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- Part wrap and part structured carrier, the Boppy ComfyChic blends the best of both worlds to provide support and comfort, especially for my lower back.
- I avoided trying this
baby carrier for an entire week because it looked so complicated, but after watching a quick video, it's become my go-to. - Whether I'm working, running errands, or out on a walk, I can easily soothe my son in the ComfyChic
baby carrier.
As a parent, I find the first few months of baby life hard. Or maybe I should say, frustrating. It's not the sleep deprivation, but rather it's the having to stop life — sending emails, working, making coffee, going for walks — every few hours to soothe a waking newborn that can be really tough.
That's why I love the concept of a carrier. In fact, I'm wearing my 10-week-old right now so I can write this review, then go check on my first-grader playing across the street while my wife takes a much-needed nap.
A baby carrier is a win-win, especially for dads who might not feel as connected to a new baby.
But not all carriers are the same.
They can range in price from around $30 to nearly $200 and are usually either structured with backpack-like straps and a waist belt or more of a stretchy wrap that cocoons your child to your chest. Boppy sent me their ComfyChic baby carrier to test, and I found it's a best-of-both-worlds type of carrier that offers both structure and flexibility — and it's nicely priced at $75.
The design and specs
Boppy is relatively new to the baby carrier game, but it's apparent a lot of thought went into the ComfyChic's design. Boppy pulled inspiration from yoga apparel — it features breathable mesh and a polyester and spandex stretchy wrap similar to yoga pants as well as vegan leather trim. It comes in two colors: charcoal (our tester) and pearl.
This carrier is considered a "hybrid" because it combines the function of a traditional fixed carrier with a waist belt and two zippered pockets, shoulder straps, and a padded central panel. Added flexibility of a wrap comes in the form of two long stretchy ties so you can adjust how snug the carrier is and balance the load on your back.
With the ComfyChic, you can choose from four carry positions: newborn front facing in, front facing in, front facing out, and side-hip carry and has adjustable underarm straps to even help with breastfeeding. It's machine washable and rated for babies and toddlers from 8 to 35 pounds. A bonus: No infant insert is needed.
My review of the Boppy ComfyChic baby carrier
I appreciate the mobility a baby carrier can provide and expected this to be similar to others. But this hybrid style is a lot different. The first thing you'll notice when you open the box and unpack it from its built-in storage pocket is how unusual it looks.
If you're used to the more obvious shoulder straps and belt-clip design, this will seem like something from Cirque du Soleil. After enlisting the help of my daughter's American Girl Doll as a prop, I tried to figure out how to put it on sans instructions. Turns out I needed them. Boppy offers a few videos demonstrating the process, and it's really quite simple.
Once my baby was loaded in, I noticed how much he bounced as I walked around. The carrier is safe and secure, but the elastic structure allows for more up and down movement. I prefer the extra bounce and noticed my 10-week-old fell asleep more quickly because of the gentle motion. Of course, some caregivers and babies will prefer a more solid feel provided by a traditional structured carrier.
Recently, I walked nearly 3 miles over two hours to make a grocery run. Aside from being a little sweaty when I got back home, my shoulders felt fine — which says a lot since I was hauling my 11-pound son the whole time and pushing a stroller full of groceries. The elastic bands made it easier to adjust the weight displacement on my back rather than just my waist.
What makes it stand out
Its value is what really sets the ComfyChic apart from the competition. At less than $100, it falls right in the middle of baby carrier price points. It does everything a traditional carrier does but with the added flexibility of the wrap. Each wearer can really customize the fit to their body type and the clothing they are wearing. And if your partner was the last one to wear it, you only have to adjust the waist belt when you put it on.
The cons
With all the useful features of the ComfyChic, I was surprised there wasn't a cover for the baby's head. A number of times while I was out for a walk, the sun was beating down on my little guy, so I had to bring a separate blanket and tuck it under the side straps and drape over his head.
A cover is also helpful for making it darker and easier for babies to fall asleep. I reached out to Boppy about this, and they recommended unbuttoning part of the top section and overlapping the shoulder strap (then rebuttoning for support), but that wasn't quite what I was hoping for.
And although the zippered pockets on the waist belt seem ideal for carrying keys and sunglasses, they are hard to access when your baby's legs are dangling over them.
The bottom line
Boppy is relatively new to the baby carrier game, but I'm impressed. I really like how comfortable the ComfyChic is and the extra little bounce for my baby is nice. The fact that it comes in at $75 — a bargain by carrier standards — has led me to recommend this to a few friends, too. Of course, there are lots of other options ranging from the popular Ergobaby Omni 360, which has a better carry pouch and an included cover, but at two times the cost. Or you can look at the Infantino Convertible ($29). Either way, you want to feel confident it will keep your child safe and you comfortable, and the ComfyChic does just that.
Pros: Great value; comfortable, breathable mesh; stores in its own pocket; four carry positions
Cons: No cover, waist belt pockets aren't very functional, only available in two colors