Customer Reviews

Chicco Smart Support Backpack, Red

5 star:		(37)
4 star:		(18)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(8)

 

 

I received this pack recently and had numerous complaints:

1. The sternum strap doesn't even come close to closing. I have a chest and the strap wouldn't close below my chest or above it.

2. My shoulders were killing me within minutes. Could be that the sternum strap provides the extra support needed to take the strain off of the shoulders

3. The button for the stand deployment is at the top of the backpack and there is absolutely no way to close the stand when putting the pack on and no way to deploy it while wearing the pack (unless you have someone with you to do it for you). I tried again and again to deploy it while wearing the pack and there is just no way to do it. This is dangerous.

This backpack went back immediately!

I returned it and got the Cross Terrain Carrier by Evenflo. It is comfortable, fits nicely on me (the sternum strap fits too) and the baby and the kickstand is easy to deply and has a pull cord to retract it, once the pack is on.

i got this pack because it looked more padded than the others at babysrus. it is. the padding is great. it is super comfy.

the built in sun shade is nice.

i didn't expect the chest strap to fit me, they never do. i simply don't use them or expect to use them. no biggie.

in general, it is a great pack. HOWEVER, you will need another adult with you or be able to rely upon the kindness of strangers. the legs will not open or close when you are wearing it. they are locked into place (both open and closed) with a latch that is at the *top* of the V on the *outside* of the rail. in other words, the latch is *behind* your child at about his/her head level. now, maybe someone with really long arms and/or a contortionist can reach the latch *and* make it work, but, sadly, i cannot.

since i got this pack to use in the airport by myself, the latch problem is a non-starter. i will be returning it. it could be the most comfortable pack on the market, and i would return it for this one issue because it is a big issue.

i want to be able to put my child in, secure him, then put the pack on while it is still safely sitting somewhere (chair, table, bench, whatever) legs out. i don't want to have to put it on while it is not supported. nor do i want to have to take it off with the legs in. i want that support there as soon as i take it off. but as it is, i have to fold the legs in before putting it on and unfold them after taking it off. NOT SAFE. (or i need to have that other adult around to help me do it.)

i would give this item a higher rating but the support legs are a big issue in my book.

I bought this backpack about a month ago and was unsure how much use I would get out of it. We use it all the time. My son almost always falls asleep in it he is so comfortable. It doesn't bother my back or shoulders at all. There is a pouch on the backpack but it isn't too big, not that it has caused us a problem.

I purchased this pack online after researching many brands. The price ultimately sold me on this particular back pack and I am SO glad I went with this one! I was kinda expecting a pack that looked "cheaper" than the others because it was so much less. (The other one I was debating upon was $170) Also, the previous reviews made me nervous about how it would fit but they either had big problems figuring out the straps or just never wore a back pack before because I had NO problem with this. I am over 6 feet tall and on the large size for a woman so I usually have issues with things fitting my body size. I have a long torso and this pack actually fits me the way it is supposed to! I also have a chest larger than Pamela Anderson's and I have no problem buckling the chest strap :o) I don't know why the other person had such a problem because I still have room to tighten it as it doesn't even go over my chest but above it. So not only does it fit great but it looks fabulous and really well made! Also, the stand is very easy to collapse and extend. There is no button to push; it simply pushes in or pulls out and is held by tension in the stand arm. My son is 9 months, 25 lbs and about 28 inches tall and he fits great. The first day I had it I took it out on a 2 mile hike and had NO soreness or awkward feelings in my step. I am just so in love with this pack! AND the wind shield is GREAT and not included on many models that are $100 more than this Chicco! The only thing that is lame is the bag on the back of the pack. It's unsafe since anyone could unzip it if you are walking in a crowd and steal your stuff. Not to mention that you can't reach it without taking the pack off but you DO have the option of wearing it as a fanny pack so that's good AND you could use it to store the wind visor thingy when you don't need it. It's really a non-issue but I felt I should include just one con :o) Buy this pack! You won't regret it!!!

