Ergobaby Original vs 360

Are you trying to decide between the Ergobaby Original vs 360?

Then let us help you decide which baby carrier is best for you and your baby with our Ergobaby Original or 360 review.

Ergobaby brand features many different baby carriers, all of which are useful for parents. However, if you compare the Ergobaby Original vs 360, some key differences set them apart, and if you’re making a purchase, you can’t ignore these differences.

The Ergobaby Original and Ergobaby 360 are excellent picks if you want a soft structured carrier that is comfortable, ergonomic, and safe while also not costing you an arm and a leg. These carriers work from approximately four months to 3 or 4 years old. If you use an infant insert, you may use them from birth.

As you might guess, the 360 is an upgraded version of the Original, featuring things parents want to see, like the outward-facing position.

However, that might leave you wondering if the upgraded 360 is worth more money. Is one better than the other?

So, in this Ergobaby Original and Ergobaby 360 review you’ll learn the key features of each carrier as well as their similarities and differences so you can easily decide which carrier is best for you and your baby.

And if you love this comparison guide on Ergobaby Original vs 360, then make sure to check out these guides on Ergobaby Embrace vs Omni 360, Lillebaby vs Ergobaby, Tula vs Ergobaby, and Infantino vs Ergobaby.

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Our Top Pick
Ergobaby 360 All-Position Baby Carrier
$140.00 $129.00

The Ergo 360 is an all in one carrier suitable for babies 12-45lbs. It offers four carrying positions, from forward facing in to forward facing out, hip and back carry!

It really is hard to go past the versatility of this baby carrier!

We love it for forward facing baby wearing as it is easy to adjust and provides head & neck support for your baby. This is in additional to the padded lumbar back support and extra padded shoulder straps that provide maximum comfort.

The Ergobaby 360 is so incredible for warm weather because it's made with soft, durable mesh fabric that keeps both you and your baby cool. It also has a large zippered storage pouch and a UPF 50+ baby hood for sun protection and privacy.


03/26/2024 09:03 pm GMT

Ergobaby Original vs 360

All About the Ergobaby Original

baby_carrier_original_black
Source: Ergobaby

As the name suggests, the Ergobaby Original is quite that – their original carrier. The Original offers parents all the everyday comfort they need in a soft structured carrier, giving you various ways to wear your baby. We love versatility!

Let’s start with the basics.

The Original has a weight range of 7 to 45 lbs with an infant insert for 7 to 12 lbs. Some parents find this frustrating, and we see the changes made in the 360 and Omni 360. You need an infant insert because this carrier doesn’t have an adjusting seat width.

Parents can wear their baby in several positions: newborn carry with the newborn insert, front inward carry without the insert once your baby is 12 lbs, hip carry, and back carry for babies six months old and up.

Regarding comfort, we see most of the same things in all Ergo carriers. The waistband is wide and thickly padded for comfort, evenly distributing your baby’s weight across your hips. That helps to protect against back strain, but the Original doesn’t have added lumbar support.

The carrier design keeps your baby in an ergonomic position; Ergo pioneered the healthy M-position that reduces stress on your baby’s hip and spin. This position also helps keep pressure from pulling on your shoulders and back.

Ergo added a large zippered pocket on the front of the carrier for small essentials like a cell phone or keys, and there is a pocket to tuck the hood into when not in use. The hood matches the carrier’s fabric and buttons to support your baby’s head while sleeping.

Like almost all of their carriers, the Original is made with 100% cotton, so it’s breathable and allows air circulation. That also means washing it is easy; toss it in the washing machine whenever it gets dirty.

Pros

  • 12 to 45 lbs
  • Offers Four Carrying Positions
  • Wide Padded Waistband and Shoulder Straps
  • Ergonomic Positions
  • Front Pocket & Sun Hood Provided

Cons

  • Need an Infant Insert for 7 to 12 lbs
  • Can’t Forward Face Out
  • No Seat Adjustments

All About the Ergobaby 360

The Ergo 360 was the next version this company created, so you’ll see some bonuses included based on parents’ feedback. It might appear to be another original version, but that’s not so.

The Ergobaby 360 works for babies from 7 to 45 lbs, and you still need to use an infant insert from 7 to 12 lbs. If you want to use an Ergobaby carrier without an infant insert, you need to try the Omni 360.

Parents have access to all carrying positions with this carrier. Carry your baby in five positions: newborn, front inward, front facing outward, hip carry, and back carry. This gives you the ultimate control over how to use the carrier as your child ages.

Ergo always cares about the comfort of the parents. The waistband is wide and well-padded, transferring your baby’s weight across both hips. The shoulder straps are well-padded to prevent pressure point pain. Another added feature we see with the 360 is the padded lumbar pillow that helps prevent back strain, especially when carrying older infants and toddlers.

We love how easy the straps are to adjust for multiple wearers. This carrier works for all body types, from petite to tall, but some parents say that the shoulder straps have too much padding for their petite body frames.

This version also comes with a cotton baby hood that protects your child from the sun, adds neck and head protection for small infants, and privacy while breastfeeding. However, there isn’t a storage pouch for items with the 360.

Ergo uses 100% cotton to create this carrier, but if you live somewhere the climate is hot, consider their Cool Air Mesh version. It’s the same carrier but features a mesh panel on the front of the panel, allowing more air circulation. Both versions are machine washable and easy to get clean.

