Baby carriers are something that has been used all over the world for many generations. But they’ve only really become a baby essential in the last decade for the everyday family.
Baby carriers are fantastic in that they allow you to keep your little one close while still having your hands free to get on with all the other things that you need to do such as chores, playing with older children, or homeschooling.
Although baby carriers solve many problems for the modern parent, making the right choice of a carrier can be a nightmare.
There are so many different types of carriers, suitable for different ages, front or rear, what are the differences between them and the list goes on and on -it can be very overwhelming.
So it’s no surprise that parents are having a difficult time making the choice. We have looked at two of the most popular baby carriers Kinderpack vs Tula.
Taking into account all the pros and cons of both baby carriers to see which is the best in 2024.
In this article
What Are The Differences Between Kinderpack vs Tula Explore
Although both carriers may look very similar, there are of course differences between them that you will need to consider before choosing between them.
One of the biggest differences between them is that the standard Tula carrier is suitable for newborns when using the infant insert while the Kinderpack age range is approximately 8-36 months.
Another difference that could potentially change your decision is the height and width of the back panel with the Kindepack being taller and wider than that of the Tula.
The Kinderpack is 1cm taller and 7cm wider than the Tula which would give you a more growing room for your little one.
Comparison of Kinderpack vs Tula Baby Carrier
Baby Tula | Kinderpack | |
Front Carry | yes | yes |
Back Carry | Yes | Yes |
Hip Carry | No | No |
Suitable for newborns | Yes | No |
Approximate age range | 0-24 months | 8-36 months |
Suitable for tall parents | Yes | No |
Suitable for petite parents | Yes | Yes |
Suitable for plus size parents | Yes | Yes |
Weight recommendations | 7-45 pounds | 20-40 pounds |
Back panel height | 13.5-17 inches | 16 inches |
Back panel width | 5-15 inches | 17 inches |
Shoulder strap adjustment | 19-20 inches | |
Waist belt length | 27-57 inches | 26-60 inches |
Fabric composition | 100% cotton | 100% cotton |
Machine washable | Yes | Yes |
The Kinderpack Standard Review
The Kinderpack standard baby carrier is a soft structured carrier that’s suitable for infants and toddlers from around 8-36 months, and the weight capacity is 20-40 pounds.
This baby carrier isn’t suitable for a newborn or any baby weighing under 20 pounds. It comes with a great mesh hood that can be packed away into the carrier when not in use.
The hood can then help to support your baby’s head when they are asleep.
The Kinderpack comes with adjustable straps that allow parents to carry their baby in a traditional backpack way or with straps crossed in the back and buckled under the arms.
This offers parents more opportunity to find a suitable and comfortable carrying position for them. The straps also come with Perfect Fit Adjusters which allow the padded portion of the straps to be shortened for added comfort.
The Kinderpack has a seat depth of 6 inches which is one of the deepest seats for baby carriers on the market today. This seat depth allows your baby to sit in the ergonomic “M” position, recommended for correct hip and joint development.
The leg area also comes with extra padding to ensure that your baby is always comfortable even on periods of long use.
Features of the Kinderpack Standard
- Carrying positions – allows for front carrying and back carrying.
- Material – Made from a breathable canvas and mesh material.
- Weight capacity – Designed for children from 20-40 pounds approximately.
Pros of the Kinderpack
- The seat is deeper compared to the baby Tula
- It provides good support for both parent and baby over long periods.
- It can be adjusted for different wearers
- The straps can be crossed at the back, offering more comfort and support to the wearer.
Cons of the Kinderpack
- It can’t be used for smaller babies under 20 pounds
- It is quite bulky so may not fit in a diaper bag when not in use
- It is a little pricey compared to other soft structure carriers
- There is the possibility that the shoulder straps will dig into your armpits while wearing.
The Baby Tula Explore Carrier Review
The Baby Tula Explore is a fully adjustable baby carrier that’s suitable for both infants and toddlers. It has a weight range of between 7 and 45 pounds and offers your baby an ergonomic seating position even when they reach toddler age.
