Review: BabyBjorn One Outdoors for active families and outdoor enthusiasts

When I was asked if I wanted to review BabyBjorn One Outdoors, I hesitated at first. I was sitting in Parsons Green café Hally’s and looking around me it didn’t seem like a baby carrier for outdoorsy families was something I would use in London with my one-year-old. I was soon convinced though when I saw a picture of the new sturdy and sporty-looking carrier, and since I had several trips abroad coming up, I realised BabyBjorn One Outdoors would be a fantastic alternative to a buggy on holiday.

We regularly travel to France, and we used to love doing the coastal hike around Cap d’Antibes, but the terrain has meant we’ve never even done parts of it with kids. It’s been the same when we’ve travelled to Norway. I’ve had to carry the buggy up narrow paths before, and we’re yet to take the kids hiking in the woods.

Now I’m prepared for an active summer. We received a sample of BabyBjorn One Outdoors to review, and I’ve tried Baby Boy in the black and red baby carrier, using it in the back-carrying position suitable for Baby Boy’s age and weight.

When I first took BabyBjorn One Outdoors to the beach one day and planned to walk home with 13-month-old Baby Boy on my back, Daddy T got stressed about my lack of knowledge about how it worked and we ended up getting a taxi instead. After testing it without rushing, however, I regretted not having used it that first time.

BabyBjorn One Outdoors really is super easy to put on. To carry baby on the back, I simply put on the waist belt, place Baby Boy in the baby carrier facing me, click on the security straps that keep him in place and then swivel him around, taking my arms under the shoulder straps one at a time.

I’ve been surprised to see that Baby Boy seems to enjoy sitting on my back too. If this continues, I could see us using this more on holiday when he’s awake and I want to take both Big Girl and Baby Boy on country paths that may be hilly, rough and include steps.

I like the fact that the carrier is almost like a sturdy backpack with a proper waist belt and comfortable, padded shoulder straps. It’s in a water repellent material and also features a removable pocket, ideal for storing a few little essentials, such as a mobile phone, keys, antibacterial wipes and a fruit bar – some of the things I seldom leave the house without. Daddy T would have to carry the rest of our stuff for a family trip, but if it was just me and the kids going out for up to half an hour, the pocket would serve all my needs and there are also loops on the shoulder straps for a teddy or water bottle, for example.

I also like the fact the carrier comes in a practical bag for storing and travelling, and after discovering how easy it is to use it will be coming with me on my next trip abroad too. BabyBjorn One Outdoors is definitely a baby carrier to consider for families who want to keep active and visit places that are difficult to explore with a pushchair -or even take a toddler hiking.

BabyBjorn One Outdoors (£169.99) can be used from birth to three years (15 kg), and the child can be carried in four different ways – inward-facing in two heights, outward-facing and on the back. It is described as a hip-healthy carrier and it features a built-in infant position and adjustable head support

Tags: Baby carrier, BabyBjorn, Family travel, Hiking, Holiday activities, Outdoor, Outdoor activities, Summer