I purchased this pack about 3 weeks ago and ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT!
>>I have never had any of the problems regarding "unsecure legs not closing" because of a hard to operate latch. My model doesn't even have a latch to close (or open) the legs. I simply reach back and push them out or pull them in as needed. They lock right in place with a push and fold back in with a pull. Perhaps other reviewers had a different model or were unclear of proper use of this pack. I find it VERY stable on flat surfaces whether I am putting it on or taking it off. Even with my son kicking, it doesn't wiggle around. I am confident in the pack's ability to remain upright when I transfer it on and off.
>>The padding is also comfortable, and the same day that I got the pack, I took my 21 pound son out in it for a 45 minute walk. I got home with absolutely no back/shoulder pain or aches. Again, maybe previous raters didn't have the pack adjusted properly (although the adjustments are just like a regular backpack.) We go on 45 minute walks 4-5 times a week, and I've never had any aches or soreness.
>>I've never had a problem with the sternum strap. I'm a man with a 46" chest, and there's still about 4-5" of additional strap left to further expand the strap. Also plenty of space with the lumbar strap. No problems there, either.
>>My wife has also used the pack, also on about a 45 minute walk, and had no complaints. No pain ar aches, and adjusted the straps (including the sternum strap) to fit her quickly and without any problems. She can also reach and operate the support legs easily and by herself.
>>I would recommend this pack to anyone that is looking for a comfy, lightweight pack. It is very easy for me to use by myself, and I feel confident using it with my son.

I have been wanting a backpack carrier for some time - one with a metal stand so it would be easier to get my son in and out of. I finally broke down and bought a new one after not being able to find a used one. I purchased this one because it seemed to be reasonably priced and it got good reviews. I was a little nervous about it since some of the people that were petite said that it didn't fit them and that it was too big. I'm 4'11" and it fits me just fine so I am not sure what they are talking about. I also didn't have any problems with it being too tight in the chest area too and I would say I'm a pretty average size. Some of the reviews said that they need someone else to help them with the metal stand - I have not experienced that either. My son is almost 17 months old and he is about 25 pounds and I can take him off of my back and open up the stand by myself. It takes a bit of practice and some upper body strength but after carrying around a child in my arms for over 16 months I would say that I've built up my strength to handle an extra 5 or 6 pounds that comes from the carrier. Right now I'm just starting off on short walks around the neighborhood - it does take a while to build up your muscles but it is comfortable and works great for me. I love that it comes with the sun shade and the pockets that attach to it as well. Overall I'm happy with my purchase and can't wait to hit the trails and lose this baby weight!

I looked at many packs before deciding on this one. I was hesitant at frist due to some of the reviews saying it was uncomfortable. Well it was at first. Then I adjusted ALL the straps while wearing it of course, including the shoulder straps and now it fits perfectly. Snug against my torso just like a regular hiking pack.

Love all the little accessories, too!

We bought this the spring of 2010, after signing our family up for some charity 5k walks/runs. Strollers and wagons, while practical for many uses- take up WAY too much space when participating in these type events so we bought this lightweight frame carrier. After the first walk we decided we'd never go back to a stroller again. I was elated to be able to take our baby WITH us on family hikes instead of having to get a sitter to watch the baby while we took all our other children. I began using this with my daughter when she was 12 months old and she is 20 months now and it has taken the place of the stroller in our van. We don't use a stroller anymore at all- I love that our daughter can see what we see- and get a real birds eye view.

My favorite features:
Lightweight
Sun/weather shield
comfortable straps
cell phone pocket
diaper/wipe pocket on the pack

We have owned this carrier for several weeks now and I can't imagine hiking without it! I can safely say that I am a big guy (6'5" and 300+) and I have had no trouble using it. There is still plenty room for adjustment which was something that I was initially worried about. Our 13 month old son loves riding in it, even during our several hour hikes. My 3 year old can fit in the carrier just fine even though she is tall for her age, but I have yet to spend any real time carrying her. I have already recommended this carrier to several friends!

I gave it a 4 of 5. I like it its comfy and affordable. The only thing is the top strap is made to ride very high on your chest and if you connect both the top chest strap and also the lower waist strap, it will reveal all of your fatness. Which is why on the picture of the product, a very, very skinny guy has the backpack strapped on. The good news for the rest of us out there is that you don't even need to strap either of these on. I use it just like a regular backpack and it works out fantastic!! The reason it wasn't 5 of 5 was the inability to move the chest strap up or down.