Joie Savvy baby carrier review

Tested by

Lara tested the Joie Savvy Baby Carrier with her 7-month-old twin girls Sydney and Lyla, on short walks to the park, as well as longer outings to the beach.

What were your first impressions of the Joie Savvy baby carrier?

As I unpacked the Joie Savvy it looked a little on the bulky side, with a lot of straps and buckles which initially seemed daunting. Due to its size, it’s definitely something you need to plan ahead to use, as you can’t fold it up and slide it quickly in your bag like other baby carriers I’ve used.

Were the instructions for the Joie Savvy baby carrier easy to follow?

At first look they were a little confusing, especially as I’ve never used a carrier like this before. At the front of the booklet are a set of illustrations, then need to locate the written instructions further along to help explain what the drawings mean. This meant I kept having to flick back and forth between the two to work out the carrier’s set up.

What age range is the Joie Savvy baby carrier is suitable for?

Joie recommend the carrier is used from 3.5kg to 16kg, which is around birth to 3 years old. The instructions list the four different carrying positions and the age/weight range these are suited for, which I found very helpful. My girls are 7 months old, but because they arrived 7 weeks early, they are slightly small for their age. I used the facing in position, which is recommended for 4 months and above (6.5 – 14kg) and the facing out position for 6 months and above (9 – 14kg), which suited them well.

What are the safety elements and features of the Joie Savvy baby carrier?

The Joie Savvy Baby Carrier features two harness covers which are soft, padded, washable pieces that Velcro over the buckles to protect your little one from the carrier’s harder surfaces.

How easy is it to put your baby in to the Joie Savvy baby carrier?

The first few times using the carrier, I needed some help to get everything strapped and adjusted in the right place, as the side buckles initially seemed fiddly. However, once I got the hang of the instructions, I found that putting either of my daughters in securely a breeze! You start by putting the shoulder straps on and fasten the buckle that joins them between your shoulder blades. Next, you attach the buckle that passes around the lower back, picking up your child and placing them in position. You then attach the magnetic shoulder buckles, and then the waist buckles, in place. I found the last two buckles a little harder to do, especially as my daughter was wearing a padded snowsuit at the time. Initially it felt too tight, but I soon got used to this – and it actually provided me with more confidence that my daughter was safe and secure.

How easy is it to adjust the Joie Savvy baby carrier?

Adjusting the Joie Savvy is super-easy, as you simply pull the straps to tighten and push back through the buckle to loosen. Each strap has a long length to accommodate your size and shape, plus I liked that the straps also have an elasticated loop at the end, meaning you can roll them up and pull the loops around to hold in place. This means you don’t have to deal with lengths of strap trailing behind you, as it’s all neatly tucked away.

How easy is it to take your baby out of the carrier?

Very. There are four buckles to undo, all of which can be done quickly with one hand.

Did you feel the Joie Savvy baby carrier is ergonomic?

The Joie Savvy has been certified as ‘Hip-Healthy’ by the International Hip Dysplasia Institute, and my daughters were noticeably supported in the ‘M-shape’ position, which promotes healthy hip and spine development. What’s more, the carrier also supported their spines in their natural position.

Did your child appear comfortable in the Joie Savvy Baby Carrier?

Both of my daughters seemed to enjoy being in this carrier. When facing outwards they loved looking around and seeing the world from a different perspective, and while facing in to me they fell asleep quite contentedly. I could see my daughters’ faces at all times and they never got upset!

How comfortable was the Joie Savvy baby carrier for you as a wearer?

Overall, I would say it’s very comfortable. The padded straps meant my baby’s weight was spread evenly, with no digging in under my arms or added pressure. After a longer walk I felt slight pressure on my lower back, but for shorter wear periods I really enjoyed using this carrier.

How many different positions does the Joie Savvy baby carrier offer?

