Summers are the perfect time for beach vacations, hiking, and fun in the sun. They can also be a little tricky to navigate if you have an infant in tow.
Strollers aren’t always practical or possible depending on the activity, which is why it’s essential to have a lightweight baby carrier for the hottest months of the year.
Choosing the best baby carriers for summer is a challenging task. You need to choose one that’s lightweight, breathable, and comfortable for both you and your bub. Since babies can’t regulate their own body temperature, they can quickly overheat in hot weather. Selecting the right wrap or carrier is as much for safety as it is for comfort.
There are many summer baby wraps and carriers to choose from, and it can be challenging to find the right one for your specific needs. We’ve addressed key features to look for in a baby carrier for hot weather as well as the best baby carriers for summer in a range of categories.
This post is part of our baby travel advice series
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TL;DR – Summary of the Best Baby Carriers For Summer
Pricing Guidance: $ – Under $50 USD: $$ – $50-150 USD; $$$ – over $150 USD
Key Features to Look For in a Baby Carrier for Hot Weather
Versatility
If you live in a warm climate year-round, you might only need a baby carrier that’s designed for hot weather. If not, investing in a more versatile baby carrier might be worth your time and money. Several of the summer baby carriers listed below are lightweight and breathable but also practical for every season.
Lightweight and Breathable
The best baby carriers for hot weather should be made of light, breathable fabrics like muslin, linen, or 100% cotton. Many buckle carriers also have a mesh lining and open spaces to provide optimal airflow. This keeps both you and your precious bub cooler during those warm summer days.
Comfortable for Wearer
Every mum (and dad!) knows that it doesn’t matter how cool and breezy a summer baby carrier is – if it’s not comfortable to wear, it’s not an option!
If you’re looking for soft structured baby carriers, choose an ergonomic design with wide, padded straps that evenly distribute your baby’s weight. Your baby’s comfort is also a priority, so ensure they have padded leg holes that aren’t too restrictive for those adorably chubby thighs!
Carrying Position Options
Many soft-structured baby carriers allow for multiple carrying positions. This is certainly an advantage for mums with infants who need a carrier that will grow with their baby. Having numerous options also allows you to choose the coolest position for your little one.
Appropriate for Intended Activity
Are you searching for the best baby carrier for travel? Hiking? Everyday use? Nailing down your intended activities can help you decide on the best summer baby carrier for you and your bub. For example, a summer baby wrap or ring sling might be perfect for an afternoon at the beach, but you probably wouldn’t wear it for a day of hiking the trails with a baby.
Ease of Use
Some baby wraps and carriers are challenging to tie, buckle, etc.! You don’t want to struggle with putting on your summer baby carrier, especially if you have other little ones who need your attention. We recommend selecting something you can put on yourself in case someone else isn’t there to help.
Range of Sizes
Mums and Dads (even grandparents!)come in all shapes and sizes, and the best summer infant carrier for you should suit a wide range of body types.
Choose a baby wrap or soft structured carrier that fits your measurements and provides suitable adjustability. The key to finding the perfect baby carrier for hot weather is comfort, no matter what size you are right now.
Available Colors & Patterns
When choosing a baby carrier for hot weather, the colour matters! Dark fabrics attract the sun’s rays and can quickly become uncomfortably warm. We suggest white, beige, or brighter colours and patterns to keep everyone as cool as possible.
7 Best Baby Carriers for Summer
Let’s get into the detail now, why we have chosen these brands as the top 7 baby carriers for summer. Remember to fit this to your travel circumstances as there’s no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to your essential baby gear.
Best Overall Summer Baby Carrier: Ergobaby Omni 360 All-Position Baby Carrier w/Cool Air Mesh
Why We Love It: The Ergobaby Omni 360 is our top pick for several reasons: It provides exceptional comfort for both baby and wearer, the cool air mesh offers maximum breathability, and it’s suitable for a wide range of body types.
This lightweight baby carrier adapts with your bub as they grow from infant to toddler, and it doesn’t require an additional infant insert. It also comes with a UPF 50+ tuck-away baby hood to protect your little one’s sensitive skin from the sun and wind. A great all-around choice, you can’t go wrong with the Ergobaby Omni 360.
