I was given both a rain cover and sunshade to test alongside the carrier. Both attach to the carrier frame using tent-like poles and provide adequate coverage no matter the weather. The sunshade didn’t quite tension out evenly when attached to the frame due to the angle of the poles. While it didn’t affect UV protection, I would have preferred an integrated sunshade to make life easier. Our children are always happy to go up in the Freedom S4, sometimes even just for fun at home, and I take that as a good sign that they find it comfortable. The Cross Country S4 is the ideal choice for those who require a great all-rounded child carrier with more than enough features to keep you and your child happy throughout the day.

It sits midway in terms of weight, so isn’t the lightest option in the LittleLife catalogue, but alongside the Freedom S4 and Voyager S5, it allows for a greater adult fit (from 5’2” to 6’4”) and comes with more accessories, including the stirrups, sun shade and rear view mirror. I feel a lot of affection towards this carrier. We’ve walked a lot of miles and had a lot of fun with it! It’s enabled us to make some happy memories in places beyond the reach of the littlest legs in our family. I’m super pleased with how well it has held up, and would say that the Freedom S4 is a durable carrier which will last a lot of use. As for the child seat, my daughter was comfortable and relaxed in the carrier the entire ride but found it more comfortable to hold onto the shoulder stabiliser straps than to leave her arms dangling. She rested her head against the drool pad on a number of occasions, but didn’t actually fall asleep in the carrier (although given time, I think she would have). The foot stirrups offered some support, although her feet did slip out a couple of times. What's the LittleLife Cross Country S4 like to use day-to-day? It must be comfortable for my son as he fell asleep half way through the walk", KJonah, Simply Hike customer Details AttributeThe LittleLife Cross Country S4 has been designed for use over a longer duration than other LittleLife carriers like the Ranger S2, so I found it comfortable to use on long outings. Read next: The best umbrella strollers for easy travel and storage Is the LittleLife Cross Country S4 easy to clean? Laura Westerman is an editor, writer and Deputy Head of Editorial Content at Mumsnet, and mum to a one-year-old.

We were able to try this carrier out with both the LittleLife sunshade and rain cover, and transported it in the car boot of our small Ford Fiesta for days out. There are plenty of different products to suit different budgets and needs, so it's worth thinking about the type of walking you'll be doing. Do you want a lightweight system? One with plenty of storage? Or is comfort your biggest priority? If you've got the cash, we think the best hiking baby carrier is the Osprey Poco Plus, offering excellent quality and sturdiness, but for an all-rounder at a great price, you can't go wrong with the LittleLife Voyager S5. LittleLife Cross Country S4 with sunshade and rain cover attached Does the LittleLife Cross Country S4 fold down for storage or travel? A rear view mirror that's on a cord. I found this very useful for seeing what was going on. A useful visual distraction for them as well. No. The LittleLife Cross Country S4 can’t be folded down, but it can be flattened slightly for storage or transporting in your car boot.

Get Out With The Kids!

We also own a Deuter Kid Comfort Active SL, and I’ve written a comparison of the two carriers if that would be helpful to you. Why did we choose the LittleLife Freedom S4? You’ll find two sturdy grab handles at the top of the carrier, which are invaluable for helping you pull the carrier onto your shoulders once your baby or toddler is securely positioned in the seat. Anatomically shaped child seat and soft face protection pad which is removable and washable (very sensible) While stains are fairly inconspicuous thanks to the grey fabric colour, you can easily spot clean the Cross Country S4. Handily, the face pad - which is Velcroed to the carrier and the part you'll most likely want to clean regularly - can be removed for machine washing. Is the LittleLife Cross Country S4 good value for money?

While I would have liked to see this carrier available in the blue colourway seen on other LittleLife carriers to give buyers more than one colour option, the overall design is in a neutral grey that will appeal to most families. What’s the difference between the LittleLife Cross Country S3 and S4?

How does it look?

Being lightweight and simple to use makes it the perfect progression from a front carrier for those who want to stay mobile and active, leaving the push chair at home. Husband carrying our 16-month-old in the LittleLife Cross Country S4 on a nature walk How we tested the LittleLife Cross Country S4 Again, as you have come to expect from Littlelife, assembly takes mere moments. Online tutorials and instructions are handy if you want a bit of extra information and the in-box instructions can be followed with ease. Chances are you won’t need either but it’s nice to have the option. Read next: The best baby carriers: soft-structured carriers, wraps and slings How easy is the LittleLife Cross Country S4 to assemble? One feature I really like is the removable pillow which is a comfy pad attached with velcro just where your child tends to fall asleep. I think this really helps to keep them comfortable. It does tend to get slobbered on (hence removable!) so you can wash it from time to time if you want.