Pros

  • 12 to 45 lbs
  • Five Carrying Positions
  • Padded Shoulder Straps & Waistband
  • Lumbar Support Pillow
  • Easy to Adjust
  • Mesh Version Available

Cons

  • Need Infant Insert for 7 to 12 lbs
  • No Seat Adjustments
  • No Storage Pocket
Our Top Pick
Ergobaby 360 All-Position Baby Carrier
$140.00 $129.00

The Ergo 360 is an all in one carrier suitable for babies 12-45lbs. It offers four carrying positions, from forward facing in to forward facing out, hip and back carry!

It really is hard to go past the versatility of this baby carrier!

We love it for forward facing baby wearing as it is easy to adjust and provides head & neck support for your baby. This is in additional to the padded lumbar back support and extra padded shoulder straps that provide maximum comfort.

The Ergobaby 360 is so incredible for warm weather because it's made with soft, durable mesh fabric that keeps both you and your baby cool. It also has a large zippered storage pouch and a UPF 50+ baby hood for sun protection and privacy.


03/26/2024 09:03 pm GMT

Similarities and Differences Between Ergobaby 360 Vs Original

Now that you know about each carrier, it’s time to compare these two to see how they line up. We know that the Original is the first soft structured carrier created by Ergobaby, and the 360 is an upgraded version. If you’re wondering if the upgrade is worth the extra money, let’s look at the differences and similarities.

Weight Range

The Ergobaby Original and 360 have the same weight range: 12 lbs to 45 lbs without an infant insert. If you want to use these carriers with a newborn between 7lbs to 12 lbs, you need to grab a newborn insert.

This special infant insert is sold separately, making the interior cozier and giving extra support for your baby’s head, back, and hips. This insert also keeps your baby in a natural, M-shaped position.

However, even though they have the same weight range, reviews state that these carriers don’t fit the weight ranges the same. Reviews say that Original holds toddlers and larger, chunky babies better since the body seems to be a bit wider.

Carrying Positions

One of the significant differences parents talk about between the Ergobaby Original vs 360 is the carrying positions allowed.

The Original allows you to wear your baby in four positions: newborn carry (with the insert), front inward facing, hip carry, and back carry. The first two positions are for infants under six months; hip and back carrying is ideal for infants six months old and up.

The 360 includes those four positions but adds the ability to forward face out, and parents love this carrying option. It gives babies a full view of what is happening around them, but ensure you don’t stay in this position too long because some babies find it too overstimulating.

Comfort for Parents

Since you’ll be carrying your baby for potentially long periods, it’s essential to ensure the carrier will be comfortable. Each version offers features to ease the discomfort you might experience.

The Original has a wide, adjustable waistband that distributes weight and protects your lower back. The shoulder straps are well-padded and adjust to fit all body types. These designs work together for weight distribution, even if you wear a heavier toddler. Reviews from parents show that most found this carrier comfy to wear for all body types.

The 360 has all of those features, and they added a lumbar support pillow on your back to prevent straining. These pillows provide much-needed counterpressure. 

It’s important to note that Ergobaby Original doesn’t come with a lumbar support pillow, but their newest version of the Original comes with a padded lumbar cushion. If you happen to buy one of the discontinued versions, you’ll notice that it’s lacking.

Safety & Comfort for Baby

The comfort and safety of your child are huge factors when selecting. Both carriers keep your baby in an ergonomic, hip-friendly position no matter what position you wear your baby.

Regarding comfort, the Original has padding around the leg openings, and while this padding is less bulky than the padding offered by the 360, reviews say it’s less cushy and provides less support for parents.

The Original has no head pillows, but it comes with a hood that gives extra support while napping and privacy while breastfeeding. On the other hand, the 360 has a foldable neck pillow that comes in handy for younger babies without head control. When your baby no longer needs the extra support, fold it over and snap it in place.

Extra Features

Only the Original carrier has a storage pocket; it’s big enough to hold keys, a small pack of wipes, and a diaper. The pocket is zippered, so everything stays safe.

Both come with a sun hood that protects your baby and gives privacy for nursing.

Fabric

Each carrier is 100% cotton, perfect for delicate baby skin and breathability. However, considering the multiple layers of fabric, neither carrier is ideal for warm climates. You can buy the 360 as a mesh version for hot weather, but a soft, structured carrier is not suitable for hot weather.

Price

Price is always a factor to consider. The Original is the first model, and its availability is limited, mostly secondhand. They only offer a few colors, and eventually, they will no longer offer them. However, this means that the price is considerably lower than the 360.

Final Thoughts On Ergobaby Original Or 360

So, which is better: the Original or 360?

If we had to choose, we would choose the Ergo 360 for the forward facing out position. This upgraded feature with an adjustable seat that keeps your baby in an ergonomic position while facing out is something parents want to see. You may also have a hard time finding the Ergo Original new as it has been discontinued.

And if you’re looking for more great babywearing guides, then check out these guides on best baby carriers for bad backsbest baby carriers for petite moms, and best baby carriers for plus size moms.

Our Top Pick
Ergobaby 360 All-Position Baby Carrier
$140.00 $129.00

The Ergo 360 is an all in one carrier suitable for babies 12-45lbs. It offers four carrying positions, from forward facing in to forward facing out, hip and back carry!

It really is hard to go past the versatility of this baby carrier!

We love it for forward facing baby wearing as it is easy to adjust and provides head & neck support for your baby. This is in additional to the padded lumbar back support and extra padded shoulder straps that provide maximum comfort.

The Ergobaby 360 is so incredible for warm weather because it's made with soft, durable mesh fabric that keeps both you and your baby cool. It also has a large zippered storage pouch and a UPF 50+ baby hood for sun protection and privacy.


03/26/2024 09:03 pm GMT
Ergobaby Original or 360