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149 of 155 found the following review helpful:
 Essentially another version of the Ergo baby carrier Sep 23, 2010
By Sonja
I've owned and used a lot of baby carriers. A LOT. Here's the list:
Woven wrap (Storchenwiege)
Stretchy wrap (Moby)
Mei Tai (Kozy Karrier)
Ring sling (Kangaroo Korner)
Fleece Pouch (Kangaroo Korner)
Soft Structured Carrier (Baby Bjorn and Ergo)
While I found a useful niche for all of these carriers, my "desert island" baby carrier was the Ergo. If I could only have one, the Ergo would be it. That being said, baby-wearing a matter of personal choice, and each of the carriers listed above has its fanatics. I can only speak to my experiences and preferences.
*Now let's talk about the Boba itself in more detail.
The first thing to note is that it's not for babies without head control so don't put this on your baby shower registry and expect to use it with your newborn. The literature that comes with the Boba says that it is for toddlers 15lbs and up. Honestly, I'm not sure why it specifies "toddlers." For one thing, not many toddlers weigh as little as 15lbs. My two babies hit the 15lb mark between 3-6 months, which seems like the right age for starting to use this carrier, as they are starting to be too heavy to wear comfortably in other, less supportive carriers, and in addition, they have good head control. Plus, I'm sure that a couple of the babies shown in the carrier in the pamphlet that comes with the Boba are in the 6-9 month range. So why say "toddlers"? I'll chalk that up to one of life's little mysteries.
*So how does the Boba relate to other types of baby carriers?
As noted above, you won't be using this for an infant without head control. If you want a carrier for a newborn, you can use any of the other carriers I listed at the to of this review besides the Boba and Ergo. So let's say your baby has head control and you'd like to compare it to the others. A stretchy wrap is probably out of the running, because guess what: they're stretchy! As baby gets heavier and heavier, they stretch more and more. The stretchy wrap is great for the wee ones, but around that 15lb mark, you start wanting another carrier. You can use a woven wrap FOREVER. You can carry adults in them if need be. Some people love 'em. I found them to be a bit of a hassle. They are pretty long, and if you're tying it outside, it's going to get on the ground. This creates obvious problems if the ground is wet and/or grimy. I gave those the good ole college try, but ended up not really liking them. A pouch, ring sling, or baby bjorn could also be used with your 15lb+ kid, but all of these carriers spread the weight of the baby over your upper back/shoulders. The heavier baby gets, the less comfortable this is. A mei tai is remarkably similar to the Boba and Ergo. I liked my mei tai. It has the versatility to use a "high shoulder carry" which is fun for little ones, if you want to wear them on your back and have them see over your shoulder. But the straps on the one I had weren't padded, and I ended up preferring the Ergo. Which brings us nicely to the comparison of the Boba to the Ergo.
*Boba vs Ergo
Okay, so they're basically the same. The possible carries are the same. The waist straps and shoulder straps appear to be the same dimensions with the same padding. What I will discuss now is the nitty gritty little differences. The piece of fabric that holds baby is more padded in the Ergo. On the Boba, this piece of fabric is a bit taller, about 2". The sleeping hood (you will probably use this very infrequently, especially as your baby gets older) gets stuffed into a little pocket in the Ergo. For the Boba, it wraps up into a roll. The Ergo has a zipper pocket on the back which is big enough to hold an extra diaper and some baby wipes as well as your keys and money or credit cards (it's approximately 8"w x 6"h x 2"d). The Boba does not have this pocket. The Ergo also has a "belt" that is stitched into the waist in a few intervals. If you don't want to use this, it's not noticeable. But! If you do want to use it, you can get something called the "Ergo Front Pouch" which will velcro over one of the belt sections. This expands your extra stuff carrying capacity significantly. I had this pouch and loved it. These belt loops are absent from the Boba, so this would not be an option. In other words, with the Ergo, you can get away without carrying a diaper bag. With the Boba, you're going to need to carry one, and carrying a diaper bag with a baby strapped to you in this carrier will not be particularly comfortable. Along these lines, the Ergo has been around for a while now, and they've got a lot of accessories designed to attach to it in different ways. It even markets itself as being able to carry a newborn (with a special attachment), but to be honest, I wouldn't. It's not designed for that. Get a pouch for your newborn. The "big" difference between the Boba and the Ergo are the "foot straps." These seem completely useless to me. It's a good thing they make them detachable. If your baby's butt is positioned correctly in the carrier, he or she will already be in the "flexed abducted (froglike)" position with or without these foot straps. The only thing I can see your child doing with these foot straps is using them to get OUT of the froglike position by using them as leverage to try to stand up while being carried! Human beings have been carrying babies in their arms or in carriers for millennia without "foot straps."
