Carifit+ Baby Carrier Review 2025

Overall rating

What we like

Certified hip healthy by the International Hip Dysplasia Institute
Comfortable back panel design (prevents forward pulling)
Easy to use side clip attachments
Stretchy material - ideal for growing children
Secure and sturdy fit
Adjustable neck panel is great for naptime
Convenient waist belt purse

What we don't like

Pricey
Only two carrying positions

£135 from Carifit £195 from Mountain Warehouse £135 from Pramworld £156 from Natural Baby Shower

Key specs

Suitable from: Newborns to toddlers from 3.2kg-20kg | Weight capacity: Up to 20kg | Carrying positions: Two (facing in, facing out) | Material: Four-way stretch, flyknit sports fabric | Machine-washable: Yes

What Mumsnet users say

Soapyb · Recommended brand

I absolutely love the Carifit, so easy to put on and baby feels so secure! I love the app as well.

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Our verdict

Performance: 14/15
Excellent at what it claims to do – secure, comfortable, and promotes good posture and bonding.

Quality & durability: 14/15
Premium materials, strong stitching, and a design that feels sturdy and built to last.
Ease of use: 12/15
Simple to use once adjusted, though the initial setup and strap positioning take a little getting used to.
Value for money: 12/15
Priced at the higher end but well justified by the quality, comfort, and long-term usability.
Safety: 10/10
Very secure straps and buckles, excellent head and neck support, and follows TICKS guidelines for safe babywearing.
Ergonomic support: 9/10
Provides great posture support for both baby and parent, though it can feel a little warm during long wear or in hotter weather.
Comfort: 9/10
Soft padding, breathable materials, and even weight distribution make it comfortable for longer periods of use.
Adjustability: 8/10
Good range of adjustments to suit different body types, though the back clip can be a little tricky to fasten initially.
Total score: 88/100

Touted as the world’s first athleisure baby carrier, the Carifit+ is designed for movement while still delivering the support and safety you'd expect. It's not as rigid as a baby carrier backpack, but it's ideal for walks, gentle hikes and low-impact exercise with your baby once you're given the all-clear post birth.

The fixed back panel design offers a secure, supportive fit, especially helpful for those suffering with back pain. It reduces shoulder strain and avoids the forward pulling feeling that some carriers cause. Easy-to-use side clips also mean no struggling with fastenings behind your back or needing help to put it on.

Made from soft, stretchy sports fabric, the carrier adapts as your baby grows. The adjustable neck panel adds extra comfort, especially during naps on the go. A small purse built into the waistband adds a practical spot for your phone or keys.

New mum and parent tester Chloe says, "At first, getting the carrier on, especially stretching the front panel over both our heads felt a bit awkward, and adjusting the fit with my five-month-old daughter in it took some practice. I’ve found it easiest to unclip the front and waist first, lifting the carrier away from us instead of pulling it over our heads. That’s taken a little getting used to, but otherwise, it's been great."

Chloe found the Carifit+ to be secure, comfortable and ideal for everything from housework to walks and light workouts. She also appreciated its streamlined, supportive design, especially compared to bulkier carriers she’d used before.

Baby facing in and out in Carifit+ Baby carrier

How we tested the Carifit + Baby Carrier

Tested over six weeks
Used several times a week to carry a five-month-old
Used during general housework and daily dog walks
Tested during low-impact workouts in the garden or home gym

Chloe found the Carifit+ to be very handy for heading out on dog walks in the South Downs, along the beach and getting housework or dinner preparation done when her baby needed closeness. “I primarily used the Carifit+ for daily dog walks on a variety of terrain where a pushchair wasn’t ideal, such as the beach or when my daughter wasn’t feeling well and needed the closeness of a cuddle instead of a snooze in the pram,” she says.

During testing, Chloe scored the baby carrier on eight key criteria including: performance, quality and durability, ease of use, value for money, safety, ergonomic support, comfort and adjustability.

Carifit + Baby Carrier: What’s in the box?

The Carifit+ comes in a stylish turquoise and black box, and includes extensive instructions on how to use it and wear your baby safely based on their age, weight and height. It also comes with a QR code to get instant access to the Carifit app – which is free for the first 12 months for those who purchase the baby carrier.

