Tula Explore Baby Carrier review

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How we tested the Tula Explore 

• Tested over four months

• Used by two mums

• Tested with a newborn and an 11-month-old

The was put through a series of tests by two mums. Our first tester used the carrier with her new baby while also looking after her three-year-old. She previously had not used baby carriers much with her older child and was new to most of the products she tested.

Our second mum’s baby was 11 months old when we started testing and her older child had just turned two. She is an experienced babywearing parent, currently completing her babywearing consultancy certification.

What’s in the box? 

• Baby carrier

• Privacy hood

All Tula Explore carriers with a removable privacy hood. The carrier also comes with instructions to help you get started and a range of accessories can be purchased from the website (see below for more information).

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How easy is the Tula Explore to assemble?

Our testers found the included instructions for the Tula Explore really easy to follow, with pictures and written descriptions to help them get the carrier ready to use for their babies. 

There’s a downloadable version of the instructions on the Tula website, as well as videos to watch if you need any extra help. Our testers didn’t need to go back to the instructions when it came to putting the carrier on for the first time. One tester explains: “I found it easy to put on, but that’s because I had already used a similar carrier. I found it a little bit confusing making the adjustments to the size of the carrier for my baby.” 

How does the Tula Explore look?

The stylish Tula Explore baby carrier is a great choice for parents who like to stand out from the crowd. Where other carriers stick to neutral colours like blacks, greys and blues, the Tula Explore comes with a choice of 15 different bold and patterned prints including florals, leopard skin and polka dot.

We tested the Sleepy Dust carrier, which is light grey with a triangle pattern - unique in design but neutral enough to fit most items of clothing. 

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Is the Tula Explore safe and sturdy?

The Tula Explore has a front panel with an ergonomic seat. Your baby can sit in both the front and back carry position until they weigh up to 20.4kg, which is around four years old. The thick shoulder straps and wide waistband support your growing baby’s weight and are secured with two buckles.

Certified by the International Hip Dysplasia Institute, the seat of the Tula Explore ensures a natural, ergonomic position for your baby with healthy hip and spine alignment. It adjusts to your child as they grow, with three different seat settings, padded leg openings and an adjustable neck pillow so you can make sure your child is safe and comfortable at all times.

During testing, our first tester said her baby felt very safe once inside the carrier, but she had some concerns when putting the Tula Explore on by herself. She explains: “I find putting my baby into this style of carrier can be a bit precarious as you have to hold them in whilst you get the straps on and buckles done up. This one feels particularly precarious as the front panel is quite narrow. Once the sling is on and done up, he cannot move around much and remains in a good position and secure.”

What’s the Tula Explore like to use day-to-day?

While it doesn’t offer the same hip carrying position as the Ergobaby 360 Omni Cool Air Mesh baby carrier, you still have the option of front inward-facing (from newborn), front outward-facing until your child is almost school age.

Made from 100% thick cotton, it feels super soft against your baby’s skin with excellent airflow so is a great option for active parents. Initially, our testers did struggle with reaching the back buckle without assistance, although they both found it easier to use over time.

One tester explains: “My partner likes this carrier although he also struggles with the back clip. I find the waistband buckles on this carrier really fiddly too. Getting the buckle through the safety strap and then done up can be tricky as the material gets caught on the buckle, sometimes I find it hard to get off as well as the buckle gets caught.”

Once the carrier is secured well, you can get on with your day while your baby rests. As the second tester explains: “This carrier supports my baby very well and I am able to carry out most tasks whilst wearing him in it. He remains in a good position and does not move once inside.”

The carrier comes with a removable hood to protect your baby during sunny days or to provide privacy when they are sleeping, and there is a neck pillow to provide extra comfort which can be adjusted three ways. The small pocket in the waistband allows you to travel lightly and want to keep your hands free. You also have the option to breastfeed when wearing the carrier, however our first tester struggled to get her baby low enough to feed during testing. 

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How comfortable is the Tula Explore?

Compared to the likes of the Ergobaby Omni 360 Cool Air Mesh, this isn’t the most comfortable baby carrier to wear. While the shoulder straps are well padded and the material soft, it can be tricky to get a good fit. 

As one tester explains: “I find this carrier comfortable but find it quite tricky to adjust. I often find it is either too tight or too loose and it can be quite hard to get right which then means I get achy shoulders after a while. I also don’t find the waistband that comfortable. There are parts of it that are quite stiff.”

If you can get the right fit though, the weight is evenly distributed which will allow you to wear it for long periods of time. The waistband can be adjusted to fit up to a size 28, so this will be handy for parents who are different sizes. 

Does the Tula Explore fold down?

Yes, the Tula Explore can be folded down when not in use. This can be done by tucking the shoulder straps in, then rolling the carrier down to the waistband. Finally, secure and tighten it with the buckle and this will keep everything secure when stored away. Be aware though that it is bulky when folded down due to the padding.

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What’s the storage like?

If you want to keep your hands free for outings, there’s a pocket in the waistband that is big enough to fit your keys and most phones.

Are there any added extras?

As well as the removable hood that comes with your Tula Explore, you can purchase accessories on the Tula website, including extra back support and a waistbelt extender. 

Is the Tula Explore easy to clean?

If you get any milk, dribble marks or other strains on the Tula Explore (which let’s face it, you probably will), you can machine wash it at 30 degrees. While the material is durable, the light grey pattern we tested easily showed marks. 

During testing, our testers found that the carrier hand washed well. “I have found the best way to clean this carrier is to soak it in a washing up bowl and try to just sponge or soak the area that is dirty. While it can be machine washed on cold, I’d imagine this would struggle to remove any nappy leakage stains,” says one tester.

Is it good value for money?

Retailing at around £140, the Tula Explore is at the higher end of the market. However, it has some great features, such as an adjustable neck pillow and removable hood, as well as a long lifespan and versatility of positions. However, both of our testers found other carriers more comfortable to wear and easier to put on.

One explains: “I really like the look of this carrier and I like that it would last a long time and has multiple positions. However, I don’t find it as comfortable as some other carriers mainly because I find the straps difficult to adjust once I am wearing it and I find the waistband a bit fiddly too.”

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About the author 

Gemma Wilcock is a freelance writer and copywriter. She loves writing about subjects that will make parents' lives easier, including recommending the very best products including strollers, double buggies and cots.

As a mother of two children herself, she knows how important online reviews are when it comes to making the right purchase so is committed to creating in-depth and honest product reviews that parents can trust.