Tula Preschool Carrier Review: Why it’s The Only Toddler Carrier You Need

About a year ago, we were heading on a trip to Scotland with our 1-year-old and our 4-year-old. The big debate was how to carry our 4-year-old on hikes when she needed a bit of extra help. For our 1-year-old, we planned to continue to use our soft baby carrier to front-carry him, but we weren’t sure what to do for our 4-year-old.

We already owned a framed hiking backpack (not a super fancy one) and it wasn’t comfortable so we had no desire to use it in Scotland. Plus, we didn’t want to take the big, bulky framed hiking backpack with us on the plane not to mention it taking up limited room in our rental car.

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My sister is big on hiking with her kids and she swears by using a soft carrier to back-carry her 4-year-old. I was hesitant at first because it seemed like the straps would not provide nearly enough support for the weight of a 4-year-old but after some convincing from her, we decided to begin our search for finding the best soft toddler carrier we could find.

After hours of research from both my husband and I, we landed on the Tula Preschool Carrier and we’ve never looked back. We have been SO impressed with it. We’ve now been using our Tula Preschool Carrier for over a year including extensive use on our trip to the Isle of Skye, Scotland with the kids.

This review is to help you know the pros and cons (if I can think of any cons 🙈) to using the Tula Preschool Carrier on your next adventure!

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Who is the Tula Preschool Carrier Good For?

The Tula Preschool Carrier is an amazing, soft carrier created for an age and size of child that is usually very difficult to find soft carriers for (trust me, my husband and I searched).

We seemed to find that it’s common to find a carrier rated for young toddlers, but what about when they are past 30 pounds or so? What about the kids who aren’t really toddlers but aren’t really little kids yet (aka preschoolers)?

And that’s where the Tula Preschool Carrier comes into play. The Tula Preschool Carrier is designed for older toddlers/young kids weighing from 35 pounds to 70 pounds.

As long as they are tall enough to fit into about a size 4T pant- they can be worn in the Tula Preschool Carrier. This means you could wear your kiddo in this carrier for many years to come.

One thing that really impressed me with the Tula Preschool Carrier’s capabilities was that one of the parent/child models for the carrier (at the time we were looking) was of a parent carrying their much older child on their back who was unable to walk on their own.

How amazing is that? The Tula Carrier opens up another world to parents in situations like that! An easier way to carry your child all the way up to 70 pounds-no matter their abilities.

The Tula Preschool Carrier comes in handy for parents who have kids who love to explore on their own two feet, but also need a little rest once in a while (and you’d prefer to not bring a stroller along). This could be a long walk around the neighborhood, traveling to a big city, or hiking in the mountains.

Is the Tula Preschool Carrier Comfortable for Parents?

The Tula Preschool Carrier is seriously so comfortable for parents. As I’ve mentioned, I was a bit skeptical that I’d be able to comfortably carry my 40+ pound 4-year-old in a soft carrier. I definitely expected some backaches or shoulder aches. However, when she is loaded up in our carrier- I’m pain-free!

Obviously, you’re still carrying the weight of your child so expect some difference compared to walking by yourself. However, as far as comfort goes- the Tula Preschool Carrier is top-notch amazing.

I think one thing that really helps the Tula Preschool Carrier be comfortable is the small, extra lumbar support pad you can purchase to slide onto the waistband.

The Tula lumbar support accessory is just a small, black pad that slides easily onto the waistband to be worn in the middle front or middle back depending on how you are carrying your child. It provides that bit of extra support all parents need in the lower back to give you a pain-free carrying experience.

I was totally convinced to order the lumbar support after reading the awesome reviews for the lumbar support by other customers on the Tula website.

Is the Tula Preschool Carrier Comfortable for kids?

Look at the picture below and you tell me 😴! The Tula Preschool Carrier is definitely comfortable and cozy for kids. Our daughter has been worn in the carrier while weighing 40-45 pounds and she has always felt safe and cozy.

The very first time we ever put her in the Tula Preschool Carrier, she didn’t want to get out. She loved how cozy it was and we ended up carrying her around our house for a while even though we were just planning on trying it on and then taking it off and moving on with our day.

