I love to go hiking with my kids and the carrier I use to make it happen is the Osprey Poco Plus Child Hiking Carrier. I’ve had it for almost 4 years now and have taken in on (literally) hundreds of hikes. I have backpacked with it, traveled with it, worn it while pregnant, used it with both of my kids. It has gone through the ringer with me and I still use it to this day.
I wanted to share my full review of the carrier, why I love it, things I don’t love, share some of the technical specs of the carrier, and answer some of my most frequently asked questions about the child carrier.
*Some of the links shared in this post may be affiliate links meaning I make a small commission off of your purchase (with no extra cost to you). This allows me to continue to create free content for my readers. Thank you for your continued support!
What Is a Framed Child Carrier
A framed carrier is a child carrier that has an external frame creating structure. It sticks out further from your body creating a seat or chair for you child to sit in. You can check out my post where I share about the differences between a framed child carrier and soft structured carrier for hiking here.
Framed carriers are very popular on the trail because they are designed with hiking in mind. You need to wait until you baby has complete control of their head before they are able to ride in it (usually around 6 months old). Once they’re old enough, they will love the higher vantage point and everything they can see. Your back will also thank you because, when fitted properly, it puts most of the weight on your hips and legs which makes for a much more comfortable carry.
Osprey Poco Plus Features
The Osprey Poco Plus has is known to be a very nice carrier with really great features. Some of the features include:
- 2 zippered hip belt pockets
- Water bladder sleeve
- Child harness that clips in the back (so kids can’t unbuckle themselves)
- Adjustable child seat
- Built in sun shade (that’s incredibly well designed)
- Adjustable stirrups for your child’s feet
- Multiple storage pockets, both zippered and mesh
- Adjustable torso length to fit people of different heights.
Why I love the Osprey Poco Plus
I use the Osprey Poco Plus on most of my hikes and I love it.
- It has lots of storage. The Osprey Poco Plus has a 26 liter capacity, the largest child hiking carrier capacity on the market currently.
- The sun shade is attached and it is very well designed. It has mesh panels down the side which offer more protection as well as a place for kids’ head to rest.
- It has a great suspension system that makes it comfortable for me to carry all day long.
- It has the option of putting a rain cover on which I love. Not only do I use it when it’s raining or snowing, but also if it’s extremely cold or windy. It traps in the heat and helps keep my baby a little warmer.
- It has water bottle pockets. For some reason the other Poco models don’t have the mesh water bottle pockets and it is so inconvenient to take your baby off just to reach your water. You can still use a water bladder but I prefer bottles.
- The quality is incredible. I have never had a tear, broken zipper, or malfunction, and I am not gentle with my carrier.
Why I Don’t Love the Osprey Poco Plus
As with any piece of gear, there are some downsides. The Osprey Poco Plus isn’t going to be for everyone and that’s fine! There are other framed hiking carriers out there that might better suit your body or needs.
- It’s heavy. Coming in at 7lbs 14oz, the Osprey Poco Plus is the heaviest of the Poco models and heavier than a lot of other carriers. The extra storage makes up for it in my opinion.
- Some people find it uncomfortable. I personally don’t feel this but it’s always best to try out a hiking carrier before purchasing to see how it fits and feels on your body.
- Foot holes are small so it can be tricky to get kid’s boots in and out.
- The handle closest to my head doesn’t lay flat and bumps me in the head. If I push it down in the beginning, it doesn’t bug me, but it is a very big design flaw in my opinion.
- It’s an expensive carrier, no doubt. For me though, I have used it so much and it has allowed me to get out with my kids so much more than I thought I could, it’s been worth every penny. If you want a better deal, I highly recommend scouring Facebook Marketplace for a used option.
Tech Specs
| Gear Capacity (L) | 26 liters |
|---|---|
| Fits Torso Length (in.) Fits Waist/Hips | 15-22 inches 26-49 inches |
| Weight of Pack | 7 lbs. 14.4 oz. |
| Max. Weight (Child+Gear+Pack) | 48 pounds |
| Dimensions | 28.75 x 19 x 15.75 inches |
FAQs
What age is the Osprey Poco Plus for?
You can start using the Osprey Poco Plus (or any framed carrier) when your baby is in full control of their neck and head while sitting up. This age can vary depending on the baby but is usually around 6 months old.
What is the difference between the Osprey Poco and Osprey Poco Plus?
- The Osprey Poco Plus offers more gear storage (26L vs. 20L).
- The Poco Plus includes zippered hipbelt pockets.
- The Poco Plus features two larger mesh pockets behind the hips, ideal for large water bottles.
- It is equipped with the “Fit-On-The-Fly” hipbelt, which allows adjustment for a wide variety of waist sizes and helps comfortably shift the weight to the hips and legs.
- The Osprey Poco has a slimmer design with less storage, making it more suitable on shorter hikes or for use in crowded areas.
- The Osprey Poco is typically priced about $30-$40 less than the Poco Plus
Does the Osprey Poco Plus Collapse?
Yes, the Osprey Poco Plus can collapse for storage or if you are traveling with it. To collapse it, you just unbuckle the 2 red buckles at the top and then you can toggle the two sides together with the little grey connectors. Osprey also makes a travel case for the Poco you can purchase separately.
What is the weight limit of the Osprey Poco Plus?
The maximum overall weight recommendation for the Osprey Poco Plus is 48.5 pounds (21.9kg). This includes the weight of the child, the carrier itself, and any gear being carried. The carrier weighs 7.9 pounds (3.6kg). While I have carried more weight than this when I’ve taken it backpacking, it is not recommended as the carrier no longer distributes the weight as it is intended to.
How do I clean my Osprey Poco Plus framed child carrier?
If I want to just get some spots off my carrier, I will use the Nikwax Tent and Gear Solarwash. I just follow the instructions on the bottle and it does a great job. You can also unclip the drool bib and throw it in the wash. If you want to gift the whole carrier a full wash, I would wash it in the bathtub with Nikwax Tech Wash.
Overall, the Osprey Poco Plus is an incredible child carrier and one of my absolute favorite pieces of gear. It has allowed me to climb big mountains with my babies, carry all of the gear we need with no issue, and both me and my kids are comfortable. I would and do recommend this carrier to anyone with a child. But of course, everyone is different, and I always recommend trying on your kid carrier first, before purchasing.
If you enjoyed this post, you can check out my other posts about hiking with kids here! Hiking with Kids here!
Pingback: Essential Winter Hiking Gear To Pack on Your Hike - Hailey Outside