Mother or Mountain Guide

Those of you whom I bore with my tweets will know I have recently been writing an essay regarding the issues facing parents who also choose a career in the outdoors.
While this is obviously an issue close to my heart, it also affects many around us, perhaps it even affects you?

The following is some initial research towards what I hope will become the theme of my dissertation.
I would welcome any feedback and thoughts, personal reflections, reading suggestions...

Mother or Mountain Guide: Is having a career in the outdoors compatible with being a parent?

On the 13th August 1995, Alison Hargreaves died, aged 33, in a blizzard descending K2. Just three months earlier in the May of that year, Hargreaves had become the first woman to make it to the summit of Everest alone, unsupported and without any artificial oxygen. She received almost universal praise. "One of the greatest climbs in history," declared the front page of the Times (Barnard, 2002). But following her death on K2, the media criticized her for leaving behind her two children, excoriated by media commentators for "foolhardiness", "self-indulgence" and "abandoning her two young children" (Arthur, 2000).

There are two important issues raised here: the career choices we make once becoming a parent, and also a matter of gender and what expectations are placed on a woman when she becomes a mother.

“It seems many of us have fixed ideas about what a mother should be” (Douglas, 2012)

Many male mountaineers have died ‘doing what they love’ after achieving great feats within the climbing community – have they come under the same criticism that Alison Hargreaves and her family faced following her death?

Barnard (2002) presents us with the question: “If a woman is brilliant in a profession that is dangerous and she becomes a mother, how old do her children have to be before it is acceptable for her to return to work?”

Surely this is question for any parent. What do we deem acceptable once we have the responsibility of a child to consider? Reflecting the words of Ed Douglas, it seems many of us have fixed ideas about what a parent should be. And how do those feelings change for those of us who become parents?

And is it still a man’s world? Many people are brought up with the idea that physical activities involving a high amount of risk are not for women (O’Brien, Saunders & Barnes, 2004) which is further discouraged when a woman becomes a mother. This was highlighted by the savage press treatment Alison Hargreaves received following her death, after such praise of her achievements just a few months earlier. Do we see the same hounding in the press of male mountaineers?

Despite telling his wife he was going on a skiing holiday, David Hempleman-Adams was praised by the media on his return from his expedition to be the first person to walk solo to the geomagnetic pole (Hann, 2003).

Let us also look at the treatment of Alex Lowe, who passed away in a massive slab avalanche in Tibet on October 5th, 1999: Lowe was widely considered as one of his generation’s finest mountaineers. He left behind a wife and three children under the age of ten. However, instead of reflecting on his career choices as foolhardy and selfish, he was praised for his love and commitment to his family despite being away on exploratory trips for long periods of time and tackling dangerous first ascents. His obituary in the New York Times stated: “Unlike many other serious climbers, Lowe also resolved to put his wife and children first. He acknowledged that mountaineering entailed risks, but said that experience increased the margin of safety” (Wren, 1999).

In an interview with Outside Magazine in the year of his death, Lowe said his biggest challenge was balancing the passion to climb with his love for his family, whom he described as life's greatest reward.

''I would let climbing slide away if I had to, to maintain my relationship with my family,'' he said. ''Because it really is the big adventure.'' (Wren, 1999).

Rob Hall, the New Zealand Mountaineer and Guide, died on Everest in 1996 while his wife was seven months pregnant. The fact that he died whilst trying to save an exhausted client confirmed his status as the world's most respected leader of commercial Himalayan expeditions (Venables, 1996).

Venables (1996) explains there was some consolation in knowing that Jan Arnold had herself climbed Everest with Hall in 1993, that she had shared his dreams and she understood the risks. And she knew that, in a situation where "Every man for himself" is the norm, her husband had died trying to save another life.

Why was there such a stark contrast between the reactions towards a father and a mother?

Giddens (1997) states: “Clearly, gender socialisation is very powerful and challenges to it can be upsetting. Once a gender is ‘assigned’ society expects individuals to act like females and males”.

Gender socialisation processes influence our expectations (O’Brien, Saunders & Barnes, 2004). With these heavy expectations placed on a mother the result is often that her family commitments will be more important than her need for adventure. Pottinger (1994) expresses some women often feel guilty leaving family members behind while pursuing their own leisure time. I can back this view point from personal experience. While I enjoy and value my leisure and adventure time away from my daughter, at this point in time it is always overshadowed by a feeling of guilt that I should instead be ‘playing mum’ and that it’s not yet my time.