How easy is the Carifit+ Baby Carrier to assemble?

Super easy – there’s no assembly required! The Carifit+ arrives ready to wear straight out of the box. There’s no need to thread fabric, tie knots, or attach multiple pieces. Simply adjust the fit to suit your body, which is quick and intuitive thanks to the simple strap system and clear design.

To make the process even smoother, Carifit offers a one-to-one virtual fitting session with Carifit founder and babywearing expert, Vern Hill. He guides you through the setup, shows you how to position the carrier safely and comfortably and answers any questions, especially helpful if you’re new to babywearing or unsure about the unique stretch-over-the-head front panel.

How does the Carifit+ Baby Carrier look?

Chloe loves the comfort and style of the Carifit+. She shares: "The carrier has a sleek, comfortable design. I have the new black leopard print, it’s really subtle but stylish. The fabric is stretchy, breathable and dries quickly. I also love that the fixed back panel flows into the front in one seamless piece - no bulky buckles or shoulder fastenings - which makes it even more comfortable to wear."

The Carifit+ is available in two colours: Cool Grey or Cool Green.

Is the Carifit+ Baby Carrier sturdy?

Yes, the Carifit+ feels sturdy and supportive for most types of movement, especially walking and low-impact exercise. The head and neck support panel is soft and flexible rather than rigid, which makes it more comfortable for your baby, but it does allow for a bit of natural head movement.

Chloe explains, "Because of this, I’ve avoided any movements that involve leaning too far forward, like deep bends or hip hinges. For everything else - housework, walking, gentle workouts - it’s felt really secure and supportive."

What’s the Carifit+ Baby Carrier like to use day-to-day?

The Carifit+ is ideal for daily use. It’s quick to put on, super comfortable and fits seamlessly into busy routines. Once you get the hang of it, it takes a minute or two to get your baby in and out, which is a huge time-saver compared to some wraps or slings that involve lots of fabric and complicated tying.

One of the standout features is that it doesn’t require a second person to help you get it on. The carrier has a fixed back panel and uses easy-access side clips, so you never have to fumble with fastenings behind your back. It’s designed to be totally manageable solo.

How comfortable is the Carifit+ Baby Carrier?

“This carrier is as comfortable as wearing a woven wrap, minus the time-consuming wrapping,” says Chloe. “The supportive back panel and wide waist belt make a big difference - I’ve definitely noticed less backache and shoulder strain compared to other carriers I’ve used.”

The fabric is lightweight, breathable, and soft, yet still offers the structure and support you'd expect from a good baby carrier. Chloe also appreciates how the flexible material moves with her, making it comfortable to wear for longer periods, whether she's doing housework, walking, or exercising gently.

Does the Carifit+ Baby Carrier come with any extras?

While the Carifit+ doesn’t come with many physical extras, aside from the handy waist belt purse, which Chloe found to be handy for keys and small essentials, it does include something pretty valuable: a free 12-month subscription to the Carifit app. After the first year, the app costs £19/month or £119/year.

The Carifit app is packed with helpful tools for new parents especially those returning to movement during the extended postpartum period (typically the first year after birth). It’s ideal if you're after expert-led fitness support you can do at home, with minimal equipment and maximum flexibility.

Beyond workouts the app includes age-specific guidance, practical tips and everyday parenting advice - created with input from health professionals like women’s physios, paediatricians, psychologists and GPs.

What’s included with the app:

On-demand workouts for all fitness levels, from eight to 30 minutes
Specialist-led programmes focused on areas like diastasis recovery, return to running and strength building
Health, nutrition, parenting and mental wellness content
A one-to-one virtual carrier fitting with a babywearing expert

Chloe especially valued the virtual fitting service. "There’s a lot to take in with babywearing, especially learning how to stretch the front panel over your and your baby’s head. The fitting session made it so much clearer. Vern walked me through the setup in a really kind and easy-to-understand way- it was honestly such a help."

She also appreciated being able to share the fitting tips with her husband, who wears the carrier too, despite having a completely different body shape. It made walks with their dog and baby that much easier for both of them.

Is the Carifit+ Baby Carrier easy to clean?

