Let's just say, we're more ocean-dwellers than land-dwellers, so when friends invite us on hikes, we're always unprepared.
Before having a child, we'd hike (maybe) once a month. They were always easy hikes. But nothing about hiking with a child sounded easy, so we avoided the issue altogether. That is, until the surf was flat, and we needed desperately to get out of the house.
The few times we trekked the trails with our daughter had been on easy hikes along Oahu's southern coast. And while no one was injured in the making of our epic hiking fails, we did walk away making a few mental notes to ourselves:
DON'T expect too much from your everyday carrier. Because we didn't plan to hike as often, we weren't about to splurge on expensive gear. We used what we've always used for carrying our daughter on outings to the zoo or to the mall.
The Ergobaby Omni 360 seemingly suit our needs for a 45-minute hike. Our daughter could enjoy the sights in the forward-facing position. The carrier also isn't very bulky, like an actual hiking backpack carrier.
But what we didn't realize was how painful our lower backs would feel the next day. The support provided by the Omni 360 is great; however, not-so-great for long-distance adventures with a bouncing 20-pound baby in tow.
DO buy better gear or plan shorter hikes. There are tons of hiking baby backpacks with a variety of features to fit your needs–from a shaded canopy attachment to a secret snack pocket. Determining how much to invest depends on where and how often you'd take your child. Our hiking friends recommend this carrier.
If you're like us, and don't plan to hike as often, then go on shorter hikes. You'll be able to use whatever carrier you keep in the back of your car, while still getting some physical activity in the outdoors.
DON'T forget bug repellant. Most hikes in Hawaii are in the back of lush valleys, where insects thrive on rich vegetation. And if your blood is as sweet as our daughter's, then you'll leave the trails with more than just scenic photos but a miserably itchy baby as well.
DO get the environmentally-friendly stuff. Get the natural repellants that are free of DEET and made with plant oils, like citronella and lemongrass. They not only smell better but are also better for the trails and trees and everything you'll enjoy while hiking. It's not recommended to put insect spray on babies younger than two months old.
DON'T forget shoes. Our third, and last hike for a while started with the biggest hiking parent fail. We forgot our daughter's shoes. At this point, she was walking, so we were excited to see her take on the trail (somewhat) by herself.
Plan B meant wearing our now-heavier child–with our usual everyday carrier. Needless to say, our backs REALLY hurt this time!
DO bring a reliable pair. Keep in mind how often you'd hike and how quickly toddlers grow. The most important thing is that it's reliable and will keep your little one safe on the trails. We've asked our hiking expert friends, and they recommend this pair for trekking toddlers.
READ MORE: Exploring Boulder trails with a baby
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