The mesh fabric is great for ventilation, but could be slightly softer. Baby Charlie looked to be well cocooned, and inserting him was easy, but attaching him securely to the harness was fiddly, as all the straps need to be threaded through loops on the main carrier before fastening.
The harness itself is relatively simple to use, although the straps were a little stiff to pull as tight as was needed, something that will ease with prolonged use. It sits comfortably on the shoulders and crosses over between the shoulder blades for even weight distribution. The shoulder padding helps spread the load well, and carrying your baby is pretty comfortable considering there is no extra lumbar support.
Without the insert pod this carrier still looks good, especially as the soft sueded fabric is folded down in forward-facing mode, showing the colourways to their best advantage. It also becomes much more simple to use in this mode. Both the pod and the carrier itself have an extra strap to fasten around your baby’s waist for added security. The detachable dribble bib and bottle holder are useful extras, but be aware that you can’t have both attached at the same time, as there aren’t enough poppers.
What we love
The pod insert gives your newborn a softly cocooned ride and a great feeling of security. It’s a handsome-looking carrier that comes at a very attractive price.
What to watch out for
This carrier may look simple, but looks can be deceptive. There are lots of buckles to fasten before your baby is fully secured, and as some of these have to go through loops, it’s not the swiftest of operations. Without the pod, it’s a bit basic and not as cushioned for your baby as some others on the market. The polyester fabric left mum Sara feeling rather hot and bothered. The ‘one-handed-quick-release buckles’ are fine when undoing the carrier but a little stiff to do up (and best with two hands to avoid pinched fingers). While the weight is well distributed over the shoulders, there is no additional lumbar support, so you could feel the strain if you used this for long periods of time. It can’t go in the washing machine, which could cause problems if it needs a quick clean.
Who is the Maclaren Techno Baby Carrier best for?
Mums on a budget, families who don’t go for long walks and if you like to carry your baby about the house.
This carrier offers good value for money, and it looks very smart. The pod insert makes it great for newborns but without it, it’s less comfy for bigger babies. There are too many buckles to make this a quick and easy carrier to put on.
