The Cadalilac of infant back packs!!!
Reviewer: Anonymous ,
Kaiserslautern, Germany
Date: July 14, 2009
We just bought this the other day & have already used it quite a few times-it fits comfortable & my 10.5month old daughter loves it & stays happy & comfortable the WHOLE time! I would buy this 10 times over if I had to do it again! the zippers are a little fidgety but all in all the best product out there!
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Your kid will love it
Reviewer: Mountain Man ,
Louisville,KY
Date: May 27, 2009
I have been using the KKIII for several months now. My daughter and I both love this pack. We have used it several times a week at local parks here. Over this past Memorial Day weekend we all went to Great Smoky Mountains National Park to REALLY give it a test. The pack shined. My 10 month old did 8 mountainous miles in this thing. Never whimped or cried at all.
Pros:
1. "Rear-view mirror" You dont want to miss out on all those precious smiles and giggles. Not to mention it increases the safety factor.
2. The inegrated sunshield. I researched all the kid cariers I could find. I feel like this one has the most coverage and does so without limiting your childs viewing area. Also, since the KKIII is taller to accomidae this feature, it actually gives her more head protection in case the parent were to fall. The baby/child is surrounded by padding. I feel like all other carriers have a potential for a head knock in the unforunate case of a stumble.
3. Rain cover. Fits great. Custom made for this pac with atachment bungies and all.
4. Removable,washable crash pad
Cons
1.The zippers are a little finicky as you may have read elsewhere. Esp on the lower pocket. Its not a deal breaker, but it is definatly a two hand operation.I hope the next generation corrects this problem. However, all of the fabric/pocket stays out of the dirt when sitting on the frame.
2. Bigger fellas will wish for a bigger harness. I wish they had multiple size choices for the harness(not the pack itself, it will fit a HUGE range of torsos), but hey, you cant have it all. I am athletic build 6' 210 and I can carry this pack all day, but it would be more comfortable if the harness were bigger.
3. Child harness just seems too big even for my 10 month old 20 pounder. I feel they could treek this out and make it better. The two lap straps have to be twisted to buckle them. Just seems like it will wear prematurely. Dueter did put a nice pad between baby and the buckles though. I think some of the cheaper carriers/brands failed to accomplish this nice comfort feature.
That is really all I have to say that is negative. I really love this pack and think anyone who uses it will feel the same. I would definatly reccomend ordering the rain cover and the dueter pillow as well. The pillow helps alot but does not alleviate all the "neck" problems. Sometimes when the child falls asleep, their head will slump over at near 90 degrees. NOT GOOD! The dueter pillow helps but I think you also need some small pillows to keep the child upright. The dueter pillow has a leash that keeps it from geting dirty or lost.
I have not "second-guessed" my purchase one time since carrying this pack. It is a very nice piece of gear. I would reccomend it to anyone and would buy it again in a second if I had to do over. Full retail and all and I think retail is for suckas!
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15 stars!!
Reviewer: Katelet ,
Cape Cod, MA
Date: January 25, 2009
We are on our second baby in this pack and have not regretted purchasing it for one second. Our boys are very different creatures, and both have been extremely happy in this pack. If you are considering a high-end pack without the integrated hood, consider paying extra for this one with the integrated hood. You may use it rarely, but it is always there, providing needed protection from sun or rain or wind, when circumstances change on you. I love this pack because it makes me feel independent - I can go shopping, to a fair, a sporting event, or on serious hikes with my kid happy, and all the gear we could possibly need neatly contained inside, and my hands free. The baby is entertained looking around, and I can focus on enjoying myself too.
We recently went on a trip to the Caribbean with the baby, and he basically lived in this for a week. In the hotel restaurant, it was his high chair, he often napped in it, we carried him around town and up into the mountains. Best of all, we NEVER had to apply sunblock or put his raincoat on him - the canopy is that good. We were out in the middle of the day and he got very little sun (but was able to see out very well and was quite happy) and we ended up hiking in the pouring rain and were soaked - and the baby was minimally damp.
My husband and I easily pass it back and forth between us, and sometimes switch the 3 year old for the 8 month old in it, and all the adjustments are simple, quick and it is comfortable for everyone. LOVE LOVE LOVE this pack and have no reservations with it whatsoever.
