At a glance:
Among all the child carriers we considered, the Adventurer S2 won the silver award due to raving reviews by our mum testers. They loved that it was a backpack as weight could be distributed more equally, avoiding any strain on mum, as well as the lightweight feel of the product, snack storage space and the design!
What they say:
"A new and improved version of LitteLife’s original Adventurer, the Adventurer S2 only weighs 1.9kg and can be described as a pick-up-and-go backpack carrier for everyday use. The kick-out leg offers stability when on the ground, and allows the carrier to collapse for storage, making it ideal for travel. It is now available in a new two-tone blue with updated fabrics and a newly designed face pad."
Tested by mum Clare Smith for the Mother & Baby awards 2018:
Would you recommend this to other mums?
I would definitely recommend this product to anyone wanting a backpack carrier. It is designed so that it stands alone on the floor for you to safely lift your child inside, before putting it on your back. The carrier is lightweight, meaning no extra strain is placed on your back when transporting your child. I have found it easy to use and comfortable when carrying my son.
How did this product make your life easier?
This carrier has definitely made transporting my son around quick and easy. It means as a family we can explore more places and go on more adventures, as he is safely secure on my back. I have found this product equally applicable to both me and my husband so that we can both take turns in carrying him.
Would you choose this product to win?
In my opinion, this product should win the best carrier category as it is so easy to use. It is certainly more supportive than a front carrier and distributes the weight equally so that your back is not under strain. I thought that the wedge you use to stand the carrier on the floor was really innovative, and such a good design feature.
What changes would you make to this product?
The only thing I would change about this carrier would be the range of colours it is available in! It is a suitable colour for my son, however if I had a daughter, I would like to have the product available in more girly colours. Other than the choice of colours available I have no further criticisms of the carrier.
Tested by mum Lindsay Urquhart for the Mother & Baby awards 2018:
Would you recommend this to other mums?
I would definitely recommend this product as I find it extremely comfortable to wear, especially on long walks, and both my children love being in it (they are one and three). It also has good storage for snacks, nappies wipes etc. The kick out leg is a great idea for getting kids in and out and the carrier itself is extremely light. One big plus is that it fits in car without taking up too much space. I would say it is great for little ones who also want a nap on walks, as there is a comfy face cushion/pad (my daughter loved the design pictures on the cushion). I genuinely love this carrier and will recommend it to anyone!
How did this product make your life easier?
The Adventurer S2 is so light and unclumsy, even my heavy little three-year-old son’s weight is evenly distributed well, thanks to the good straps. It's easy for my daughter to be lifted in and out, with the help of the kick out bar and she is very comfy when strapped in (at 16 months). I think she loves being up there on the lookout! We live in the country next to the beach; my little boy loves being on the beach, but not in the buggy, so this is ideal as we can now venture along the beach and go on forest walks, whereas before we were avoiding places due to them not being very buggy friendly.
Would you choose this product to win?
Yes, this product should be a front runner as it looks good, feels great quality, is lightweight and very easy to use and store. Above all, my little ones are happy and obviously feel very safe and secure in it. Love it!
What changes would you make to this product?
To be completely honest, there is nothing I would change about this carrier. With other carriers the list was endless, but not with the Adventurer S2. I feel it has been designed and built by someone who knows exactly what parents require. We will continue to use our carrier until our little ones are no longer able to fit in it.
Tested by mum Annamarie Smith for the Mother & Baby awards 2018:
Would you recommend this to other mums?
Yes! You can adjust the carrier to fit people of different sizes, so me and my husband could both wear it comfortably. It's really great for getting outdoors and going on walks in the countryside. The carrier is extremely light and seems very comfortable for the child as well. It has support in the right places so it doesn’t pull on your back like other carriers, in fact it felt like it was actually making you up stand straighter.
How did this product make your life easier?
It is excellent for walking where a pushchair can't be used. We used the carrier on a long walk along a sandy beach - there's no way our pushchair would have managed and our child is too little to walk, but too heavy for a fabric front carrier. It's also quicker to get out of the house. You can just sling it on your back rather than fiddling about with a buggy which is great.
Would you choose this product to win?
Yes I would choose it this to win a Mother & Baby award as it seemed extremely well made and thought out. It is very light, so is fantastic for when your child is too big for front carriers but not old enough to walk on their own. It can be adjusted in so many different ways so that it sits comfortably and this was the stand out feature for me. You can adjust it for different heights and all the straps can be tightened, you can even adjust how close the seat sits against your back which made a huge difference.
What changes would you make to this product?
What I would say is that it needs to come with some sort of sun shade. I believe that you can buy them separately but think a sun shade is vital for this carrier. When out walking in the sun, the child is very exposed so needs some sort of shade, otherwise you can't go out in hot weather. The only way I would improve this would be to have a shade as part of the carrier, or for it to be included in the price.
Tested by mum Ainsley Smith for the Mother & Baby awards 2018:
Would you recommend this to other mums?
I would recommend this product to a friend if they are big walkers, but not on a day to day basis. It's great when you're out hiking, as the carrier distributes the weight evenly so it's not uncomfortable for myself to walk any length of time. My son enjoys being up on the same level as myself as he can see a lot more.
How did this product make your life easier?
This product is similar to a product we already own, so to compare the two was useful. This backpack carrier makes life much easier when out walking across rough terrain where we can't take our pushchair. My son also finds it comfortable enough to sleep in which is a bonus.
Would you choose this product to win?
No I would not, just due to the non-diversity of this product. The seat is one size fits all, so if I was using this full time, my son would be out of it by the end of the year. As much as it was comfortable, there was no real place for my son to put his feet without him looking like he was a jockey. And finally, there is no raincover or sun shade included, but you wouldn't expect this for the price.
What changes would you make to this product?
The one thing I would change about this product is the diversity, for instance the depth of the seat. Also, the availability of a footrest and the ability to change the length of the footrest – this would add some extra comfort to the carrier as we tend to go on long walks. Other than this the carrier was very comfy and useful.
Tested by mum Kathryn Velasco for the Mother & Baby awards 2018:
Would you recommend this to other mums?
Yes, the carrier is lightweight, but you know instantly it is great quality. Numerous straps give you peace of mind that your child is secure, and the padded pillows aid positioning. The carrier folds well and the design is great, I love the colour too!
How did this product make your life easier?
Both my one-year-old and two-year-old couldn’t wait their turn in the carrier! The item is so roomy and comfortable, with padding to ensure that you aren’t constantly panicking over whether your child is comfortable. The carrier securely stands up on the ground, which is great when lifting and adjusting. This has definitely helped me when dealing with two children on my own, as it leaves me hands-free and secure.
Would you choose this product to win?
Yes, although it is expensive the quality is fantastic! I would have no hesitation to purchase it, as it really does stand out in the market. The colour is gorgeous and it has made my life with two children under two much easier and both children have enjoyed their trips within the carrier. It is noticeable that LittleLife have prioritised safety and this is a huge selling point for me.
What changes would you make to this product?
Disappointingly, the item only came with a tag that explained how it works in very basic terms. There were no images, or a step by step, which would have reassured me that I was using the product 100% correctly. The carrier was easy to figure out, but providing clearer and more in depth instructions would ease your mind.
Product Information
Suitable for babies from 60-months - 20kg (approximately three-years-old).