The Kelty Pathfinder 3.0 is loaded with safety and comfort features assuring a safe and happy baby and in this case, a comfortable and happy Dad.

I recently tested the Kelty Pathfinder 3.0 on a hike with my seven month old daughter Rosemary. It was our first experience hiking together and we had a great time. The pack performed great and most importantly, I felt that she was perfectly secure and comfortable thanks to the pack’s many safety features and well thought out design.

The Pathfinder 3.0 is relatively lightweight (7lbs 10 oz.) and has adjustments that allow you to distribute the weight of the child between the shoulder straps and the hip belt. It took a little time to get it right, but once I adjusted the hip belt properly, which is easily done with the pull of a pin, and adjusted the shoulder and sternum straps, the pack felt comfortable and natural on my back.

There are multiple fit adjustments for both baby and adult, all of which are easily made. The padded adjustable child’s seat allowed me to easily position Rosemary so that she was able to see over my shoulder. She needed the highest of three adjustment points, so there is a lot of room left as she grows. The shoulder straps and leg straps are nicely padded as well and are easy to adjust. Once she was properly adjusted and strapped in, she began to coo, assuring me that she was comfortable and felt safe. It was her first time being carried in a backpack and there was no question that she was delighted.

There are a lot of great features including an under-seat storage pouch, which is great for diapers, a detachable day pack, which has plenty of room for all the food and supplies necessary for a nice picnic, and a hip belt storage pouch, perfect for the camera. The detachable sun hood, which stores nicely in the detachable daypack, is a feature that my wife especially liked. Rosemary liked it too, especially when we encountered a swarm of black flies, which the sun hood sheltered her from.

The Kelty Pathfinder 3.0 is a nice pack that is comfortable and well made. For long day hikes or trips around town, it is a star.

GreatDad.com Review Policy: The featured product for this review was provided to us, at no cost, by the manufacturer or representing PR agency for the sole purpose of product testing. We do not accept monetary compensation for reviewing or writing about products. We only review products that we have personally tested and used in our own homes, and all opinions expressed are our own.

The Belle Baby Carrier is ergonomic and stylish and allows for front or rear facing positioning.

When I first put on the Belle Organic Baby Carrier, I was immediately impressed with its overall stylish look. I’ve tried on other carriers that did not leave this impression, and for a hip dad like me, style is important. Of course, stylish design isn’t the most important aspect, but it is a big plus, so before I even tried it out, the Belle carrier was already receiving high marks. I believe that all baby carriers look good on moms, but this is a baby carrier that looks good on dads.

More importantly, of course, is comfort for the baby and adult, and the Belle Baby Carrier, which uses a very simple crossover strap and buckle system with an independent waist belt, is surprisingly comfortable. I say “surprisingly” because it isn’t overly padded. It is padded just enough. The ergonomic design distributes the baby’s weight evenly across the straps and panels. Once you get going, it can be easily adjusted for the best fit. I took my five week old daughter for an hour long stroll and only needed to make a few slight adjustments to the shoulder straps and it was perfect. As far as my daughter, the Belle kept her close to my body for a great sense of security and bonding. Her spine remained in a natural position and she was perfectly happy.

It takes a few tries to get proficient at loading and unloading your baby – it is suggested that you practice with a doll or stuffed animal – but once you get good at it, it is a relatively easy process. The Belle allows you to position your baby facing in or out, and for infants who are still working on supporting their head, the carrier has an attachable head support panel for use in the facing in position. I find that this panel also helps to keep warmth in, which is a nice bonus this time of year here in New England.

Belle carriers are made in Colorado and are available in classic or organic fibers (using 100% organic cotton and hemp).

The Cybex Ruby stroller is a simple, lightweight (only 13 lbs!) and stylish stroller ideal for buzzing around town, weaving through the mall, or cruising across just about anywhere provided you’re on a smooth surface. It is designed for children 6 months and up, with a maximum weight limit of 55 lbs. With the optional car seat attachment, your newborn will be good to go as well, as long as he or she weights less than 55lbs.

For first time dads like me who have very little experience with these types of things, and who prefer to not read instructions, the Ruby is very user friendly, so much so that I was able to assemble it and figure out how to fold and unfold it without too much head scratching and without once consulting the owner’s manual or my wife.  

Of course, after I finally did look over the manual (per my wife’s suggestion), I discovered some nice features. One of them is the two-position seat back feature. While it is a relatively minimal adjustment, it does offer a slightly more reclined position to promote precious nap time.

Another feature is the adjustable 5 point safety harness, which has three positions to accommodate your growing child. The Super Canopy can be moved up and down as well, allowing plenty of headroom for even the tallest children. Aside from the up and down adjustment, the canopy ratchets between different settings for easy positioning. It also can expand for maximum coverage from the sun or rain.

Other features include a shoulder strap, step-on/step-off brake activation with cable-linked rear brakes, and front wheel swivel locks, which come in handy if you happen to end up on a non-smooth surface, such as dirt roads or perhaps a sand bunker at your favorite golf course. 

The only feature that may be problematic for some folks are the non-adjustable handles which are fairly high. I’m a tall guy, so they are in a convenient position for me, but someone a bit less tall may desire a lower position.

• Lightweight (13lbs), and easily foldable, this stroller is ideal for travelling
• Multi-position adjustable Super Canopy allows for maximum headroom and coverage
• Travel system compatible with optional car seat attachment
• Reclining seat back and three position shoulder harness
• One touch braking with cable connected rear brakes
• Front wheel swivel locks for improved handling on gravel and unpaved roads
• Optional integrated cup holder and rain cover
• Removable seat cover makes for easy washing
• Two year warranty