Now that my girls are older, I’m a Soft Structured Carrier (SSC) junkie. Zoë weighs about 35 pounds and Kaylee weighs around 25 pounds, but I still wear them both (and so does Brian). I have heard a lot about Boba carriers over the last few years, so I was excited to get to try a Boba 3G carrier.
The first thing I noticed when I put Kaylee in the Boba 3G carrier was how comfortable it is. It’s made from 100% cotton, and it has just enough give to where I feel like it conforms to her shape and makes her feel extra snuggly. The material is very lightweight (not much padding), so it’s not a bulky carrier at all, which is great for short trips to the store or a jaunt down to the park.
We took a trip to Costco a couple weeks ago to return our vacuum (that burnt out after only a few months) and Kaylee was out like a light in the Boba. I had taken the hood out of the carrier to make it even easier to transport, but was definitely wishing I had it that day!
However, I do love that that the hood is removable, and that you can store it in the small zippered pouch when you’re not using it (or you can use the pouch for storage if you detach the hood).
There’s another small zippered pouch on the waistband as well. Just enough storage for my phone, keys and a small wallet.
One thing that did concern me at first was the fact that there isn’t an extra security loop to catch the waist buckle if it comes undone. But that concern was quickly alleviated because they buckle is very strong, military grade in fact. I had a little difficulty getting it snapped at first, but I’d rather that than have it easily pop open!
There is one feature I haven’t tried yet, but really want to – the foot straps. We’re in the middle of packing to move, so somehow they must have gotten misplaced in the midst of the chaos. I really think Kaylee would like having a place to rest her feet when she’s on my back for extended periods of time. And I like that they are designed to keep your child’s legs in the flexed abducted (froglike) position, which will naturally tilt the pelvis, fill out the hip sockets and align the spine.
There’s also a nifty shoulder strap holder on each side to keep your purse or diaper bag in place. I can think of many times when that would have come in handy!
The Boba 3G Carrier is designed for babies and children that weigh 7 to 45 pounds, and can be used for both front and back carry positions. And while I haven’t tried this, it converts to an infant carrier without an insert – I thought that was a neat feature.
It’s also made to fit parents of every size and shape without the need to purchase an extension belt or accessory. It should comfortably fit people of heights 5’0” to 6’3” with a waistband range of 25” to 58”. Additionally, all straps are fully adjustable, and there are elastic bands so you can tuck the straps away once you have the carrier adjusted for you and your child.
Overall, the Boba 3G is a great carrier that will get plenty of use in our house. I’ll use it mostly for short trips where I don’t need a lot of storage, but don’t want to carry around a bulky carrier – like our walks to the park.
Boba also offers a Boba Wrap ($48), a great carrier for babies from birth until around 18 months, and the Boba Air carrier ($65), an ultra lightweight and ergonomic carrier ideal for travelers and parents on the go.
Be sure to connect with Boba on Facebook and Twitter.
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Thank you to Boba for providing the products mentioned in this post. Although I received these products free of charge, all opinions expressed are my own.
About Chrystal Johnson
Chrystal, publisher of Happy Mothering, is a mother of two sweet girls who believes in living a simple, natural lifestyle. A former marketing manager, Chrystal spends her time researching green and eco-friendly alternatives to improve her family's life. She enjoys sharing those discoveries with anyone who's willing to listen.



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{ 203 comments… read them below or add one }
I LOVE our 3G! I’m currently using it to carry my 3 week old. It’s easy to adjust for an infant and she seems to like it!
Jenny K recently posted..Fluffy Fridays: Newborns and One-Size Cloth Diapers
Twitter: TheGabels
July 20, 2012 at 10:27 am
I had no idea they made these for older kids! My 3 year old would love this!
Camille recently posted..Basic Scone
Twitter: apaigeatatime
July 20, 2012 at 11:49 am
I have a Boba wrap and I like it so much better than the Moby, but I have never used the 3G. Now that our little one is getting bigger I will have look into getting a structured carrier. This looks like a good option, thanks!
