Baby Carriers With Velcro vs. the Patented FlexSpan™ Belt

• Is there really a big difference between Velcro and buckle hip belts for your baby carrier?
• In this blog, we’ll cover the pros and cons of each type of baby carrier to help you decide on the best one for you.
• Follow along as we break down why you may want a buckle-based carrier instead of Velcro for your little one.

Finding the Right Fit

At Abiie®, we take the research and development of our products seriously. Our team wants to provide parents with the best possible parenting tools, so all of our baby gear is designed to be versatile, durable, and easy to use.

In the case of our infant hip seats and baby hip carriers, we chose to use a buckle-based belt instead of Velcro. Find out why when you explore this blog today.

Pros & Cons of the Patented FlexSpan™ Belt

It’s obvious we’re a supporter of the FlexSpan™ belt for your modern carrier. But why? Here are the top reasons for our choices.

Pro #1: Silence is Golden

When your little one is slumbering and you need to shift position or take them out of the carrier, you don’t want to make too much noise. Our FlexSpan™ belts are silent, so you can buckle in and out without disturbing your baby. No tearing or ripping noises, just one little buckle that you can barely hear above your baby’s snoring.

Pro #2: More Adjustability

Because the buckle on our belt takes up less space as a closure, we have more room to extend the hip belt to accommodate individuals of all sizes. Our hip belts work for waist sizes 24” - 52”, meaning it’s one carrier for petite parents, as well as plus size, expanding and collapsing with ease. While Velcro does have some adjustability, there’s only so much you can reduce or extend before the Velcro can’t support the weight of your little one.

Pro #3: Longer Lasting

We choose our materials with care, so your buckle belt closure won’t succumb to wear and tear for years. You should be able to use the same carrier for multiple babies, handing them down as your baby grows out of them. Just like our wooden high chairs, our carriers are designed to last and adjust as your little one grows.

Pro #4: More Security

One of the reasons our hip carrier is so successful is that it provides the most support and safety for you and your little one. Our ultra-thick straps provide back support for you and can accommodate your baby’s weight as they grow.

While Velcro is available in different strengths, it can’t always hold up to a growing baby’s weight. This material’s strength is also compromised when you can’t utilize the entire strip. If you adjust the strip for your waist size and the entire strip isn’t attached, you aren’t getting the full support it’s designed to deliver. With a buckle-based closure, the support remains the same, no matter how you adjust the circumference of the hip belt.

Con #1: Upfront Costs

The only major downside of choosing a buckle-based belt is the upfront cost. The materials are slightly more expensive, meaning you pay more for your hip belt. However, the extra upfront cost is offset by the longevity and quality of the product. This may be the only hip belt baby carrier you ever have to buy.

Pros & Cons of Velcro

Velcro does have some upsides, but do they outweigh the downsides? Here are our thoughts.

Pro #1: Affordable

Velcro is definitely more affordable than using more durable materials, like plastic or metal, for your hip belt closure. If you have concerns about the upfront costs of your carrier, consider how frequently you expect to replace it. With a Velcro product, you may have to buy two or even three carriers as your child grows.

Pro #2: Easy to Remove

You can very easily remove a Velcro hip carrier one-handed. Because it’s a tearaway material, you can support your child with one arm and remove the belt with the other to free yourself and adjust your little one more easily.

Con #1: Wear & Tear

Velcro naturally wears down the more you detach it, becoming felted over time. As the Velcro nibs wear down, the strength of the material won’t be as secure. You may notice that your Velcro belt doesn’t stay closed once you put the weight of your little one on it, or that it starts to detach the longer you wear it.

Con #2: Storage & Clothing Concerns

Velcro doesn’t just stick to itself. Unfortunately, it attaches to nearly every type of soft material. If you ever store your Velcro carrier with towels, baby clothes, or other soft, eco-friendly baby products, you may find they’ve gotten attached to the Velcro, tearing the fabric when you try to detach the pieces. Even washing your baby carrier is more complicated when it contains Velcro, as it can attach to clothing during the wash cycle.

Con #3: Less Flexibility

Velcro belts often use a dual-layer wraparound design, which feels more constricting and doesn’t move with your body as naturally as a single-panel, buckle-based waistband. This can make long-term wear less comfortable for parents compared to the patented FlexSpan™ Belt, which flexes and adjusts with every movement.

Our Choice is Clear

Based on our assessment of Velcro vs. buckle-based belt carriers, we vote for the patented FlexSpan™ belt hip carrier every time. Convenient, durable, and secure, we prioritize the safety of your child, your comfort, and the overall cost of baby equipment above all else. Discover the difference a buckle-based hip carrier can make in your life when you shop baby products at Abiie®.