The Ergobaby 360 is one of the most popular baby carriers on the market, and for good reason. This complete Ergobaby 360 review will go over the pros and cons of this well-loved carrier. Ergobaby has a really exceptional line of products, and with the 360 model, parents get a feature that many people want – the option to carry their baby facing forward.
With parents looking for a trusted brand of baby carrier, it’s unsurprising that there would be a lot of interest in the Ergo 360. This carrier comes at a relatively high price point. And so the question is – is it worth it?
In this review I’ll look at the pros and cons of the Ergobaby 360.
Please note that A Mothership Down is reader-supported, meaning that, at no cost to you, I may earn a commission if you buy after clicking an affiliate link. I’m also a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. All opinions are my own.
In a nutshell: The ERGObaby 360 is an excellent baby carrier, and probably is worth its price tag, for reasons that I’ll go into in a minute. Note: while I would recommend the Ergo 360, I do prefer Ergobaby’s Omni 360, which is ERGO’s premiere baby carrier (with a slightly higher price-tag). I’ve done a complete side-by-side comparison of the Ergobaby 360 and the Omni 360 that you can check out if you want to dive into the details.
Ok, back to the Ergobaby 360 review! So let’s take a look at the pros and cons of this popular carrier.
Why should you consider the Ergo 360?
The Ergo 360 is a good choice if you want a forward- facing option, and you don’t want to pay the extra money it costs for the Omni. The 360 does have many of the same features as the Omni, but at a slightly lower price point.
Why I like the Ergo 360
Despite the fact that I prefer the upgraded Omni 360 model, there are lots of things I like about the Ergo 360.
- The Ergobaby 360 is durable and well-made, like all of Ergobaby’s carriers. The material is clearly built to last; there is nothing even remotely flimsy about it.
- Easy to use, even if you’re a beginner when it comes to baby wearing.
- This carrier is comfortable in all positions. Ergobabys are made with ergonomics and comfort in mind, and it shows.
- Offers 4 carrying positions, including the forward facing option that many parents of older babies want.
- I find this carrier to be relatively easy to use the in the back carrying position. This is my personal experience! I know some people find it challenging to get their babies into a back-carry position, but I’ve found that with a little practice it’s very doable. Confidence (and practice over a bed) are key here.
The main appeal of the 360 is the ability to use the forward-facing position.
Some babies get fussy when they can’t look around, and as they become more curious about the world, there are some older babies who will want to have a forward view. For some parents, this is a must-have feature!
But like anything else with parenting, a lot depends on the individual baby and parent.
Personally I don’t find the forward-facing carry very comfortable for long periods of time, and I’ve never used it all that much. Periodically it is nice to be able to face your baby out, so I understand why some parents really want this option.
Once my babies are big enough, I prefer to have them in the back-carry position, which I find much more comfortable and practical. But that’s just me! Some parents find the back carry position too hard to execute without help. The ability to carry your baby facing forward is the big selling point of this carrier, and some babies really seem to want to look around.
Limitations of the Ergobaby 360
- A separate infant insert is needed in order to use it with a newborn.
If you plan to use this carrier with a newborn, I would recommend jumping straight to the Omni. The Omni doesn’t require an infant insert, and once you’ve spent the money to buy the 360 + an infant insert, you’ll be at almost the same price as the Omni.
- No storage pocket! Which I think is a rather big issue. I always want a place to toss my keys and a diaper! And a phone. Also, wipes. And also…yeah there’s a lot of stuff I want to toss in a pocket.
- The fabric choices are pretty, but there aren’t tons of patterns to choose from.
The first thing I noticed about the 360 was that the body of the carrier is thicker than I was expecting. A long-time favorite carrier of mine is the Ergo Original/Organic, and that has a very soft and cozy feel to it. So I was surprised at how much stiffer the fabric is on the 360.
It turns out that with the 360, the fabric needs to be stiffer/thicker in order to accommodate all of the various carrying positions it offers. This is just something to be aware of so you’re not surprised.
Overall, I think the Ergo 360 is a really well-built carrier, and I enjoy using it. However, due to the few limitations that I mentioned it’s not my top choice from the Ergo line.
If you’re interested in Ergo’s premiere carrier, the Omni, you can check it out here:
Accessories for the Ergo 360
If you decide to buy the Ergobaby 360, there are a few accessories that you may want, or need.
Infant Insert
If you’re planning to use the Ergo 360 with a newborn or small baby (under 12 pounds), you’ll need to purchase an infant insert.
Rain Cover
Having a weather cover is a huge help if you plan to use your baby carrier year-round.
Drool pads
This probably speaks for itself. These are drool pads…for drool. You may come to appreciate these around teething time!
Tips for Using Your Ergobaby Carrier
- Practice. Getting the hang of using baby carriers can be intimidating. It really helps to set aside some time to watch instructional videos (there are many available on YouTube). I would suggest practicing using the carrier without a baby at first – a doll will do the trick! When you do practice with your baby, make sure to do so over a bed. After a few times practicing you should feel much more confident!
- All Ergobaby carriers are machine washable. You should wash your carrier with a mild detergent in cold water, on a gentle cycle. Make sure to fasten all hook and loop fasteners (velcro) and buckles before washing. Use mild detergent free of bleach, perfumes, dyes, chlorine, or optical brighteners. You can hang the carrier to dry.
- Even if you’re using a stroller, bring along your Ergo. It’s a nice option to have on hand, and doesn’t take up much space. Having the flexibility to throw on the carrier can be a game-changer once it becomes a regular part of your repertoire.
I hope this Ergobaby 360 review was helpful!
If you’re looking for a highly functional baby carrier that’s useful for the long-term, this carrier could be a great pick for you.
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