Beco vs. ergo

Mrs.Greeko

I may have asked this before, but with the beco butterfly on sale I need to decide now.  I want a carrier I can comfortably use this summer with a six month old to hike and go to Mesa verde and stuff.  I've heard lots about the ergo and less about the beco for hiking.  Can I hike comfortably with the beco?

MTJunebride

I love our Beco and thought it was easier than an Ergo to do a back hold by myself when DH was not around.  I think it is very comparable to an Ergo for hiking.

lite-bright

I've done it with DD2 and it was just fine. I prefer the fit of the Beco over the Ergo in general. 

Nanna

I have a Beco and love it to pieces. I've hiked with it a lot, and we took DS to Mesa Verde in it when he was 6 months old, so you'll be golden. Hands down it's been my most useful piece of baby gear!

shanbrite2

I just bought the Beco on sale last night too and am so excited! We have a hand-me-down Ergo that I love, but DD really wants to look out (face front) and the Ergo doesn't let you do that, where the Beco does. (Otherwise I have to use the Baby Bjorn which KILLS my back, so I'm excited to not have that pain anymore!) 

brandall

I really thought I wanted the Ergo, but I decided to try them both on at the store before buying one and I'm glad I did!  I thought the Beco really fit my body a lot better and was a lot more comfortable.  Loved the Beco!  DS loved being in it on my back too, that is how we carried him around the airport and on hikes.  

MrsEAH

Love my Beco!  We did a ton of hiking last summer (even about a 3 hr hike at Maroon Bells) and I was sooooo comfortable with the back carry.  I can't compare to an Ergo since I never used one, but the Beco is hands down my favorite carrier. 

DownToEarthGirl

I have used both and I like them both equally for hiking.  The Beco is a little more sized for smaller people, but my DH was able to wear it comfortably. 

Both hold up to around 35-30lbs and both are great carriers.  The only advantage to Ergo IMO is the pocket b/c I hate holding my phone/keys while wearing the baby, but that's about it.  Also I think the newer butterfly Beco has a key spot, but I'm not sure. 

Erilu907

Sorry to butt in, but a question about using either for hiking (and carrying the baby on your back): do you just slather their head and neck up with sunscreen, or put a big hat on them?

MTJunebride

DS wears a big hat any time we are in the sun.  We are super fair, so it is necessary.  We still use sunscreen on his face, arms, and legs.  We buy at least five hats each spring so we always have one handy in different bags or in each of our cars throughout the season.  This is my favorite style for toddlers:

 

Erilu907

MTJunebride:

DS wears a big hat any time we are in the sun.  We are super fair, so it is necessary.  We still use sunscreen on his face, arms, and legs.  We buy at least five hats each spring so we always have one handy in different bags or in each of our cars throughout the season.  This is my favorite style for toddlers:

 

That is really cute! I'm trying to plan in advance for this summer since I hope to get out in the mountains more that we did last year. I've seen the larger hiking carriers that have a sun visor, so was wondering how you all do it with something that's less bulky.

MTJunebride

I don't love the hiking packs with a frame (like Kelty) because it is too bulky and adds to the weight that you are carrying.  The visors on them are pretty ineffective because the sun could be hitting the child at an angle, so they still need a hat.  I think a soft carrier is the way to go.  There are some backpacks (MTbridess has one) that are frameless and have a space for a child, but they also work like a traditional day pack with a pocket for water, lunch, etc.