These were the findings in a study carried out by Allin (2000). The results showed that many women felt they had been held back or forced to put their careers on hold, or to indeed choose between a family and career because of family commitments.

Sharp (1998) also expresses that the conflict between coaching responsibilities and the need to travel and prepare courses alongside trying to maintain a family life is a barrier that women face when pursuing a career in the outdoors.

I created a survey to help me gain a general feel of people’s opinion on parenthood and their careers within the outdoors. While rather elementary in its approach, the results were fairly conclusive.

While I believe these conflicts between family life and a career are not gender specific issues and experienced by both parents, evidenced in the survey results, I do believe that the real issues lies in the different expectations placed on men and women.

I found it encouraging that the male/female split of participants was relatively close to an even divide. It was also revealing to see that men experienced the same feelings of compromise as that of mothers working within the outdoor industry, showing that despite the different treatment of genders within the media, and the different expectations placed on men and women, that when it comes to being a parent, we all experience very similar feelings.

It is evident that on becoming a parent, one feels that sacrifices are not only made within ones career, but in family life as well.

It is also apparent that despite continued developement and understanding, and changes in opinions towards women within the outdoor industry, when it comes to being a parent, a women’s role as a mother is still clearly defined by society.

If these opinions will ever change, remains to be seen.


The numerous issues we have glimpsed at in this piece I hope to further explore in my dissertation.



References

Allin, L. (2000) Women in Outdoor Education: Negotiating a Male-Gendered Space – Issues of Physicality. In Humberstone, B. (Ed.) Her Outdoors: Risk, Challenge and Adventure. Eastbourne: LSA

Arthur, Charles. (2000) Regions of the Heart reviewed [online] Available at: [http://www.ukclimbing.com/gear/review.php?id=48] Viewed: 28/8/12

Barnard, Josie. (2002) I loved her because she wanted to climb the highest peak. The Guardian, Wednesday 28th August
Barnes, P. & Sharp, B. (2004) The RHP Companion to Outdoor Education, Russell House Publishing: Dorset

Douglas, Ed. (2012) Burnt at the stake by the Media [online] Available at: [http://www.thebmc.co.uk/surviving-a-tabloid-storm] Viewed 28/8/12

Gidden, A. (1997) Sociology. (3rd Edition) Cambridge: Policy Press

Hann, M. (2003) Gentlemen prefer mountains. The Guardian, Friday April 11th

Pottinger, R. (1994) Mountain Leader Training: Why Women only courses? The Journal of Adventure Education and Outdoor Leadership. 11: 1, 15-16

Sharp, B. (1998) The Training of Mountain Leaders: Some Gender Concerns. European Journal of Physical Education. 7: 2, 85-94

Venables, S. (1996) Obituary: Rob Hall. The Independent, Wednesday 22nd May

Wren, C. (1999) Obituary: Alex Lowe. The New York Times, October 7th [online] Available at: [http://www.nytimes.com/1999/10/07/world/alex-lowe-40-alpinist-dies-swept-away-on-a-tibet-ascent.html:http:/www.nytimes.com/1999/10/07/world/alex-lowe-40-alpinist-dies-swept-away-on-a-tibet-ascent.html] Viewed 28/8/12

All words Copyright: Menna Pritchard, 2012

Review: Haglofs Womens Barrier II Q Hoody

The problem with insulated jackets, for me anyway, is that once you put them on... they're pretty hard to take off. Once the nights get dark and the evenings get colder, so begins my insulated season.

I used to live in my decade old Rab down until I recently lost it (or so I thought, has since been found - hurrah) and so begun the hunt for another.

Haglofs Women's Barrier II Q Hood Jacket

As always, I wasted far too many hours looking online and in-store to find the 'right' one ...And did I want Synthetic or Down?  British weather vs. Weight/cost?

Whilst in North Wales this January I was lucky enough to stumble accross the Haglofs Womens Barrier II Q Hoody in the Betws-y-coed Planet Fear store. The closest thing I had tried on before finding this was the Arc'teryx Atom LT Hoody (although the Arc'teryx is 155g lighter!), which I came very close to buying - until a close friend of mine bought it for his girlfriend, also a friend of mine... and well, we wouldn't want to be seen in the same jacket would we...!   And well, the real reason was the cost, which at this point was around £180. Reasonable but a big ask for my current student budget.

