Tough Traveler Stallion

Summary: We highly recommend the Tough Traveller Stallion as a kid carrier, but mainly for day use. Ours has proven durable and functional. We bought used, but would consider new if we couldn't find used.

Use: This is a great kid-carrier because it has adjustments for both parent and child that make the ride more comfortable.

The carrying yoke slides up and down on a rail to accomodate both my wife's 5'4" and my 5'9". It has a reasonably padded hip-belt and a sternum strap.

The child harness adjusts for our 6 month old, our 19 month-old, and our 2-1/2 year old. We can pop them in if they are wearing a t-shirt and shorts or if they have a fleece and shell jackets.

We know it's comfy because our kids regularly fall asleep in the pack on long walks.

We also bought the rainhood, which we recommend because it is great for rain, wind, or very sunny days.

The only real drawback is the size of the gear-bag that your child is sitting on. If you plan well, you can stash all the gear one kid will need for a day's outing in it (diapers, wipes, extra clothes, food, drink, toys, etc.), but if you have more than 1 kid or will be out longer than 1 day, you will have to (A) have the other parent make room in their back-pack or (B) check out a Kelty or Madden for the space available in a full on backpack/kid-carrier combination.

The materials are good quality and we haven't had any problems with straps, buckles, zippers, or frame in the two years we've had ours.

Price & Availability: We bought ours near new for $100CAD from a couple who decided that they weren't going to be walking much with their new child, and it's been worth every penny.

When we bought ours, they were retailing around $170CAD at MEC Vancouver, with the rainhood as an extra. However, MEC is now selling an updated copy under their housebrand, for pretty much the same price, rainhood included. The basic design is the same, but the hood and materials have been 'tweaked' by MEC for slightly (?) better cost, function, durability.

We did manage to find another slightly used one in the buy&sell on-line, but only because we've been watching for another ever since we bought the first one!

I heavily researched kid carriers through my whole pregnancy. I compared the Tough Traveler to the Kelty and in every aspect the Tough Traveler won. I have carried my daughter in the pack for a year now (she weighs 25 lbs), and have always been comfortable in this pack.

The only problem I have found is with the amount of packable space. It's great for day trips, but if you want to go on weekend trips, there isn't a whole lot of room for extra stuff.

I have been able to pack plenty of diapers, food, snacks, and even extra clothing, so don't let this keep you from checking this one out. Remember, it's good to support small, local (American made) businesses.