Best Baby Carrier For Travel

Looking best baby carriers for travel? Then let us help you find a comfortable and convenient best baby carrier for traveling!

If you’re an enthusiastic traveler, then you probably can’t wait to introduce your baby to the world! There’s something so rewarding about watching your little explorer discovering new places and enjoying new experiences.

Yet traveling with a baby can be overwhelming, but the right baby carrier can make all the difference.

A baby carrier is a convenient tool for travel as it allows the parent to have their hands free while still keeping their baby close.

It can also be great for settling your baby and naps on the go. Additionally, a carrier is easier to navigate through crowded areas and is lightweight and portable, saving money on baggage fees by eliminating the need for a stroller.

Carriers also provide a comfortable and secure environment for the baby, particularly during long trips.

But with so many carrier on the market, which is the best travel baby carrier?

We’ve listed our favorite travel baby carriers, including their features, pros, and cons, so you can find a carrier that best suits your needs!

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Benefits Of Using A Baby Carrier For Travel

When it comes to travelling with a baby carrier there are a ton of benefits! These include:

Hands-Free Convenience

Carrying a baby in a carrier allows you to keep your hands free to carry other items, navigate through busy areas, or take care of other tasks while on the go.

Closer Bond with Baby

Carrying a baby in a carrier can create a closer bond between parent and child, and can be comforting for the baby.

Easy to Navigate Through Crowds

A baby carrier makes it easier to navigate through busy airports, tourist attractions, or other crowded areas.

Lightweight and Portable

Baby carriers are typically lightweight and easy to pack, making them a great option for travel.

Saves Money on Strollers

Carrying a baby in a carrier eliminates the need to bring along a bulky stroller, saving money on baggage fees and making travel easier.

Comfort for Baby

Carriers provide a comfortable, secure environment for the baby, especially during long flights or walks. It also provides a safe and secure place for them to nap whilst on the go.

List Of The Best 5 Baby Carriers For Travel

Best Baby Carrier For Traveling

1. Ergobaby Omni 360 All-Position Baby Carrier

Best Overall Travel Baby Carrier

The versatility of the Ergobaby Omni 360 carrier is perfect for everything, from frequent travels to the occasional trip out of town. Comfortable for parent and baby, the ergonomic design offers adaptability, wherever in the world you go.

The Ergobaby Omni 360 is suitable for babies from 7 lbs to 45 lbs, with no newborn insert required.

You can choose from 360 degrees of positions, holding your little one on the front, the hip, or the back. With adjustable strapping, the Ergobaby Omni is suitable for all kinds of bodies. 

The Ergobaby Omni 360 is a little bulky, but that’s mostly because of the comfortable padding. It should still fit easily into your luggage, and it isn’t heavy to carry.

The padding can get warm, so if you frequently head to hot climates, make sure you choose the air mesh collection.

Padded support at the waist and shoulders means you can wear the carrier for longer, without getting tired. Meanwhile, your little adventurer can sit comfortably in the International Hip Dysplasia Institute approved bucket seat!

Pros

• Multi position – Wear the carrier on the front, back, and sides.
• Lumbar support – Keeps you comfortable, even on a long day of sightseeing.
• Tuck-away hood – Avoid the sun and chill with a built-in hood.

Cons

• Warm – Even the air mesh Ergobaby Omni can get hot.

Also available for purchase from Ergobaby and Buy Buy Baby.

2. LILLEbaby Complete Airflow Ergonomic 6-In-1 Baby Carrier

Best Travel Baby Carrier For Hot Days

Want to spend your vacation soaking up the sunshine? The LILLEbaby Complete Airflow Ergonomic can keep you and your baby cool, as you take in the sights on a warm day.

There are six ways you can wear the LILLEbaby Complete Airflow, from front carry, to side carry, to back carry. It’s suitable for newborns to toddlers, with the seat expanding as your little one grows.

The ergonomic carry style allows parent and baby to stay comfortable on long days out (or trips through the airport)!

The LILLEbaby Complete Airflow is constructed from 3-D mesh fabrics. This mesh lining allows air to circulate, preventing the carrier from getting too hot. Fresh air can get in, warm air can flow out, and there’s no stuffy build up of heat.

Combined with the ergonomic design, this makes the LILLEbaby suitable for long days on your feet.

Strap adjustability and lumbar support allows parents to get the carrier comfortably in position.

For bigger moms and dads, the basic carrier extends to 52” at the waist, and with the extender attached, the LILLEbaby fits up to 61.5” (extender sold separately).

You may also like our guide on the best baby carriers for hot weather!

