The Best Soft-Structured Carriers for You and Your Baby
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When it comes to carrying your precious little one, the best baby carrier for your family can make all the difference.
But before we dive into the top soft-structured baby carriers on the market, let's address the crucial topic of how to safely hold preemies and newborns. No matter your baby’s weight, even if the soft-structured carrier lists a weight limit that fits your small babe, it’s still recommended that your baby can sufficiently support their own hitching a ride in a soft-structured carrier.
If your little one is not at this stage yet, start by researching the best carriers for newborns instead: BabyBjorn carriers, Ergobaby carriers, Tula Explore carriers, Infantino Flip carriers and other versatile carrier options.
Stretchy Wraps for Preemies and Newborns
You’ve likely heard of brands like Boba, Baby K’tan and Moby that offer stretchy wraps. Although these are ideal for a tiny squish (and provide nice privacy for breastfeeding as an added bonus), the amount of fabric—and velcro, buttons, snaps or ties, depending on the wrap—can easily overwhelm moms and dads, especially a brand-new, sleep-deprived moms and dads, and ease of use can be questionable at first. But once the learning curve is addressed, it can be a safe and cuddly way to bond with your new baby.
One important thing I’d like to share (and I still cringe at old photos of my daughter in this position), never front carry a baby in a stretchy wrap and always adhere to the weight limits specified by the brands for safety. As the baby wrap wearer, proper carry position is so important for a new baby and their hip health.
Here are some of my top tips for safe and comfortable babywearing, plus thoughts on some of the most popular and currently trending soft-structured baby carriers.
1. Wildbird
Newer on the market, Wildbird took a lot of the criticism of other brands' and then made their own version. It’s called the “Aerial Carrier”, and its price point is about $268 USD. If you’re wondering where you’ve heard Wildbird before, they are known for their linen and modal ring slings. But they hope to change that with the Aerial Carrier. A lot of designs are either sold out or on pre-order, so keep this in mind if you’re wanting one.
Pros
- WB offers the ring sling, and now the Aerial Carrier
- Supportive feel with firm waistband
- Sturdy head flap
- Aesthetically pleasing designs
- Button cinching, which for some is a noteworthy con, as it is difficult to do, but stays put and doesn’t need to be fixed each time
- Brand inclusivity with "plus-size" models
Cons
- Bulky straps and leg padding, harder to pack down for a diaper bag
- Users say one strap drags on the ground when putting on
- No front-facing carry option (although for the record, this is arguably not hip healthy according to the International Hip Dysplasia Institute)
2. Happy Baby Carrier (HBC)
Happy Baby has been making carriers since 2016, and their simplistic yet effective and comfy approach to babywearing has made them a long-time favorite. Happy Baby Carriers try to make everything they can in the USA. Recently, they had a manufacturing issue and had to move production overseas, but are recovering with plans to have all production in the USA again soon. Currently, the most expensive option on their website is the outward facing/forward-facing option (coined Revolution) at $189 USD. This is excluding their recent and limited woven drop after acquiring the wrap carrier company Apple Blossom Wovens.
Pros
- HBC offers three styles of SSC: Original, Onbuhimo, and Revolution
- Now own Apple Blossom Wovens, can expect more woven designs in the future
- Apron style waist belt that thoughtfully allows the caregiver to sit while wearing, goes above C-Section incision.
- Packs down to fit easily in diaper bag
- Easy back carrying by incorporating the Onbuhimo style to choose from (this style requires baby to have full head and neck control)
- Happy Baby community and creative customization
- The company advertises signing up for a free babywearing consultant video call to ensure a correct fit
Cons
- Less padding on shoulder straps and where baby’s legs sit
- Shoulder straps do not cross, some complain this gives a weird fit and doesn’t work for all body types
- Apron style waist belt can feel less supportive to some
- The designs are more functional and simplistic
3. Sakura Bloom
Sakura Bloom was seen as the luxurious version of the Happy Baby Carrier “OG” model. Unfortunately, Happy Baby saw the similarities with Sakura Blooms’ “Scout” model and their “Original” model as well. Sakura Bloom has definitely elevated the design, using a ring sling waist and a back/chest clip with rings. Even today, Sakura Bloom and Happy Baby Carriers are often compared. Both have apron waist designs, straight shoulder straps, inside cinching mechanisms, you get the idea.
