Infantino Flip Advanced Review
Our Verdict
Compare to Similar Products
This Product
Infantino Flip Advanced | |||||
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Awards | Easy to Use Wrap | Great Wrap on a Budget | |||
Price | $38 List $29.49 at Amazon | $60 List $59.95 at Amazon | $45 List Check Price at Amazon | $40 List $32.49 at Amazon | $50 List $33.99 at Amazon |
Overall Score | |||||
Star Rating | |||||
Bottom Line | Cheaper choice with poor features for comfort and useability | Budget-friendly wrap style that is easy to use and comfy enough | Economical and comfortable but you need to hold baby when you put it on | Hard to use wrap that is comfortable but can get hot | Somewhat average and uninspired with average comfort and features |
Rating Categories | Infantino Flip Adva... | Baby K'tan Original | Boba Wrap | Moby Wrap Classic | You+Me 4-in-1 |
Child Comfort (25%) | |||||
Parent Comfort (35%) | |||||
Ease of Use (30%) | |||||
Ease Of Cleaning (10%) | |||||
Specs | Infantino Flip Adva... | Baby K'tan Original | Boba Wrap | Moby Wrap Classic | You+Me 4-in-1 |
Min/Max Weight | 8 - 32 lbs | 8 - 35 lbs | 7 - 35 lbs | 8 - 35 lbs | 8 - 32 lbs |
Carry Positions | Facing In (8 - 32 lbs) Facing Out (head control - 32 lbs) Back Carry (sit up - 32 lbs) |
Kangaroo Position (8 - 35 lbs) Hug Position (8 - 35 lbs) Adventure Position (8 - 35 lbs) Explore Position (8 - 35 lbs) Hip Position (8 - 35 lbs) |
Facing In (Newborn - 35 lbs) | Kangaroo Position (< 8 lbs) Facing In (Newborn - 35 lbs) Hip Carry (5 mo - 35 lbs) |
Facing In (8 - 32 lbs) Facing Out (head control - 32 lbs) Back Carry (20 - 32 lbs) |
Weight | 0.92 lbs | Sm: 0.89 Lg: 1.04 lbs |
1.41 lbs | 1.3 lbs | 0.97 lbs |
Packable Size | Medium | Small | Small (5.5 yards in length) | Small (5.5 meters in length) | Large |
Fabric | Polyester, Cotton | 100% Cotton | 95% Cotton 5% Spandex |
100% Cotton | Not Specified |
Hood | No | No | No | No | No |
Storage Options | None | Pouch on the belt. | Storage Pouch | None | None |
Other Features & Notable | Bib | Azo Dye-free | None | None | None |
Included Accessories | None | None | Storage Sack | Stuff Sack | Bandana Bib |
Care Instructions | Machine wash cold, hang dry | Machine wash cold, tumble dry low | Machine wash cold, tumble dry low | Machine wash cold, tumble dry low | Machine wash cold, hang dry |
Our Analysis and Test Results
Infantino is a juvenile product company that makes a variety of gear for babies, from toys to soft carriers. Infantino employs moms, dads, aunts, uncles, and a few grandparents to get different parenting insights for making products for parents and their children. The company puts safety first and makes every effort to use harm-free materials.
Performance Comparison
Baby's Comfort
The Flip struggled to provide a comfortable place for little passengers. The fabric on the Flip is thin and flimsy feeling, lacking the softer feel of most of the competition. We had difficulty adjusting the carrier to fit each child, and while the seat bottom has two widths, the options aren't enough to ensure a comfortable seat. Overall, similar to the problems with comfort for parents, the carrier lacks the internal structure or padding required for this kind of carrier to ensure real napping comfort.
Parent's Comfort
The Flip is one of the most uncomfortable carriers for parents to wear, with a surprising lack of structured support in the straps and waist belt. Unlike similar carriers with wide supportive waistbelts, the Flip waistband is almost all strap, with only a wide padded centerpiece. Our testers reported discomfort in the back of their arms with poor back support (above left). Things were worse with the back carry position as the thinly padded shoulder straps dug into collar bones and softer bits (above right).
Ease of Use
This carrier is average for ease of use. How to use the Flip is relatively obvious right out of the box, even if you don't read the instructions. You need to ensure you set the seat width before putting it on, but once set, it is somewhat intuitive for strap adjustment and placement. It is harder to get on compared to much of the competition with a similar look. However, putting a baby inside is better than average, with the ability to put the carrier on and adjust it almost completely before picking up the baby and setting them inside. You don't need to hold the baby in place as you mess with straps or long fabric ends.
Ease of Cleaning
The Flip is machine washable on cold before hanging to dry. The hang-to-dry means you'll be without a carrier for at least a day, depending on the ambient climate, which is a bummer when you need to run errands. It also isn't the best at spot cleaning on the go should your little one have a blowout or spit-up incident while you and baby are out and about. The fabric is harder to clean and takes longer to dry than most of the competition.
Should You Buy the Infantino Flip Advanced?
The Flip's cost may attract those who aren't sure if babywearing is their thing. However, we think its poor design and lack of functionality will result in a negative experience that may turn parents off babywearing forever. We suggest passing on this contender as there are better-performing, affordable options elsewhere in the lineup of top-ranked baby carriers.
What Other Baby Carriers Should You Consider?
If you're on a budget, check out the Baby K'tan Original or Boba Wrap. Both options are affordable, easier to clean, and overall, score higher than the Flip, potentially offering a better babywearing experience.