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Soft Structured Carriers Guide

Soft Structured Carriers Guide

Baby Carrying Made Easy

On this page we show you what makes a good soft structured carrier (SSC) or front pack, what the differences are between the main styles, how to get a comfortable carrier and why they are so good at getting baby from a to b as well as helping baby sleep when you need your hands free!

We compare the main soft structured carriers we offer from Beco, Boba, Ergobaby, Carifit & more. Only the most popular variants are shown below to provide an overview of the main differences between each manufacturer.

We love baby carriers at The Sleep Store. They're a great alternative to buggies as they keep baby close, helping them to relax enough to sleep. This lets you get on with your day, carrying your baby in comfort with your hands free. If you have further questions, request a carrier consult with our team of baby-wearing experts.

What is a Soft Structured Carrier (SSC)?

Soft Structured Carriers or SSC's are a very popular choice in the baby carrier range. SSC's, are also commonly known as a 'front pack" and they typically consist of a buckled, padded waistband, buckled padded shoulder straps and a back panel with a sleep hood. They are super quick to pop on and very supportive. SSC's do not require any learning or technique in the way a woven wrap does. This style of carrier is very popular with parents looking for a carrier that's quick and easy to put on, take off and adjust. This style covers brands like Beco, Boba, Ergobaby, and Carifit. Our in-house team of qualified baby carrier consultants hand-pick every carrier that goes into our range.

Watch Louise demonstrate our most popular soft structured baby carriers

Bestselling Soft Structured Baby Carriers at The Sleep Store

Here at The Sleep Store, we have one of the widest range of buckle carriers available from an Australasian retailer. All our carriers have been chosen by certified baby-wearing consultants for their comfort & safety. We have top brands such as Ergobaby, Beco, Boba & Carifit, but also stock lesser-known brands such as Diva Milano, Wildride & Love Radius. Many of our carriers are suitable to use from newborn, which makes life easier for new parents and we have options such as crossable straps, outward-facing carry positions and more. Watch Lou, a certified babywearing consultant, show you our best-selling soft structured carriers, including the Boba Bliss, a hybrid baby carrier.

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2025/03/31

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The Sleep Store

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What to look for when choosing an SSC style carrier

While you and your baby may take a little time to get used to carrying and working out the most comfortable position for you both, front packs (SSC's) do not require any learning or technique in the way a woven wrap does.

Most Soft Structured Carriers can be used for front or back carrying and from newborn (though with some carriers you’ll need a separate infant insert). Some styles can be used hip carrying too, though they are a little fiddlier to set up this way than a Ring Sling. Unless specified, carriers are only used with baby facing inwards towards the adult, i.e. front carry facing parent or back carry like a piggyback position. While some new carrier models have an adjustable position for facing outwards with older babies, the recommended position for babies is facing in, towards the adult.

Soft structured carriers are fabulous for going hiking and provide fantastic support for long-term wearing. They are our most recommended option for a comfortable way to carry children for longer periods of time.

In the chart below, we focus mainly on carriers that can be used up until your baby is around 2 years old and in most cases up to 20kg. Beco even does a specific toddler carrier to keep the knee to knee support for your child, which means big hikes are possible even when 3yr olds get pooped – they’re not heavy like a framed backpacks so are easily carted along.

The different brands have different fabrics and may differ in the height of the back panel and the length of the waistband.

Comparison Chart - Soft Structured Carriers that can be used from newborn (do not require an additional infant insert)

This comparison chart compares similar SSC's for carriers that are suitable from newborn through to around 20kgs (check the product page for carrier minimum and maximum weights). The chart compares carry positions, accessories and adjustability, so think about what features are important to you before you decide which carrier is best for you. If you're not sure, book a baby carrier consultation with our qualified team.

 

Beco Beco Boba Boba Ergobaby Ergobaby Carifit

Model

Gemini V2

Fly

X

Auri

Omni Deluxe All in One

Omni Classic Carrier - Cool Mesh

Multi-position Core baby carrier
Woman wearing a Beco Gemini V2 baby carrier with a child securely positioned in front.
A woman holding a smiling child in a black beco fly baby carrier.
Boba X Baby Carrier
Gray Boba Auri baby carrier with adjustable straps and support structure.
Gray baby carrier with adjustable straps and a padded seat.
Black Ergobaby Omni Classic cool mesh baby carrier with adjustable straps and a small accessory pouch.

Why we love it

Simple, versatile and comfortable. An upgrade on the much loved Gemini

Ultra lightweight & portable for travelling

Genuine newborn to toddler carrier as it includes toddler seat extender

Amazing value and simple to use

A well-known brand and popular option with multiple ways to wear.