Possible Cons: The Ergobaby Omni Air Mesh is on the higher end price-wise, making it a less affordable option for parents. To counter the price issue though, this one really will last you, well into your toddler carrying years too.
Features:
Product Weight: 1.7 lbs
Recommended Age Range: 0-48 months
Max Capacity with Gear: 45 lbs
Comfort Features: Breathable mesh fabric enables maximum airflow, padded lumbar back support, and extra padded straps. Straps can be worn crossed or regular, one-handed slider adjustment, UPF 50+ baby hood, a removable storage pouch, four-way carry options
Materials: Cotton, Mesh
Colours: Blue Blooms, Blue Tweed, Carbon Grey, Classic Weave, Indigo Weave, Khaki Green, Midnight Blue, Onyx Black, Oxford Blue, Pearl Grey, Tones of Blue
Machine Washable: Yes
Best Summer Infant Carrier: Momcozy Baby Wrap Carrier Air-Mesh
Why We Love It: If you’re looking for a baby wrap for hot weather, you can’t go wrong with the Momcozy Baby Wrap Carrier. It’s made with a silky air mesh fabric that stretches where it needs to and still keeps your infant snug and secure. We also like that the wrap fits sizes XXS-XXL, making it an excellent option for many different body types.
Possible Cons: Mums with larger chests might find the back support lacking, and the fabric may be more restricting across the chest area.
Features:
Product Weight: 15.8 oz
Recommended Age Range: 0-1 year
Max Capacity with Gear: 50 lbs
Comfort Features: Stretchy mesh fabric is soft to the touch, keeps wearer and baby cooler in humid climates, ergonomic forward-facing design, distributes baby’s weight evenly to prevent upper back and neck pain, can breastfeed while wearing
Materials: 90% Cotton, 10% Spandex
Colours: Black, Beige
Fits Sizes: XXS-XXL
Machine Washable: Yes
Best Baby Wrap for Summer: Konny Baby Carrier Flex Summer
Why We Love It: The Konny Baby Carrier Flex wins our vote for the best summer baby wrap for several reasons. First, its unique design allows you to wear the wrap like a t-shirt. There aren’t any rings to adjust or straps to tie – you simply pull it over your head, insert your baby, and adjust from there.
The Konny Flex’s ergonomic design is also a plus, supporting healthy hip development in your baby and distributing their weight evenly across your back, neck, and shoulders. Finally, the lightweight mesh fabric wicks away moisture, making it an ideal baby wrap for tropical climates or just those warmer months throughout the year, making it one of the best baby carriers for travel as well!
Possible Cons: Some consumers have said that the Konny Baby Carrier Flex is great for wearing around the house but doesn’t provide enough support for long walks and hikes. It is also better suited for newborns and younger babies (many say 0-6 months), and many moms say to size up at least one size.
Features:
Product Weight: 15.2 oz
Recommended Age Range: 0-1 year
Max Capacity with Gear: 44 lbs.
Comfort Features: Lightweight and compact, perfect for travel and the beach, wears like a t-shirt, breathable mesh fabric, outer sash provides additional support
Material: 87% Polyester, 13% Spandex
Colours: Beige, Black, Charcoal, Cream, Light Grey, Mint, Mocha, Pale Blue, Peach
Fits Sizes: XXS-5XL
Machine Washable: Yes
Best Ring Sling Summer Baby Carrier: Vlokup Baby Water Ring Sling
Why We Love It: The Vlokup Baby Water Ring Sling is one of the best baby slings for summer because you can use it at the pool, beach, water park, and more. The sling’s breathable polyester jersey mesh dries quickly to keep both you and your bub comfortable and cool. The large aluminum rings are also easier to adjust, and the higher carrying position allows you to keep your infant close while in and out of the water.
Possible Cons: The baby sling’s fabric tends to bunch up when tightening, which takes the wearer a little longer to straighten than other ring slings.