*Conclusion
As I mentioned above, of all the baby carriers I owned, if I could only pick one baby carrier to have, it would be the Ergo. In fact, my kids are 4 and 5 now, and while all the other carriers have been sold off or passed along, the only one I still have is my Ergo. I hardly ever use it, but I know that I could if I wanted to (let's say for a long hike) and it would also be the most comfortable option. The Boba, being essentially the same as the Ergo when it comes down to function and use, is a good carrier. It is comfortable, and you can use it for as long as you wish to carry your child. I've seen kids that appear to be 8 years old or older in Ergos. Personally, I prefer the Ergo to the Boba. What it comes down to is that I like the extra storage capacity of the Ergo. Besides the things I mentioned above, the main difference between the Boba and Ergo are the color choices of the carriers. Perhaps you really like the colors that the Boba is offered in, and that decides it for you. If so, as I said, it's a good carrier, and I think you'll be happy with it. Make baby's other parent carry the diaper bag. One more thing: if fashion is your main concern, you might also like to look at the fabric choices for the Beco Baby Carrier, which is another that is basically the same as the Ergo.
28 of 28 found the following review helpful:
 This Boba Classic Baby Carrier is an excellent choice for the active mother who wants a happy, comfortable baby! Oct 17, 2010
By D. Fowler
"Dragonfly77"
Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R3G32NBYG0RJX8 The Boba is one of those products that is all it claims to be plus some. Many people attempt to compare the Boba with other carriers, but if you start out with the Boba you're going to love it and will recommend it to everyone. I'd suggest parents start using this when their baby/toddler reaches fifteen pounds or more to get them used to it. Make sure your baby has good head control before even thinking about using the Boba.
You can easily read all the information you need to know about the Boba, but perhaps the best `advertisement' is to see one in use. Not long ago I watched a very uncomfortable dad and equally unsettled baby using a so called innovative carrier that had a frame made of lightweight aluminum. The baby was not centered and dad appeared to struggle to keep him from shifting, resulting in a tired dad and cranky baby. Just take a look at Morgen with baby James and see how well he has adjusted to his Boba. He's a little sleepy, but a picture says a thousand words . . . "I love my mommy and my Boba!"
28 of 29 found the following review helpful:
One of the best baby carriers - here are some pros & cons Sep 30, 2010
By Mad Max
We have tried over 25 different carriers, and have lots to say about them. First, here are two things about carriers in general:
(1) You definitely need a carrier if you want your baby to excel in development, motor skills, emotional maturity, immunity, etc. Studies show that children who have more body-contact with parents are far healthier, learn faster, are more confident, etc. (Eh-hem ... Fathers, listen up! Make sure you find a carrier that is comfortable for you, so you can *enjoy* that bonding time!)
I know this will offend some folks, but the studies are overwhelming - children in strollers & car seats all day develop slower because they can't see as much, they don't learn about motion & gravity, they can't touch you when they need to, see your facial expressions, etc. Getting (and using) a quality carrier is good for your baby's health. We use them daily - even around the house (cleaning, cooking, etc).
(2) If you are an active person (or committed to a lot of contact with your baby), no single carrier will meet all your needs. Sorry to say it, but I'll repeat it - if you are committed to carrying your baby for hiking, picnics, shopping, walks, etc., then you will need more than one carrier.