A Paige at A Time recently posted..test
Twitter: bumptobabygear
July 20, 2012 at 3:55 pm
Great review. We have the Boba 2G (basically the same, but it doesn’t have any of the pockets, which would be so handy for storing a wallet, keys and cell phone!). My husband and I LOVE it. Needless to say, my daughter does too otherwise we wouldn’t be using it so often. Like your daughter, mine sleeps great when in the Boba. It’s actually our emergency go-to solution when we can’t otherwise get her down for a nap in her crib. We love our Boba so much I actually just ordered the Boba Air to use as a travel carrier.
My FAV!! I want this one so bad! I LOVE how great the toddler looks in it as my daughter is nearly 3. Also I really like the feet straps. My daughter can kick me when wearing her. I think they would really help!
Love the foot straps on this carrier. I still back carry my 4 year old, and if it’s at night and she falls asleep her legs sometimes swing all about. I think those would come in handy.
Great review! Looks like a great carrier – super comfy and i like the foot straps
This design is great and I love the versatility.
I REALLY would love to try one of these! I LOVE the genius idea of the stirrups!
I have heard great things about the Boba. They look so secure and comfy! I love the little underbutt pocket, too!
Love the foot straps, and it looks super duper comfy. Thankd for the review
This is the carrier I want for my next baby! I love the kangaroo print!
The foot straps look like they add a lot of comfort to the child.
wow! I love the foot straps, so cool!
Twitter: craftykatydid
August 1, 2012 at 6:24 am
We love our Boba 3G. My daughter was a very tall and big baby so this was one of the only carriers that would accommodate her length when she was little. It has been all over with us and we have done tons of hiking with it. I have found it so comfy and love the little extras they thought of like the clip to hold the diaper bag on your shoulder and the little change/key pocket on the waistband.
Katy Emanuel recently posted..Blogger Sign Up’s Open for $500 Funky Fluff Stash & cash giveawayand
I like this one to
Thanks for the great review! I love the really wide seat on the Boba, it looks super comfortable!
Love the pattern! Looks so comfortable too.
Have wanted to try a Boba for awhile now! & I love the pocket – great feature!
Twitter: acshaver
August 1, 2012 at 7:34 am
Ok, this carrier I am DYING to try! I just got the Boba Air and am in love! I used it on a recent week long trip and it was so wonderful to have! I definitely want to try out the 3G now!
Andrea @ One Tomorrow at a Time recently posted..My green(er) family
I love the foot straps! I can imagine bigger kids’ legs would get tired after awhile and this is such a great idea to help with that.
Wow, I have heard of the boba but haven’t really researched it! thanks for reviewing it! I really like the pocket and definitely love the feet holds! how neat!
We have an ergo we love to use but these have a higher back support for the babes and will definitely fit them for longer it seems.
I use a ring sling for our 4-month old, and her 3-yr old brother gets a little jealous. This would be awesome to give him some time, and our little one could use it too. Great review!
Looks similar to my Butterfly carrier. Would love to have this one.
This carrier seems to have thought of everything. All the extra pockets and loops seem like great ideas. Sounds like it would work well for both me and hubby!
Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/mom2HuntrnChris
August 1, 2012 at 9:38 am
This carrier looks awesome. I currently have an Ergo, and while I love it I wish it didn’t need an additional insert to make it safe for newborns. This carrier would be perfect for my upcoming little one.
We love our Boba. It is one of our favorite carriers. And the thing about storage is they also have a boba pack that is like a diaper bag that hooks right on the carrier. It is great for little day trips for us!! WE love how secure it feels and it is something my husband doesn’t mind using either
Love that it’s cotton. That’s definitely a nice looking carrier!
Mrs. Cox recently posted..Gender Games
I have never heard of the foot straps before but that makes so much sense!
Twitter: shebreaksdown
August 1, 2012 at 10:48 am
I’ve heard some amazing things about Boba! I really like the way the carriers look, and I love the foot straps!
Kirstie recently posted..UGH!
Such a cute carrier!
I love that shoulder strap holder!! What a great idea.
foot holders are a brilliant idea love it!
I have only heard great things about the Boba! I would love to win this with the foot rests.
im excited to try this 3g boba out! less bulky and the extra comfort support under bays bum looks like it will work wonders on a long carry! not to mention they even added another zip pocket there!!
