The Ergobaby Omni 360 is one of the best baby carriers on the market. I say that – not as someone trying to sell you a product – but as a mom whose life was made infinitely easier on trips thanks to it. Our Ergobaby carrier was a lifesaver both at home and when we were traveling.
The name of this carrier says it all. Ergo – its ergonomic – meaning it is designed for efficiency and comfort. Omni – it’s omni-directional – meaning it can be worn in more than one direction. And 360 – it’s 360 directional – meaning your baby can face both outward and inward.
As a family who spends a lot of time traveling, babywearing was a must during the infant and toddler stages. In fact, a carrier should be considered a baby travel essential.
This Ergobaby Omni 360 review is our honest review of the Ergobaby carrier, its practical use, and its features.
We don’t write many product reviews, but before you drop $100+ on a baby carrier, it’s good to know what other parents who’ve used it think. If you do find this review useful, we’ve linked to the product on Amazon.
Ergobaby Omni 360 Review and Comparison to Other Baby Carriers
While we primarily used an Ergobaby carrier, we did try various others. It’s good to compare different brands and even different styles when trying to determine which baby carrier is right for you.
Also read: The 10 best baby carriers for travel
In the interest of transparency and to give you the best resources available to make the right decision for you and your baby, this Ergobaby Omni 360 review also includes a comparison chart for some of the most popular baby carriers available.
| Carrier | Weight Range | Price |
| Ergobaby Omni | 7-45 lbs | $$$ |
| Baby Tula | 7-45 lbs | $$$ |
| Lillebaby | 7-45 lbs | $$ |
| Infantino | 8-40 lbs | $ |
| Moby wrap | 7-35 lbs | $ |
Our honest opinion and experience using an Ergobaby carrier
We began traveling with our daughter shortly after she was born. Traveling with a baby can be a huge challenge, but our Ergobaby carrier made the experience so much easier and less stressful. Navigating train stations and airports becomes a breeze.
You can even wear your baby in a carrier through TSA and airport security without having to remove the carrier or your baby.
Sightseeing and exploring new places are also much easier with the Ergobaby Omni 360 baby carrier. In fact, our baby often napped in the carrier while we explored.
As a family, we visited 25 countries together before our daughter turned 5. And since she is on the small side, we were able to use our Ergobaby carrier until she was 4!
Additionally, we have hiked in mountains and rainforests with our daughter in an Ergobaby carrier. So, if you are looking for an Ergobaby Omni 360 for travel purposes, this carrier passed all our tests!
Key facts about the Ergobaby Omni 360 baby carrier
We have used several baby carriers over the years, including different styles like baby wraps, ring slings and framed child carriers, but the Ergobaby Omni 360 was the most versatile, easiest to use, and most comfortable.
Our first baby carrier was from Ergobaby’s Original 360 Collection, but the brand has improved the product even more in recent years, making it even better than the OGs!
Looking for a framed carrier for a toddler or older child? Read our review of the Deuter Kid Comfort carrier here.
Before we jump into each of the unique features in our Ergobaby Omni 360 review, here are a few quick facts about the Ergobaby carriers.
- Weight – 7-45 pounds
- Carry Positions: Inward front, outward facing front, hip, and back carry
- Price: Varies by design and color. Check pricing here
Ergobaby Omni 360 features for parent comfort
The Ergobaby Omni 360 is designed with the comfort of both the parent and the baby in mind. And from the time our daughter was a baby through the age of 4, the Ergobaby carrier was comfortable to wear her in.
Padded, Adjustable Shoulder Straps
The Ergobaby carriers all have wide, padded shoulder straps. The Ergobaby Omni 360 goes one step further and has crossable shoulder straps for extra back support.
Even with a 40-pound child in the carrier, the shoulder straps evenly dispersed the weight and didn’t dig into my shoulders.
Because they are adjustable the Ergobaby carriers fit a wide range of body types. It was comfortable for both my husband, at 180 pounds, and me, at 105.
Wide, Adjustable Waist Strap
Like the shoulder straps, the waist strap is wide, padded and adjustable for optimal lumbar support. I am relatively petite, but the waist strap was able to cinch down enough to fit me snugly, and still had additional room to cinch further.
Additionally, the waistband could be adjusted for someone with a larger frame or wider hips. Even on my husband, there was plenty of extra waist strap left that could be adjusted.
With very minimal effort the waistband, as well as the shoulder straps, could adjust to fit each individual wearer. In fact, many times, I was able to put on the Ergobaby carrier alone, adjust it and put my baby in it without assistance.
Storage Compartment
The detachable pouch is another key feature to the Ergobaby Omni 360 that is not included in the original model. Although all Ergobaby carriers have a storage pouch that you can hold a credit card, your keys, or other small items, only the Omni 360 carrier has a Velcro detachable pouch.
Whether you go with the Ergobaby Omni 360 or one of the other Ergobaby carriers, the storage pouch does come in handy to store an extra diaper or your credit card and identification.