So when I saw the Haglofs on sale for half this cost... well I couldn't resist trying it on. A compliment from a male friend later and I was at the till with my debit card*

*may not be based on actual events

I've never really considered buying Haglofs before. The price tag maybe? Alongside a few other quality outdoor brands, I can nearly always be seen in Rab, and while I believe they still design and produce great clothing, it was a shame to be so disappointed with my recent purchase of a Microlight Alpine Down jacket from them. While, as always, I love the colours and cut of the jacket, it leaks down all over, piercing tiny holes in the fabric, which even tore in the first week of wear.

The Cons

Are there downsides to the Haglofs jacket?

Yes, the outer shell, has an almost matte finish to it, which looks and feels lovely. But it is terrible to mark and stain! Having a toddler who often catches round or reaches up to me with sticky/snotty/wet/dirty hands, and with our regular jaunts out to the woods or beach, I have found I am having to wash it on a bi-weekly basis, which means it also requires DWR re-treatment more often.

This really though, is it's only down side.

The Pros

As my brother would say "Women with a map, good luck!"

I am utterly impressed with the quality and attention to detail in this garment, from the comfortable Polartec Power stretch cuffs and articulated elbows, down to the tags on the zips and drawcords (which happen to be a bit of foam and knotted elastic on my Rab microlight down... eek). It just feels quality, without wanting to sound pretentious.

The cut and fit is perfect for my curvy, 5ft 4" frame, but I would hazard a guess that the body length may not suit tall athletic frames... although I may stand corrected.

And it's warm. Really warm. It's first outing was along Crib Goch in lovely snowy conditions. And I haven't really taken it off since!  (Except for it's rather frequent laundry trips). 

While I may only be able to afford it when it's Last Season/On Sale - Haglofs will definitely be making more of an appearance in my outdoor wardrobe.

The speccy bit:

• Women's model.
• Highly compressible.
• Body section in a warmer insulation.
• Very wind and water resistant.
• Hood with 3-way adjustment and elastic cord.
• Full-length front zip.
• Cuffs in Polartec® Power Stretch®.
• Articulated elbows.
• Two handwarmer pockets, of which one that also works as a stuff sack for the jacket.
• One inner pocket with zip.
• Single-hand adjustable hem with draw cord. DWR treated (Durable Water Repellent).
• Weight: 520 g (size M)

• BARRIER II HOODY FABRICS
  Shell layer
  
  • Performac™ 1001
    A 30-denier mini ripstop weave with low weight and bulk. Highly breathable, windproof, downproof and fiberproof by construction and calandering. DWR treated surface with a great touch.
    Material: 100% Polyester
    Weight: 58 g/m²
  Lining
  
  • Thermolite® Micro 100 g/m2
    We use only the best product from Thermolite® called Micro. This patended microfiber technology provides a natural and soft feel for comfort. One of the warmest synthetic insulations on the market compared to others with the same thickness. Very compressible and easy to care for. Haglöfs uses three different weights/thicknesses, i.e 80, 100 and 150 g/m2.
  • Thermolite® Micro 150 g/m2
    We use only the best product from Thermolite® called Micro. This patended microfiber technology provides a natural and soft feel for comfort. One of the warmest synthetic insulations on the market compared to others with the same thickness. Very compressible and easy to care for. Haglöfs uses three different weights/thicknesses, i.e 80, 100 and 150 g/m2.

Where the art is...

This post was inspired by Chicks Climbing post on twitter about Whitney Orban's combined passions of climbing and painting.

I also recently posted on my twitter account about Artist and Alpinist Andy Parkin, combining his passions by creating sculptures out of DMM climbing gear scraps. See the video of the 'Universal Man' creation here, by Ray Wood.

I studied Fine Art at college from the ages of 16-18, but since then the number of occasions I've had a paint brush in my hand have been few and far between. In fact, I've definitely put more paint on walls than I have canvas in the last 10 years!

But, I promised myself 2012 would be a creative year. So, here I am opening myself up to comment, eek. 

I'm desperately out of practice but you have to start somewhere...

Shake out - Daniel at Winspit Quarry
Watercolour on Cardboard (a 5.10 shoe box!)