Incredibly breathable & lightweight to create maximum airflow

Simple to use - no back straps. Universal sizing. Access to Carifit App for 12 months

Front Carry

Back Carry

Baby Facing Out Option

Hip Carry Option

Use from Newborn

From approx 1 month (3.2kg)

Maximum Weight

15.8kg max

20kg max

20kg max

20kg max

20kg max

20kg max

20kg max

Sleeping/Nursing Hood

Cross Strap Friendly

Storage Pocket

Waist Belt Length

69-149.8cm

60-136cm

65-150cm

70-140cm

66-140cm

66-140cm

Fits waist size 60cm - 150cm

Buy Beco Gemini V2
Buy Beco Fly Carrier
Buy Boba X
Buy Boba Auri Carrier
Buy Omni Deluxe All in One
Buy Omni Classic Carrier Cool Mesh
Carifit Core Baby Carrier

EXPERT BABY CARRYING ADVICE

Watch our Videos

Baby carriers suitable for newborns

Our Top 4 buckle carriers we reccomend for new babies

Many of our carriers are suitable to use from newborn, which makes life easier for new parents and we have options such as crossable straps, outward-facing carry positions and more. Watch Lou, a certified babywearing consultant, show you our best-selling soft structured carriers, including the Boba Bliss, a hybrid baby carrier.

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Newborn Babywearing Tips

Join Coralie, qualified Babywearing Consultant at The Sleep Store as she shares some tips & tricks for carrying a newborn baby in the Boba Bliss carrier.

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Carift+ Demo with Lou

The Carifit+ is designed to make your baby feel lighter. It's simple to use with no back clips and designed to be one size fits all. Watch Lou demo how to use it.

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How to adjust your baby's head in your carrier so they are safe and fully supported

Are you worried about how to support your baby's head while you have them snuggled up in a baby carrier? Watch this video tutorial for some great tips on how to use a baby carrier.

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How to position a 4 week old baby's legs in a Boba Bliss Carrier

Join Coralie, Babywearing Consultant at The Sleep Store as she demonstrates how to position a 4 week old baby's legs in a Boba Bliss Baby Carrier.

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Carifit Carriers

Carifit Core Carrier

Join Coralie, Babywearing Consultant at The Sleep Store, as she demos how to use the Carifit Multi-Position Core Baby Carrier with a 3-week-old baby.

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Fit Tips - Panel height of the Carifit Baby Carrier

Join Coralie, Babywearing Consultant at The Sleep Store as she shares the importance of the back panel height on a baby carrier and how to adjust it on the Carifit Carrier.

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How to forward face your toddler in the Carifit+ Carrier

Join Coralie, Babywearing Consultant at The Sleep Store as she shares the importance of the back panel height on a baby carrier and how to adjust it on the Carifit Carrier.

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ErgoBaby Carriers

Ergobaby Omni Deluxe

With its soft, pliable design the Ergobaby Omni Deluxe All-in-One Baby Carrier has the most flexibility out of all the Ergobaby soft structured carriers and will grow with your baby from infancy to toddler.

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Boba Soft Structured Carriers

Boba X Features

The Boba X has it all! A wonderfully comfortable carrier with all the features you need, but is super simple to use. It can be used from newborn to toddler, making this carrier wonderful value and the only carrier you need up until your child reaches 20kg.

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Boba X - A perfect fit

Micro adjustments make it possible for you to find the perfect fit for you and your baby. The Boba X has it all! A wonderfully comfortable carrier with all the features you need, but is super simple to use. It can be used from newborn to toddler, making this carrier wonderful value and the only carrier you need up until your child reaches 20kg.

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Beco Carriers

Beco 8 Carrier

Louise is the owner of The Sleep Store and a certified baby wearing consultant. She unwraps the Beco 8 soft structured carrier.

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Beco Gemini Soft Structured carrier

Have a good look around the Beco Gemini soft structured baby carrier.

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Other helpful carrier videos

Boba Bliss Newborn Hack

Join Coralie, Babywearing Consultant at The Sleep Store as she gives tips & hacks for wearing the Boba Bliss hybrid baby carrier with a newborn.

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Why the height of your carrier's waistband matters

Watch as Coralie, Babywearing Consultant at The Sleep Store shows how to position the baby carrier correctly on your waist.

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How to position a 4 week old baby's legs in a Boba Bliss Carrier

Join Coralie, Babywearing Consultant at The Sleep Store as she demonstrates how to position a 4 week old baby's legs in a Boba Bliss Baby Carrier.

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