Pros
- SB offers the ring sling, Onbuhimo, and Scout models, the Scout being by far their most popular
- Apron style waist, lightly padded shoulder straps and leg padding
- Beautiful fabrics and designs
- Option of leather strap vs. no leather
- Chest clip stability
- Ring sling waist for easy packing
- Previously worked with artists on collaborations unlike anything the baby-carrying world had seen before
Cons
- Fabrics may be delicate
- Leather straps can be difficult to care for
- Sizing inconsistency across different years
- Ring sling waist strap instead of buckle clip, takes longer to put on
- Back/chest clip is also made with rings, mom’s find more difficult to put on alone
- SB stated they will not be collaborating with artists for new designs in the near future, if ever
4. Tula
Tula has been making baby carriers since 2009. The company owners saw a need when they had their own child. Tula is always growing and evolving with the times and has worked hard to keep up with trends to position them as a “tried and true” option. Their ergonomic designs for maximum lumbar support are always in the forefront. Though they feel less fussy in the way that Happy Baby Carriers do, they have branched out to include a wide range of styles, designs, and Artisan hand woven options.
Pros
- Tula offers the ring sling and five other types of SSC’s
- Storage pocket and hood features are notable to parents
- Firm waistband and thick padding for support
- Easy to put on and adjust with buckle clips
- The only listed company that includes toddler and preschooler options for older babies and bigger kiddos
- eam up with smaller weavers to create handwoven carriers
- The company advertises signing up for a free babywearing consultant video call to ensure a correct fit
Cons
- Some find it bulky, larger shoulder padding, leg padding, thicker waistband
- Handwoven SSC’s can come with a price point of up to $680 USD
- Tula requires an infant insert to use their SSC’s when baby is between 7-15 lbs
5. Artipoppe
- Retail Price: $260-$3700
- Amazon Price: N/A
- Avg. GoodBuy Gear Price: $212
This has often been referred to as the most luxurious hands-free baby carrier on the baby gear market. The most expensive carrier, termed the “Zeitgeist”, is priced on the Artipoppe website at $3,750 USD, while the least expensive Zeitgeist sits at $370, with a broad range in-between. No matter which you select, you will be getting the Artipoppe experience while keeping baby close, snuggly and stylish.
P.S. If you're looking for an Artipoppe dupe, the Stokke Lima is a great alternative at a lower price point.
Pros
- AP offers the ring sling, woven wrap, and Zeitgeist
- Cross straps that are padded but not as thick as the Wildbird Aerial
- Supportive firm waist strap
- Has a sleek look, can be purchased with unique fibers for a special and luxurious feel
- Even the least-priced option looks sleek and refined
- Coined “Convertible” to accommodate wear well into toddlerhood, the front flap can lift up and lock in via buttons, it also has button cinching that can give more knee-to-knee width
Cons
- Only one style of SSC, the Zeitgeist
- Instead of making another front-facing carrier, they added an insert that cinches and lowers the front flap
- Higher price point
- “Plus size” was not even an afterthought, this is the least body inclusive out of all
- One strap may drag on the floor as you put it on, a con we saw with Wildbird Aerial cross-straps as well
With so many baby carriers and baby wraps on the market, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed when trying to choose one, especially when babies grow so fast. I highly suggest buying secondhand and giving a carrier a new life. Though it varies, most soft-structured carriers only have a weight limit of around 45 pounds. And with all children being different, some may want to be carried in one versus another, with no rhyme or reason. You and baby may fall in love with the very first carrier, or you may need to try many to get the comfiest fit. This leaves a lot of barely used carriers on the resale market, ready for you to purchase at a fraction of the retail price (not to mention, most soft-structured baby carriers are machine washable, meaning you don’t need to worry about questionable spit up stains).
GoodBuy Gear has proven you don’t have to buy brand new to get luxury, and you don’t need to buy brand new to get comfort and style either. I hope this helps in sending you down the snuggly rabbit-hole that is babywearing. Welcome!
Further Reading
If you enjoyed this article, make sure to check out our Baby Wrap vs. Carrier vs. Sling: Buying Guide and Solly vs. Boba: Baby Wrap Comparison. The village is a great place to find tips and tricks for all your baby gear needs.
About the Author, Lauren Shaver Morris
GoodBuy Gear Contributing Writer
Lauren is considered an authority on safe babywearing and helps parents find the confidences to safely wear their child. As a nurse, Lauren understands proper ergonomics for babies whether parents choose to use stretchy and woven wrap carriers, apron-style carriers or structured carriers. Lauren is also twin mom with a toddler, so tandem wearing is a must to keep her household running!
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