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Baby Carrier Review: Soul Sumac Woven Wrap

Hello Sumac! Sumac is part of Soul's Spice Series of handwoven cotton wraps. It is woven entirely by hand in South India, in government-run co-operative societies that are committed to fair-trade and ethical production. Awesome right? Keep reading. 
[Close-up image of a red and blue checkered fabric. Artisan hands wove the fibers together in the visible twill weave to support and snuggle your sweeties. See the snuggles. Breathe the snuggles.]
Up Close and Personal
Some stats to get the party started:

  • Carrier: Sumac - Handwoven Cotton Wrap 
  • Carrier Weight Recommendation: up to 25 kg (55 lb) approx.
  • Material: 100% handwoven cotton
  • Weave: twill
  • GSM (grams per meters squared): 222 g/m^2 (provided by Soul website)
  • Wearees: 
    • 4.5 year old (approximately 32 pounds/18.5 kilograms) 
    • 1.5 year old (approximately 22 pounds/10 kilograms)

[Three image collage of a tan skin bespectacled Asian woman wearing a preschooler on her back using a red and blue checkered woven wrap over a red collared shirt. The spunky sweetheart is giving Mama a kiss on the cheek in one photo and smiling over Mama's shoulder in another.]
Double Hammock Sweetheart Tied At Shoulder 

Sumac feels thin-medium in hand, has low texture, and is surprisingly grippy. I generally prefer a little more glide to grip for easier wrapping (less sweat) but I had to give Sumac a try. It is densely woven and doesn't seem prone to pulls - no pulls yet here and the kids like to drag it around, build forts with it, and snuggle with it on the couch that's also covered in toys and books and random things. Those who have tried Soul's Prism series mention that the Spice series feel and wrap similarly. When wrapping I don't have to fight the passes over each other as long as I'm not giving it a lot of extra slack to begin with. Place the passes where you want them and they aren't going to budge.

[Image of a tan skin bespectacled woman wearing a barefoot toddler on her back using a red and blue checked woven wrap finished with a large bow on the front. Image is from smiling lips through torso and focused on the large bow.]
Shepherd's Carry with Junko's Bunko Finish

I'm drawn in to the classic blue and red checked pattern of Sumac. It reads so everyday yet also modern chic depending on mood or finish. As a base minus 1 (size 4 for me), there are so many options for front, hip, and back carries with or without ring finishes. It has yet to disappoint! Holds slip knots and knotless finishes without slippage. The following is a list of carries we've done with Sumac:

Front/Hip Carries:
  • Inside Out Coolest Hip Cross Carry
  • Short Cross Carry with a Ring
  • Short Front Wrap Cross Carry Tied at Shoulder
Back Carries
  • Double Hammock with Variations
  • Shepherd's with Variations
  • Rucksack with Variations
  • Double Sling Single Ring
For ring finishes I've preferred using a medium size Sling Ring.

[Four image collage of a tan skin bespectacled Asian woman wearing a barefoot snot-bubble-blowing toddler on her back, up safe from her sister who's having a strong case of the Mondays. They're using a red and blue checkered woven wrap with the middle marker tag visible that is white with a blue heart. A bronze medium-sized ring secures the carry. Top left two photos depict the freshwater finish. The bottom left and right photos depict the saltwater finish.]
Shepherd's with a Saltwater and Freshwater single ring finish.
Image of a smiling tan skin bespectacled Asian woman wearing a toddler on her back in a blue and red checked woven wrap carrier. She's kneeling down in the grass surrounded by greenery and autumn foliage. The toddler on her back has her hands over her face and her older sister standing next to her is covering her head with her hands. They are being silly and playing with the sun shining through the leaves overhead.
Rucksack Back Carry with a Candy Cane Chest Belt
Image of a tan skin bespectacled Asian woman with a red and blue checked woven wrap carrier tied in a one-shouldered carry. Next to her are two children. The three of them are exploring in a forest surrounded by green and yellow foliage of autumn.
Inside Out Coolest Hip Cross Carry 
Image of the back of a tan skin Asian woman wearing a child on her back in a red and blue checked woven wrap carrier while holding the hand of a toddler who's walking beside her, wearing a Mama-made red sun hat. They're looking at a marvelous maple tree that is glowing orange, yellow, and green with the changing season.]
Rucksack Back Carry Tied in Front

[Image of a smiling tan skin bespectacled Asian woman wearing a sleeping toddler on her front in a red and blue checked woven wrap in a garden of dahlias blooming above her head. The blooms are bright and all colors and some larger than her face.]
Short Front Cross Carry with a Ring
Summary:

A beginner to wrapping may find the grip overwhelming. Also, because the two sides aren't clearly different, a beginner may find that confusing if a pass is supposed to be flipped or if it's accidentally flipped. That being said, if you love the pattern you'll use it and you'll learn to wrap with it. For a more advanced wrapper, you may find this handwoven surprising (or not!). I haven't found it to dig with my older wearee (but my older wearee isn't up for long periods of time) and I find it really comfortable with my younger wearee. If you're looking for more memory foam cush, this may not be for you. If you like more glide and soapiness, this may not be for you. But if you're looking for a thinner wrap with grip, give Sumac a try! In single layer or multiple layered carries, it's still breathable and doesn't feel hefty at all. Perfect autumn wrap and thin enough to go under coats without the bulk as it gets cooler! 

For more pics and commentary, check out my Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/wearingpluotandkumquat/ and search #SoulSumac.

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Images have descriptions provided in the alternative text accessible to screen readers.
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Disclaimer: I am a Soul Brand Ambassador. The opinions are mine and may or may not concur with others. Photographs are taken to be most accurate of the color in real life but know that it may vary depending on the light and the viewer's device.

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