Which is the best baby wrap for your family? Comparing Moby vs Boba.
You’ve heard about the benefits of babywearing.
You know that close contact with mom or dad will help soothe fussy babies, encourage breast feeding and that a wrap will give you some autonomy (yay for using both arms!) to get things done.
But which baby wrap is right for you? Does it matter which one you choose?
Two longtime leaders in the baby wrap market are made by Moby and Boba.
Their original baby wraps have no rings or snaps. They are simply a long length of fabric that you tie around yourself to make a safe and comfortable carrying spot for your baby.
Although the Moby baby wrap and the Boba baby wrap have many similarities, there are some differences that will make one a superior choice for your family. If you have your baby wrap choices narrowed down to Moby vs. Boba, we are here to arm you with all of the information you’ll need to make the best decision.
Let’s start with an overview of the two most popular product offerings from Moby and Boba.
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TL:DR (too long, didn’t read)
Short on time? Ultimately, we decided that the Boba Serenity was the best buy because of its lightweight fabric and print options. You can check it out here on Amazon.
Moby Classic
Although Moby has increased its product offerings to include ring slings and carriers, their most popular wrap is their Moby Classic. Made from 100% cotton, the Moby Classic is 5 meters (16.4 feet) long and can be used to carry babies from 8 to 33 pounds in several different styles: facing you, sideways or on your back. Some people feel nervous about the complexity of tying the wrap on, but you will be able to get the hang of it quickly. The Moby classic comes in 14 different colors/prints.
Moby Classic quick features:
- 100% cotton
- 16.4 feet (5 meters) long
- 8 – 33 lb weight range
- 3 different carrying styles
- 14 different colors and prints
Moby Evolution
Style and function-wise, the Moby Classic and Moby Evolution are identical. The difference between the two is the fabric. The Moby Evolution is made from 70% viscose and 30% cotton. Viscose is a semi-synthetic fabric made from wood pulp that is also called rayon. Viscose is lighter-weight and more breathable that cotton, which makes the Moby Evolution a better choice if you live in a warm climate and/or have a baby that runs warm. The Evolution is slightly more stretchy than the Classic, but is the same length at 5 meters (16.4 feet). It can be used for babies from 8-33 pounds and comes in 10 different colors/prints.
Moby Evolution quick features:
- 70% viscose, 30% cotton
- 16.4 feet (5 meters) long
- 8 – 33 lb weight range
- 10 different colors and prints
Boba Classic
Boba claims to be the “original” baby wrap and has been in business for 10 years. The wrap is 5.5 yards long (16.5 feet) and is made of 95% cotton and 5% spandex, to give it needed stretch. It comes in 20 different colors/prints and can be used for babies from birth to 35 pounds.
Boba Classic quick features:
- 95% cotton, 5% spandex
- 16.5 feet
- birth – 35 lb weight range
- 20 different colors and prints
Boba Serenity
The Boba Serenity is also 5.5 yards (16.5 feet) and comes in 15 different colors/prints. The difference between the Boba Classic and the Serenity is the fabric. The Serenity is lighter-weight and made primarily from bamboo viscose (65%) with 25% cotton and 7% Spandex. The Serenity wrap is thinner and more breathable so it would be a more comfortable choice for you and your baby if you live in a hot/humid climate.
Boba Serenity quick features:
- 65% bamboo viscose, 25% cotton, 7% spandex
- 16.5 feet
- birth – 35 lb weight range
- 15 different colors and prints
Comparing Boba vs Moby Baby Wraps – What’s Different? What’s the Same?
The Boba baby wrap and Moby baby wrap look almost identical and are used in the same way. However, there are some subtle differences that might make you choose one over the other.
Including:
Length
Both the Boba and Moby wraps are “one-size fits all.” However, the Boba wraps are slightly longer at 16.5 feet versus Moby’s 16.4 feet (equating to around 1.2 inches longer). Boba does occasionally carry an XL version, but the normal length of these baby wraps is usually sufficient for parents of every size, including tall and curvy parents. There will just be more or less extra fabric left hanging when you tie the wrap around you.
Weight Limits
Boba baby wraps have a higher maximum weight limit of 35 pounds versus Moby’s 33 pound weight limit. So depending on if you have a larger baby, you might want those extra few pounds offered by Boba.
