Solly vs. Boba: Baby Wrap Comparison & Buying Guide

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A baby wrap carrier, like the Boba or Solly, is one of the best ways to keep your little one close. Baby wearing not only helps keep your newborn baby safe, comfy, and tucked away from well-meaning onlookers who get a little too close, but also keeps your hands free to do other things like fold the laundry or shop the grocery store aisles, sans the added bulk of a stroller. Not to mention, that close contact with your skin and beating heart is also a great way to soothe a fussy newborn baby when nothing else seems to work. It’s also a great way to discreetly breastfeed.

But when presented with two great options for a baby wrap carrier—the Solly baby wrap and the Boba baby wrap—how do you choose the right one for your family? Our gear experts tested, reviewed and compared the Boba baby wrap vs. the Solly baby wrap, analyzing everything from fit and functionality to style. Here’s what they had to say.

Boba vs. Solly Wrap: Main Differences 

At first glance, both Solly baby wraps and Boba baby wraps—two types of soft baby wearing devices—look very similar. They’re both very long, rectangular woven wraps that can be, well, wrapped around your body to safely hold your little one close to your chest. There are important differences in the two that could affect both baby and parent comfort, though. For starters, the material on the Solly wrap is lighter and moisture-wicking, while the Boba has a thicker, more stretchy fabric. Some caregivers say while this makes the Boba baby wrap easier to master, the thicker material can feel too hot in warmer weather, plus make it harder to store in a diaper bag. If price is a big concern, though, the regular Boba wrap is about $30 less than the regular Solly baby wrap.

Boba Wrap: Pros and Cons 

• Retail Price: $40

• Amazon Price: $44 

• Avg. GoodBuy Gear Price: $24.99

• Weight Limit: 35 pounds

• Material: 95 percent French terry cotton
and 5 percent spandex

Like other soft baby carriers, the Boba wrap is a very long rectangle of stretchy fabric that you wrap around your body to secure your little one to your chest in a front-facing position. The Boba wrap is a blend of French terry and spandex, which makes it stretchy yet snug—some parents say its that little bit of snugness that gives the whole thing enough structure to make it easier to master the wrapping technique. Still, plus-size parents say the whole one-size-fits-most thing isn’t an issue, as there’s ample fabric and enough stretch to fit nearly any body type.

The downside to this? There’s a lot of chatter—particularly from those who live in warmer climates—about overheating, because the thicker material isn’t as breathable as the thinner, stretchier material on the Solly baby wrap.

If you decide to go for the Boba wrap, you’ll have a wide variety of colors and patterns to choose from. And you can use the wrap right from birth with your newborn baby. We recommend practicing with a doll or stuffed animal arrives, though. While the thicker stretchy material does make things a little easier, there’s still a learning curve—and fumbling when you have a fussy baby is no fun at all. Luckily, persistence pays off, because once you master this baby wrap carrier, you’ll be able to use it until your little one is 35 pounds. For most kiddos, that’s well past their first birthday.

And don’t worry: Spills and stains like spit-up or a diaper blowout won’t ruin things. You can toss the Boba wrap in the washing machine whenever it needs a refresh.

Best for: Families who live in a cold climate and want a budget-friendly, easy-to-master option

Pros 

• Less expensive than the Solly baby wrap 

• Higher weight capacity, so it can be used longer

• Thicker stretchy material makes it easier to wrap

• Certified hip healthy by the International Hip Dysplasia Institute

• Comes in a wide variety of colors and patterns

• Comes in a second, more expensive lightweight option

• Machine-washable

Cons 

• Thicker fabric is not as breathable and can be too hot

• Only comes in one size

• Even though the thicker material is easier to wrap, there’s still a learning curve

What Our Team Thinks: 

  “Boba wrap is a really cool option for parents and caregivers of various sizes and for multi-use options. I know many people who love and swear by Boba. My first time attempting to “self wrap” with baby by myself, was awkward, to say the least. I felt and looked a lot like I did at my first Zumba class… not smooth! Alas, do not be discouraged, after a few rounds of practice I had the main wrap down and then was more confident to try other modes of wrapping and carrying. It was clutch for a newborn who wanted to be held, but other things needed to get done, including saving my upper back and shoulder muscles from fatigue!” — Megan, Gear Expert

Solly Wrap: Pros and Cons 

• Retail Price: $69

• Amazon Price: N/A

• Avg. GoodBuy Gear Price: $49

• Weight Limit: 25 pounds

• Material: 100 percent certified TENCEL modal cotton
  
  

At approximately 5.5 yards, the Solly baby wrap is the same size as the Boba wrap, and is constructed the same way: as a long rectangle of stretchy fabric, without any hardware like buckles or a ring sling. Your little one lays against your torso in a forward-facing position simply by wrapping the fabric around your body and then tying it so that it’s nice and secure.

Like the Boba wrap, there’s a learning curve to mastering this. You might have to watch a bunch of YouTube tutorials and practice with stuffed animals before you finally get it right. New parents say that’s especially true with the Solly baby wrap, since the fabric is so lightweight and breathable. The other downside to such a light material? The stretch wrap weight limit can only be used until 25 pounds, rather than the 35-pound weight capacity on the Boba.

