The Scootababy hands-free carrier caught our eye at a trade show due to its elegant and simple strap adjustments and the wide, stretchy shoulder strap and weight belt that are pretty intuitive advances in terms of weight distribution (the bite of a shoulder strap and poor weight distribution are what wear down many parents using hip carriers, and a wide shoulder area is one of the classic sling's greatest strengths). The carrier is designed to function best for children ages 4 months or so and up, and can carry children up to 37 pounds, making it one of the longest-lasting hip carriers on the market. Its contoured padded form and easy adjustment hardware make it a standout, and it's made in the U.S. with materials from U.S. suppliers. It retails for around $110-$120.

We were curious to know how the Scootababy would fare at the low end of this range, when parents are first considering their carrier options and are most likely to develop back problems by using a carrier that doesn't offer enough support.

So we sent a Scootababy to our sister-in-law Emily, a veteran of several types of slings, wraps, and child carriers with her first child, to try out over a six-month span with her second child. She and her husband (and Gardenaut contributor) Joshua saw how it fared as her new daughter grew from 13 pounds at a couple months old through seven months of age.

What we got back was a rave review with a couple small caveats. "We love the carrier," she wrote, and offered these details:

Pros:

• I'm able to get in and out of it without needing to put Lu down. Can't say that for many carriers. (Although Josh can't do it.)


• The carrier is very comfortable for the wearer, with great lumbar support. It distributes her weight well and the stretchy shoulder makes it easy to move around and work in. We usually last as long as Lu can remain happy in it (45 minutes to an hour).


• Lu is in prime location to take in any task we're undertaking. Thus, she has a pretty long attention span for it.


• At seven months old, Lu is in a really grabby stage. Unwanted grabbing hasn't been a problem with this carrier - pinning the arms is easy and not uncomfortable for her.


• Quick in and out.


• Lu was able to sleep in this carrier through about six months or so. At seven months, she's too big to do so, but the carrier still functions well and is easy on me. (The Scootababy is rated for children weighing from 12 to 37 pounds, and is thus designed to be a long-term carrier.)

Cons:

• For the perfect fit, it's best if a second adult can help spread out the strap fabric over the the entire shoulder area. Works okay if no second adult to help, but endurance fails sooner since the weight isn't distributed as effectively.


• Babies smaller than 13 pounds or so might not be tall enough for their heads to peek over the top to see; but maybe this is better for head support anyway for the wee ones. (Your baby must be able to hold his or her own head up before using the carrier, but even then it's can be nice to have the additional support.) It just didn't feel as secure to me when she was so small, and I felt compelled to keep an arm around her body at all times. I was worried she'd fall out the side.

"Overall," Emily wrote, "It's comfortable, Lu likes it, and it's relatively easy to get in and out of. The Scootababy is our first choice for housecleaning, partygoing, and light gardening (including tending chickens!). We prefer other carriers (Moby) for napping, long walks, and calming fussiness." We're naming the Scootababy a ZRecs Top Pick for its quality, design, and long-range functionality.