Fabric
The main differentiator between Boba wraps and Moby wraps is the fabric used to create them. The Moby Classic is made from 100% cotton. This is the thickest fabric option among all four wraps, but also the least stretchy. The Boba Classic is the next thickest with 95% cotton and 5% spandex. Their claim is that the spandex helps the wrap keep its shape as well as keeping your baby more secure. The Moby Evolution is made from 70% viscose (rayon) fabric and 30% cotton. It is a lightweight fabric that is also more stretchy than 100% cotton and more breathable. The Boba Serenity is made from 65% bamboo viscose (rayon) fabric, 25% cotton and 7% spandex (The math doesn’t add up here Cath! And I looked on their website too! 3% is mystery fabric?!). Like the Moby Evolution, the Boba Serenity is more of a lightweight fabric than the Boba Classic, is more breathable and is therefore a better option for hotter climates.
Ease of Use
There isn’t any difference in the ease of use between the Moby wraps and Boba wraps because the method to tie them onto your body and position your baby is identical. Some people find it helpful to tie the wrap on at home so they don’t have to awkwardly wrestle the fabric in public. The good news is, you can easily travel “pre-wrapped” and ready for baby.
Carrying Positions
According to the manufacturer, the Moby baby wrap can be used for inward, front and hip carrying positions. The Boba website doesn’t mention specific positions, but a customer representative answer stated in answer to a question, “the wrap is specifically designed to only carry your baby on the front part of your body for safety and comfort reasons.”
Available colors/patterns
If you are looking to add some pizzaz to your baby wrap, Boba has the most variety of color and print (35 to choose from!), however, Moby brings a special flair with a leopard print option as well as plaid and some fun geometric prints.
Budget Friendly
The price point is very similar for all four options of Moby and Boba wraps we’ve talked about today. You can save between $10-20 if you choose a more subdued color instead of a bright color or print. Be sure to check out all of the color options and their price before you buy if you want to save some cash!
Breastfeeding Friendly
Since both the Moby and Boba wraps are intended to keep baby in an upright position, they aren’t ideal for breastfeeding but can certainly be used for that purpose. It takes some practice to position baby the baby for comfortable nursing while sitting up, but a wrap is a great hands-free nursing option if you can get the hang of it.
Customer Service
One of the best things about both Moby and Boba is they both provide baby wrap education through videos on their website AND provide FREE on-one training!
You can book a Certified Babywearing Educator to help you master your Moby and have a free one-on-one training via Facetime, Skype or Zoom.
If you are feeling uncomfortable with tying on the wrap and/or positioning your baby, you can take a picture and send it to Boba’s customer support team for tips and advice. They also offer free “fit consults” with Certified Babywearing Consultants. For 20 minutes you can do a video consultation, get personal fit support and ask any other questions you might have.
How to Choose Between Moby and Boba Wraps
Let’s get to the meat of why you came to visit us today…the definitive answer of how to choose between Moby and Boba wraps .
- If you live in a hot climate? Choose the Moby Evolution or the Boba Serenity. (Lighter weight fabric that is more breathable and comfortable for you and baby).
- Are plus size/curvy/tall? Choose the Boba Classic or Boba Serenity. They have spandex for a stretchier fit AND are sometimes available in XL size.
- Are trying to stay on a budget? Choose a plain colored Boba Wrap (gray is usually the cheapest option).
- Want trendy/stylish fabric? Choose a Moby Classic or Evolution baby wrap.
- Can’t make up your mind? Buy TWO! Choose one classic baby wrap and either the Boba Serenity or the Moby Evolution. Since they aren’t super expensive, you might be able to test the wraps to see which fabric your baby prefers.
The Final Word on Moby vs Boba
If you have a baby and you ever want to use your arms again, you need either a Boba or Moby wrap. 😉
But seriously, in many cultures outside of the USA, carrying your baby is commonplace because it is so helpful! Not only will carrying your baby in a wrap help save your back by evenly distributing your baby’s weight, it will also free up your hands to type that email to your boss, hold your preschooler’s hand and/or spend time doing something you love.
There are many benefits for baby as well when they are held in a baby wrap. Baby’s stress levels go down when they are wrapped close to mom or dad and hear their heartbeat. Your baby will feel more safe and secure when they are in a baby wrap.
The other benefit of purchasing either a Moby or a Boba wrap is that they are not cost-prohibitive. For under $50, you’ll have all of the added convenience and bonding time that comes with beabywearing.
Overall, our highest recommendation goes to the Boba Serenity. With its lightweight fabric and fun print options, not only will the Boba Serenity keep your baby safe, secure and properly positioned, it will also mean your hands are free to do whatever you’d like (might we suggest something just for YOU?).