19 out of 19 people found this review helpful.
Great Update on old Snugli--but not perfect
Date of Review: Apr 4, 2004
The Bottom Line: I recommend this carrier as a good value for the money, and a serviceable around-town/short trips carrier. Not for long or strenuous hikes.
First, I must say I loved my "old" Snugli, purchased eight years ago for my first child. When my second child arrived last fall, I couldn't resist the photos of this updated model and the promise that it would comfortably hold a 26-lb child. Well, my son is 15-lb. now, and I can still carry him very comfortably in the front position. The waist/back strap makes a big difference in my comfort--it's a major improvement, in my opinion, over the basic Snugli.My one concern in using the carrier this winter was that I could not see the ground when he was in the front position, so I was afraid I'd step on a patch of ice and fall with him. For the same reason, of course, you wouldn't want to use this carrier (with baby in front) on a hike or on anything but flat, even terrain. With baby on your back, you'd be able to manage most uneven terrains.A second minor complaint: there ought to be a way to "widen" the "sack" portion of the carrier for bigger babies. I'm afraid a 26-pounder might feel smushed like a sausage in a too-tight casing. But, I won't know for sure about that for a few more months.
Another area I see a great improvement over the original Snugli is in toughness: this product will last through LOTS of babies, or over lots of miles. It washes nicely and dries fast, but even better, the material is easy to wipe off with a wet washcloth or even a baby wipe, so I've had to wash it a lot less often than I did my first Snugli.
As for ease of use, I have to admit it took me a few tries to get familiar with the straps and buckles--there are nine buckles that can be adjusted--but after our first few outings, I got pretty adept at the straps. Now, I'm grateful for all the adjustables because I can quickly adapt the fit to my winter coat, no coat, or even to my husband's frame--a full foot taller than mine!
The one part of the Snugli that may prove difficult as baby grows is the side-clasps, sort of like "butterfly" hooks, that secure around baby's midsection. They're not adjustable (at least, I haven't figured out how they might be) and a bigger baby would be hard to buckle in, I think. Then again, as baby grows, he'll be sitting in a slightly different position, which may make this a moot point. Overall, I'm glad I got this carrier--I use it almost every day!
