Wildride toddler carrier or something else?

[ViaRia01]

Can anyone recommend a great toddler carrier (the soft sling style like Wildride) for up to 4 years old?

I’m close to buying wildride but it is so expensive and I’m wondering if there’s a better/ just as good option.

i tend to find that cheaper ‘dupes’ just aren’t quite the same!! But I am trying to be more savvy.

anyone used a wildride? Did it change your life with your toddler? Any other suggestions welcome. Thank you

How big is your toddler? How long and over what terrain are you carrying?

If you’re looking at something like the wild ride I assume it’s not for long walks as it’s a hip carrier and not particularly supportive so is it just for quick up and downs? I had something very similar to the wildride (the mini monkey) and it was great but my baby got quite heavy pretty quick in it and it was a little fiddly to get them on. I’ve since got the hippy chick hip seat and it’s amazing . Not a traditional carrier but so supportive and great for when I just need something to relieve the weight and only need one free hand. I use it daily at home when my teething 1.5 year yo wants to be carried about all day. For a proper baby carrier I would look at a Tula explore.

Sorry my phone battery died…
so it’s mainly for my 18month son, for short periods 10-20 minutes, e.g to carry him from car to preschool to pick up his older brother, from car to shop to pick up a couple of bits. Also for those days out where he’d enjoy being on foot but he can’t manage all day waddling around, eg the farm.

I also have a 3yo - I don’t expect he would use it often (if at all) but something that could carry up to 4yo would be preferable.

@Oneanonymouspost is right; I am just looking for something that gives a little support for carrying when DS wants to be up, down, up, down. Something easy to bring along with us that DS can get into easily. We do have a baby carrier that he technically still could use (ergo baby 360) but it is a little bulky to bring along and less convenient for him to use on and off throughout the day.

hope that all makes sense.

Thank you - I will check out mini monkey and hippie chick

I would really recommend the hippy chick for your purpose, it’s a game changer for me with my 1.5yo, and it can comfortably support my very tall 4 year old (not that she needs it but sometimes when we’re dancing around the living room and she wants up). It’s not the more chic option but definitely the most practical that I’ve had.

Thanks so much for your replies.

Any other opinions welcome please - in particular I’m interested in wildride brand compared to other brands/ non branded in the same style as wildride…?

I'd also recommend the hippychick. I had one similar to the wild ride and the strap tended to get rucked up and it was faffy to get comfortable each time.

Really useful to hear opinions. It’s strange as to me the hippychick seems less comfortable than the wildride (style) design.

I feel like it’s theee votes for hippychick and it seems daft to ignore that. Thank you

Just wondering if you bought one and what you'd recommend?

Hi! Yes, I initially bought the hippychick (as recommended on here) but I didn’t t get along with it really. I didn’t find it comfortable and found it didn’t really free up my hand(s) for more than a few second at a time. I sold it and bought the wildride instead and it is great. It’s easy to fold it and carry in your bag, and I just find it more reliable and secure for little one, and it spreads the weight more so I just find it easier.

I can use it for either of my children - ages 2 and 3.5 years. I wish I’d bought it sooner though as mine are obviously on the larger end of the scale in terms of the appropriate age range for the product. I can definitely still feel their weight while in the sling but I’ve been able to carry 2yo for 1hr or more at a time so it definitely makes it a little easier on my arms/ back.

I don’t know whether the wildride is worth the extra cost compared to other brands of sling carrier. But I don’t regret it at all. I feel I’m getting my money’s worth and that’s the main thing for me. Cheaper options may be just as good but tend to try to buy quality/ good materials/ reputable companies and so that’s why I went with wildride in the end. It just feels well made.