Ring slings

Q: How do I wear a baby carrier correctly?

Carrier use: see the AAP's baby carrier page. Check the label and the maker's instructions, and ask your pediatrician about your child. Many areas have free babywearing groups that can check your fit.

One shoulder, two rings, quick ups and downs. Great for newborns and hip carries.

Mother in a backyard wearing a sage ring sling with an awake baby high on her chest

15models tracked
$58 to $248price range
33 lb–45 lbchild weight limit

Ring slings by budget

The 14 ring slings with a published list price, split into thirds by price. A to Z within each lane. Price isn't a quality rating.

Budget-friendlyUnder $804

Mid-range$80 to $1205

Splurge$120 and up5

All 15 ring slings

Must have:

✓ maker says yes ✕ maker says no ? not published Confirmed only Sort

Compare						Front outward position	Back carry	IHDI acknowledged
	Boba Boba Ring Slingfor 8–35 lb, 3 positionsNewborn without insertMachine washableBack carry	$69.99	8–35 lb	3	–	?	✓	✕
	Didymos Ring Slingfor 8–35 lb, 3 positionsNewborn without insertMachine washableBack carry	$130	8–35 lb	3	–	?	✓	✕
	Girasol Ring Slingfor 8–35 lb, 2 positions	$113	8–35 lb	2	–	?	?	✕
	Hip Baby Wrap Ring Slingfor 8–35 lb, 2 positionsNewborn without insertMachine washable	$68	8–35 lb	2	–	?	?	✕
	hope&plum Ring Slingfor 7–35 lb, 2 positionsNewborn without insertMachine washable	$140	7–35 lb	2	–	?	?	✕
	LennyLamb Ring Sling3 positionsNewborn without insertBack carry	$115	–	3	–	?	✓	✕
	LennyLamb Water Ring Sling (mesh)Newborn without insert	$58.98	–	–	–	?	?	✕
	Maya Wrap ComfortFit Ring Slingfor 7–35 lb, 3 positionsNewborn without insertMachine washableFront outward position	$94.99	7–35 lb	3	1.38 lb	✓	?	✕
	Maya Wrap Lightly Paddedfor 7–35 lb, 3 positionsNewborn without insertMachine washableFront outward position	$89.99	7–35 lb	3	1.38 lb	✓	?	✕
	Nalakai Ring Slingfor 8–35 lb, 2 positionsNewborn without insertMachine washableIHDI acknowledged	$80	8–35 lb	2	–	?	?	✓
	Oscha Ring Slingfor 8–45 lb, 2 positionsNewborn without insertMachine washableIHDI acknowledged	$161	8–45 lb	2	–	?	?	✓
	Sakura Bloom Ring Slingfor 7–35 lb, 3 positionsNewborn without insertBack carry	$248	7–35 lb	3	–	?	✓	✕
	Tula Ring Slingfor 8–35 lbNewborn without insertMachine washable	$99	8–35 lb	–	–	?	?	✕
	Wildbird Ring Slingfor up to 35 lb, 2 positionsNewborn without insertMachine washableIHDI acknowledged	$68	?–35 lb	2	–	?	?	✓
	Moby Ring Sling (Double Gauze)for 8–33 lb, 2 positionsDiscontinuedNewborn without insertMachine washableIHDI acknowledged	–	8–33 lb	2	–	?	?	✓

Ring slings by the numbers

The 15 we compare, from each maker's published specs. Ranges, not ratings.

Child weight limit33 lb to 45 lb; the middle half 35 lb to 35 lb (13 of 15 publish it)
Carry positions2 to 3; the middle half 2 to 3 (13 of 15 publish it)
Price$58.98 to $248; the middle half $69.99 to $130 (14 of 15 publish it)

How common each feature is

Machine washable11 of 13 that list it

Carrier types side by side

The middle top limit for ring slings is 35 lb, from 13 that list one. Each row uses the makers' own limits.

