I greeted the Samsonite Rival Front Baby Carrier with much excitement. Apparently the designers at Samsonite started off by getting rid of as many of the multitude of buckles and clips that appear on most competing carriers.
The end result fastens on one side only, which should make it a safer and easier-to-use piece of kit. The sides are built with wide bands of elastic so they stretch with baby making him super snug. And all of this comes in a stylish black with a grey polka-dot trim.
What we love
Cormac, 12 weeks, and I love the Samsonite Rival Front Baby Carrier because it does what it says on the tin. It’s comfy for both of us, easy to use and looks not half bad.
As survivors of wrestles with complicated continental styles of carrier, Cormac and I felt our hearts sink when we first had a go with the Samsonite Rival Front Baby Carrier. Although not quite able to hold his head up all the time, he was too big to fit into the insert and really didn’t like having his nose pressed to my chest without it. In desperation I turned him round to point outwards and bingo! It fitted like a glove, he didn’t feel too heavy and I could see over his head. He particularly enjoyed the view.
What to watch out for
It would have been easy to give up, but Samsonite Rival Front Baby Carrier is worth persevering.
It comes with a matching hat and mittens in the same dinky dot design. They look great in the product’s publicity photos, but, frankly, seemed like a bit of an odd addition.
I was also a bit puzzled by the zipped pocket on the front of the carrier. Anything fatter than a bus pass would dig into your baby.
I’m right-handed so getting Cormac in and out of the carrier was fairly slick, but I’m not sure how it would work for a left-hander.
It’s hard to know how well the carrier will work for parents of different shapes and sizes – I got the distinct impression that Cormac’s head was well cushioned by my bosom.
Who is the Samsonite Rival Front Baby Carrier best for?
Right-handed mums who like taking walks after an easy-to-use, comfy carrier.
The Samsonite Rival Front Baby Carrier is a carrier that fits, is comfy and not too fiddly. Ignore the unnecessary accessories and you’ll find a product that works.