Ease of Use
As mentioned earlier, the Ergobaby carrier is easy to put on, even without help from your partner. The soft-structured carrier is also machine washable, so no need to worry about baby drool on your carrier.
When washing it, it’s a good idea to toss it in a garment bag otherwise you’ll hear the plastic buckles against the side of your washing machine or dryer when it is laundering.
The Ergobaby Omni 360 is also very compact, which makes storing it or packing in a carry-on when traveling a breeze!
Ergobaby Omni 360 features for baby’s comfort
Newborn use
Unlike earlier versions of the Ergobaby carriers, the Ergobaby Omni 360 does not require an extra infant insert for newborns.
The Omni 360 can be used from just 7 pounds, the average weight of most newborn babies. For those who have an Ergobaby Original, you can still purchase the infant insert on Amazon.
Ergonomic design
The ergonomic design of the Ergobaby Omni 360 positions your baby’s legs in the optimal position to prevent hip dysplasia in babies.
While some baby carriers do not offer the necessary support for a baby’s hips, particularly in a front carry position, the Ergobaby does a good job of maintaining the appropriate position for your baby’s hips development.
Additionally, the foldable panel on the Ergobaby Omni 360, which isn’t on the original model, helps to support the neck before your baby is able to hold up his or her head.
Fabric and material
The Ergobaby Omni 360 is crafted using a soft, gentle fabric that is machine washable. The design allows nice airflow to help keep your little one cool.
The Ergobaby Omni Breeze 360 Cool Air Mesh baby carrier is another option that allows for maximum breathability and airflow.
All Ergobaby carriers include a baby hood that is great for providing shade on a sunny day or privacy if you’re nursing or your little one is sleeping.
Multiple positions for every baby and toddler stage
The Ergobaby carrier allows you to wear your baby or toddler in 4 different positions. You can wear the facing inward toward your body, facing outward, on your back or on your side.
Facing inward
Personally, we preferred to wear our baby facing inward, and when she got older, we wore her in a back-carry position. It is recommended that babies face inward until they are at least 6 months old. This position is the most natural way to carry a baby or infant.
Facing outward
Even with the ergonomic bucket seat, wearing our baby facing outward seemed awkward, and strangers were more inclined to come up and touch her when she was facing outward. So, we typically wore her facing inward toward our bodies, which she also seemed to prefer.
However, curious babies may prefer facing outward as it allows them to see everything and touch things easily.
Back carry
We transitioned to a back carry when our daughter became a toddler. As a toddler, even at the age of 4 and 40 pounds, we could comfortably wear our daughter in the Ergobaby in a back carry position. It feels similar to a piggyback ride, except you remain hands free!
Hip carry
This is probably the least used position in babywearing. The hip carry is similar to how you would naturally carry an older baby or toddler on your hip, except, like the back carry, you remain hands free, and the carrier does all the work!
However, we did not prefer this babywearing position, as it felt even more awkward than a facing outward.
Traveling with the Ergobaby Omni 360
We have traveled extensively with our Ergobaby carrier. We have used it in a variety of different climates and conditions from snow to rain. It has gone on dozens of international trips, been shoved into carry-on bags, and been worn for hundreds of hours, yet it has held up wonderfully.
After four years of use, it was still in great condition and was able to be handed down to a family member to use with her children. If you plan to have multiple children, the Ergobaby Omni 360 will withstand years of use for each child. It is definitely a durable carrier!
Is the Ergobaby Omni 360 worth the cost?
In our opinion, the Ergobaby Omni 360 is definitely worth it. Although it is one of the more expensive baby carriers, it is durable enough to use with multiple children, can be used to carry your baby from birth through 45 pounds and is easy to use and adjustable for all body types.
What is the difference between the Ergobaby 360 and the Ergobaby Omni 360?
The main difference between the Ergobaby 360 and the Omni baby carrier is that the Omni does not require an infant insert. It can be adjusted for use with babies and toddlers weighing 7 pounds to 45 pounds.
Do you have a question of comment about this Ergobaby Omni 360 review? We’d love to hear from you! Leave your thoughts in the comments below.
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2 comments on “Ergobaby Omni 360 Review | Our Honest Take After Traveling with It”
Hi- I’m curious with your back carry position with the hiking pack. How did you wear both that were comfortable? We are planning an upcoming hiking trip and I have not figured out how to carry my gear/water and kiddo without the straps slipping off my shoulders and/or digging into my arms. I cannot tell what goes on first vs. second (bag and carrier) from your photo above. Any advice? Thank you!
Your baby carrier will go on first. Depending on how much gear you have, you can wear your baby carrier on your back and your day pack on the front (like I’m doing with my large backpack in the photo from Lisbon). With a large backpack, I wouldn’t say it is necessarily comfortable, but I made it work. With a small day pack, it should be fine though. But when we would go hiking, I would wear our daughter and my husband would carry all the water, snacks and necessities for all of us in his backpack, so I didn’t have to double up.