Type	Models	Typical child weight (median)	List back carry	Newborn without insert
Soft structured	81	7–35 lb	56 of 77	57 of 71
Stretchy wraps	37	8–33 lb	0 of 29	31 of 31
Ring slings	15	8–35 lb	4 of 13	14 of 14
Meh dai / half buckle	21	8–45 lb	20 of 20	14 of 19
Hip seats	25	8–44 lb	10 of 19	1 of 14
Hiking	17	16–40 lb	17 of 17	0 of 15
Toddler	34	25–55 lb	26 of 33	0 of 34

No insert needed from the start

Of 14 ring slings that say, 14 list newborn use without an insert. 1 don't say.

Carrier	Child weight	Positions
Sakura Bloom Ring Sling	7–35 lb	Front inward, Hip, Back
Maya Wrap Lightly Padded	7–35 lb	Front inward, Front outward, Hip
Maya Wrap ComfortFit Ring Sling	7–35 lb	Front inward, Front outward, Hip
hope&plum Ring Sling	7–35 lb	Front inward, Hip
Nalakai Ring Sling	8–35 lb	Front inward, Hip
Oscha Ring Sling	8–45 lb	Front inward, Hip
Didymos DidySling Ring Sling	8–35 lb	Front inward, Hip, Back
Hip Baby Wrap Ring Sling	8–35 lb	Front inward, Hip
Moby Ring Sling	8–33 lb	Front inward, Hip
Boba Linen Ring Sling	8–35 lb	Front inward, Hip, Back
Tula Ring Sling	8–35 lb
LennyLamb Ring Sling		Front inward, Hip, Back
WildBird Linen Ring Sling	to 35 lb	Front inward, Hip
LennyLamb Water Ring Sling

What the CPSC and TSA say

Shortlist: 4 models, each highest or lowest on one spec

Ranked on the maker's published numbers only. Not a safety or quality rating.

Highest weight limit OschaRing Sling 45 lb
Highest weight limit: the Oscha Ring Sling at 45 lb, per Oscha.

Carry positions
2
Price
$161
See specs
Most carry positions Sakura BloomRing Sling 3
Most carry positions: the Sakura Bloom Ring Sling at 3, per Sakura Bloom.

Child weight limit
35 lb
Price
$248
See specs
Lightest Maya WrapLightly Padded 1.4 lb
Lightest: the Maya Wrap Lightly Padded at 1.4 lb, per Maya Wrap.

Child weight limit
35 lb
Carry positions
3
Price
$89.99
See specs
Lowest price LennyLambWater Ring Sling (mesh) $58.98
Lowest price: the LennyLamb Water Ring Sling at $58.98, per LennyLamb.

See specs

What to look for in ring slings

The range across every carrier here, with the typical middle half shaded and the shortlist marked.

Child weight limit

The heaviest child the maker rates it for.

Ring Sling

33 lbmiddle 35 lb45 lb

Most list 35 lb. 13 of 15 list it. Highest weight limit: Ring Sling.

Carry positions

The ways the maker says you can carry: facing in, facing out, hip, back.

Ring Sling

2middle 23

Typical: 2 to 3. 13 of 15 list it. Most carry positions: Ring Sling.

Price

What it lists for at the maker or a major store. Sales move this often.

Water Ring Sling (mesh)

$58.98middle $99$248

Typical: $69.99 to $130. 14 of 15 list it. Lowest price: Water Ring Sling (mesh).

Ask the meadow

Questions about ring slings

Answers come from each maker's published specs. Safety and health questions link to the agency or medical source.

What is the lightest ring sling?

The Maya Wrap Lightly Padded at 1.38 lb, of the 15 we track.

Which ring sling carries the heaviest child?

The Oscha Ring Sling, up to 45 lb per the maker.

Which ring slings work for newborns without an insert?

Sakura Bloom Ring Sling, Maya Wrap Lightly Padded, Nalakai Ring Sling, Oscha Ring Sling, Didymos DidySling Ring Sling, LennyLamb Ring Sling, and 8 more, per their makers.

What is the most affordable ring sling?

The LennyLamb Water Ring Sling at $58.98 list price.

How do I wear a baby carrier correctly?

Carrier use: see the AAP's baby carrier page. Check the label and the maker's instructions, and ask your pediatrician about your child. Many areas have free babywearing groups that can check your fit.

Still wondering? Write to us at hello@cribpicks.com and we'll look it up.

Most-compared pairs

Side-by-side specs for the closest rivals in this category.