The Boba is wonderful. I love all the features – the cute little pocket & the shoulder straps look secure & comfortable.
awesome!!! that pocket would definitely come in handy!
I love how adjustable this one is – parents do some in all different sizes and shapes!
This carrier looks so much better than mine!
I have heard such amazing things about the Boba and I would really love to try it! I love the foot straps for older children also! This looks like such a comfy and well made carrier!
That does look super comfy for toddlers! I kind of like the foot strap, but I’m sure my kids would drive me crazy trying to take their feet out and put them back in! lol
i like that it isn’t bulky and i like how you can adjust it
Love love the footstraps!!!
all of the extras on the boba 3g are just awesome!! i love the foot straps, the purse strap, & the zipper pouch! i would love love to try this carrier out!!
I didn’t know about the foot straps and the snaps to help hold your purse/diaper bag in place! That is a neat idea, I’m always struggling with my diaperbag when I am wearing my babe.
Twitter: jdm2551
August 1, 2012 at 3:54 pm
This carrier looks awesome! The built in pocket is genius!
Jessi Greenmamajama recently posted..Red Barn Cloth Diapers (Ai2 Review) + #Giveaway! WORLDWIDE!
My friend raves about her Boba – I have been dying to try one!
looks awesome i love that it has little straps for the kids feet that is awesome
the foot straps are cute
I have the Boba (I love it esp. for back carries w/my 22 lb. LO) but I didn’t even know all the details that you covered in your review.
This is the baby carrier I’ve been wanting forever!
I like that it adjusts to the wearer so well. I’m 5’0″ and that has enough challenges!
I love that it has footstraps! My son is only a year now, but I’m sure that would come in handy when he is older.
Looks nice, I would like to try the foot rests too.
Love the foot strap feature – seems like a great option, especially for older, possibly fidgeting children
I love the stirrups. I have heard nothing bad about this carrier and cant wait to try it.
Twitter: BabyGivesGalore
August 1, 2012 at 6:47 pm
I have the older Boba version and I love all of the awesome improvements and features that have added to the 3G. Especially the ability to use it for infants and the added pockets.
Kristen Bobbitt recently posted..Family Cloth: Baby Wipes #Giveaway #NewbornCloth Event
This seems like a dream carrier, really! Light, but still with a little bit of storage space. A huge weight range for little ones and so much adjustability for the parents. It just seems unbelievably awesome!
I love the feet straps and I love how it’s wide and keeps baby in a seated position. Very comfortable looking. I would love to try one of these!!
I would love to try a Boba, the seat looks wide enough for an older/larger child
Wow didn’t know they made these. Thanks for the insite and knowledge of this product.
Love the pockets! My carrier doesn’t have any – what a simple but necessary feature!
Love that this is adjustable and works for toddlers too!!
love the colors
I didn’t know that a Boba went all the way to 45lbs! Wow – it is great that it can go from birth to toddlerhood!
Sarah Hull recently posted..Wordless Wednesday: Cookie Monster
Wow, I really like this one. I love the foot straps and I love how versatile this one is.
I love all the prints you can get with this carrier!
Copper recently posted..The Things I’ve Learned- Five Month Edition
We have one of these and love it. I love that it snapped up to make it smaller for her before she hit 15 pounds. The only downside to that is that I had the footstrap attacher parts digging into my hips, but I think I might have been doing something wrong. First baby, so new to babywearing.
Wow, this carrier looks awesome! I love the idea of the foot rests.
these look super comfy i would really love to try the wrap too
It seems like they thought of all the little details! I especially love the foot straps.
I really like the prints that this carrier comes in. So cute!
We’ve owned our Boba 3G for almost 3 months now. My 5 month old is out like a light whenever she’s in it. We’ve used it for travelling, through the airport, a trip to Mount Rushmore, then for shopping, walks…it’s been perfect!!
Twitter: MrsKucz
August 2, 2012 at 8:37 am
I love that this carrier is lightweight and not bulky!!
I want one of these!! US only =(
Love the ease of this carrier and I like the price = )
Roxanne recently posted..1 Year
The foot straps are such a cool & practical idea & the prints are very nice
Foot Straps, what a novel idea
I would love to try this carrier!!!
This is the ultimate mai tai like carrier I have ever seen. I really like the foot straps option!
