A new comfy carrier for bigger kids

I've raved before about the Sleepy Wrap, which I used constantly during my baby's first several months and recommend all the time to new parents. So when the makers of Sleepy Wrap asked if they could send me their new Boba carrier to try out, I immediately said, "Yes!"

The Boba is a basic soft structured carrier (SSC), picking up where the Sleepy Wrap leaves off to hold children ages 1-4 years. So let's tackle the biggest question: how does the Boba compare to the other popular SSCs, like the Ergo?

• Organic fabric comes standard on the Boba.
• The Boba boasts a lovely streamlined, simple look, much like a mei tai without the long ties. It's less busy and buckle-y (the shoulder straps don't detach). There are built-in elastic bands at the ends of the waist and arm strap webbing that let you roll up the extra and secure it out of sight instead of leaving it dangling. (Wish that feature came on the chest strap, too.)
• Part of the Boba's streamlined look comes from the fact that it lacks the Ergo's sleeping hood, toy ring, and front pocket--features which many folks find useful. My kids never cared for the sleeping hood, but the pocket has come in handy and we use the attachable backpack a lot when we travel. What you gain in fashion with the Boba, you lose somewhat in function.
  

• The Boba has ingenious footstraps, the first I've seen on a carrier, to keep bigger kids' legs at a comfortable 90 degree angle. The adjustable fabric loops took a little fiddling to figure out, but the website instructions helped.
• The padded waist is wider, which I found more comfortable and less prone to squish out my (ahem) love handles.
• The body is taller by a good 1.5-2", keeping my kids snuggly pulled in toward me. My (tall) four-year old insisted on being the first to try out the Boba when it arrived. I was surprised at how comfortable it was wearing him in a back carry in the Boba. The high 16" body did a great job of supporting his back and keeping him close to my body--a key element of a comfortable carry. The same was true with my one-year old in a front carry.
  
• The Boba's longer body means it won't work well for most kids younger than 12 months or so, whereas you can start using many SSCs and mei tais with babies as young as 4 months (or earlier with added infant inserts). I prefer stretchy wraps and slings with wee babes, but if you're wanting to use an SSC with a baby, you'll need something smaller than the Boba.
  

I've been reaching for my Boba almost every day, even after the novelty of having a new carrier wore off. I love the look and feel, and appreciate that it's easy to throw on and not too elaborate. It fit both my husband and I well after easy adjustments. Comfy, chic, and well-designed--the Boba is a great addition to the carrier world.

$99 at Boba Carrier

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