During our adventures in Scotland, our daughter took a couple of naps in the carrier because she was just so comfortable (and trust me, she doesn’t take naps usually). It was great to have a place for her to get some rest and recharge while we were out hiking.

The only time she asks to get out of the carrier is when she is ready to start playing and exploring again- it’s never because she is uncomfortable. So, from our experience, the Tula Preschool Carrier is VERY comfortable for kids.

Tula Preschool Carrier Product Specifications

Model:	Tula Preschool Carrier
Weight Limit:	35-70 pounds
Panel Size:	20.1″ x 19.8″
Material:	100% Cotton
Extra Features:	Removable hood & small pouch on waistband. Extra lumbar support and waistbelt extender can be purchased separately.
Price:	$179 (and so worth it) Use code Destination15 for 15% off your entire order!

Tula Preschool Carrier Vs Tula Toddler Carrier

The main difference between the Tula Preschool Carrier and the Tula Toddler Carrier is that the Preschool carrier has a heavier weight limit.

To use the Preschool Carrier, a child should fit into size 4T pants and weigh between 35 and 70 pounds. However, for the Toddler Carrier, the child can be a bit smaller only needing to fit into size 2T pants but can only weigh up to 60 pounds.

We chose the Tula Preschool carrier because the back panel is a bit bigger and the carrier overall looked more comfortable for older toddlers and preschoolers. Plus, we wanted the higher weight limit so that we could continue to use it as our daughter gets older.

To easily compare the features of different Tula carriers, check out the comparison page on the Tula website.

Use code Destination15 for 15% off your entire order

What is the Tula Preschool Carrier Weight Limit?

The Tula Preschool Carrier has a weight limit from 35 pounds to 70 pounds making it the Tula carrier with the highest weight limit. In our research, it was difficult to find other soft carriers with a similar weight limit which is one big reason why we chose to go with the Tula carrier (plus the amazing reviews from customers on their website).

As long as your child is wearing around a size 4T pants (in length) and they weigh between 35 and 70 pounds they will fit comfortably in the Tula Preschool Carrier!

Is the Tula Preschool Carrier (or Tula Toddler Carrier) Good For Travel?

Yes, yes, yes! One huge reason we decided to purchase the Tula Preschool Carrier was that we were going to be traveling via airplane and really didn’t want to travel with a bulky, framed child carrier (the ones you usually associate with hiking with young kids).

We didn’t want to lug our framed hiking carrier around the airport or potentially have to pay to check it. We also knew that our daughter wasn’t going to be ALWAYS using it so we wanted to be able to store the carrier away quickly and easily when not in use.

And let me tell you what- we were so happy traveling with the Tula Preschool Carrier! We were able to fold it up and tuck it into our backpack whenever we weren’t using it. And during times when we didn’t have room in the backpack we just kind of attached the carrier via the buckle to the side of the bag.

It’s super lightweight, compact, and easy to travel with. PLUS the Tula Preschool Carrier was much more comfortable to use for both our child and us than our framed hiking backpack has ever been (maybe we had a poorly designed framed hiking pack?).

Either way, I definitely recommend the Tula Preschool Carrier for travel. Not only is it great for nature travel, but if you are planning to visit a city it would work great for that as well. If you have an older toddler who can do a lot of walking and you expect to want to walk in the city a decent amount, you could totally bring the carrier along to whip out when their little legs inevitably get tired.

If your child is under 30 pounds, you may want to consider the Lite Tula Compact Carrier.

The Lite Tula Compact Carrier is a very cleverly designed carrier that folds into a side bag/fanny pack when not in use making it even easier to travel with. However, if your kiddo is over 30 pounds (like ours) no worries because the basic Tula Preschool Carrier is still amazing.

Either way, we’re definitely thinking of getting a Tula Lite Compact Carrier for our next kiddo. You can learn more about the Lite Tula Compact Carrier here (including reviews and prices).

How Compact is the Tula Preschool Carrier?

