In Depth Baby Product Reviews Led by a Pediatrician

Baby K'tan Original Review

Inexpensive, easy to use, wrap style without the wrap hassle
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baby k'tan original baby carrier review
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Price:  $60 List
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Manufacturer:   Baby K'tan
By Juliet Spurrier, MD and BabyGearLab Review Team  ⋅  Feb 19, 2018
73
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#3 of 16
  • Child Comfort - 25% 7.0
  • Parent Comfort - 35% 7.0
  • Ease of Use - 30% 7.0
  • Ease Of Cleaning - 10% 10.0

The Skinny

The Baby K'tan Original is a wrap-style carrier without the wrap design. This unique carrier is 100% cotton and made of two loops of fabric joined by a smaller third loop that provides a wrap-style final position, look, and feel. This carrier works for babies from 8-25 lbs and offers lots of carrying positions (five!), so you can cater to your baby's needs while getting around. We like how easy this carrier is to use and clean, and we think it is pretty comfy for parents and passengers. This "wrap" is budget-friendly but size specific, so parents may not be able to share the same one, and there is no adjustability for fit or comfort. However, given the ease of use and lower price, it may be just what you need in a simple top-ranked baby carrier without the expense or hassle of more complicated options.
REASONS TO BUY
Budget-friendly
Easy wrap
Machine wash and dry
REASONS TO AVOID
Size specific
No adjustability
Editor's Note: This gear review was updated on October 17th, 2022, to include new sections to help you make a selection.

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Price $60 List
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Overall Score Sort Icon
73
68
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40
Star Rating
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Pros Budget-friendly, easy wrap, machine wash and dryMachine wash and dry, comfy for baby and parents, economicalEasy to clean, comfy for baby and parent, economicalInexpensive, machine washableInexpensive, lightweight, easy to put baby in
Cons Size specific, no adjustabilityHarder to use, lots of fabricHard to use, lots of extra fabric in the wayLess secure feeling, not as supportive, line dryUncomfortable for baby and parent, hard to use, difficult to clean
Bottom Line Inexpensive, easy to use, wrap style without the wrap hassleBudget-friendly wrap that is comfortable but harder to useComfy option that is easy to clean but much harder to useAverage with no stand out features for comfort or convenienceLess expensive, low-quality choice that isn't comfortable to wear
Rating Categories Baby K'tan Original Boba Wrap Moby Wrap Classic You+Me 4-in-1 Infantino Flip Adva...
Child Comfort (25%)
7.0
7.0
7.0
5.0
4.0
Parent Comfort (35%)
7.0
8.0
7.0
6.0
3.0
Ease of Use (30%)
7.0
4.0
4.0
6.0
5.0
Ease Of Cleaning (10%)
10.0
10.0
10.0
5.0
4.0
Specs Baby K'tan Original Boba Wrap Moby Wrap Classic You+Me 4-in-1 Infantino Flip Adva...
Min/Max Weight 8 - 35 lbs 7 - 35 lbs 8 - 35 lbs 8 - 32 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 (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)
Facing In (8 - 32 lbs)
Facing Out (head control - 32 lbs)
Back Carry (sit up - 32 lbs)
Weight Sm: 0.89
Lg: 1.04 lbs
1.41 lbs 1.3 lbs 0.97 lbs 0.92 lbs
Packable Size Small Small (5.5 yards in length) Small (5.5 meters in length) Large Medium
Fabric 100% Cotton 95% Cotton
5% Spandex
100% Cotton Not Specified Polyester, Cotton
Hood No No No No No
Storage Options Pouch on the belt. Storage Pouch None None None
Other Features & Notable Azo Dye-free None None None Bib
Included Accessories None Storage Sack Stuff Sack Bandana Bib None
Care Instructions Machine wash cold, tumble dry low Machine wash cold, tumble dry low Machine wash cold, tumble dry low Machine wash cold, hang dry Machine wash cold, hang dry

Our Analysis and Test Results

Baby K'tan makes various baby products, but their main focus is baby carriers. The company has a unique baby carrier that functions like a traditional wrap but is much easier to use because it doesn't require wrapping skills. The company was formed in 2005 by two families with special needs children and relies heavily on organic growth and word of mouth for advertising. It has continued to grow exponentially since its first product launch in 2007.

Performance Comparison



baby k&#039;tan original baby carrier review - the k-tan is comfy for most little ones and many fell asleep in...
The K-tan is comfy for most little ones and many fell asleep in during our testing.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Baby's Comfort


The K'tan is pretty comfortable for babies, and only a few 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.

baby k&#039;tan original baby carrier review - the k&#039;tan is fairly comfortable for parents but the lack of...
The K'tan is fairly comfortable for parents but the lack of adjustability means it may grow uncomfortable on longer trips or if you or baby change size.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Parent's Comfort


The K'tan is more comfortable than the average baby carrier for parents to wear. We think the K'tan may be less comfortable the longer you wear it due to a lack of structure or adjustability.


The K'tan lacks any padding or internal structure, potentially making longer trips more difficult. It is also size specific, meaning you can't adjust it like a traditional wrap, and as you change size or your 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 material can feel restrictive, like tight clothing, and for most positions, you will have three layers around you and your baby, which could get hot in warmer weather.

baby k&#039;tan original baby carrier review - while the k&#039;tan may take some getting used to, once you have the...
While the K'tan may take some getting used to, once you have the positions down, it is easy to use and much more straightforward than a traditional wrap.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Ease of Use


The K'tan is one of the easiest-to-use wraps in the review, primarily because it doesn't require the multi-step wrapping process.


While traditional wraps are long swaths of fabric, the K'tan is two rings of fabric joined with a loop. 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.

baby k&#039;tan original baby carrier review - the k&#039;tan is machine washable and dryer-friendly for a quick...
The K'tan is machine washable and dryer-friendly for a quick turnaround so you can get back out and on with life.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Ease of Cleaning


We appreciate that the K'tan is very easy to launder because, between spit-up and blowouts, messes are a reality with babies.


The care instructions mention that the carrier is machine washable on cold and tumble dry on low. The ability to wash and dry your carrier means the window of time it's not available is short versus carriers that need to air dry. Also, spot cleaning while on the go is easy as the material scrubs clean and dries by air fairly quickly.

Should You Buy the Baby K'tan Original?


We realize that not everyone likes the idea of a size-specific carrier. However, if you select the right size for your frame, the K'tan offers a cozy fit that's especially great for the newborn stage. Plus, its price tag is affordable and may leave room in your budget for a different baby carrier or top-ranked baby backpack carrier down the road if needed.

What Other Baby Carriers Should You Consider?


The Boba Wrap is a budget-friendly contender that's stretchy and soft, offering a snuggly fit that's also great for the newborn stage. Of course, you will need to learn how to wrap. But it's hard to beat a wrap-style carrier's adjustability and customization. If you're hoping to purchase one carrier to share with a different-sized wearer, the Boba might meet your needs and budget.

Manufacturer Video



Juliet Spurrier, MD and BabyGearLab Review Team
 

Honest, objective reviews. Led by a Pediatrician.

BabyGearLab was founded by a Pediatrician Mom with a mission to provide a reliable, independent, source of information to new parents. Our experts have tested thousands of baby and kids products to share key performance, health, and safety findings. We spend tens of thousands of dollars crash testing car seats to inform our ratings. And, we combine our review work with gobs of expert parenting advice. To assure complete independence, we buy all the products we test ourselves. No sponsored content. No ads. Just real, honest, side-by-side testing by people who care.

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