The Ergobaby and Baby Tula companies are two of the most popular producers of baby carriers on the market today. Did you know Tula and Ergobaby are actually sister companies? That’s right, they’re owned by the same company. This doesn’t surprise me considering both companies make such amazing quality baby carriers that put baby safety and parent comfort at the forefront of all their decisions.
If you’re a new parent trying to decide between buying a Tula baby carrier or an Ergobaby carrier, there are a few things you should consider. The similarities and differences can seem overwhelming at first but I’ll break it down piece by piece and also give you my personal recommendation (I’ve used multiple carriers from both companies). If you want to take an even closer look, you can also read my in-depth review of these baby carriers separately here:
- Tula Explore Review
- Tula Free To Grow & Tula Standard Review
- Tula Lite (travel carrier) Review
- Omni 360 Review
- Omni Breeze Review
Let’s take a look at the general differences between the two companies and then directly compare their two most similar baby carriers: the Ergobaby Omni Breeze and the Tula Explore. You can read the full article or jump to whichever section you’d like by clicking this table of contents.
Table of Contents:
- Tula Vs Ergo General Differences
- Ergo Omni Breeze vs Tula Explore Infographic
- Omni Breeze vs Tula Explore Key Features:
- How To Choose Between Tula and Ergobaby?
- Final Thoughts & My Personal Choice
Tula Vs Ergo General Differences
In general, when you’re looking at the two companies (Ergobaby vs Baby Tula), there are few differences that stand out right away.
- Tula carriers come in more colors & patterns than Ergobaby carriers
- Erogbaby carriers have built-in lumbar support
- Tula carriers have a detachable sun hood, Ergobaby sun hoods are sewn-in
- No Tula carriers have a ‘hip-carry’ option, you can ‘hip-carry’ with all Ergobaby Omni carriers
- No Tula carriers have the ability to cross the shoulder straps behind your back, Ergobaby Omni carriers do.
Tula baby carriers come in a HUGE variety of colors; there is a lot more choice in patterns and colors compared to Ergobaby carriers.
Tula carriers also don’t currently come with lumbar support. That is a feature you can purchase separately, whereas with Ergobaby carriers the lumbar support is built-in.
Tula carriers also feature a detachable sun-hood, whereas the Erogbaby carriers have a sun-hood that is sewn in with built-in storage to stow it away when it’s not in use.
If you’re looking for a soft structured baby carrier that will let you wear your baby on the side of your body in the hip-carry position, you should purchase an Ergobaby Omni 360, Ergobaby Omni Breeze (newest mesh version), or Ergobaby Omni Dream (newest cotton version). Tula carriers are not capable of the hip-carry position. Those four Omni carriers from Ergobaby will also allow you to cross the shoulder straps behind your back for more support on a long hike. No Tula carriers are currently able to cross their straps.
Omni Breeze vs Tula Explore Infographic
Ergobaby Omni Breeze vs Tula Explore:
Why am I comparing the Omni Breeze with the Tula Explore?
The Ergobaby Omni 360 is currently Ergo’s most popular baby carrier, however, the Ergobaby Omni Breeze is a newer improved model that I think will quickly take the number one spot. You can read my comparison of the Ergobaby Omni 360 vs Breeze here.
I’ve used both the Omni Breeze and the Tula Explore Coast. They are both top of the line mesh baby carriers that will keep your baby cool in warm weather. They have the most similarities in structure, features and performance across the two brands.
Infant Comfort – Tula vs Ergo
The Tula Explore and Omni Breeze both have a similar amount of padding around the leg openings to evenly distribute the weight of your baby and help keep them comfortable in the carrier. They also both have good comfortable support for your baby’s head. My children have been comfortable in both carriers.
Adult Comfort – Tula vs Ergo
Both Tula and Ergobaby make their carriers comfortably fit a wide variety of body types. Both the Tula Explore and Omni Breeze carriers will fit most people. Both carriers have nice wide, well-padded shoulder straps and flexible lightly-padded waistbands to help distribute your baby’s weight comfortably over your body.
If you have a very petite or narrow waist (less than 26”), the Explore might be more comfortable for you since the waistband can be adjusted tighter than the Breeze. Tula also sells a separate waistband extender that will give you an extra 10 inches of length if your waist is more than 57 inches.
It’s possible to cross the straps of the Omni Breeze behind your back to give you some extra support. The Tula Explore does not have straps that cross.
Infant Seat Adjustment – Tula vs Ergo
The infant seat is adjustable for both the Tula Explore and Omni Breeze but they adjust differently. You can make the Tula Explore seat more narrow with the snaps on the waistband, the Ergobaby Omni Breeze uses velcro on the waistband to do the same.
You can also put your baby in a front-facing-out facing position in both by changing the body of the carrier to be more narrow. You’ll have to adjust the body panel to make the infant seat more narrow with buttons on the Explore or sliders on the Omni.
Both carriers are capable of providing your baby with a good ergonomic seat if you’re using them correctly.
Waist Belt & Lumbar Support – Tula vs Ergo
The Tula Explore fits a waist that is roughly 24 – 57 inches (61 – 145 cm).
The Omni Breeze fits a waist that is roughly 26 – 57 inches (66 cm – 145 cm).
The Omni Breeze has built-in lumbar support, which is helpful when you’re wearing a heavy baby for longer amounts of time. Lumbar support can help you more back support. The Tula Explore does not come with lumbar support but you can purchase it as an add-on.
If you have a very narrow waist or you’re quite a petite person, the Tula Explore will fit you better since there is no lumbar support – the waist belt tightens more.
