For a whole decade, Solly Baby manufactured and sold a wrap style baby carrier as their only babywearing product.
The oh-so-popular Solly Baby wrap is made from a soft, sustainably sourced modal and is suitable for babies up to 25 pounds. It’s one, long piece of cloth that you wrap around your waist, over your shoulders, and then tie back around your waist to create a safe and secure home for your little one on your chest.
After much success in the babywearing world, Solly has designed a new product for their brand: the Loop.
The Solly Baby Wrap vs. Solly Loop: What’s the Difference?
Like the Solly wrap, the Loop is made of buttery-soft material, but it has three main differences:
- The Loop can hold children up to 45 pounds
- It works with a loop ring closure instead of requiring a tie like the wrap
- It comes in extended sizes, up to 3 XL
Made of 100% organic cotton, the Loop hugs baby close thanks to a few passes made simple by a sewn in ring. Basically, imagine a ring sling and a woven wrap merging into one, unique baby carrier and then you’ve got the Loop. Needless to say, I’m hooked. Or should I say looped?
Here’s a closer look at the Solly Baby wrap vs Solly Loop carrier.
Solly Baby Wrap
Ready to be hands free while soothing and bonding with your newborn? Look no further than the Solly Baby Wrap. Made from buttery soft modal--100% certified Lenzing modal sourced from the pulp of Austrian Beechwood trees to be exact--the Solly Baby Wrap is beautifully designed for front-carrying babies up to 25 pounds. It is completely machine washable (delicate cycle please), a one size fit, and USA made. Solly says their design is perfect for “womb to wrap” and I couldn’t agree more.
A Closer Look at the Solly Baby Wrap
Babywearing has long been known to offer health benefits to both parent and child, but according to Solly Baby, wearing your baby can reduce crying by 43%.
The Solly Wrap also promotes bonding with its close, custom fit and best of all, it gives moms, dads, and caregivers two hands to do what they need to do while caring for their baby and other children.
The Solly Baby Wrap is hip healthy certified, 100% organic, and sewn in Los Angeles. Honestly, wearing it feels like you’re donning your favorite T-shirt, because it’s so comfortable. And last but not least, for those who consider their baby wrap to be a fashion statement, nothing beats the beautiful colorways of the Solly Wrap, or their limited edition collaborations.
Solly Baby Wrap Features
- Infant front carry, ideal for newborns
- Soft fabric that encourages “womb to wrap”
- Fits babies up to 25 lbs.
- Comfortable custom fit
- Health benefits for baby and parent
Pros & Cons
Pros
Lightweight and breathable
Size inclusive, petite to plus
Beautiful, soft fabric
Cons
Front carry only
Max of 25 pounds
Wrap takes time to learn
Solly Baby Loop
Called the “perfect next-step carrier,” the Solly Baby Loop is just that. It’s the next step after a baby wrap carrier because it can hold a child up to 45 pounds. The Loop is made from machine-washable, 100% organic woven cotton and with a sewn-in ring, wearers can easily adjust for a custom fit. Plus, it comes in two sizes: standard (XS-L) and extended (XL-3XL). By blending the simplicity of a ring sling with the support of a traditional wrap, it’s the only modern offering of its kind and it comes in 4 beautiful colors.
Taking the Solly Baby Loop for a Loop
I could not be happier that Solly Baby created a product for families who had outgrown the Solly Baby Wrap. For my chunky monkey, that was at 4 months old!
Although he had outgrown the Solly Wrap, I wanted to continue babywearing. So, thanks to the Loop, we are able to continue bonding and practicing social skills while I keep my hands free to go about the day’s tasks.
Just like the Wrap, the Loop is hip healthy certified and provides a comfortable, custom fit, since you can easily adjust the Loop’s rails through the ring that positions mid-back.
Additionally, one of the biggest benefits of the Loop is its wearing longevity—it can last for years. The Loop can even be put to use through preschool age when little people often have big emotions and benefit from a tight snuggle on mom or dad’s chest.
Solly Baby Loop Features
- Short front cross carry style for babies and toddlers
- Supportive woven fabric that bears weight comfortably for the adult
- Fits children weighing 15-45 pounds
- Fabric gets softer with every wear
- Health benefits for child and parent
Pros & Cons
Pros
100% organic woven cotton, very supportive
Available in 2 sizes
Can be used for years, up to 45 lbs.
Cons
Single carry option, front carry
Thicker, thus warmer, material
Almost double the price of the Wrap
What to Consider Before Buying a Baby Carrier
The world of babywearing is vast! There are so many styles, fits, and patterns. Sometimes it takes a little trial and error to find the best fit for you and your little one which is unfortunate since carriers tend to be an investment.
Before you buy, talk to other parents, read reviews (like this one!), and be willing to consider a few different options throughout your babywearing days.
To narrow down what might be ideal for you, ask yourself these questions:
How big is my baby?
Some fabrics are thicker, and thus, sturdier than others. That means a big baby will be better supported with a reinforced design or woven fabric. A smaller baby can more easily be managed in a one layer or lighter weight fabric.
If you have a carrier designed for the tiny, early days, just be prepared to invest in something different when your little one adds those precious rolls to their physique.
Where do I live?
If you live where the weather is warm you are going to want a lighter, more breathable carrier. Some carriers even have mesh sections! In this same regard, you and your baby might get sweaty, so a carrier that is easy to wash is a must.
What is my learning curve?
Wraps can be intimidating in the beginning, I get it. I’ve totally been there! Thankfully there are ample resources to learn how to get a secure, safe fit with every kind of wrap and carrier. Practice before your little one is born with a stuffed animal and you will be a pro in no time at all. Or, if fabric passes truly feels overwhelming, consider a buckle carrier for a simpler fit.
What is the resale value?
Sad news: you will not babywear forever. Some babywearing options have a higher reselling value than others, especially if you opt for a limited edition print or higher-end brand. If this is important to you, peruse resale groups online to gain understanding on what you might be able to sell a carrier for once your carrying days are through.
Final Verdict
It’s a tie! Solly Baby has truly created two unique carriers, both with their own benefits. The main difference in the two is that the wrap can be used for babies from birth up to 25 pounds, while the Loop can be used for babies from 15-45 pounds.
So, the decision is up to you and when you want to use the carrier. Do you want to Wrap first and then Loop? Wrap as long as you can and then decide what’s next? Skip the Wrap and Loop as soon as your little one is 15 pounds? As long as you are committed to safely babywearing, you really can’t go wrong.
However, if you want my honest opinion, I would say: buy the Solly Wrap first. It’s definitely ideal for those very early days—it’s soft, moldable, and gives the perfect fit for a postpartum parent.
Then, if you falls in love with wearing your little one, add the Loop later when baby reaches 20 pounds or so.
And, if you’re ready to purchase, from now until 12/31/2021, you can add any full-priced wrap ($69) + any full-priced loop carrier ($125) to cart to be eligible for bundle pricing!
When you click on some of our links, you support our community. To learn more click here.