The aluminium frame is, as the name suggests, ultra-light (the carrier weighs just 2kg unloaded) and the waist and shoulder straps are thick and deeply cushioned for support and comfort.
The Ultralight Convertible S2 has an anchor point at the bottom, so you can hold it steady with your foot when loading your child, and a grab handle at the top to make it easier to lift onto your back. There’s also a large zipped compartment for carrying your baby kit, a smaller accessory pocket, and toy loops (the small plastic loops at the top) for hanging favourite playthings.
When your child wants to get out, you simply zip the carrier compartment shut and use it as a rucksack.
What we love
Back carriers can be heavy and unwieldy things, but the Littlelife Ultralight Convertible S2 is very light and easy to carry. The thick padded waist and shoulder straps hold it in place securely and take away the strain of carrying your baby.
The seat of the Littlelife Ultralight Convertible S2 is also well padded, and 12-month-old Katie seems very comfortable in it. The cushioned 3-point safety harness gives me peace of mind, and I also like the removable face cushion, which would be particularly beneficial for smaller babies who are likely to nod off.
The Littlelife Ultralight Convertible S2 carries Katie in a nice high position, so she gets a great view over the top of my head, rather than just staring at my back. And my favourite feature is the fact that it doubles up as a backpack. The zipped compartment is plenty big enough for all the nappies, wipes and snacks I need for a day out, meaning I don’t have to take another bag with me. When Katie wants to get out and crawl around, I can just zip the carrier compartment shut.
What to watch out for
Probably the biggest drawback of the Littlelife Ultralight Convertible S2 is the fact that it’s suitable for a rather narrow range of adult heights – from 5’2” to 5’11”. My 5’10” husband can carry Katie for long periods in it, but I’m only 5’ tall and find the straps don’t sit in the right positions on me. Unless both you and your partner are within the recommended height range, it’s likely that one of you will struggle to use this carrier comfortably.
Perhaps again because I’m petite, it’s hard to look up at Katie when she’s in the Littlelife Ultralight Convertible S2; I have to really crane my neck to see what she’s doing. I also find that I don’t get any sense of closeness to my baby when I’m using this carrier - it’s definitely a functional product rather than one to promote bonding and interaction.
A final thing to be aware of is the toy loops. When I first used this carrier, I thought they were situated at the base of the carrier, well out of a baby’s reach. I thought this was handy to prevent favourite toys getting lost, but that they'd be so much more valuable at the top of the carrier, so that Katie could play with her toys on the move without any worries about dropping them. I later learned the toy loops were actually the small plastic loops at the top - this certainly makes more sense, but wasn't evident to me at first!
Who is the Littlelife Ultralight Convertible S2 carrier best for?
Families who like to get out and about without the pushchair, and with as little baggage as possible.
The Littlelife Ultralight Convertible S2 is a good, multi-tasking back carrier that is comfortable for both adult and child. The fact that it doubles as a backpack makes it particularly versatile, cutting down on the amount of baggage you need to carry. However, if you’re much shorter or taller than average, a comfortable fit is hard to find.