One big reason we chose the soft, Tula Preschool Carrier over a bulky, framed toddler carrier is because we wanted to store it away when we weren’t using it. We didn’t want to have to continually wear something if our daughter weren’t using it. And since she’s four, she’s quite capable of walking and exploring on her own when she wants to/has the energy which means there are plenty of times we aren’t using the carrier.

The Preschool Carrier can be folded up small enough to fit in a backpack. If you have quite a full backpack it may not be able to squeeze in. But in that scenario, you can just buckle it to the outside of your bag.

Another option and Tula’s most compact carrier is the Tula Lite Compact Carrier which can be folded and zipped into a side bag/fanny pack when it’s not in use. It’s a pretty cool design that’s quite convenient. The only drawback is that your child can only weigh up to 30 pounds to use the compact carrier. But if that describes your kid- then the Tula Lite Compact Carrier may be a great option.

How to Use the Tula Preschool Carrier

The nice thing about carrying an older child in the Tula Preschool Carrier is that they can help during the loading process. We always start the process by buckling the carrier around our waist and then getting our hands on the shoulder straps that we will eventually pull up and over our kiddo.

While we are getting it buckled, we have our toddler find something tall to climb on (could be a rock, a chair, a bench, etc). Once we are ready, we have our toddler hop up nice and high on our back with their arms over our shoulders as if they were going to have a piggyback ride.

We stay a bit bent over while we pull the shoulder straps up and over our kiddo (which also brings the back of the carrier over them). Then we hold the straps straight up from our shoulders, stand up, and bounce a bit to help our toddler get settled into the carrier nice and high on our back.

Then we let the straps come down onto our shoulders while still pulling tightly on the area around our chest to keep our kiddo nice and tight and up high on our back. Then we buckle the chest strap and tighten the straps until it feels comfortable for us and them.

I know it’s a bit confusing to follow just by reading about it 😅. However, Tula actually offers a complimentary carrier fitting consultation online!

It’s pretty awesome. All you have to do is schedule a time that works for you on their website here and you get a FREE one-on-one video call with a Tula child-wearing expert to help you figure out how to use the Toddler Preschool Carrier (or any Tula carrier)!

Just schedule a time and have your carrier and child on hand to get a bit of expert advice on how to load up your kiddo and carry them comfortably!

You can even have other family members there so everyone can learn at once. If you’re interested in this- check out the Tula carrier fitting consultation page to learn more about it.

Is the Tula Toddler Carrier & Preschool Carrier Good For Hiking?

Surprisingly, yes! I was so not convinced that hiking with a 40-pound child in a soft carrier on my back was going to be comfortable for anyone. But after some convincing from my sister, we gave it a try… and it was amazing.

The Tula Preschool Carrier is SO much more comfortable than the framed hiking backpack that we (no longer) own. I didn’t think the Tula Carrier would be NEARLY as ergonomic as it is.

Somehow Tula has figured out how to make an amazing, light-weight, ergonomic carrier that makes my 40-pound 4-year-old feel like nothing. (Okay, you still feel like you are carrying a toddler on your back- but nothing hurts! It’s amazing).

We also love that when our daughter’s not being carried (which we prefer because we want her to explore and play as much as possible) we can fold the carrier up and tuck it in our backpack or buckle it to the outside of our bag. This is much nicer than continuing to have a bulky framed backpack on your back for the entirety of the hike even when you aren’t using it.

If you’re looking for an even more compact carrier, you may want to consider the Lite Tula Compact Carrier. Unfortunately, your child needs to be 30 pounds or under (sorry older kids) but it’s a great option if they are!

The Lite Tula Compact Carrier is a very cleverly designed carrier that folds into a side bag/fanny pack when not in use making it even easier to carry along with you while you are hiking.

You can learn more about the Lite Tula Compact Carrier here (including reviews and prices).

Soft Carrier vs Framed Backpack for Hiking with a toddler

I’m sure there are many different opinions on this- but we prefer using a soft carrier for hiking with a toddler rather than a framed hiking backpack. I am talking about an older toddler/preschooler or a younger toddler with some desire to walk and adventure on their own.

