Tula Lite Baby Carrier Review: Pros, Cons & Honest Thoughts (2024)
Baby Tula is a well-known brand in the world of baby carriers. They’ve created some popular carriers like the Tula Explore, Tula Standard, and Tula Free to Grow.
The Lite version is a bit different. It belongs to the group of compact baby carriers. It’s designed for short outings and comes at a more affordable price. It’s not meant to replace any of the other carriers, but rather complement it.
We absolutely love baby carriers. Ever since our first child was born, we’ve used them every day and honestly, I don’t know how we would’ve survived some moments without our trusted carrier. We own a couple of them, including the Ergobaby Adapt Cool Air Mesh, and Baby Tula gifted us with a Tula Lite carrier to test and review. Of course, all opinions are our own.
What is the Tula Lite Baby Carrier?
The Tula Lite Baby Carrier is an ultra-light baby carrier for parents seeking a baby carrier for sporadic use. It was designed with portability in mind, and you’ll feel that in every step.
Tula lite stats
- Weight: 1.08 pounds
- Weight limit: 12-30 lbs
- Carry positions: front (face inward) and back
- Hip belt: 23” wide (with webbing: 57”)
- Panel height: 16.5”
- Panel width: 12.2”
- Fabric: Ripstop + Mesh
- Cleaning: Machine washable
Features of the Tula Lite Baby Carrier
When unboxing, you already get a good idea of exactly how compact this carrier is. But let’s take a closer look at all aspects of this baby carrier.
Ultra-compact & lightweight
The Tula Lite is exceptionally lightweight, weighing just about 1 lb. It can fold down into a compact, built-in pouch that’s roughly the size of a clutch bag, which makes it so easy to bring along. You can put it in a diaper bag, under a stroller, or even in a larger purse making it an ideal option for on-the-go parents who need a practical, space-saving solution for quick errands and travel.
Other baby carriers are often bulky. They take up a lot of space in our backpack or we need to put them onto our backs empty which isn’t the greatest sight. With the Tula Lite, that’s no longer the case. Wear it as a hip pouch when not in use and quickly fold it open when your little one needs carrying. It’s the ultimate travel companion!
Roomy hip pouch
This ultra compact baby carrier folds away in its own storage bag. But instead of just a regular bag, it’s a hip pouch! You can just buckle it up and get going.
On the inside, you’ll find a zipper where the carrier is stored. And on the outside, there’s a big storage compartment. I was actually pretty surprised by the size. It’s not at all comparable to the pockets you can find on the waistbelts of many baby carriers. This is a full fanny pack that you can use for your phone, keys and a snack – even with the carrier folded down.
The fabric
Unlike other compact carriers such as the Boba Air, the breathable lightweight fabric of the Tula Lite is relatively soft and comfortable even when used in warmer weather. Its material is not only gentle on the baby’s skin but also on the wearer’s, which helps to keep both of you comfortable.
While it’s not designed as a waterproof baby carrier, the fabric is fast-drying, so you can expect to use it quickly again if it gets wet. I haven’t tried swimming with it, but I believe it might be possible occasionally. Just don’t forget to rinse it before letting it air-dry.
Oh and it comes with a detachable hood too!
Weight limit
While the Tula Lite is technically suitable for babies weighing 12 to 30 pounds, its fixed shape means it can’t adjust to the baby’s body as they grow.
I tested the carrier with my son when he was 15 months old and as you can see on the pictures, he didn’t have proper knee-to-knee support anymore and the back panel didnt’ provide enough fabric for him to sit comfortably.
With this in mind, I’d say that this carrier is best used for babies up until 12 to 14 months (of course, a lot depends on how big your kiddo is!). Always ensure your baby has proper knee-to-knee support and fits comfortably in the back panel for their safety and comfort. If you’re little one is too big, consider getting a toddler carrier instead!
carrying positions
The Tula Lite has two carrying options: front-facing inwards and back carry. It’s straightforward to put on with just 2 buckles and a single adjustment point for the shoulder straps.
Remember that you’re not supposed to wear your baby on the back until they can sit up independently. This is typically around the age of 6 months.
Note that this carrier doesn’t support an outward-facing position. If you want that, have to look at the Tula Explore.
Fit for the baby
The Tula Lite baby carrier comes with knee padding to enhance comfort for the baby. However, the fixed size limits the period during which the carrier can provide optimal support and comfort as the child grows, so always make sure your little one is getting adequate knee-to-knee support and fits snuggly in the back panel.
