Bushbaby won a gold award for the Elite back in 2009, but felt that it could still improve on the design, so launched a new-look Elite in 2010. This design includes a pack-down frame, so the carrier doesn't take up too much room in your car or home, and is hydration tube system compatible.
What we love
Just reading through the list of features that comes with the instructions, it's not hard to see where your money’s been spent. Storage pockets, foot loops, toy loops, UV and rain canopy protector, safety harness, lumbar support…the list just goes on. One buyer commented that even though she’s a perfectionist, she couldn't think of anything that Bushbaby had missed off the Elite's design.
I like that when you take the Bushbaby Elite out of the box, there are useful cut-off tags to point out where the sun canopy is and the viewing mirror etc. There are so many useful parts to this back carrier, you'd probably miss something without these attention grabbers. I do like the embroidery stitched onto the sleep cushion, too.
The Bushbaby Elite back carrier can be used from 6 months until your child is 4 years old - while your toddler may be walking by 1, if you like to get out and about, a carrier can still be essential.
I'm not really a lover of carriers, as I can never adjust them to fit me correctly and my back or shoulders end up aching after about 2 minutes. However, the Elite is so comfy and light I could walk for ages in it.
Nathaniel was a little hesitant at first and when we put him in the Elite indoors he started to cry. However, as soon as we went outside (remembering to duck at the doorway), he loved it. He does his 'Meerkat' nosy parker impression the whole time he’s in the carrier.
The foot loops are a great idea and I can see Nathaniel feels more comfortable when his feet are resting in them.
What to watch out for
The Bushbaby Elite back carrier can take quite a long time to set up, as you have to get the harness straps at the correct length for both your child and yourself. One thing to note, although there’s colour-coding on the adult strap adjustment to help you, if you need to adjust the child's straps, you'll have to take the mini pack off, as this bag is designed to clip over where the child's straps are hidden.
While there’s a load stabiliser to help when putting your child in, when you pick the carrier up off the floor, you really need two people to prevent it from swinging around.
My husband and I find it a bit fiddly to re-adjust the straps when it comes to switching over the carrier for his turn, but this should become easier if the same couple of people are using it again and again, thanks to the colour-coded adjustment system.
Who is the Bushbaby Elite back carrier best for?
Families who enjoy walking holidays and sightseeing.
The Bushbaby Elite back carrier could well be one of the best back carrier on the market, but you pay for the many features it includes.