LOVE my Boba 3G. If I won this I would donate it to my babywearing group lending library. There is a LARGE demand for these!
I feel like I need this! it’s so well designed and I love the storage….
I like it!
The Boba looks so light and easy to use!
I like the foot rest for the child,
great hip abduction…with a grandchild that has severe hip dysplasia, this is super important to me!
I love that this carrier can fit people of all sizes. I also like that the hood is detachable.
Brandi Elam recently posted..I did it.
I love that this is made big enough for me to carry our toddler. He can get heavy after a while but this looks very comfortable to use.
The snap straps on the shoulder look like a nifty feature. I wonder if works well?
This carrier looks like it will definitely get good use for a long time. I love how adjustable it is so you really get your money’s worth.
I’m interested in how the newborn part works. I wish there had been more discussion about this. The idea of a carrier that works from birth to 45 lbs is genius!
I had that kind of carrier when my kids were little. I loved it!
Bondmoran Charlotte recently posted..En paus i gödselrännan
I have been desperate to try a Boba for quite some time now. I love that this works so well for toddlers! The foot straps look comfy, but I wonder if this would be an issue with my little one…I am thinking she might try to stand! I would love to give it a shot regardless, it looks amazing and so comfortable.
Twitter: urbantimesinmi
August 3, 2012 at 6:37 am
I love that it has foot straps!
Twitter: H
August 3, 2012 at 6:54 am
I would love to use this with my toddler! I like the hood and the pouch to keep it in when not using it.
I have a friend who loves her Boba 3G! I love how soft it looks, and that it can “conform” to toddler to make them feel a bit more secure!
LOVE this carrier!! The foot straps are genius!
Love the small zippered pouch for small items such as money, keys, cards, etc. Sometimes I just want to take my little one for quick errand and the pouch would be perfect.
Twitter: xolilpeachxo
August 3, 2012 at 12:37 pm
I’ve heard so many great things about the boba. If only they grew on trees, ah babywearing happiness
The foot straps look great for my 2 year old. I’d love to try this carrier!
Twitter: hh crafty
August 3, 2012 at 12:51 pm
This carrier looks amazing! I love the foot straps!!!
Heather recently posted..Pregnant and Raw: Food that is. Part 2
Twitter: juditupp
August 3, 2012 at 1:50 pm
Some of the features that I like about the boba: the foot strap and the purse holder. My diaper bag is always falling off of my shoulder!
Great review. Thank you.
Amazing quality and reliability!!!
Thank you for the chance!
ksyshenka(at)yahoo(dot)com
I have a Boba 2G and love that it has a higher fabric for toddler back carries, foot straps, and detachable hood. The 3G looks awesome with added zipper pouches, snaps to wear a smaller baby in a front carry position and more colors!
Eve recently posted..Best of the Block Towers 2012
This design is great keep up the good work.
Wow, the Boba people really went above and beyond with all the little details. I love the foot rests and little pockets! I wish my Beco had those.
I’ve haven’t heard a lot about this carrier, so it was nice to learn some things! Thank you!!
I have the Boba wrap. I love it! I got to try my sister’s 3G carrier the other day. Love all the features and it is super comfy!
My girlfriend has this carrier and LOVES it. I like the feet straps, the small things.
thanks for the review!
I’ve heard a lot of people raving about this carrier. And I like the foot straps.
lightweight, airy and comfortable. All good things.
I WANT TO TRY A BOBA soooo bad!!! <3
I have the last version of the Boba and I really like it. I would love to try this new version with the next baby since you can put a small baby in it. It took my son quite a while before he could fit in the older Boba properly.
I love the idea of foot holds. My 18 mo is constantly trying to rest her feet on my elbows when she’s on my back. This would be so great for us.
Pregnant with my 5th, this would be VERY handy :0)
Lydia Bryant recently posted..Apologies, the link was wrong for signing up!
Their prints are so cute! And I like the foot straps.
I have always wanted one of these, for the footstraps, ha! I actually quit wearing my daughter because she’d always kick me and I bruise SUPER easy, and I couldn’t handle looking like I was always in a fight lol.
i love all the prints
I just recieved my Boba 2 weeks ago! I love it and so does my sweet 5 month old son!
