I really was happy with the Baby Bjorn I carried my first child around in, but there was always a slight dork factor that nagged at me — that, and the fact that after walking around for an hour or so, back pain worthy of an octagenarian water carrier set in. Well, the second time around, we're using the awesome Deuter KangaKid Child Carrier Backpack ($130), and I have to tell you, I really love this thing. The discovery was made by my wife, Liz, who has excellent taste and a kind of rugged instinct for fun. After watching her carry Madelyn around in this sturdy — I might even say cool — child-carrying backpack, I now ask to wear it (and make Liz carry the lighter shopping bags). Our kid loves it, too. She's perched up high and looking in the same direction as me, so when we set off together, there's a sense of shared destination and adventure.