Features:
Product Weight: 10.6 oz
Recommended Age Range: 8-30 lbs.
Max Capacity with Gear: 30 lbs.
Comfort Features: Quick-drying polyester mesh fabric, ring adjustment, portable packing pocket
Material: 100% Polyester
Colours: Grey, Blue, Bluish-Green, Green, Lake Blue, Light Grey, Navy Blue, Orange, Pink, Pure Black, Red, Rose, White, Yellow, Champagne
Fits Sizes: N/A
Machine Washable: Yes
Best Value Summer Baby Carrier: Beco Gemini Cool Baby Carrier
Why We Love It: The best summer infant carriers don’t have to be hard on your wallet. The Beco Gemini Cool Baby Carrier has a lower price point than other options listed here, but that doesn’t mean it sacrifices quality.
This four-position soft structured baby carrier keeps both you and your bub cool with its moisture-wicking microfiber fabric and breezy mesh panel. The wide, supportive waist belt is designed for comfortable, extended wear for all your summer excursions.
Possible Cons: The carrier is somewhat tricky to put on by yourself, but not impossible.
Features:
Product Weight: 1.19 lbs.
Recommended Age Range: 7-35 lbs.
Max Capacity with Gear: 35 lbs.
Comfort Features: Four carrying positions, adjustable seat grows with your baby, breathable microfiber fabric keeps baby and carrier cool, built-in infant headrest and padded leg openings, crossable straps and padded waist belt, easy to adjust, large pocket to fit phone, keys, and wallet
Material: Polyester/3D Mesh
Colours: Cool Black, Cool Dark Grey, Cool Grey Geometric, Cool Mesh Navy, Cool Raindrops
Machine Washable: Yes
Best Convertible Summer Baby Carrier: Líllébaby Complete All Seasons Ergonomic 6-in-1 Baby Carrier
Why We Love It: If you’re looking for a convertible baby carrier to take you through the warmer months and beyond, consider the Líllebaby Complete All Seasons baby carrier. The front panel zips down to expose the breathable mesh panel underneath, perfect for hot summer days. The baby carrier also features six ergonomic carrying styles as well as a carrier seat that you can fold for newborns and expand as your child grows older.
Possible Cons: If you have a petite frame, the strap’s extra length just dangles. Some customers have also commented that the shoulder straps can be challenging to connect when wearing the carrier.
Features:
Product Weight: 2.5 lbs.
Recommended Age Range: 0-2 years
Max Capacity with Gear: 45 lbs.
Comfort Features:
Material: Polyester, Cotton
Colours: Black, Chambray, Charcoal/Berry, Cool Caribbean, Cool Coral, Etch, Moonbeam, Salt and Pepper, Stone, Succulent, Twilight Leopard
Machine Washable: Yes
Best Summer Baby Carrier for Hiking: Deuter Kid Comfort Active
Why We Love It: If you and your family enjoy hiking, we suggest the Deuter Kid Comfort Active to keep both you and your bub as cool and comfortable as possible. The updated Lite Aircontact back system has improved ventilation and a lighter frame for extended wear. It also helps reduce sweat so you and your little one can navigate the trails no matter how warm it is outside.
Possible Cons: Although the Deuter Kid Comfort Active has a sun/rain cover, you must purchase it separately.
Features:
Product Weight: 7 lbs 1 oz
Recommended Age Range:
Max Capacity with Gear: 48 lbs.
Comfort Features: VariQuick back-length adjustment, ergonomically designed hip belt with PullForward system, ergonomic load distribution for the carrier, Adjustable height footrests, plush wraparound chin pad, integrated headrest, and fold-out sunroof, perforated shoulder straps
Material: Nylon
Colours: Blue
Machine Washable:
More Summer Travel Tips With Baby
Will this be your first summer getting out and about with your new baby? Congratulations!
There are lots of fun memories to be made with your baby, but also so many things to think about when there’s a new member of the family to consider. We’ve traversed the globe with all three of our babies and certainly learnt a thing or two about what to pack – and what to leave behind!
To help you dive deeper into your first baby trip, you may want to check out next:
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