If you’ve got a baby, you’ve no doubt considered purchasing a child carrier backpack. You know the things I’m talking about; they look like backpacks for books, only they have little heads of children sticking out of them. Yes, those are child carrier backpacks. If you’re in the market for such an item, you might not find one as easily as you would think. I recently searched my local Babies R Us store in search of child carrier backpacks in preparation for a trip in which we would do some hiking. I couldn’t find them. I looked online and was surprised by the cost of some child carrier backpacks. I did finally find some in the enormous sporting goods store, Cabela’s, but there were pricey as well. So are there child carrier backpacks readily available? And if so, can you get them at a lower price?

The answer is, of course, yes. And if you don’t care about your child carrier backpack being brand-spanking-new, then you’ll feel right at home bidding on one on Ebay. You’ll find a “Backpacks, Carrier” link under “Gear” in the baby section of Ebay, which you can access online at www.ebay.com. From there, search for a particular brand name if you know there is a particular brand of child carrier backpacks that you are looking for. I found 59 items when I tried just a general search for child carrier backpacks, and they ranged from $5.50 for the lowest bid to $109.99 for the highest. So surely you can find a child carrier backpack in your price range on Ebay. But which brands are the best?

Kelty is the brand name of the high-end child carrier backpacks. In addition to shopping for them on Ebay, you can find these for sale at www.backcountry.com. Kelty manufactures several different models of child carrier backpacks. The basic model is priced at $99.99 and is billed as being light with “no frills.” The next step up is the Kelty Wanderer Kid Carrier, priced at $139.95. It has a little storage space that can come in handy. The top-of-the-line model is the Kelty Pathfinder Kid Carrier, priced at $189.95, and is meant for serious outdoor enthusiasts.

On the lower end of the spectrum are the Evenflo-brand child carrier backpacks. One model, the Evenflo Snugli Cross Roads Framed Baby Carrier, sells in the $40 range from online retailers including Walmart.com, Babyage.com, Amazon.com and Target.com. This child carrier backpack accommodates children up to 40 pounds in weight. It has a five-point harness for your best safety option out there. One review of this child carrier backpack praises its lightweight and says it is easy to use but that it’s not the model for serious hikers. However, if you’re just taking a day trip and need your hands free, the Evenflo Snugli Cross Roads Framed child carrier backpack might be just what you are looking for.

Whichever model you finally choose from among the child carrier backpacks available, be sure to try it out. This means actually put it on and strap your child into it. Then take it for a little tour around the store. You need to be sure it is comfortable for both you and your child. If you’re buying online or from Ebay, just be sure you are aware of the seller’s return policy. You don’t want to get stuck with a child carrier backpack that isn’t the right one for you or your child.