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Definitely the best!
Reviewer: Anonymous ,
Seattle, WA
Date: June 27, 2008
I tried several packs before settling on this one, including models from Sherpani, Kelty, and REI. This one was the most comfortable for myself and, it seems, my 8 month old. It is extremely well engineered and constructed. The stand is very stable and feels safe. Everything is easily adjustable for baby or adult, and I love the little details like the removable chin rest, the rear-view mirror, and of course the Deuter bear. The head rest will be great for longer hikes and likewise, the soft tush cush seat seems much more comfortable than those that with a suspended harness. I think this will be much easier on him for long days on the trail. We are a tall family, so not sure how it would feel for those who are more petite, but I think this pack is more comfortable than my regular pack (an Osprey). I will definitely look to Deuter for any future pack purchases.
For those of you looking for something to use on occasional shorter hikes, the Kid Comfort II has all of the great Deuter basics and is a little more compact.
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Kid Comfort III Rating
Reviewer: Anonymous ,
New York, NY
Date: January 22, 2008
Great pack with a few minor limitations below. I have an 8 month old (18lbs) and two other kids 5 and 7. We used a Kelty for the older kids - older model not now available. Key points on this pack for me after using it for a month of daily trips around NYC:
1. Very easy to get her in and out. Adjustments to the harness straps (her comfort) are very quick and easy. The front pillow is a huge benefit as it allows her to fall asleep in the pack in a comfortable position (versus our old Kelty which did not have the pillow where they would always have their heads flopping around).
2. Comfortable for me, but I am 5ft 6" and have it on the smallest torso setting. It is not comfortable for my 5ft. 3" wife.
3. The kickstand should have an automatic recall to pull it in once you pick up the pack. It is impossible for me to reach the kickstand to fold it in once the pack is on my back. I have to back into a wall to close it. The Kelty retracted automatically. Not a big deal, but could be better.
4. Lots of useful pockets and well designed space. The mirror that comes attached is also a nice addition.
5. Zippers are hard to open and close. My 7 year old has trouble getting the zipper closed when she takes things out while it is on my back. Perhaps these will loosen up after more use.
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Best Carrier For Our Family
Reviewer: Anonymous ,
Burbank, CA
Date: January 20, 2007
As with most product purchases...it's not until you own it that you really understand if you like it or not. Luckily for us, we chose wisely with the Deuter Kid Comfort III.
Living in the bay area of California we have many retailers carrying most of the popular brands of kid-carriers. After review, there was no question which one seemed preferable for us...at least on paper.
Our family is active outdoors, long hikes up and down hills on tight trails are common. Come summer, hike-in camping trips are the norm. If your needs are less, then certainly the other child carriers will suffice.
As I've learned from other backpacks, fit, weight balance, and comfort are essential for long term enjoyment. The KCIII has an easily adjustable system with a fully vented back pad. The result is an extremely comfortable, cool fit for Mom or Dad (pack mule). All straps, webbing and clips are top-quality and well-stitched. Lifting handles are comfortable and strong.
But let's not forget the little one. The child's floating, padded harness and easily adjustable saddle make for a quick, but stable fit. The quick-release, side entry is brilliant...allowing for easy loading and unloading of your child. The soft, washable chin pad allows for a comfortable resting place for your napping drooler. The smartly designed, one-piece sun shade deploys easily (from its cleanly-designed storage) and remains in place via two shock cords. Ample storage for baby gear and and adult snacks are well designed into the back of the pack. Side mesh pockets are within easy reach for smaller items. Finally, a well-designed vertical pocket exists directly behind the adult's harness for an optional H20 bladder. The right shoulder strap has a clamp included for your drinking hose for those hot day hikes.
All said, this Ferrari of child carriers has the "necessary" features of a quality pack without all the silly "bells and whistles" of some other brands. Other carriers have many "ad-ons" like sun shades, which aren't integrated into the pack. If it's not attached, I'll lose it. It's sized reasonably well to fit onto tighter hiking trails. It's not cheap, but I know we'll use the heck out of it...and therefor, worth the money.
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