I love the zippered pouch…. great idea!
christine kangas recently posted..Earth’s Best Country Vegetable Chicken Soup
Twitter: 7kidsandcountin
August 5, 2012 at 11:34 am
yes I also love the zipper pouch, and the ease of snapping it from behind my back.
This is my favorite carrier. We have one and LOVE it! I need to try the back carrier position, though…something to do!
LOVE my 3G! I use the purse strap holder all the time! I have the Tweet pattern, and have a Boba Pack to go with it, too!
I’m happy to hear the wide variety of shapes and sizes this will fit!
Boba’s are the best! So great for back carries!
THis is one of the carriers I have been drooling over! I love the foot straps and that the weight limit is up to 45lbs!
Desperately want to try one of these!
boba has thought of everything. I really like that they even thought of a strap for a purse or diaper bag
I have one of these and it is awesome as you described!
Teresha recently posted..Vera Bradley Travel Set Giveaway (US/CAN)
I’ve heard great things about the Boba. And wow, foot straps? Seems very comfortable for the kiddos.
I like how comfortable this looks – AND it has manly patterns for my hubby
thanks!
Twitter: CrunchyConMom
August 6, 2012 at 4:17 pm
We LOVE our Boba-I used it pretty much every day from when my son was a year old until he was 2 and just too heavy for me (I’m only 5’2″) and my husband still uses it sometimes even though our son is 3!
Crunchy Con Mommy recently posted..Cure for the Mondays July 30th, 2012
Pretty cool..
This is probably the best, most helpful review I have seen of this carrier. Thanks.
So clever! Love it. And the name is fun to say, too!
Looks OK but too dark.
Twitter: Our_Crazy_House
August 7, 2012 at 8:08 am
I don’t think there’s anything about this carrier that I don’t love.
Amanda recently posted..Building a train layout, part one
Used to have one of these ’til I accidentally destroyed it in the wash. A great carrier!
I really wanted to love the boba and recently tried the boba on at a local store and in the front facing carry the straps dug into and chafed the back of my arms. Sucks b/c my guy was totally comfortable in it!
I am drooling over this carrier! I love the fact that I can use it for my newborn AND my 2 year old.
The foot straps are a cool feature! I love this one too.
I have a Boba 3G but haven’t been able to use it yet! I’m dying to try it out though! My niece isn’t real big into being held in carriers and baby #1 of my own is still on its way!
This is a pretty print. How nice that it goes up to 45 lbs!
It has so many helpful features! I also love that you can carry an infant in it, as we are expecting our first in November.
It’s great that it’s so light weight and comfortable!
My absolute favorite carrier in the world…I am looking to get one more for my twins, so I hope I win this giveaway!
I like the shoulder strap feature.
I just got a Boba 3G and have only used it twice and I’m already in love!
I really like the design and the structure to it
I love that it has foot straps!
the fot strp would come in handy for kicker if you g ot one my kid were little
they would kick andpull and then i have to wer 2 of them formy tiwns
desitheblodneat msnd ot ocom
The foot straps are a great idea!
lauren.uda(at)gmail(dot)com
This one looks supportive. We live on an organic farm with crop and animals and I have TONS of chores. With 5 kids and 1 on the way in early November I am in the market for a good carrier. I have been reading your reviews and they all look awesome. Which ones do you think would be best for my situations. I am a baby wearing mama and keep them close to me all day.
If you’re working outside in the heat, either the Onya Baby Outback style or the ERGObaby Performance carrier since they are more breathable. And you need to try the back carry! It’ll make your life much easier.
I love all the pockets and the super strong buckle.
love that it has foot straps!
I have a boba carrier and love it!
I’ve only ever used a sling and a homemade carrier. This looks awesome! I’ve been a fan of Boba for awhile, I’d love to be able to have one!
I love that this carrier has a zippered pouch for keys, money etc. I much prefer to not carry a purse, so this would be great.
I’ve heard such great things about this carrier!
I am in love with my Boba 3G! I have it in Tweet. It is by far the best carrier i have used!
Oh man, I want that carrier so badly! It looks so comfy!
So cute!!
Sue K recently posted..What’s Up Wednesday!