Pros

• 3-D mesh liner – Improves air circulation for keeping cool on a warm day.
• Multi position – Wear the carrier on the front, back, or hip.
• Adjustable seat width – Create a hip healthy seat for both younger and older babies.

Cons

• Feels bulky – The design is a little bulky, and petite moms might struggle to get a snug fit.

Also available for purchase from LILLEbaby and Walmart.

3. Deuter Kid Comfort Pro Child Carrier Backpack

Best Carrier For Hiking

The Deuter Kid Comfort Pro is the ultimate child carrier for active vacations. If you prefer your travel to be filled with adventure, the Deuter Kid Comfort Pro ensures your little one can always be at your side.

The structured design of the Deuter Kid Comfort Pro makes it suitable from almost the moment your child can sit up on their own. With a height adjustable child seat and footrest, the Deuter carrier can be modified for the perfect fit. 

Parents can also adjust the Deuter Kid to fit their height! The VariSlide system allows you to change the back length, so the pack sits just right. The hip fins, hip belt, adjustable straps, and sternum belt help you distribute the weight evenly, for a secure hold.

For long hikes, the Deuter Kid Comfort Pro Child has plenty of features. It comes with a removable daypack, an integrated sunroof, and even a mirror for checking the rear view. Bring the kickstand out when you want to stop and enjoy the view!

Pros

• Adjustable seat and footrest – Modify the fit to suit the age and weight of your little one.
• VariSlide system – Adjust the back length to suit your torso.
• Flexible spring-steel frame – A durable build.

Cons

• Some of the accessories feel flimsy, which is disappointing in such an expensive carrier.

Also available for purchase from REI and Campsaver.

4. Boba Wrap Baby Carrier

Best Baby Carrier For Traveling Light

If you’re looking for simplicity, you won’t get much better than the Boba Wrap. It’s essentially just one long piece of elasticated cloth, which you tie around your body to form a carrier.

Thanks to this simple build, the Boba Wrap can slip easily into suitcases, backpacks, and purses. You can even wrap it around yourself, for those who make the most of every inch of luggage space! 

The Boba Wrap is designed to be worn! All of life’s little messes come out with just a wash, and the wrap dries very quickly. Traveling with a new baby can get a bit grubby, but with the Boba Wrap, there’s no need to stress the spills and spit up.

The Boba Wrap feels soft and comfortable against parent and baby, and the Boba Wrap system is easier to tie than similar designs.

You might want to practice a few times before wearing — no one wants to do something for the first time in an airport — but you should master it quickly. 

Pros

• Simple design – You can travel light when you have the Boba Wrap.
• Suitable for breastfeeding – Nurse while wearing the Boba Wrap, and it can even act as a privacy shield. 
• Machine washable – Mess is inevitable when you travel with a baby, but the Boba Wrap makes it easier to deal with.

Cons

• Warm – The fabric of the Boba Wrap is soft, but it can get stuffy.

Also available for purchase from Boba and Target.

5. Baby K’tan Baby Wrap Carrier

Best Baby Carrier For Frequent Travelers

The Baby K’tan combines the simplicity of a wrap carrier with the easy use of a structured carrier. It’s pre-wrapped, so you simply need to slip it over your head, put your arms through the straps, and tuck in the baby. Then — bon voyage!

For frequent travelers, the Baby K’tan offers ease. It’s suitable for children from newborns to 35 lbs infants, and the 5 positions allows everyone to get comfortable.

The ergonomic positioning is approved for healthy hip development, while the soft straps can provide head support for smaller babies.

The Baby K’tan includes an adjustable back band to improve lumbar support. The wider shoulder straps offer better weight distribution, so you can explore without the aches and pains. 

But it is the simplicity of the Baby K’tan that makes it so perfect for travel. There’s no fuss and no faff, and you can get the baby in and out fast. If you like city breaks or road trips, the convenience is hard to beat.

Pros

• Simple design – It takes just seconds to get the Baby K’tan on, and your little one into place.
• Machine washable – Clean up messes and spills quickly.
• 100% cotton – A soft fabric that’s surprisingly breathable.

Cons

• Sizing – Study the Baby K’tan sizing chart closely to figure out the right size for you.

Also available for purchase from Baby K’tan and Buy Buy Baby.

Buyer’s Guide On Best Travel Baby Carrier

A baby carrier can make traveling with your child so much easier. Instead of having to navigate a stroller around streets and roads you don’t know, you can simply pop on the carrier, and start exploring!

At least, that’s the dream. If only it was that simple! While a baby carrier can make traveling much easier, all baby carriers won’t be the perfect solution to your traveling needs. Baby carriers can be too big, too small, too bulky, too flimsy…

To help you and your little adventurer travel in comfort, we’ve put together this buyer’s guide.

