Tis’ the season of travel and holiday shopping! With the bustling crowds and spazzy consumerism that comes with this time of year, I have a tendency to dread entering public spaces. Have you ever tried to maneuver a double stroller around the Mall of America and not get caught up in a stampede? It is truly an endeavor only the crazy or ignorant souls would attempt and I have really been trying to tamp down my ignorance and insanity this year. So with that in mind, I have embraced the art of baby wearing while out at the shops.
I have tried several baby carriers and each has their time and place, but I had never tried any Boba Baby Carrier products. One thing about baby wearing is it is HOT. Wearing another human on your person is like being in a permanent hug and only stays comfortable in more chilly weather. Sometimes all of that padding on carriers to make them comfortable makes things a bit sweaty. Carriers can also be rather bulky to stuff in your handbag, especially if you are like me and do not own an SUV sized stroller with massive undercarriage. With these thoughts in mind, I was intrigued by Boba’s new carrier the BobaAir.
The BobaAir is 100% Nylon and stuffs into itself into a zip up pouch. It is like a baby carrier Popple! (Remember those?) Since it is nylon, like tent fabric, it is super light weight and squishes down super small. Once you have it flipped into the built in pouch, it can easily fit into a diaper bag.
The BobaAir is designed to handle children 15-45 pounds and is highly adjustable. This carrier definitely does not need any extension kits. Below is my 16 pound daughter sitting comfortably. My husband has a 30 inch waist and has a ton of leeway room to size the straps up or down. The waist and straps on the BobaAir are definitely much longer than the other non-Boba structured carrier we own and the buckles are very sturdy. Because it has no padding, I found this carrier easier to put on than other carriers. Of course, the lack of padding also means you might be less comfortable wearing a heavier child for hours and hours, but the cooler fabric makes up for that in my opinion. I do not have a Boba 3G for comparison, but I have heard the BobaAir has a more standard rise on the back compared to the extended rise of the 3G.
I love how much less bulky the BobaAir is compared to some other baby carriers. It is so much more comfortable in hot, crowded areas and without the padding, it doesn’t rub under my arms the way a bulkier carrier does. My kids hate being hot, so the nylon is a plus. I can fit the entire stuff sack into my handbag without any problems and it also tucks into the back pocket of my stroller with ease. The BobaAir also has a hood for giving baby a little privacy for nursing or napping, or as extra protection from outdoor wind.
The black nylon is super easy to keep clean since it wipes down like a tent. It is compact enough to place in a lingerie bag and wash in your washing machine, and the fabric air dries really quickly. I can drape it over my radiator fresh out of the washer and it is dry in 15 minutes! The nylon does make it more slippery, so your baby tends to slide a bit inside the carrier depending on what kid of fabric he is wearing. It slides less when you and baby are wearing natural fibers and more with wick-away tops.
When wearing the carrier, the stuff sack pocket for storing the BobaAir can be used as a convenient place to put your keys, wallet, phone, and anything else.
Poor babe was sick and sniffly here
Overall, I really like the BobaAir. It is so much more comfortable and easier for popping in and out of the grocery store, and also cooler. I cannot wait to try it out in summer! I suspect it would be great to wear at the public pool while chasing my toddler. I really recommend baby wearing for traveling and errand running, and this carrier could definitely be a convenient and valuable tool in any busy parent’s arsenal.
You can purchase a BobaAir for $60 at the Boba website or one of their authorized retailers.
This looks amazing! I love that it is so light! I love Boba Stuff!
Love the picture with babe’s tongue sticking out! I love baby-wearing and would totally buy this. I didn’t realize that the carrier stuffs into itself. That’s great!
I have one of these, and haven’t used it a ton yet. At 15 pounds, he still seemed a little small for it. I love the popple reference – brings me back! I am trying to win another one of these for my sister in law because she doesn’t want a wrap at all.
I prefer lightweight carriers, too. Too much bulk annoys me and makes it harder to pack around the carrier when not in use. The Boba Air looks so great!
Will this carrier make my baby feel like the lightest baby??? I’d totally buy it! He’s pushing 30lbs and only 1 year. : )