Kelty TC 3.0 Child Carrier Backpack

Explore the features and benefits of the Kelty TC 3.0 Child Carrier with Product Manager Rebecca Shannon

TC 3.0

$179.95

The sleek lines and small frame of the TC 3.0 make it the ideal carrier for shopping, or hiking with your little one. It is easy to use and comfortable for parents, thanks to the convenient torso-length adjustment and molded back panel. The TC 3.0 comes fully loaded with Kelty’s TC Sun Hood, and our changing pad.

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BUY FROM A TRUSTED RETAILER

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Safety Features:

• Five-point, adjustable child’s harness

Carrier Features:

• Sun Hood included (US Patent 5,609,279)
• Changing Pad included
• Padded, adjustable-height child’s seat
• Toy loops
• Carry/lift handles
• 40-pound weight limit
• Foot stabilizer for safe loading
• Lightweight internal aluminum frame
• Mesh water-bottle pockets
• Organizer pocket

Suspension Features:

• Sliding waistbelt torso-length adjustment
• Laminated, curved waistbelt
• Laminated, curved and padded shoulder straps
• Laminated, padded backpanel
• Waistbelt storage pockets
• Load-lifter straps
• Sternum strap
• Scherer Cinch waistbelt system (US Patent 5,465,886)

JPMA Certified

Weight: 5 lb. 7 oz. / 2.4 kg
Maximum Load Weight: 40 lb / 18.1 kg
Dimensions:
Length: 12” / 30 cm
Width: 12” / 30 cm
Height: 21” / 53 cm
Volume: 1450 in³ / 23.8 L
Torso Fit Range: 11"-16" / 28 cm - 41 cm

Body Fabric:
420D poly ripple, 420D HD poly oxford / brushed nylon

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TC 3.0

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Posted by Evan
March 5, 2010

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My wife and I are still in the process of trying out the Kelty TC 3.0, but first impressions are always good too. In addition to having a great new color scheme, the 2010 Kelty TC 3.0 has one major improvement over the previous model: A foot-step to use to hold the carrier in place when placing/removing the child into/from the carrier. If you take a look at the photos, you'll see a cut-out in the front of the backpack, and that's what it is for. I took a long hike with our little one last night to try this out, and it was very comfortable to wear. Our little-one loved being able to look around, and even though this was her first time in it, was happy and alert. Getting the carrier on and off takes a little bit of practice, or a shelf that's waist or hip high. Kelty recommends lifting the pack to your thigh, and then pulling it on, and this does seem to work well, but having a counter or car trunk is even easier. The other new model (The TC 2.0) is $30 less, but doesn't include the $35 sun/rain hood, or changing pad. I can't see why you wouldn't buy this one over the 2.0, unless you're in an area where you /never/ expect to go walking in sun or rain. Right. Our LO is right at the low end of Kelty's reccommended size (7mo, 15lb), but is capable of sitting up by herself just fine. I expected to have the seat adjusted for its smallest size, but in fact she's right in the middle of the range. We'll see how she grows, but I think she may out-grow the seat well before she gets too heavy to fit in the carrier. But she's definitely safely held, and can look wherever she wants. Some reviews have said that the shoulder-straps for the LO don't have clips... but actually they do. Kelty has just put felt over them, so they can't pinch little fingers. If you read the manual, you'll see them, and they are /completely/ and easily accessible. I find I have to tuck them out of the way to get our LO in and out, but that will be easier with practice. For those who have seen the videos of the KIDS 3.0 (the old model), the torso adjustment is now in the hip belt, and not the shoulder straps. I feel that this makes more sense, since you want the child's head to be at about the same place, regardless of where your hips and shoulders are. However, the 2010 model does /not/ include either the zip-off daypack, or the small mirror that were included in the previous model. I don't think the missing daypack is that much of an issue, but the mirror would be handy for checking-in on our LO. It sells for about $6, so we may buy it to add on at some point. In regards to the backpack portion, there is one compartment that's just the right size for the sun/rain hood and changing pad, and another that is just about the perfect size for an around-and-about diaper bag. We got ~20 backup-disposables, 2 cloth diapers, wipes, 3 burp cloths, a blanket, and a change of clothes in there, and still had /just/ enough room to stuff in 5 board books when we walked to the library. If we take out some of the backup disposables, we should have plenty to add a change of shirt for mom and dad, and still have the extra room. Not great for any overnight trips by itself, but a perfect day-trip size, which is the intent. Still, if it had the zip-off daypack, we'd be able to fit just that little bit more in, which would be nice. I'm 5'10" and the torso fit was great on the longest setting. My wife is 4'9", and it still fits her. My biggest grip with it so far is that the cinches to close up the carrier compartment when not in use are very hard to pull closed. I need to use one hand to scrunch the fabric closed, and the other to pull the strap for it. If I just pull the strap, then the fabric catches in the clasp, and it won't close. This is pretty annoying. Hopefully, with use, it'll soften up and be a little easier. So: PROS --------------------------- Foot-step for bracing Comfortable, but not too big Sun/rain hood included Changing pad included Torso-length adjustment(!) New colors are great CONS ---------------------------------- Child Carrier compartment cinches don't work well. No mirror-on-a-lanyard No zip-off-daypack A little more backpack-space would be great.

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TC 3.0

Explore the features and benefits of the Kelty TC 3.0 Child Carrier with Product Manager Rebecca Shannon