Still, it’s this material that’s a selling point for a lot of families. New parents—especially those who live in warmer climates—love that they can safely wear (Solly Baby is also certified as hip safe!) their little one close to their chest, even outdoors in the summer, without overheating. This barely-there construction makes it a breeze to fold up and stash in a diaper bag or suitcase, too.

If you decide to go with the Solly baby wrap, you’ll be please with all of the color options. Just note that some of the more painterly patterns cost a little bit more on an already expensive item.

Best for: Families who live in warm climates and don’t mind paying up for something exceptionally light

Pros 

• Super lightweight and breathable fabric

• Comes in a wide variety of colors and patterns

• Machine-washable 

• Easy to fold up, which makes it very portable

• Certified hip healthy by the International Hip Dysplasia Institute 

Cons 

• More expensive than the Boba wrap

• Only comes in one size

• Lightweight fabric can make it harder to master the wrapping technique

• Lower weight limit than the Boba wrap

What Our Team Thinks: 

 “Solly wrap can also be hard to master, but what I like about this wrap is that I find the first wrap stays in place longer, without feeling as though I have to retighten or redo the wrap. Also, baby #2 runs super HOT, so the lighter-weight fabric was more comfortable for both of us which meant I could wear her for longer periods of time vs a wrap with thicker material.” — Megan, Gear Expert

Comparison Chart 

Price Comparison 

Though both are more budget-friendly than a soft structured carrier like Ergo, the Boba wrap is the more budget-friendly pick at $40 brand new. You can score the Solly baby wrap for a similar price by shopping secondhand on GoodBuyGear, but if you want to buy brand new, the base model costs $69—about $30 more than Boba wrap.

Winner: Boba Wrap

Weight Limit & Longevity 

Because the Boba Wrap is made with a blend of French terry cotton and spandex, it’s a bit thicker and can hold more baby weight. The Boba wrap can hold babies up to 35 pounds, but you’ll have to retire the Solly baby wrap once your baby's weight reaches 25 pounds. On the upside, most parents will retire a soft forward-facing carrier like the Boba or Solly baby wrap well before their baby’s first birthday—and most babies in their first year won’t hit even 25 pounds.

Winner: Boba Wrap

Ease of Use

Soft baby carriers aren’t exactly easy to put on—no matter what brand you choose. Both the Boba wrap and the Solly baby wrap—two of the best baby wraps on the market—come with a learning curve. You’ll likely have to watch a handful of tutorials and practice before you feel confident carrying your little one. That said, a lot of new parents say the slightly thicker material on the Boba makes it easier to wrap.

Winner: Boba Wrap

Convenience 

Both the Boba wrap and Solly baby wrap offer a very convenient way to carry your little one around—just wrap it over your T-shirt or sweater, and tuck baby safely into the forward-facing position. But the Solly baby wrap edges out in convenience, because parents say the lightweight nature of the stretchy fabric makes it exceptionally easy to fold up and stash in a diaper bag or suitcase.

Winner: Solly Wrap

Comfort & Material 

These two wrap-style baby carriers are certified hip-friendly, safe to carry in the forward-facing position, and are made of exceptionally soft material. But most parents say the Solly baby wrap is ultimately the more comfortable choice for both the wearer and little one, because the modal cotton is so lightweight and breathable, especially when compared to the cotton and spandex construction of the Boba Wrap. With the Solly baby wrap, once you master putting it on, you won’t have to worry about overheating—even outside in the summer heat.

Winner: Solly Wrap

Which is Better for a Newborn Baby? 

Importantly, both the Solly baby wrap and the Boba wrap are perfectly safe for newborns. Both are certified as hip-safe by the International Hip Dysplasia Institute and both allow you to carry your little one in the safe inward forward-facing carry. If you have a very small newborn baby, and especially a preemie, take note of the weight minimums on each product. The Boba wrap can be used from 7 pounds, while the Solly Baby can be used from 8 pounds.

Boba vs. Solly Wrap: Which is Better? 

While both baby carrier wraps get the job done—soothing a fussy baby, promoting parent-child bonding, aiding in breastfeeding, and helping you keep your hands free—there are important differences that may sway your decision to one or the other.

The Boba wrap is the more budget-friendly option, but it’s also made of a thicker material. And while this can be easier to put on, some parents—especially those in warmer climates—find it leads to overheating for both the wearer and the baby.

Because of this, the Solly baby wrap typically wins out. Even though it’s more expensive, parents love the super lightweight and breathable material. It keeps everyone nice and comfortable, no matter the time of year, plus it is extremely easy to fold up and pack into a diaper bag or suitcase. And, if you buy secondhand from GoodBuyGear, you can score it for the same price as the Boba wrap.

Further Reading 

If you enjoyed this article, make sure to check out our Snuggle Me Organic vs. The DockATot Comparison & Buying Guide or our article on Everything You Need To Know About Air Travel With Pumped Breast Milk. The village is a great place to find tips and tricks for all your baby gear needs. 

About the Author, Brigitt Earley

GoodBuy Gear Contributing Writer