Has anyone compared the Kelty FC 3.0 Kid Carrier (1150 cu) with the Deuter Kid Comfort III, in terms of durability, quality of materials or construction, design, fit, and/or comfort for the parent/child? They both are on the high end of the price end for kid carriers, and I'd like to hear some thoughts on which is the better product.

I got a Deuter II to replace an old Kelty (Pathfinder, straps rotted) and I am going back to Kelty, just haven't decided old or new. The Deuter is comfy for the adult but I was pregnant with #4 when I looked at the Deuter, using my then 2 1/2 yo girls as test subjects - now that baby is here and 7months I realize the cockpit of the Deuter swallows him. It's much higher up in front and the adjustablilty of the seat is a joke. Kelty will comfortably fit a much wider range of kids.

Yes, I looked at both and ended up buying the FC 3.0. They're both going to offer great support for child and are very similar in terms of making the right safe and comfortable for the little one. The main reason we opted for the Kelty is the adjustable hip belt. I was in the market for a pack that both my wife and I could use, and the Kelty's hip belt performed far better than the Deuter's adjustable shoulder straps. I'm on the shorter side (5'8") and my wife is too (5'3") and the Deuter, even when adjusted to it's shortest setting, didn't fit my wife at all and barely fit myself. The lower you adjust the shoulder straps on the Deuter the higher the pack sits. It distributed the weight way too high on my back. In comparison the hip adjustable hip belt fit allowed the bag to fit perfectly on both my wife and I, while keeping the weight distributed properly. My only beef with the Kelty is the fact that it is quite beefy...I would love it if it had the option to remove the upper storage compartment.