That said, out of all the carriers we tried, the Boba Classic is definitely near the TOP of our list. It has a few things which make it unique:
-Hip Belt: The biggest perk. Most other carriers rest on shoulders, which distributes all the weight to your back. This hip belt (pretty high quality, modeled after high end backpacking gear) distributes 50-75% of the weight to your lower body (not neck/back/shoulders). That's IF you wear it properly. Ergo is the other design which does this well (see below).
-Adjustable privacy hood (also good for weather & rain)
-Stirrups so the child can push herself up, adjust for comfort, etc.
-One of the few carriers that you can wear on front or on your back.
-The photo doesn't do it justice - it's a classic design, & very well-built. Great construction, nice color, heavy-duty straps.
-Not the easiest carrier to load the baby, but has a unique one-snap release
-This is one of the few carriers which fits larger people (up to maybe 50" waist)
Now some criticisms:
-If you're taller than 6 feet, the shoulder straps & hip belt may not work.
-Seat/saddle is very wide. Baby must sit like a frog (see pic), and might not be comfortable for long periods of time, depending on your baby's comfort level & preference.
-[EDIT] Initially I thought the strap was scratchy on my neck - but that was before I learned it can be adjusted.
-Baby cannot face out while wearing on chest
-Weight is 15 to 45 lbs, so you'll still need a sling for newborns. No headrest (so only use when your baby can hold up her own head), and the seat is too wide for smaller bodies.
-It's a bit bulky for travel.
-Cost is a bit high.
All that said, we're definitely keeping our Boba. Like I said, if you're committed to the idea of a carrier, no single carrier meets all your needs. This one is the best backpack we've found because it's convertible (into front carrier), and great for hiking, backpacking, and active days.
Here are a few brief notes about other carriers we've tried:
This standard Snugli design is thin, light weight, inexpensive, and a great option when traveling light.... but NOT as comfortable as the Boba. However, it folds up nice when going from stroller to carrier.
There are lots of other Snugli designs - some have lighter/breathable fabric, some are different colors, etc. All the ones we tried were very similar architecture though (except for our favorite style, which converts from sling to front carrier, but it was discontinued when Evenflo bought out Snugli).
The Maya is one of our favorite sling/carrier/wraps. They are versatile (baby lays down, sits upright, sits on side, etc). Amazon carries them (Maya Wrap) but you can find them for under $30, or make your own - it's very fun! Just buy a set of Maya rings, and pick out your favorite fabric. For a novice, it takes about 15-20 minutes to stitch/construct with a basic sewing machine. Someone bought us a Maya, but later we made our own & love it much more. We've been using the Maya design since day one. You can nurse standing up. Please note the *safest* and most comfortable for the baby are the Maya wraps *without* padding. Once you are wearing it, you'll see what I mean. And, the Maya is perhaps the most portable of all the slings/wraps.
The Moby is similar to Maya, Moby Wrap Baby Carrier, with many of the same advantages, but a little bulkier. It's difficult to wear the baby on the side with a Moby. I still give Moby very high ratings, but we like the Maya better.
The side-carriers are nice (baby is off to side, almost under arm). Much more comfortable than it sounds. You can nurse standing up, and very comfortable for the baby. But all the weight is on your neck/back, and not as versatile. Scootababy Baby Carrier
Baby Bjorn is definitely a Top 5 choice (along with Snugli Performance, Boba, & Maya). It's padded and comfortable, light weight, somewhat versatile (baby faces in or out), and probably the easiest to load into. Much lighter/thinner/sleeker than the Boba, but does not have some of the amenities. Two snap release (vs. one snap with Boba), and again, it puts all the weight on the back, shoulders, and neck. The Bjorn is adjustable so you can distribute weight to the shoulders, but you're still carrying the baby with upper body. But we're keeping our Bjorn for short trips (like the farmer's market), when there is a lot of in & out of car seats, for short outings when portability is an issue, and when the baby might want to face out. BABYBJÖRN Baby Carrier Original
Please don't confuse Boba with the "Balboa". If you're a Dr Sears fan (I am not) then you've seen his endorsements of the Balboa. However, this is similar to the design which got recalled in January 2010 (suffocation issues). They made some adjustments so it's probably safer now, but the bottom line is ANY sling-style carrier which "cinches" the sides (with elastic, etc) keeps your baby hidden and risks smothering. I'm sure 99% of people who own this have never had a problem, but I don't like it. And I don't find it comfortable anyway: Balboa Baby Adjustable Sling by Dr. Sears
Finally, two carriers with designs very similar to the Boba. First, the Ergo Baby Carrier is very well constructed, comfortable, distributes weight intelligently (on hips). I also give it high ratings - but I also find it a bit bulkier, and since there is no need to have two carriers of the same design, I prefer the Boba.
