back and being able to see so much more whilst up there than in a buggy. I have recommended this to other parents I know, at least 2 of whom have since bought one. The model I have has now been upgraded so some things have changed but I would certainly heartily recommend this to anyone.

When my husband suggested we get a child carrier - I was not excited. I am not an outdoors person - my husband is the person in the family who does the outdoors stuff and the thought of carrying our kids on my back did not excite me. But owning the Possum was great. We actually had two Macpacs (after giving the first Possum away to friends and then deciding we needed another one for a big trip). I used it frequently - when my husband was at work or to give him a break (ok - only occassionally to give him a break). I have to have a comfortable pack - and the Macpac was wonderful - it does'nt hurt my shoulders and it does'nt kill my back. The load can be distributed mainly onto the hips via the harness and hip belt. We have used traditional American kids carrier models which all seem to come with big, bulky and heavy external frames plus European models - stylish to look at but that are hopeless at carrying the weight of a growing kid. I am sure there are other good kids carrying packs out there - but we have'nt seen one better than Macpac's range. The Possum is comfortable but tough - and with lots of great little details like the mirror in the hip belt that allows you to check your kid (or your hair !). There is also plenty of room for storage - in the main compartment under the child or in the big back pocket, for hauling around the many things that you seem to always need when out and about with young kids. I would recommend the Possum without hesitation. Susan.