Omni 360 Cool Air Mesh Carrier

The Omni 360 is Ergobaby's do-everything carrier: front-facing-in, front-facing-out, hip and back carry, all in one carrier, and it's built to fit newborns from 7lb without a separate infant insert — the panel narrows down for tiny babies and widens as they grow. The cool air mesh panel is a genuinely useful upgrade over the standard cotton version if you expect to use it through spring or summer, since a carrier that runs hot is a carrier that gets left in the cupboard.

Against the Tula Free-to-Grow in this category, the trade-off is mainly about carry positions versus simplicity. The Omni 360 supports four carry positions including forward-facing-out, which toddlers often want once they're curious about the world, while the Tula sticks to front and back carries only. What the Tula gives up in versatility it makes up for in a slightly simpler buckle system and a reputation for being marginally easier to adjust one-handed once you're used to it.

For most families wanting a single carrier that covers the whole newborn-to-toddler span with maximum flexibility, the Omni 360 is the safer buy. If you know you'll only ever want front and back carries and prefer fewer straps to think about, the Tula is worth considering instead.