Top 5 Baby Carriers That Pass the Hot Weather Test

I live in a tropical climate and am used to carrying my baby in super hot, humid weather. I've experienced the stickiness, the sweat and also the pure joy of carrying my child close to me while leaving my hands free.

If you're looking for the best baby carriers for summer, I'm here to help! There's no need to give up carrying your little one just because it's getting warm.

Photo credit - Maya Wrap Ring Sling Carrier from Amazon.

Having personally bought and tested dozens of baby carriers (from wraps to mei tais, and everything in between), I know which ones are suited to the heat...and which ones will make you a hot, flustered mess.

On this page, I'll show the 5 different types of baby carriers that are best suited to the heat, ranging from inexpensive ring slings to ergonomic backpack carriers. Whatever your budget, I'll give you my personal tips for choosing a baby carrier for your needs.

photo credit: HoboMama via photopin cc

The moldability of a wrap with the ease of a backpack carrier, mei tais are a great carrier for fathers, grandparents and childcare workers.

They're cool in summer, are easy to breastfeed in and can be used for small babies as well as big kids.

Watch out! Not all mei tais are made equal. Only buy reputable brands, and check that they have been properly tested for use with babies. Handmade carriers are tempting for their low prices, but can be sorely lacking in the safety department (and are nowhere near as comfortable as good ones).

Babyhawk is a great brand of Mei Tai. These carriers are convenient because unlike a wrap, you don't need to learn all sorts of knots and carries.

More flexible, adaptable and lighter than a backpack carrier, one mei tai will fit both parents so you can take turns carrying baby.

Babyhawk is available in many gorgeous patterns and colours, from bright to classic. You can see some more patterns (and read customer reviews) by clicking the picture.

These brands of mei tais have been proven time and time again to be safe, comfortable and good quality.

The latest mei tai auctions will show up here. Please be careful when buying any mei tai listed as handmade, artisanal or without a brand. They are often untested, uncomfortable and potentially unsafe.

Brands such as Babyhawk, Freehand, Kozy and more are a safer bet.

Lots of parents drape a thin cloth over baby's face to protect them from the sun. This works ok, as long as it's not too windy, and your baby is on your front rather than back. Cloths and blankets are usually too hot, and don't block that much UV, anyway.

If you've got a child like mine, sunglasses and hats are out of the question, leading only to screaming and throwing them off.

A purpose-made sun cover really is worth the small cost. It will actually protect your baby from UV rays - a cloth won't - and is made to stay on. No more chasing after a piece of fabric while holding a change bag, small child and a million other things.

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If you have a newborn who nurses all the time, ring slings are great. With a bit of practice, you'll be able to nurse discretely and hands-free when out and about.

This baby carrier is also useful with older babies and toddlers who want to constantly be put down to play, then picked up again. This up-down-up-down pattern can get tiring with other baby carriers, but a ringsling allows you to quickly hold your child on your hip without much adjustment.

A more budget-friendly option is the Maya wrap ring sling.

It's easy to adjust, comfortable and comes in a nice variety of colours. There are lots of very positive reviews that you can check out by clicking the picture.

photo credit: unertlkm via photopin cc

There are times when you can't be bothered with the fuss of tying a wrap, adjusting a ring sling or knotting the straps of a mei tai.

Ergonomic backpack carriers are very similar to popular carriers that we've all seen for years. They don't look alternative or weird, and anyone can use one without a learning curve.

I can't emphasis enough how important it is to keep away from carriers that are not made ergonomically. If the carrier holds your child too low, or by their crotch rather than supporting their hips this could lead to hip problems.

Invest in a quality carrier that supports your child's body and your back and you'll both enjoy the babywearing experience.

Here are some reviews and brand comparisons to help you out.

This is the best-selling ergonomic baby backpack on the market.

It clicks on and off simply, is good for hot weather and babies love it.

photo credit: Tan-tra via photopin cc

Out of all the baby carriers available, I like wraps the best. Why? They're the most versatile, allowing dozens of different carries with one carrier.

They also mould to baby's body perfectly, leaving them extra snug. This snugness ensures the parent's back is supported, making it a comfortable option for long walks or travelling.

I have several wraps of different lengths, brands and fabric types, and they're all used regularly.

Pictured is the Wrapsody Bali Breeze in 'Morgaine', a calming turquoise blue with batiked sea turtles, stars and a mermaid along the wrap. Made of gauze cotton, they are light and cool in summer yet provide plenty of support.

I personally own a Wrapsody Bali Breeze ( in the purple and grey 'Alice') and cannot say enough good things about it. I still carry my heavy 18 month toddler in it comfortably, and love how secure it feels.

Wrapsody are known for their quality, unique patterns and their suitability for hot weather. Take my word for it, this is a fabulous baby carrier.

Started by a single mother after the birth of her child, I just adore the Wrapsody line of wraps. A small U.S family company, they collaborate with an artist in Bali to hand-dye all their wraps in their unique patterns.

I've enjoyed wonderful customer service from Wrapsody, and their products come with a helpful instruction DVD so you can learn how to use the wraps easily.

I love linen in hot weather. It's cool and airy, plus it absorbs sweat so you don't feel sticky.

There are three different tricks to make woven wraps suitable for summer use:

- Use a short length wrap (size 2 or 3), so that there's less fabric against your bodies

- Use a long wrap, tied in a way to let lots of air in through the sides

- Use a thin wrap made of linen, silk, bamboo or gauze

I love carrying my son in slings, wraps and baby carriers. Here are a couple of other pages I've made about this practical skill.

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Didymos Wrap: My Baby Carrier Review
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If you live or are travelling to a place with tropical weather, this is indispensable.

Other rain covers are meant for cold regions, and will have your baby and you sweating in no time.

Not this one - it's light and breathable, yet provides great protection against the rain. Perfect for summer showers, visiting waterfalls and other places where it's humid.

Here's a cute video showing the Aquacarrier - it is very similar to the Wrapsoy DuO shown below.

Summer's almost here, and there's nothing more refreshing in the heat than a dip in the water.

These videos show how to use traditional baby carriers that are perfectly adapted to hot weather, such as the Mexican rebozo and African kanga.

Unfortunately, it's not easy finding demonstrations from people who come from the countries where these carriers originate - probably because the skill is passed on by family members and there's no need to film it.