Dad-Friendly Gear Picks

The Deuter Kid Comfort III, $279, is the Bigfoot of baby carriers. This rugged rig for your backcountry baby features capacious storage beneath the seat and a utilitarian array of mesh side pockets. The well-known maker of hiking gear understands the grade of padded straps and hip belts required to comfortably haul kids up to 40 pounds (babies must be able to sit upright to saddle up this rig), and the sun/rain shelter is a plus for long hikes on the seashore or long lines at Sea World.

The Deuter Kid Comfort III, $279, deuterusa.com.