Similarly, the Infantino Balance Baby Carrier is almost an exact copy-cat of the Boba, but (typical of Infantino products) they cut every corner possible. Not enough fabric on the hip belt to make it effective. Cheaper material. Cheaper straps. It says for babies 8 pounds & up, but the seat/saddle was poorly designed and we found it doesn't fit until your baby is about 18-20 pounds. I give the Infantino a thumbs down.
I hope this information helps. Have fun traveling around with your baby, & introducing her to the world!
4 of 4 found the following review helpful:
 Small improvements could make it a lot better Jun 11, 2011
By ostawookiee
"ostawookiee"
Overall this is a quick-to-load baby carrier. You can leave the cross-shoulder strap latched and just flip it over your head and hook in the waist latch.
I was at first worried the base wouldn't hold my baby in, but it hugs his butt and the waist area is tight enough around me that he's snug and tight.
Two main complaints:
1) For younger babies at the low end of the carrier's weight limits, their legs don't reach to hang out like in the picture, they stick straight out because their knees don't reach the edge. This is kind of unwieldy, and may be uncomfortable for the baby over an extended period of time.
2) The padding on the shoulders isn't enough. I could understand if it was just on me, but my wife is petite and it barely reaches over; so depending on how big your shoulders are, it may chafe you in the back. I'm not sure why they left the padding attached in the front, it would have solved the problem if it could float along the strap. Also the cross-shoulder strap that secures the two shoulder straps isn't padded at all and this chafes a little. I feel this lack of padding will be even more apparent as my baby gets bigger.
4 of 4 found the following review helpful:
Upgrade from an Ergo? For larger kids, yes! Dec 23, 2010
By Y. R. Wu
"The will to win is nothing without the will to prepare - Juma Ikangaa"
Summary: Compares very favorably with the gold standard Ergobaby, addressing several of it's shortcomings. Better for larger kids but likely less suitable for infants.
With 3 kids we tried every iteration of baby carriers. Two slings, a baby Bjorn, Snugli and finally an Ergobaby. Although our youngest was almost 2 when we tried out the Boba, it was nice to see some competition. As much as we like the Ergo, it's not perfect. The sleeping shade is not removable and gets in the way, the body support was a little short for larger kids. The Boba addresses these and also adds foot stirrups. One side effect of the longer body support is that it's really not suitable for infants - the Ergo was marginal for infants anyways, even with their "infant support insert" so I don't see this as a huge down side. The Ergo has longer straps which are a little awkward but allowed us to use it as a side carry. That said, we really didn't use the side carry position very often. Finally, I was glad to see that Boba made their sleeping shade removable.
There's no such thing as a one size fits all - what you prefer will depend on what you are doing, how large the child is and your physique. For newborns I preferred the Bjorn for being able to put the child in quickly, but since it puts the weight entirely on your shoulders the Bjorn wasn't practical for extended use or when the child got to perhaps 12-15 lbs.
Bottom line: Would I prefer the Boba over the Ergo? It's hard to say. Given the features and price point I'd say it's a toss-up, if Ergo was to incorporate some minor improvements and match the price, I'd probably go with the Ergo again.
If you found this review helpful or have questions/comments, please let me know!
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