Twitter: reinventlolli
August 10, 2012 at 10:11 am
I love the super cute design!!
Sooo pretty
I like the Boba carrier and wanted to be able to use one, but it’s too big for my narrow shoulders.
How brilliant that this has zippered pouches! I love the idea of slipping my keys and cellphone in there while out walking.
Twitter: jjcjejmami
August 10, 2012 at 11:19 pm
I love that it has little foot holders.
Sarh S recently posted..Jewelry Candles Giveaway! US 8/23
I would LOVE to win a Boba! It’s at the top of my wish list. We love SSC’s, but have yet to get our hands on one of these. Their prints are super cute too!
Twitter: Opalandrouge
August 11, 2012 at 11:11 am
I like that it goes up to 45 lbs…as I tend to have huge babies!
Alyssa recently posted..Updates
i love boba. i need a boba. i want to win a boba. i like the foot straps which i’m suprised other carriers don’t have. it just makes sense with an older child.
Love, love, LOVE Boba! They make the best products, and our two year old asks to be worn in the Boba by name!
I’ve just started to us a Boba 3G and it was great. I took it up hiking at the cottage and my 3 year old was out by the time we finished out 5km hike.
Twitter: WifeyAsh09
August 12, 2012 at 9:37 am
I would love to win a nice carrier and the boba looks cool
The foot straps make this super appealing to me! I’ve heard a lot of things about SSC and the Boba in general, so I’m intrigued.
Looks like a great carrier.. thanks for sharing.
fancygrlnancy (Nancy Partin) recently posted..#Just4Baby Giveaway Hop Winner!!
I love our Boba 3G!! I use it for both my kids – not at the same time
I leave the hood attached but rolled up and secured with the little elastic loops on each end and then the pocket is still somewhat usable. it just cant be zipped. but things can still be put in there – just remember to take them out before taking the boba off – or the things will fall on the ground.
My cell phone fits especially well in the pocket on the waist band.
Wonderful Review!!
Marie Johnson recently posted..Tide Pods Review
Love their prints!!! & that you have storage space!
The leg straps look wonderful! This seems like it would be an excellent carrier for my husband or I to carry our 2yr old daughter. Comfy for us and for her!
My husband and I have been wanting to try one of these for a long time! They look great!
I dreamt about Boba! I wish I have it in my carrier collection!
I would love to try this carrier, I’ve heard such good things about it! I especially like the leg straps, think they are a nice extra.
I love the foot straps! What an awesome extra!
The Boba comes in such cute prints!
I always confuse this with the Beco, but this one looks much more comfortable!
I’m loving the foot straps! Such a cool feature!
The foot rest is really neat! Love it.
Twitter: surfmommie
August 14, 2012 at 11:14 am
Okay, the Boba looks perfect! Feet straps, zippered pockets, military grade buckles, and a purse snap! OHMY this one is for me! hehehe
Samantha Jenkins recently posted..Let’s play catch up
I like the pockets and that they make it in a large size for older children
What a great idea having the foot straps, not a feature I need for a little while yet but definitely in the future would be very handy
We have a Boba and love it! My hubby uses the camo print!
Jenny K recently posted..Snack Time!
It looks very good for my little one.
I want this so bad!
I really like this one. It looks to be sturdy all over, and comfortable for the wearer. Those wide straps (kind of like a backpack) seems like it would really help take the strain of off your back. This may be better for younger children because it may constrict movement from an older toddler. But all in all I really do like it
footstraps, pockets and shoulder strap holder—BRILIANT!
It looks like it is snug at the waist, perfect for carrying a heavier child.
Twitter: prissybenavides
August 14, 2012 at 8:50 pm
This carrier looks very durable and tough for any size baby.
I would LOVE a Boba 3G!!! It sounds perfect.
Love theBoba Carrier 3G we just got. Having worn it a dozen times already for long periods of time, I can definitely say that Boba products are worth the extra money.
I really do like this baby carrier. It’s one of my favorites, and that says a lot considering I have quite a bit of experience in the soft structured baby carrier world. I’ve already put the word out to my friends and family that the Boba 3G would make an excellent Christmas present for me and my daughter!
Tasha recently posted..Kelty Pathfinder 3.0 Vs. Osprey Poco Premium
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