When our daughter was 3.5-4.5 years old, we started using the Tula Preschool Carrier rather than our framed hiking backpack because she was starting to explore and hike more on her own rather than wanting/needing to be carried the entire time.

It’s also great to pull out on a hike if you come across a spot that feels unsafe for your kiddo to walk alone (like if there is a steep dropoff somewhat nearby and you don’t want to risk them running over to it).

We’ve used our Tula on hikes like that that were short, beautiful hikes but it felt too stressful to let her be running around on her own and it was so nice to still be able to experience it as a family while being safe.

The Tula Preschool Carrier is more comfortable than our framed hiking backpack ever was. We didn’t have a super fancy pack so I’m sure there is a difference between brands, but overall we have been so much, much better experience with our Tula Preschool Carrier.

Other Amazing Features of the Tula Preschool Carrier

Included with the Tula Preschool Carrier:

• Removable Sleeping/Sun Hood: Perfect for the kiddos who like to feel extra cozy. We always button the hood when our daughter has fallen asleep or she looks like she’s about to fall asleep. I think it helps her head stay cozy against us while we walk.
• Small Pouch on the Waistband: Unfortunately there isn’t much storage as part of the Tula Preschool Carrier (but that’s one thing that makes it so lightweight and compact). However, there is a small pouch on the waistband underneath the child that you could fit a small key ring in, a phone or a small wallet.

**Additional Features Worth Purchasing for the Tula Preschool Carrier**:

• Lumbar Support for Carrier: In my opinion, the Tula lumbar support add-on is a total must-have accessory. The lumbar support is a black, thick rectangle pad that you slide onto your waist belt that sits either in the front middle or the back middle depending on how you are carrying your child. It helps distribute the weight a bit more and gives your lower back that little bit of extra support that the buckle alone can’t give. Before purchasing, I read a lot of the reviews for the lumbar support and the consensus is that it makes an already amazing carrier even better (and I totally agree). The lumbar support is so inexpensive and a total no-brainer- check out the reviews and price here.

• Waistbelt Extender: If you’re plus-sized and seem to have a hard time finding carriers that fit you comfortably- no worries! Tula has an amazing waistbelt extender that works on all of their carriers. The Tula waistbelt extender is totally discreet and can be taken on and off if one partner needs it but not the other. Check out the reviews for the waistbelt extender or see a video of it being buckled here.
• Mini Carrier for Kids to Play Pretend: The Tula Mini Carrier for kids is so adorable and I really wish we had one. It’s a little carrier made for kids to wear to hold their babies or stuffed animals and it’s an exact look-a-like to the carriers worn by adults. If your kiddo loves playing pretend or feeling grown up by copying everything you do- they will love the Tula Mini Carrier. You can check out reviews and prices here.

Other Tula Carriers You May Love:

• Tula Toddler Carrier: Made for 2-6-year-old kiddos weighing up to 60 pounds and wearing at least size 2T pants. This carrier has a slightly lower weight limit than the Preschool Carrier, but you can start wearing your toddler in it sooner than the Preschool Carrier.
• Tula Lite Compact Carrier: Made for babies and toddlers weighing from 12-30 pounds. This carrier obviously has a much, much lower weight limit than the Preschool Carrier. However, if your child fits in this weight range- it’s a great, compact option. The Tula Lite Compact Carrier is a cleverly designed carrier that folds into a side bag/fanny pack when not in use making it super easy to carry with you while traveling, hiking or for day-to-day adventures.

Use code Destination15 for 15% off your entire order

And that’s everything I think you need to know about the Tula Preschool Carrier! I definitely think it’s one of the best soft carriers for toddlers on the market. If you have any questions about it, be sure to let me know in the comments below. I’ll quickly get back to you!

Check out these other posts, I know you’ll love them:

• Zoe Traveler Review: The Best Stroller That Fits In an Overhead Bin
• The Best Double Stroller for Travel to Europe (From Personal Experience)
• The Ultimate Guide to the Isle of Skye with Kids: 21+ Things to Do & Top Tips

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