There are four different carrying positions to take you and your baby from newborn to around 3 years old. Following the manufacturer’s guidelines, I tried out two positions, which were facing in and facing out. I personally preferred having my daughter facing me when she was tired, as it meant she wasn’t distracted by the outside world and was settled enough to fall asleep. I think as my girls get bigger they will prefer to face outwards, so they can have a good look around.

How easy is it to swap from one position to the other?

To swap positions from parent facing to outward facing is very simple, as you only need to adjust the buttons at the front.

Is it easy for you to do other things while wearing the Joie Savvy baby carrier?

Unfortunately, you can’t breastfeed in the Joie Savvy, as the positions don’t lend themselves to this position. I did feel comfortable doing chores where I was more upright, such as hoovering and making lunch, but I preferred to wear the carrier while out walking to get some exercise; or to take my older children to school.

How would you rate the buckles, straps and buttons of the Joie Savvy baby carrier?

All of the buckles and straps are durable and substantial, and I particularly liked the autoclick magnetic buckles on the shoulder straps. They attach and undo easily, and you don’t have to worry about trapping yours, or any little fingers, in them.

How would you rate the quality of the fabric and materials of the carrier?

The silky cotton fabric and materials of the Joie Savvy are very durable – I don’t have any concerns about this carrier lasting until the girls no longer need to be in it. It’s very soft but feels very sturdy, too.

How easy is the Joie Savvy baby carrier to clean?

Cleaning this carrier is easy – simply pop it in a mesh bag (I didn’t have one, so I used a pillowcase instead) and put it in the washing machine on a gentle 30 degree wash. It took a while to dry because of the thick padding on the straps, but it cleaned up well. The two bibs that button on the front are a handy addition, allowing you to remove these to clean any dribble or sick without having to wash the whole carrier. This is an essential addition in my opinion if you’ve got a teething baby!

How does the Joie Savvy compare to other baby carriers or wraps you have used?

I’ve previously used the Baby K’tan wrap and Connecta Baby Carrier, both of which had their own pros and cons and which are very different to the Savvy. I personally prefer a wrap style of carrier for when babies are newborn, as a lack of buckles makes it feel more gentle to use, plus they easily fold up to store in your changing bag. However, I prefer the Joie Savvy now that my babies are a bit bigger, as I want something stronger, sturdier and more secure for our outings. I felt the soft fabric used for the main body of the carrier and the straps of the Savvy help make that transition from wrap to carrier much easier.

What’s included?

• Joie Savvy baby carrier
• Instruction booklet
• 2 x bibs
• 2 x harness covers

Can you buy any additional accessories for the Joie Savvy?

There are no additional accessories available for this baby carrier.

Now that you’ve tested it, what would you have wanted to know before buying the Joie Savvy baby carrier?

I would have liked to have known that it’s quite bulky when not being used. Storing the Joie Savvy and taking it out with you to use isn’t as straight forward as it is with other carriers, so that’s something to bear in mind.

Who would the Joie Savvy baby carrier be the most useful for?

The Joie Savvy is ideal for mums and dads who like to get out and about walking, whether in the city or at the beach or park. If this isn’t your first child it’s a great way of giving you a free hand to tend to other siblings, and it works well on the school run when pathways can get busy.

Do you think this baby carrier is good value for money?

Once you consider the comfort it offers for both wearer and baby – and its longevity – I would say it is well worth the money. The four different positions it boasts, taking your baby from newborn to around 3 years old, soon justifies its price.

How does it compare to similar carriers?

Where can I buy the Joie Savvy baby carrier?

It is available at John Lewis, Boots and Winstanley's Pramworld.

MadeForMums verdict:

Overall I was impressed with the Joie Savvy baby carrier. I liked the design, colours and features, as well as the fact you can use it from birth to around 3 years of age. I quickly got to grips with getting my daughter in and out, and the magnetic shoulder buckles are a particularly appealing feature. Once you have these clicked in place you feel secure doing up the remaining buckles knowing your baby is safe. It is also an easy carrier to use by yourself, meaning no extra set of hands are needed.