Baby Tula Explore

The Tula Explore is in the same category as the Ergobaby Omni 360 — structured buckle carrier, four positions, newborn to toddler, roughly $180. In most comparison threads, they’re bracketed as equivalent choices with slightly different fits. If you’re on an Ergo and have never thought about a Tula, there’s no reason to switch. If the Ergo felt too big and you wanted to keep shopping, the Tula is the carrier to try next.

Short version: recommend, with the context that “Ergobaby vs. Tula” is mostly a matter of body fit, preferred prints, and which one your friend lent you first. The babywearing community online posts fit checks for both more than any other carrier — which is evidence that both work, with some adjustment.

The case for

I love the Tula. The Ergo baby Embrace for her first months was also just right. The ergobaby omni is just too much for me. It feels so bulky.

This is the most consistent pro-Tula framing: “the Ergo felt too big; the Tula fit me.” Tula runs narrower at the base and slightly shorter at the panel, which helps petite wearers and smaller-torsoed parents. It doesn’t feel like wearing a backpack; it feels like wearing a carrier.

I love our moby wrap (used from 5 days old) and Tula free to grow (used from about 2 weeks old)! The Tula is hands down my favourite for out and about, it's so easy to pop him in and out of for Costco trips, hikes, dog walks, etc.

“Easy to pop him in and out” is the right frame. The Tula’s buckle placement and strap design is genuinely quicker than most competitors after you’ve done it a few dozen times.

The case against (or: the Lillébaby counterfactual)

I have both and find the Lille Baby significantly more comfortable. I did a lot of weightlifting and honestly found front carry, forward facing to be super comfortable even when my oldest was over 30 pounds. I think if you have good core strength, it may be a lot more comfortable than it is for the average person.

This is an honest parent-to-parent comparison. For some wearers — particularly those with back strength or weightlifting experience — the LILLÉbaby Complete feels more supportive under heavier toddler loads. The Tula isn’t universally the most comfortable option, and if you’re planning to babywear a 30-lb two-year-old, test both before committing.

I actually don't think Lille complete is good for forward facing out. It never looked comfy for my baby. The panel is also low so I felt like my baby outgrew it really fast.

This is actually a point for the Tula — when compared to the LILLÉbaby, the Tula’s panel is slightly taller and the forward-facing position is better engineered. Different parents prefer different tradeoffs.

What you’re paying for

Four-position support with a standard design. Same as Ergobaby: front-in, front-out, hip, back. No infant insert needed.

Size range that actually fits most adults. The Tula’s straps adjust in a wider range than the Ergobaby for taller wearers specifically. 6’2”+ parents tend to prefer Tula.

Prints. Tula sells carriers in hundreds of designs — from simple solids to licensed patterns. If aesthetics matter (they do — the carrier you actually wear beats the one you don’t), Tula wins this category.

The Free-to-Grow alternative. Tula also sells the Free-to-Grow ($140, no forward-facing, same newborn-to-toddler range). For parents who don’t want forward-facing, this is a $40 cheaper Tula that’s equally good for the other three positions.

What’s weaker

Shorter waist strap range. The Tula’s waist strap has a shorter max size than the Ergobaby. If your partner is plus-size or has a longer torso, the Ergobaby fits a wider range.

Less padding at the shoulders. Some wearers find the Tula’s shoulder straps less cushioned than the Ergo, particularly for longer walks with heavier toddlers.

Fewer Amazon counterfeits, but they exist. Buy from Tula directly or from known retailers.

How it compares

Who should buy it

Buy it if you’re petite (under 5’5”) or have a short torso and the Ergobaby Omni 360 felt too big in-store.

Buy it if you care about prints (they matter for everyday use; the carrier you love is the one you’ll wear).

Buy the Free-to-Grow instead if you don’t want forward-facing (many pediatricians prefer hip/back carry for older babies anyway) and want to save $40.

Skip it if you already own an Ergobaby Omni 360 that’s working. There’s no reason to switch; the difference is too small.

Skip it if you expect to wear a 30+ lb toddler for extended periods. Test the LILLÉbaby Complete in a store first — it may feel more supportive for toddler weights.

What I’d do

Buy the Tula Free-to-Grow (not the Explore) for $140 new. Forward-facing is a marginal feature that many pediatricians discourage for developmental reasons, and you save $40. Plus a few dozen more print options at that price tier.

If you specifically want forward-facing, the Explore at $180 is fine. If you’re shopping used, the Explore and Free-to-Grow both sell for $60-90 on Facebook Marketplace — both are excellent deals at that price.

The Tula vs. Ergobaby choice is genuine: try both on in a BuyBuyBaby or specialty store (most of them carry both). The one that fits your specific body is the correct one. Don’t rely on online or Amazon reviews for this specific decision; it’s too body-dependent.