REASONS TO BUY
Budget-friendly
Easy wrap
Machine wash and dry
REASONS TO AVOID
Size specific
No adjustability
Baby K'tan Original Review
Inexpensive, easy to use, wrap style without the wrap hassle
The Baby K'tan is easy to use and works for little ones from 8-35 lbs.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Price: $60 List
By Juliet Spurrier, MD and BabyGearLab Review Team ⋅ Feb 19, 2018
RELATED: The Best Baby Carriers
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.
Editor's Note: This gear review was updated on October 17th, 2022, to include new sections to help you make a selection.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Baby K'tan Original | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  | | |||
| Price | $60 List $59.95 at Amazon | $45 List Check Price at Amazon | $45 List $44.95 at Amazon | $50 List $39.95 at Amazon | $36 List $32.98 at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | Budget-friendly wrap style that is easy to use and comfy enough | Economical and comfortable but you need to hold baby when you put it on | Hard to use wrap that is comfortable but can get hot | Somewhat average and uninspired with average comfort and features | Cheaper choice with poor features for comfort and useability |
| Rating Categories | Baby K'tan Original | Boba Wrap | Moby Wrap Classic | You+Me 4-in-1 | Infantino Flip Adva... |
| Child Comfort (25%) | |||||
| Parent Comfort (35%) | |||||
| Ease of Use (30%) | |||||
| Ease Of Cleaning (10%) | |||||
| 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 |
Show full specification details ▼Hide full specification details ▲
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
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.
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.
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.
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
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Juliet Spurrier, MD and BabyGearLab Review Team
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