Baby K'tan Original Review
Pros: Budget-friendly, easy wrap, machine wash and dry
Cons: Size specific, no adjustability
Manufacturer: Baby K'tan
The Skinny
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Baby K'tan Original | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  |  | | ||
| Price | $60 List $59.95 at Amazon | $80 List $64.95 at Amazon | $45 List $38.24 at Amazon | $45 List $45.27 at Amazon | $50 List $29.95 at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Pros | Budget-friendly, easy wrap, machine wash and dry | Easy to use, comfortable to wear, cozy for baby, lower price | Machine wash and dry, comfy for baby and parents, economical | Easy to clean, comfy for baby and parent, economical | Inexpensive, machine washable |
| Cons | Size specific, no adjustability | Hang to dry | Need to hold baby while you put it on, lots of fabric, hard to wrap | Hard to use, lots of extra fabric in the way | Less secure feeling, not as supportive, line dry |
| Bottom Line | Inexpensive, easy to use, wrap style without the wrap hassle | Easy to use, comfortable sling to wear and sit in | Budget-friendly wrap that is comfortable but harder to use | Comfy option that is easy to clean but much harder to use | Average with no stand out features for comfort or convenience |
| Rating Categories | Baby K'tan Original | Nalakai Ring Sling | Boba Wrap | Moby Wrap Classic | You+Me 4-in-1 |
| Child Comfort (25%) | |||||
| Parent Comfort (35%) | |||||
| Ease of Use (30%) | |||||
| Ease Of Cleaning (10%) | |||||
| Specs | Baby K'tan Original | Nalakai Ring Sling | Boba Wrap | Moby Wrap Classic | You+Me 4-in-1 |
| Min/Max Weight | 8 - 35 lbs | 8 - 35 lbs | 7 - 35 lbs | 8 - 35 lbs | 8 - 32 lbs |
| Carry Positions | Kangaroo Position (8 - 35 lbs) Hug Position (8 - 35 lbs) Adventure Position (8 - 35 lbs) Explore Position (8 - 35 lbs) Hip Position (8 - 35 lbs) |
Facing In (8 - 35 lbs) Hip Carry (8 - 35 lbs *BGL recommends Head/Neck/Torso Control) |
Facing In (Newborn - 35 lbs) | Kangaroo Position (< 8 lbs) Facing In (Newborn - 35 lbs) Hip Carry (5 mo - 35 lbs) |
Facing In (8 - 32 lbs) Facing Out (head control - 32 lbs) Back Carry (20 - 32 lbs) |
| Weight | sm 0.89 lg 1.04 lbs |
0.9 lbs | 1.41 lbs | 1.3 lbs | 0.97 lbs |
| Packable Size | Small | Small | Small | Small | Large |
| Fabric | 100% Cotton | 58% Bamboo 42% Linen |
95% Cotton 5% Spandex |
100% Cotton | Not Specified |
| Hood | No | No | No | No | No |
| Storage Options | Pouch on the belt. | Pocket on the tail | Storage Pouch | None | None |
| Other Features & Notable | Azo Dye-free | None | None | None | None |
| Included Accessories | None | None | None | Stuff Sac | Bandana Bib |
| Care Instructions | Machine wash cold, tumble dry low. | Machine wash cold, hang dry. | Machine wash cold, tumble dry low. | Machine wash cold, tumble dry low. | Machine wash cold, hang dry. |
Our Analysis and Test Results
Baby K'tan makes a variety of products for babies, but their main focus is baby carriers. The company has a unique carrier that functions as a wrap without the wrapping that makes traditional wraps difficult to use. The company started in 2005, by two families with special needs children. The company relies heavily on organic growth and word of mouth for advertising and continues to grow exponentially since its first product launch in 2007.
Performance Comparison
Baby's Comfort
The K'tan is pretty comfortable for babies. Only two of the other products we tested are more comfortable for little ones than the K'tan.
This carrier wraps around little ones and holds them close with a little bit of give, so they feel snug but not confined. Younger babies and infants, in particular, will find this wrap cozy and comforting.
Parent's Comfort
The K'tan is more comfortable than the average carrier for parents to wear. We think the K'tan may be less comfortable the longer you wear it due to lack of structure or adjustability.
The K'tan lacks any kind of padding or internal structure which could make longer trips more difficult. It is also size specific which means you can't adjust it like a traditional wrap and as you change size or baby grows the carrier fit will also change. However, we think the soft fabric and wide shoulder strap design means it provides a comfortable cocoon of fabric, at least for shorter outings. The fabric can feel restrictive like tight clothing and for most positions, you will have three layers around you and baby which could get hot in warmer weather.
Ease of Use
The K'tan is the easiest wrap to use in this review, primarily because it isn't a standard wrap.
While traditional wraps are long swaths of fabric, the K'tan is two rings of fabric joined with a loop. This means you can easily put the carrier on without holding your baby and use similar holds and positions to traditional wraps. While you still need to review the manual to learn the exact process, the K'tan is more intuitive and by far easier to use.
Ease of Cleaning
The K'tan is very easy to keep clean.
The K'tan can be machine washed in cold and tumble dried on low. This means you can be using your carrier again with only a small break since it doesn't need to air dry. Spot cleaning on the go is also easy as the fabric scrubs clean and air dries fairly quickly.
Manufacturer Video
— Juliet Spurrier, MD and BabyGearLab Review Team
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