Study of Burry Port Lighthouse and Harbour
Acrylic, Watercolour, Pen, Glue, Newsprint on Canvas

Sneak peek at Self Portrait, Work in Progress
Acrylic on Canvas

The Response...

(It goes without saying that not everyone will, but if you would like to use any of the photos or words here, please ask my permission first)

Ok, let's rewind.

Just over two weeks ago, I was a "nobody", and maybe had 20 or so regular visitors to my blog, but I saw all that change overnight.

I originally agreed to be interviewed by the Western Mail, for which I was paid nothing, for what turned out to be largely a very positive article (perhaps somewhat sensationalised in places). My only desire was to promote baby-wearing and getting out with your little ones, to inspire parents to lead active, healthy lifestyles and to encourage particularly single parents, that despite all our dark days that our lives can be greatly enriched by exploring and discovering the world with our little ones, embracing the awe and wonder that can often be forgotten until we view things through their eyes.

Unfortunately off the back of this article, several images were lifted from this blog and sold onto national newspapers without my permission. The freelance journalist Rob Eveleigh from 'Hook News' will have made money from my photo every time it has been used, and I am seeking legal advice regarding this.

The media furore this sparked resulted in a good two-weeks of being contacted 24/7 from worldwide press. I turned down many generous financial offers for further coverage of this story. I turned all this down because, as highlighted before, my initial desire always lay in promoting active lifestyles, it never stemmed from making any money, of which I haven't.

As a result of this media coverage I received a mixture of contact from individuals, all over the world. I chose not to read any of the comments posted on the Internet as many were extremely hurtful, as were some of the direct emails and facebook messages I received. At the heart of some of those messages I can appreciate that there lies a genuine concern for a childs welfare, which is a noble and admirable thing.

Some of those messages caused tears, some laughter, and others were inspiring, humbling, and extremely touching.

Let me go some way to explain, what I know and can appreciate appeared a shocking image to many:

Helmets - We were wearing helmets from different, harder climbs further along the crag that day that Ffion was not a part of. She was playing and rock pooling elsewhere on the beach, being looked after by myself and my best friend while I occasionally climbed.

The location I was climbing in with Ffion is a popular beach with families and we often explore and rock pool there. Indeed, just around the corner from where that photo was taken, families were picnicking and playing on the beach at the base of those cliffs. Should they also have had helmets on in case of rock fall?

What was portrayed as a 'daunting, sheer cliff face' is a small, easy-angled slabby climbing area. The route itself (for anyone who knows or cares) is only graded a Diff. It is a popular, well-climbed area. Due to the style of climbing, should I have fallen or slipped I would not have fallen further than where I came off (give or take some minimal rope stretch - to Ffion and I this would have had less impact on us than what she puts herself through at the soft play centre). With the angle of the rock, and the ease of the climb I would not have swung in a way that would have caused injury to myself or Ffion. I got about half way up the climb before Ffion and I were slowly, and safely lowered off by our belayer.

I am not a 'dare-devil mum' who just stuck Ffion on my back for the thrill of it without any consideration of the situation. Ffion asked to come on my back and I weighed up the risks. She is used to being in her carrier as we hill-walk and explore a lot. She loves being in it, and no matter how much she wriggles about in it to see the world, she has always been safe in it. The carrier is designed to carry children up to 45lbs/20kgs and at the time, Ffion probably weighed around 25lbs/11.36kgs.

I was out climbing with experienced and qualified climbers, climbing beside me was someone who holds both their SPA and ML awards and is MIA trained. Should there have been any doubt in their minds that what I was doing exposed Ffion to a greater level of risk than she faces in our day to day living, I know they would have shared their thoughts and opinions with me. They though, like myself, weighed up the risks and benefits, as I do in everything I do with Ffion. I have had emails saying I shouldn't even hill-walk with her in case I twist my ankle, but surely walking around town with her carries this same risk? Cycling with babies and children on our bikes carries a risk of crashes resulting in anything from bruises to fatality but we don't see this making Page 3 of the Daily Fail. Taking our children swimming carries with it a risk of drowning, yet many of us engage in this activity. I could go on...where do we draw the line?

She loved the experience and although I know she probably won't remember it when she is older (aside from the photographic evidence of it!) she still talks about it 6 months down the line, but now expresses an interest in climbing by herself. She has her own harness and helmet and we will continue to go out climbing, for as long as she enjoys it. 