Fit for the baby wearer
The Tula Lite’s adjustable shoulder straps are non-padded and narrow, without the option to cross them for a more personalized fit. It might be harder for petite parents to tighten them enough because of the long section of mesh that doesn’t have an adjustable strap. However, the webbing is long, so plus-size parents will have no trouble wearing the carrier.
While the waist belt is wide, it offers minimal padding. It does have long webbing here too, so no need to worry whether the carrier will fit you or not.
All in all, the Tula Lite is not the most comfortable baby carrier in the Baby Tula
Pros and Cons of the Tula Lite Carrier
Ok, so now that we’ve discussed the different aspects of the ultra-light baby carrier, let’s dive deeper into the pros and cons.
Pros
- Compactness: yes, I realize size and weight are the 2 key points for ultra compact carriers, but I really can’t get over how tiny this carrier is. It’s literally a fanny pack that you can wear on your hips and use to stuff your keys and phone. But then you open the zipper on the back and whoops, there comes a baby carrier!
- Roomy hip pouch: By far my favorite feature of this baby carrier is the built-in storage compartment. Even with the baby carrier stuffed inside, there’s room for your phone, keys, a diaper and a small snack. And the fact that you don’t *need* to put the carrier into a bag but instead can just wear it as a fanny pack? Really love this!
- Breathable, fast-drying & soft fabric: Unlike other compact carriers, the lightweight fabric of the Tula Lite is pretty soft and comfortable even when used in warmer weather.
- Detachable hood: it’s always useful to be able to choose whether you want to use the hood or not.
- Funky patterns: colors and patterns are never an issue with Baby Tula and that’s not different for the Tula Lite. We chose the Slate and are very happy with that blue-greyish color.
- Long webbing: Both the waist belt and the shoulders straps have long webbing that will fit plus-size parents easily
Cons
- Comfort: The narrow shoulder straps and minimal padding in the waist band reduce the comfort for the babywearer.
- Limited use: while it’s promoted to be used for the up and down phase, I can’t see a toddler fitting well in this carrier. It’s best suited for kids under 14 months and most won’t be walking at that stage.
Tula Lite vs boba air
In the realm of ultra-light carriers, both the Tula Lite and Boba Air aim for convenience and ease of transport.
We own both the Tula Lite and the Boba Air and while they have a lot of similarities the Tula Lite sets itself apart with its more comfortable fabric, which significantly enhances the wearing experience for both parent and child.
Unlike the Tula Lite, the Boba Air has no padding, and its shoulder straps are more prone to digging into the wearer’s shoulders and back, which can become uncomfortable over time.
Despite its higher price (it’s almost double of the Boba Air), the Tula Lite’s comfort and overall build quality make this my favorite choice amongst the two.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the maximum weight capacity of the Tula Lite Baby Carrier?
The Tula Lite Baby Carrier is designed with a maximum weight capacity of 30 pounds. While this may seem limiting, it’s important to remember that the carrier’s compact and lightweight design is optimized for the comfort and safety of younger infants. Due to the fixed size of the carrier, I recommend using it with babies up until about 14 months. As your little one grows and gains more mobility, you may want to consider transitioning to a larger, more robust carrier that can accommodate their increasing size and weight.
Can Tula Lite be worn on the back?
Yes, the Tula Lite Baby Carrier is designed for both front inward-facing and back carries, offering flexibility for carrying positions as your child grows.
Is the Tula Lite Baby Carrier machine washable?
Yes, one of the standout features of the Tula Lite Baby Carrier is its machine-washable design. The lightweight and breathable fabric can be easily tossed into the washing machine on a gentle cycle, allowing you to keep the carrier fresh and clean without any hassle.
Conclusion: Is the Tula Lite Baby Carrier worth it?
While we would never count on this one as our sole baby carrier, it’s a great one to have as a back-up in the car and definitely a good alternative if you’re looking for a travel carrier. Especially if you’re also bringing along a stroller and won’t be babywearing all the time. Its ultra-compact and lightweight design make it a breeze to carry around and the breathable and quick drying fabric come in handy if you’re travelling to a warmer climate and/or the beach.
What do you think? Is the Tula Lite a carrier you’d like to purchase to join you on your trips?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Babs Rodrigus is the co-founder and main writer of Mums on FlipFlops . She is absolutely crazy about traveling – especially together with her wife and kids. Babs loves animals, chocolate (what did you expect from a Belgian?), reading, and writing.