Yes! The Carifit+ is machine washable at 30 degrees. Before washing, be sure to clip all buckles together and be sure to air dry afterwards. Avoid using the tumble dryer.

Is the Carifit+ Baby Carrier good value for money?

Definitely. Chloe says, “I think the Carifit+ and the app offer great value and are a worthwhile investment if you need help getting back into exercise but don’t have the time or budget for group classes or personal training.”

The app comes with a free 12-month subscription when you buy the carrier. After that, it’s £19 per month or £119 for the year, still a cost-effective option considering the expert support and variety of resources included.

How to exercise safely with the Carifit+ Baby Carrier: expert tips

Vern Hill, Founder of Carifit and leading expert in babywearing for movement, shares his top tips on how to babywear safely and effectively using the Carifit carriers - especially when incorporating low impact exercise into your routine (once it's safe to do so).

What features of the Carifit Carrier make it suitable and safe for exercising?

The Carifit has two key design features that make it particularly well-suited for active use. Firstly, the fixed back panel fits closely to the wearer's body, enhancing weight distribution and enabling greater activation of the posterior chain muscles which include the muscles along the back of the body – like your back, glutes (bottom) and hamstrings. This helps reduce common discomfort in the shoulders and lower back, often associated with traditional baby carriers.

Secondly, the use of adaptive fabric ensures the carrier moulds to the wearer’s and baby’s shape, promoting a secure and supportive fit. These elements work together to provide both safety and comfort during low-impact exercise.

What safety checks should parents perform before exercising with the Carifit Carrier?

Before beginning any workout, it’s important to be cleared for exercise, which is usually around six to eight weeks post-birth. Once you’re given the all-clear, the babywearing setup is straightforward. Key safety steps include:

Feeding and changing your baby beforehand
Dressing your baby in one layer less than usual to avoid overheating (a standard guideline in all babywearing)
Ensuring your baby is securely fastened in the carrier with their face visible and airways clear

These safety measures align with general babywearing best practices. Carifit workouts are designed to be both safe and supportive, reflecting how babywearing is used practically in many cultures worldwide.

Are there any exercises that should be avoided while using the Carifit Carrier?

Yes - running or any high-impact movement should be strictly avoided while babywearing, regardless of carrier type. Carifit workouts are designed as low-impact, controlled movements in a safe environment.

How can parents adjust the Carifit Carrier to ensure proper weight distribution and avoid strain?

The Carifit Carrier is designed to fit snugly with minimal need for adjustment once correctly fitted. For optimal support:

Position your baby high on your chest, close enough to kiss
Ensure the carrier is tight and secure, with your baby’s head supported and their face visible

Thanks to the combination of the fixed back panel and adaptive, stretchy fabric, the Carifit naturally distributes weight in a way that minimises strain on the shoulders and back when used correctly.

How can parents tell if their baby is comfortable and well-supported during a workout?

A well-supported baby will appear calm, content, and relaxed. Specific signs include:

An ergonomic 'M' shape in the baby's hips and legs
Proper head and neck support, especially for babies under four months who haven’t yet developed full head control
Stillness or sleep - many young babies tend to fall asleep during Carifit sessions, indicating comfort and security

How long is it safe to exercise with the Carifit Carrier?

Carifit workouts are intentionally capped at 30 minutes, a duration chosen to be effective yet manageable for new parents. This time frame supports safe postpartum recovery without overexertion.

Beyond structured workouts, there is no upper limit on how long you can wear your baby in the carrier. Babywearing has numerous developmental and emotional benefits and is widely practiced for extended periods in many cultures.

About the author

Tammy Jacks has over 20 years of experience in the publishing industry, holding key roles such as Managing Editor and Health & Beauty Editor for Woman & Home magazine in South Africa, and Assistant Editor for Living and Loving—a parenting title focused on children's health and development.

She has also contributed to various lifestyle publications (including magazines, journals, and newspapers) and edited books for fitness influencers and health professionals. As a researcher and writer, Tammy specialises in children's development, wellbeing, and safety. Over the years, she has reviewed countless toys and developmental aids for children as well as top baby travel options for busy families like baby carriers, child bike seats and lightweight strollers, to name a few.