While I regret my naivety with regards to the press, I am happy with the lifestyle choices I have taken with my daughter. Anyone who knows Ffion, knows she is a wonderful, intelligent, sociable girl with a passion for life and learning. And, for as long as she enjoys it, we will spend lots of our time outdoors, exploring everything it has to offer.

She has a mother who loves spending time with her, who desires and strives to give her an excellent quality of life.

Could we spend this much time and effort talking about the greater risks in our society today... children who are living on a diet of junk food, tv and games? Or who are dying from second hand smoke?


If it's ok with the nation, I would like to continue to focus my energies on being the best Mama I can, studying hard, working hard, training hard, and trying to live each day to the full for the sake of my daughter and myself.


Thank You. 



"...I burnt my eyes to see the sun, for what it is, not what the words of everyone have told me I should see, so make your conscious clear enough to make your judgements when you look at me..." 

Gold & Silver by Brother & Bones

"And the trouble is, if you don't risk anything, you risk even more."

Erica Jong

"If you are not willing to risk the unusual, you will have to settle for the ordinary."
Jim Rohn

"Dare to risk public criticism"
 Mary Kay Ash

Reflections on Route Setting

 

What route are you taking?
What is its purpose?
Who are you trying to please?

think creatively,
decide on the next move,
consider what others want,
push your limits,
help others push theirs.
consider how are you positioning yourself.
being responsible for someone's safety and satisfaction
providing inspiration, excitement and challenge

All of the above relate to other aspects of my life.

Sometimes reflection leads to further reflection and for me something as simple as looking back at a day of route setting can suddenly spark thoughts on other aspects of life. For me, reflection can help me gain a greater understanding of or give me clarity on certain situations, it doesn't provide the answer, but it does provoke a deeper appreciation of the thought process behind my decisions and choices in life.

And yes I'm off to hug a tree now.

Monkey See Monkey Do DVD Review

"If you're not belaying, You're just climbing!"
Cory Richards

Photo: Matt Segal Blog

This isn't a new DVD, realised in 2009 by Hot Aches, it has won a string of awards, and having very kindly been bought it for Christmas, here's my thoughts...

The dvd is divided into four short films.

First up we have Johnny Dawes, Hazel Findlay and Matt Segal taking on the smooth slate of Gin Palace (F7c), in North Wales. This is worth watching for Dawes' hairstyle alone but the hard as nails climbing is obviously a big draw too. My hands got sweaty watching them squirm and wriggle, hand and finger jam their way up this unique, and to be honest, massively uncomfortable looking route.

Kevin Shields 'Single Handed' follows with some emotively shot footage of his E6 solo and M10+ dry-tooling (with a very awesome prosthetic ice axe). While he may be missing most of his left hand, wow has this dude got some balls. Despite his hand disability, suffering with epilepsy (a condition close to my heart) and depression, the motivation and commitment Kevin displays is nothing but inspirational. Feel yourself get frustrated for him as he discovers routes with moves that his disability just won't allow him to complete despite his best efforts.

Pic: Steven Gordon - Hot Aches Blog

We then head abroad to Madagascar, where James McHaffie and a team of top UK climbers head to tackle 'Tough Enough', one of the worlds hardest big-wall free climbs. The filming here gave the trip a laid back, almost sublime feel but the climbing it documents is on an epic scale... 12 pitches of sustained and technical climbing - 7b+, 8a, 8c, 7c, 8a+, 8a+, 8c, 8b+, 8b, 8c+, 8c, 6c! Cue sweaty hands again.

Finally, we have Sonnie Trotter and Cory Richards hanging out in Squamish, taking on the classic E8 route 'Presto'. The climbing here is slightly overshadowed by the invaluable belay advice offered from Cory, such as his belay warm-ups the "Ghandi Triangle" and the "Archer". Absolutely priceless and a very feel-good way to end what is an absolute treat of a dvd.

Adventures in Babywearing

Those that have followed me on twitter since my pregnancy days will know I documented my journey through pregnancy and used to blog about motherhood. I have been a fan of 'babywearing' since before Ffion was born, doing lots of research, I probably bought her first carrier when I was around 6 months pregnant.

Since having her I am often asked my opinion on baby carriers, most recently by an old school friend who has just had her first, and while everyone is different and has their favourites, having tried out various styles, I thought I would share my thoughts and opinions on them:

The first one I owned and used was the Baby Bjorn.