This ergonomic position is made possible by a fully adjustable seat that ensures that your child’s legs are always kept in the “M” position, which is the position that is recommended for correct hip and joint development.
The Baby Tula Explore is available in a variety of designs to suit the most fashion conscience parent out there. It also has multiply carrying positions including front facing out, facing in, and back carry position.
It’s made from 100% breathable cotton to ensure that there is no rough fabric coming in contact with your baby’s delicate skin. It also helps to keep your baby cool in the warmer months. The Baby Tula is easy to clean and fully machine washable.
Now in order to keep the parent as comfortable as the baby, Baby Tula has padded shoulder straps to provide optimal neck and shoulder comfort. It also offers quick and easy adjustment for multiple wearers.
The waistband is quite wide and padded to help evenly distribute weight and the waistband is approximately 57 inches long to help accommodate most parents
Features of the Baby Tula
- Multiple carrying positions – Provides carrying positions for both a back and front carrying.
- Materials used – Made from 100 % breathable cotton to ensure that your baby stays cool and does not have any harsh fabric in contact with their delicate skin.
- Child weight capacity – Suitable from birth to toddler, from 7-45 pounds with no newborn insert required.
Pros of the Baby Tula Explore
- Suitable for both infants and toddlers
- Comes with easy to adjust straps
- Fully machine washable
- More budget-friendly for families
- It comes with the added neck support
- Really comfortable for both baby and wearer
- The baby’s legs do not dangle due to the depth of the seat.
Cons of the Baby Tula Explore
- The fabric is very thick and although 100% cotton may not be suitable during hot weather.
- The back of the carrier is shorter than that of the Kinderpack
- Straps can only be used in one position so there is the possibility that this is not suitable for you
- The straps could have a little bit more padding, especially for those long periods of wear.
FAQs
Can you front carry in a Tula?
It’s not recommended that you front carry in either the standard or Toddler carrier. If you’d like the option to forward carry, the Tula Explorer is the carrier that you would need to purchase. The Tula Explorer allows you to face in, face out, and back carry.
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Are outward-facing carriers safe?
There is limited research with regard to the safety of outward-facing carriers.
But the research that has been carried out suggests that carrying your baby facing outwards for short periods of time is very unlikely to cause them any harm as long as you follow the guidelines.
Your baby should be able to support their own head and that you always turn them back to you for sleeping.
Do I need a baby carrier?
Baby’s need to be carried and held very often especially in the first few months of their life and a baby’s body is perfectly developed to spend their first few months close to their parent’s body.
You don’t have to have a baby carrier but if you are still planning on getting things done while your baby is little then this is the perfect way to tick all the boxes.
You can keep your baby close to you which will lessen their crying and therefore lessen your stress. But you can still get stuff done as you will have your hands free.
How much should I budget for a baby carrier?
There is a huge range of baby carriers available on the market and they can vary in price from as little as $25 to as much as $200.
The Winner Is…
These baby carriers may appear on the surface to be very similar products but there are some huge differences that can really seal the deal for a parent depending on what requirements they have.
For me, the clear winner is the Baby Tula Explore. It can be used from newborn without the need for any kind of insert as long as your baby reaches the minimum weight of 7 pounds.
It can also be used for a longer time as the maximum weight is 45 pounds – this alone will allow you to use the carrier from the beginning of your journey until your little one no longer requires a carrier without the need to purchase another one.
So the Baby Tula offers great value for money straight off the bat.
Although it doesn’t offer the different sizing as the Kinderpack does, it does come with curved shoulder straps and multiple carrying positions offering optimum comfort for both you and your baby. This offers greater comfort for wearing for long periods of time.
The Final Thought
A baby carrier isn’t an essential piece of equipment when you have a baby. However, it does offer you the option of keeping your baby close while still having your hands free.
It also offers you the opportunity to get out and about in areas that are not exactly stroller friendly. They’re available in a huge variety of designs, sizes, and budgets.
If you decide that you want or need one, you are sure to find the one that suits your needs and budget.