Age Range

Are you taking your tiny newborn out to discover the world, or do you need a carrier for when your toddler gets tired?

Most baby carriers will give a weight range, rather than an age range. For younger babies, it’s also important to pay attention to how well they can sit up or hold their head up. 

You may need to adjust the seat and positioning of the carrier, as your child ages. Some carriers will also need a newborn insert, if you want to use it straight away!

As important as age range is, you might find you want to switch carriers as your child grows anyway, to a more supportive design.

You may like our guides on when can your baby face forward in carrier? and how long can you carry a baby in a carrier?

Positioning

Baby carriers can typically be held in 3 different ways: on the front, on the back, and at the hip. Within these positions, there are different methods of carrying (particularly at the front).

These positions can help ensure the carrier is suitable for a certain age range. For example, younger babies need to be carried on the front, while newborns will typically need a sling style carry.

The positions can also help mom or dad get comfortable. Whether to fit a body shape or combat aches and pains, adjusting positions can improve your baby carrier experience.

Finally, different positions can match what you’re doing in the day! Front facing and hip holds are great for discovering cities, while a back carrier can be better for days in the countryside.

Wrap Style Or Structured

Baby carriers largely fall into two different categories: wrap carriers, and structured carriers. Wrap carriers are soft and flexible, while structured carriers might use padding or a frame to provide some bulk.

Of course, this is simplifying things a bit. But deciding between a wrap carrier and a structured carrier is an excellent starting place. 

Wrap style carriers are better for newborns and younger babies. They’re easy to clean, lightweight, and offer a natural fit. However, they can lack lumbar support, and often have a limited lifespan.

Structured carriers are good for outdoor activities, with backpack style carriers better for hikes. Structured carriers can offer various positioning options, and tend to have better padding and lumbar support.

But this also comes with bulk. Structured carriers can get heavy, and the bigger build might not be ideal for city breaks.

You can learn more about differences between a structured carrier and wrap in our guide on baby carriers vs wraps.

Support

A baby carrier needs to support the child in all the key areas. It needs to support the hip and spine. For younger babies, it must support the neck and head. 

But a baby carrier should also support the person wearing it. Lumbar straps are commonly used to help distribute weight, and take the strain off the back. Wider shoulder straps can also help reduce aches and pains.

If you’ve had a c-section, make sure the carrier won’t be putting weight on the scar!

If you’re looking for a carrier with extra support, then check out out guide on the best baby carriers for bad backs!

Fit

Moms and dads come in all different shapes and sizes — and so do baby carriers! Before buying a baby carrier, make sure it can accommodate your body type comfortably.

Traditional wrap style carriers are generally the most adjustable. Because they use such a simple shape, you can adjust the fit to suit your needs.

If you choose a t-shirt style wrap, make sure to check the size guidelines closely — it has to accommodate you and the baby.

For structured carriers, check the straps at the waist. These tend to have an adjustment range.

Ease Of Use

Have a busy travel itinerary? The last thing you need is to get stuck in an overly complex baby carrier! 

The easiest baby carriers to use are soft structured baby carriers. If you are opting for a wrap then we recommend testing it out and practicing before you start your travels.

Material

The baby carrier materials need to be soft, breathable and easy to clean.

Soft is fairly self explanatory. These materials are going to be rubbing against you and the baby, so you don’t want them to leave a rash.

It can get warm wearing a baby carrier, even in moderate climates. Breathable materials keep the air circulating, so heat can’t build up.

Wrap style carriers should be machine washable, but you’ll probably have to spot clean structured carriers. Either way, the best carriers can be wiped clean, and dry quickly.

Hip Healthy

Any baby carrier you choose should have an ergonomic design that supports your little one’s back and hips. Look for healthy hip certification from the International Hip Dysplasia Institute.

FAQs on Baby Carrier For Travelling

Final Thoughts On The Best Baby Carrier Travel

Baby carriers for travel are a great way to keep your baby safe and close while you’re on the go! If you’re looking for a lightweight carrier then consider a wrap carrier such as Boba Wrap or Baby K’tan.

For versatility, try the Ergobaby 360, or the LILLEbaby ergonomic carrier. And if you can’t wait to explore the outdoors, check out the Deuter Kid Comfort Pro.

We hope this guide has helped you discover the perfect baby carrier! Happy travels!

And if you’re looking for more great baby guides, then check out these guides on best plus size baby carriers, best baby carriers for petite moms, best baby carrier for newborn, and best baby barriers for big dads. Or even these best carriers for toddlers.