I know people have mixed opinions on Baby Bjorn carriers and they certainly don't work for everyone. But I couldn't have lived without mine. Before falling pregnant with Ffion and starting my 'all things baby related' research, I was totally unaware how 'big' babywearing was and the choice of carriers, slings etc out there! All I knew was that I loved the idea of having Ffion close to me, especially in those early days. I first took her out in the Baby Bjorn a couple of days after I left the birthing centre, she was just five days old!

Those early weeks were so precious. She would sleep while I carried her on long walks, round town, met with friends. Fast forward 6 months and she was facing outwards, spilling out and trying to jump out getting excited about seeing the world! At around 9 months I had to retire this godsend of a carrier as she just didn't fit well in it any more.

Marloes Sands, Pembrokeshire

Baby Bjorns new usually cost from £50 upwards - although I won mine on ebay for a ridiculously low price. And it was worth it's weight in gold. The material is soft and well padded, it's very simple to put on and put the baby in. It really came into it's own on a trip to Brighton (from Wales) as I managed to load our bags into and onto the pushchair (yes we have one of those too!) and push that while carrying Ffion close to me, keeping her safe at crowded stations and on busy public transport- much more important than the safety of our baggage! I even discreetly breastfed her in it on a busy London train. It also saw Ffion up her first ascent of Pen Y Fan, the highest peak in South Wales at 4 months old. Although she slept the whole way up and down!


Next up was my Vaude Baby Carrier. Sadly my relationship with this one didn't last quite as long, and it now lives in the cupboard under the stairs. Not a good use of around £80.
This carrier probably served us from Ffion being around 9 months to a 1 yr. I had tried it out in the outdoor shop in Brecon with Ffion in it before I bought it, but it wasn't until we were out in the hills for longer periods of time that I realised it didn't suit us.
Don't get me wrong, it had lots of advantages... the backpack style with a stand is great for taking on and off, and it was helpful that I essentially had somewhere for Ffion to sit if I ever needed a break, something that is lacking with more 'wrap' style carriers. The other strong point is that baby gets to sit really high and has a lovely vantage point of the areas you are exploring. Finally, with its rucksack style compartment under where Ffion would sit, I was able to take basic essentials for the day (a few nappies, wipes, food, liquids, an extra layer etc). These all really were strong points. I also had a rain hood that could be attached for drizzly days but was no good in windy conditions.

Up in the Carmarthenshire Fans
(Yeah, sorry about the hood design on that Ffion)

The biggest short fall for me was comfort. Perhaps because I had got used to the Baby Bjorn, I found that Ffion sat very high on my back in the Vaude. And while lovely for her to see around, I would find my shoulders ached within just an hour of being out. I also found as she got older and more excited about the world around her, if she decided she wanted to lean and look one side or the other, it would really throw off my balance!  The other disadvantage with this positioning for us was regulating Ffion's body temperature. I used the Vaude carrier during a long, cold winter with various trips out up the hills, and despite being wrapped up extremely well in appropriate gear, due to the distance from me, and her lack of physical activity while being carried, she got cold very easily.


So sadly after my short spell with this style of carrier, and lots of research later I settled on the Ergo Baby Carrier. Now, if I had known about this dream of a carrier all along, I would have used it from the outset!

There isn't anything I don't like about this carrier. We have used it from quick runs into the shops, she has napped in it on my back while I do housework, we've had long mountain days together... I've even climbed with her on my back in it. This is about as comfortable as babywearing gets. And it offers the option of having baby on the front or back, something we have taken full advantage of. And while Ffion sits lower on my back in this carrier, she has always been very happy and content in it.

While not cheap (new they start from around £75), lasting from newborn to around 4 years old, you certainly get your moneys worth out of it. I bought the 'original' but there are now more options out there including the Sport and Performance varieties, and Organic options. You can also buy accessories such as pouches, newby inserts, weather covers etc.

While this lacks the storage space of the backpack style Vaude, I found that I could quite happily carry a backpack on my front or back, depending on how I was carrying Ffion (see bottom, centre photo below).

Because it is so lightweight and compact compared to the backpack style carriers it can easily be chucked in a bag if you have a toddler who is walking but may get tired and want carrying at some point. I often chuck mine in the car, or in the bottom of the pushchair to have those options available.

There's not much more I need to say about it!