From two other threads, both worth reading in full.
Some photos to demonstrate.
Frame and stripped Deuter. Shelf is not needed,but I like the extra securityof using it.
It is nice to be able to fould the carrierup tight for when they want to walk. The Merlin can be replaced with a full pack bag.
The Deuter Kid Comfort Active can have the shoulder straps easily remove, which helps with strapping it to the frame. I cut the belt and lumbar padding off of mine as well. This pulls it in really tight against the frame.
The Deuter fits larger kids well. I also have an Osprey Poco. The Osprey fits small children better than the Deuter, but was hard to get my 3 year old in with winter cloths on.
My advice, get a good front pack and use that until the kid fits in the Deuter. They need good head control befor going in a pack anyway. Usually around 6 months, but will vary by a few months...
I have had Osprey and Dueter. Both are good. The Osprey had more storage. Neither are great packs, but certainly good enough.
The Ospreys fit smaller children better, the Dueter fits larger children than the Osprey is capable of.
Now that my youngest is 2, the Osprey got given away.
The Dueter has been stripped of its harness and belt and gets strapped to a pack frame. If I need volume, I can use a pack bag, though it is an awkward load. This is from an overnight with my (at the time) 4 year old.
That is a Seek Outside pack, but it works with an Exo as well, and would...
How do you latch it to your pack frame?
The straps for securing a load are wrapped around the frame of the carrier. I also connect the loops at the top of the frame for added security. If you look closely at the circled areas you can see some of the connections.