Both of them have a wide waistband that is flexible and lightly padded for your comfort.
Amount Of Mesh – Tula vs Ergo
The Tula Explore Coast and Ergobaby Omni Breeze have a similar amount of mesh but are different structurally. The Breeze is mesh fabric all over the carrier, except for the infant head support and leg padding. My Explore carrier is made from a soft, cotton material with one large mesh panel.
I find the Explore to be softer to the touch than the Breeze, it’s one of my favorite features of the Explore carrier. The cotton is softer and the mesh is also softer. Both the Breeze and Explore Coast do a nice job of keeping me and my baby cool in warm weather.
The Ergobaby Omni Dream is very similar to the Breeze and has no mesh, it is completely cotton. The Tula Explore (non-Coast version) is available in Linen, Cotton, and Hemp. Tula adds the word ‘Coast’ to carrier models that feature a mesh panel.
Price – Tula vs Ergo
The Tula Explore Coast Mesh Carrier starts at around $199 USD when it’s not on sale ($276 Canadian). You can purchase a Tula Explore in linen, cotton or hemp fabric starting at the same price.
The Ergobaby Omni Breeze Cool Air Mesh Carrier starts at around $199 USD if it’s not on sale and it’s the same price as the Omni Dream cotton version($259 Canadian).
Sun Hood – Tula vs Ergo
The Tula Explore sun hood is detachable. When I’m not using it, I store it in the carrier’s pocket so it doesn’t get lost. The Omni Breeze sun hood does not detach and when it’s not in use I tuck it into the built-in pocket near the head support of the carrier. You can breastfeed in both carriers and also use this feature as a privacy hood.
Carry Positions – Tula vs Ergo
With both the Explore and Breeze you can carry your baby: front face in, front face out, and in a back carry position. The Omni Breeze has one extra position: a hip carry option (also called side carry).
Pockets – Tula vs Ergo
There are three pockets on the Omni Breeze. One pocket is a zippered detachable pouch on the front of the waistband, which you can remove for a sleeker look. This carrier also has two small pockets sewn in, one on either side of the waistband. Having a small pocket to store your house keys in can be helpful.
The Tula Explore has one large pocket sewn into the carrier’s waistband.
Infant Head Support – Tula vs Ergo
The Tula Explore and Omni Breeze both have amazing infant head support systems. Other soft structured baby carriers like the Tula Free To Grow, Tula Standard, and Tula Lite, as well as the Ergobaby Embrace and Ergobaby Aerloom have infant head support that is less padded as well as less versatile.
The Tula Explore infant head support system adjusts with snaps, while the Omni Breeze adjusts with buttons. They are adjustable for a newborn baby, to keep the fabric of the carrier from engulfing the baby’s face and to give them the proper neck support. They’re also adjustable for older babies and toddlers to offer more support than most other comparable carriers.
Weight Restrictions – Tula vs Ergo
The Explore and Breeze have an identical weight range. Both the Tula Explore and Ergobaby Omni Breeze are safe for babies as small as 7 lbs (3.17 kg) without the need for an infant insert. They both have a maximum weight limit of 45 lbs (20.4 kg).
Type Of Fabric & Wash Instructions – Tula vs Ergo
The Omni Breeze is 100% polyester and is also OEKO-TEX tested and free from hazardous substances. The Omni Breeze is able to go through the washing machine on a gentle cycle. Ergobaby recommends using a wash bag or even putting it in a pillowcase before it goes through the wash. Use mild detergent in cool water and fasten all the clasps closed. They also recommend hang drying the carrier but on the label, it shows you can put it through the dryer on a gentle cycle with low heat for easy cleaning.
The Tula Explore is available in cotton, linen and hemp fabrics. If you have a ‘Coast’ model like I do, the mesh panel will be made from 100% polyester. In addition to testing for the ASTM standards that are required for all infant products sold in North America, Tula does their own third-party testing to ensure all their products are free from phthalates, heavy metals, and chemicals. To wash your Tula Explore, wash it in cold water with gentle laundry detergent and hang it to dry.
Tula Explore carriers come in a wider variety of fun prints to match your personal style.
How To Choose Between The Tula Explore and Omni Breeze?
I’ve been happy using both of these carriers and I honestly think most parents would enjoy either one. Here are some deciding factors that might help you choose:
- Why pick the Tula Explore:
- It feels softer than the Omni Breeze.
- You have a very small waist and need a tight fit.
- You have a waist larger than 57” and want to purchase the Tula belt extender.
- You want a carrier with a more sleek look.
- Why pick the Omni Breeze:
- You want to cross the straps behind your back for extra support.
- You want to side carry/hip carry your child.
- You want a carrier with more pockets.
- You want a carrier with built-in lumbar support.
- You want a carrier with a more technical look.
Final Thoughts & My Personal Choice
The great news here is there is no ‘clear winner’ which means both baby carriers are amazing. If you have a preference for one or the other, you can’t go wrong, they are both good options with many similar features.
With that being said, I think the majority of parents would enjoy the Ergobaby Omni Breeze because of its built-in lumbar support and the ability it has to cross the straps to accommodate parents of different sizes.
If you still need more information, you can read my full review of the Tula Explore here and my review of the Omni Breeze here. You can also see the difference between the Omni 360 and Omni Breeze in this comparison I wrote.
Check out more articles on baby carriers from Mama’s Buzz
Pingback: Best Barefoot Shoes for Toddlers
Pingback: Stylish & Cheap Maternity Clothes by Budget Fashionista