Georgia is famous for hospitality, and we met some of the kindest hosts of all our travels there. We also learnt that a recommendation from a friend of a friend is no guarantee: one arranged contact made a few days of our trip miserable. The people below are the ones we would trust again.
Most of the places we went were no place for a pushchair, from Tbilisi’s old town to the mountains of Svaneti. So this journal is also about the child carrier that went everywhere with us.
We travelled around Georgia for more than two weeks in 2016 with our daughter Zofia, who was almost two. We bought the carrier ourselves; this is not a sponsored review, and Deuter has since updated its range.
Drivers we would travel with again
In Tbilisi we met a driver in the old town who took us along the Georgian Military Road towards the Greater Caucasus. His car was large and comfortable for a child, and he was flexible about every stop.
From Borjomi another driver took us for a full day to the cave monastery of Vardzia, with stops at the Green Monastery, Rabati Castle in Akhaltsikhe and Sapara Monastery. He also helped us at the bus station to find a marshrutka towards the Black Sea, something my fluent Russian could not manage alone. Always confirm child restraints with any driver before setting off.
Guesthouses in Mestia and Kutaisi
In Mestia, in Svaneti, we stayed at a guesthouse with warm hosts, heated rooms (important in the mountains) and a poetic atmosphere. It is a place to stay longer and simply enjoy the valley.
In Kutaisi our guesthouse became family. One night, after my husband discovered what happens when you mix chacha with wine, the owners helped me look after him, made sure our sleeping daughter was not woken, and even sent their son out for mineral water in the middle of the night. In the morning there was a stomach-saving breakfast and a great view.
Why we chose a back carrier
From birth Zofia was carried in a soft front carrier, but at around eighteen months she wanted to see more than our faces. A framed back carrier lets a child sit higher, face forward and move more freely.
We compared a few well-known brands and focused on three things: comfort for the child, comfort for the adult and storage. We chose the Deuter Kid Comfort 3 because it uses the same carrying system as Deuter’s backpacks, which we already trusted.
Deuter Kid Comfort 3: our review after Georgia
In Georgia the carrier was used almost every day for more than two weeks: flat streets, the steep lanes of Tbilisi, long mountain walks and even caves. It passed every test.
- For the adult: an adjustable back length, so we could swap quickly; a well-padded hip belt that takes most of the weight; good ventilation, so I never felt sweaty; and a small mirror to check on the child.
- For the child: a seat that adapts to the child’s size, a soft chin pad for naps, a large sun canopy and, the reason we bought it, adjustable footrests that stopped her legs going to sleep.
- Storage: about 18 litres. We fitted nappies and changing kit, a full set of spare clothes, rain jackets, a first-aid kit, sun cream, drinks and snacks.
- Minus points: it is expensive and, at about 3.5 kg, heavier than average. A rain cover is sold separately.
- Tip: adjust the carrier before the child goes in, set the seat so the chin is level with the chin pad, and take regular breaks; long periods in any seat are not good for children.
Good to know
A couple of useful questions
Is the Deuter Kid Comfort 3 worth it?
For us, yes. It was comfortable for both of us and our daughter over two weeks of daily use in Georgia. Its drawbacks are the price and weight. Check the current models, as Deuter has updated its range since.
Is Georgia good to visit with a toddler?
Yes, if you have a carrier and choose hosts carefully. Mountain roads are long, so book trusted drivers and confirm child seats in advance.
Sources and useful links
References for the practical information in this article:
Information checked on 22 October 2026.
