Hackerlily HipSurfer review
It’s the piece of kit for babies and toddlers who can’t decide whether they want to walk, ride or be carried. In other words: most of them.
Hackerlily HipSurfer stats:
Age: You can use the Hackerlily HipSurfer rom birth as feeding/sleep support; carrying from around 4–6 months to 3+ years
Weight: Supports up to 25kg, although the brand describes 15kg as the comfort “sweet spot”
Anyone who’s spent a day out with a toddler knows the drill. They want to walk. Then they don’t. Then they absolutely must be carried. Then, approximately 90 seconds later, they want to get down again.
Enter the Hackerlily HipSurfer, an Australian-designed hip-seat carrier that provides a sturdy perch for your child while redistributing their weight around your waist rather than leaving one arm, shoulder and hip to do all the work.
And that’s really where it comes into its own. Unlike a traditional strapped baby carrier, there’s no complicated getting in and out. The wide padded waistband buckles around the wearer and the child simply sits on the ergonomic seat. Hackerlily says it takes around 15 seconds to put on once adjusted, making it particularly useful for quick trips, airports, holidays and the relentless up-down-up phase.
The seat is designed to support the baby’s hips in the recommended “M” position, while the structured design takes much of their weight rather than requiring the wearer to jut out a hip to create a human shelf.
There’s a surprising amount of storage too. The seat doubles as a mini bum bag, with room for essentials including nappies, wipes, snacks, keys and phone, plus a hidden bottle holder and toy loop. It also folds down for travel.
Stuff we love about Hackerlily HipSurfer:
Quick on and off • Excellent for up-and-down toddlers • Built-in storage • Multiple carrying positions • Easy to swap between caregivers
A particularly useful feature is longevity. It can be used from birth to support feeding or rocking, before becoming a seated carrier as your baby gains sufficient strength and head control. With older babies and toddlers, there are inward, outward and side-carrying options.
Stuff to think about:
Not hands-free • Another piece of kit to carry when not in use • Pricey compared with basic hip seats
One important caveat: this isn’t a hands-free carrier. An adult must keep an arm around the child at all times. If you want something that allows you to strap in a baby and use both hands, look elsewhere. The HipSurfer is really designed to make the carrying you’re already doing considerably easier.
It’s not the cheapest solution to “Dad, carry me”, either. But for families with a clingy baby, a toddler who frequently tires on days out, or parents who find conventional carriers cumbersome, it’s a simple idea that makes a lot of sense.
And unlike plenty of functional baby kit, it doesn’t particularly look like baby kit. Vegan leather, corduroy and polyester versions are available, with interchangeable covers for those who’d rather their parenting paraphernalia didn’t scream parenting paraphernalia.
FQ verdict
A deceptively simple bit of kit that could save your arms, shoulders and back during the toddler years. Easy to share between parents and particularly good for travel and days out. Just remember: one arm stays firmly around the passenger.
FQ rating: ★★★★½ 4.5/5
Price: Around £79
Buy it at Hackerlily
READ THIS ARTICLE IN THE FQ AUTUMN E-ZINE
