Tula or Manduca... or something else?

[StuntNun]

DH refuses point blank to wear a woven wrap and he's not that happy with the mei tai I got for him to wear our 11 month old son. He LOVED the Tomy Freestyle carrier we had for DS1 probably because it was black so I'm thinking a full buckle carrier is the way forward. It will mostly be used for back carries. I'm a dedicated wrapper so I'm completely clueless about buckles so can anyone please recommend what would be best for a babywearing-resistant dad?

I love our Connecta! Dh happily carries dd in it, though he was happy to wear a stretchy wrap too. I have the 'mud dots' colour which is pretty masculine.

Though Tulas do look good too.

I wasn't so keen on the Connecta colourways as DH is very boring reserved in his taste. LoveToBeNatural have recommended the Tula, Boba 3G or Beco Soleil. They're all a similar price and available in plain black so it's hard to decide.

Ergo?

I have used a Manduca for the last year and highly recommend it. Easy, sturdy, ridiculously adjustable, very thoughtfully designed - padding under all buckles, option of crossing the straps in front carry, extra secure waist buckle, elastic on the sleep hood, zippy-out extending back. I've tried friends' Ergo and Beco and just felt that the Manduca was that little bit more cleverly put together.

Tula does also look v good from what I've seen (never actually tried one on).

Tulas are so popular right now it will have excellent resale value, if that's a consideration :)

LOVE our Manduca (we've had/got a Connecta and Beco Gemini too but it is by far the best imho). DH uses it daily. It's very adjustable and comfy for either of us. Also has adjustable fabric across the back so good longevity. There is a good YouTube review of it.

Aargh, I'm frozen in indecision having narrowed it down to a Manduca or Tula. Both seem good but without being able to try one I'm not sure which one to go for.

R&R?

DH is very conservative in his taste and I think R&R are a bit too colourful for him. I've narrowed it down to this Manduca or this Tula. Both are available in plain black. I favour the Tula overall but the Manduca is a bit cheaper and I like the idea of the crossover straps for when LO gets a bit heavier.

Why don't you try an ergo, as suggested above. They are marvellous, but make sure that you buy one from the company or a registerd seller, if you choose to get one.

Petitpoppet.co.uk do a "try before you buy" service for slings

The Manduca and Tula are both great carriers. The main differences:

• Tula has curved straps, Manduca straight
• Manduca straps can be crossed on the back in a front carry, whereas Tula need to be worn like a backwards rucksack
• Manduca has adjustable height body panel that can be useful if your little one likes to be arms out (zip done up) so that putting arms out doesn't stop her sitting properly in the carrier

On the whole (experience of fitting 100s of sling library attendees into buckle carriers), ladies with bigger boobs tend to prefer curved straps, whereas blokes and ladies with smaller boobs tend to prefer straight. But maybe 20% are exceptions to those rules too. Are you near a sling library where you can try before you buy? But honestly I suspect either would be fine - both great carriers.

I went for the Manduca in the end.

StuntNun are you happy with the Manduca? Both that and the Tula are on my shortlist!