Soul Starling

Review of Soul Starling

Brand: Soul
Collection: 100% linen wraps
Name: Starling
Blend: 100% linen
Thickness: 220 g/m2
Wrappee: 16 kg, 22 months
Size: 7

I received this wrap just in time for the Norwegian summer to start. We have had a few weeks with amazing weather and a sick toddler, and Starling arrived just in time for it all. It has been used a lot these hot days with a feverish toddler!

I have to say that to start with I was not sure this wrap, with a thickness of 220 g/m2, would be thick enough for my toddler with his 16 kgs. I know that linen is very strong, but I have not been a fan of linen before, because I think its a bit too stiff for us, and I feel it digging a bit.
So this wrap arrived, and it changed my opinion about all-linen wraps!

This wrap was already soft right out of the bag. Soul linen wraps arrives pre-washed, but I still like to  wash it once before using it. After a wash and ironing, it became even softer. It was a pleasure to wrap with from the very beginning, and I'm sure it will just feel better and better when more used.

My first impression of Starling is that it´s a very soft wrap, and that its very easy to work with. Its smooth, but still holds some grip. The wrap has almost no stretch vertically or horizontally, but has a small amount of diagonally stretch. This gives the wrap a bit of bounce, which is nice when carrying a toddler who will never sit still, and jumps up and down all the time. I think this is the reason why I do not feel this wrap digging anything at all! Its very nice and comfortable on my shoulders.

This wrap is very thin. It reminds me of a curtain I would use during summer, or like my own linen dress. It is almost transparent, and that makes it the perfect wrap for the warmer summer months, or for very hot and humid climate. Linen is also know for its soothing and cooling effect, and it has been a pleasure using it for this time.

The color of Starling is amazing! I love the way the color pops up every outfit, and makes my skin look more tan just wearing it. Its also perfect for everyday wearing, like jeans and t-shirt. The color is a bit hard to capture, but its truly an amazing, clear blue wrap.

It´s easy to make a nice wrap job with Starling, and if you are accurate with your wrapping job it will stay firm and immovable, even with a 16 kg toddler like mine.
This wrap is perfect for beginners, but also the perfect summer-wrap for experienced wrappers. I would also recommend this wrap for both newborn and toddlers.

I have tried Starling in Double Hammock with freshwater finish, saltwater finish, regular DH TIF (tied in front), FWCC, ruck and FCC. This is the perfect wrap for multiple layer-carries, and I liked it a lot for all my favorite carries. I had no expectations for it as a ruck, and with a toddler I would not recommend single layer carries. Its just a little bit too thin.
When wrapping, the passes glides easily into place, and the knot is almost invisible. For me, wrapping a big boy, it needed to be proper tighten, or else it would sag a bit after a while. I would say this is because of the weight of my boy, but also because he has a hard time sitting still. He always jumps up and down, stretching his legs out and waves with his whole body- just like an energetic toddler should. ;)

We love Starling already. I would really recommend everyone, who is looking for a cooler wrap for hot and humid weather, to check this out! It is very comfortable and supportive with my toddler, and soft enough for a newborn too. Its also affordable for everyone!

Thank you Soul, for this amazing wrap!

Soul Maze Honey

Soul Maze Honey

Pattern: Maze
Name: Honey
Blend: 100% jaquard woven cotton
Thickness: 280 gr/m2
Wrappe: 15,5-16 kg

Soul is one of Indias largest brand of Baby carriers, and produce and sell woven wraps, ring slings, onbuhimo, full buckles, meh dai´s and accessories like sunhat´s, blankets, carries for your kids and soft sole shoes.
Its a family-run company, and I fell in love with their story about how Soul came to life, and their philosophy and thoughts.
If you want to know more about this, or order something yourself, you can have a look at their webpage.

I have seen the beautiful logo of Soul before, but I had never tried one myself before I was asked if I wanted to test one. I fell immediately in love with Maze Honey from the pictures of their web page. Those colors, that combination, that design! It was just screaming my name out loud. And yes, the lovely Soul team wanted to send me exact this wrap! I was very excited.

The shipping from India to Norway was surprisingly fast! In four days I had the box here with me. And when I opened it- this was the pile of goodness that met me!
One set of lovely soft sole shoes in Maze Honey, one blanket in Flyaway pattern, and the wrap itself- Maze Honey in sz 6!

The first thing I noticed when opening the bag of Maze Honey was the colors! The colors are stunning, and the combination of the black and yellow is perfect together with this eye-catching pattern. I really think its more beautiful in real life, then in the pictures!
When first touching the wrap I suddenly felt a bit insecure. The wrap felt hard, and had a paper-like feeling to it. It could almost stand by itself. I was not sure this wrap was for us.
But, I had no need to feel insecure...

The wrap is machine washable, so after a short wash, a night of drying and a round with the iron, it fluffed up be a marshmallow of a wrap, and had a much more softness and air right away!
Wow! What a change!
We were very excited to get to know this wrap more.

We have had this wrap for a over a month now. This had become our "to go" wrap, and we almost bring it with us everywhere. We use it a lot, and it has started to become beautifully broken in.

So, about the wearing qualities of this beautiful wrap, because we all know that being beautiful just isn't enough.
But don´t be afraid- there is way more to this wrap.

Maze Honey is a medium-thin wrap. It has a thickness of 280 gsm.
It has a great amount of grip. This makes the wrap easy to work with, as it will stay in place and allow you to make your carrie comfortable without losing its place. For me this is very important when wrapping with a wrap of this thickness together with a big toddler.
The knot can be a bit hard to tighten, and that is also because of the grip in this wrap. It has already become more easy to tie, and I think this will only become better by the time it gets even softer and more broken in.
The knot is not too big, and just the right size to not lower your mobility if tied at shoulder or back. I only use this with one knot, but it would be great with two knots also- if you prefer that.
I think this is the wrap with the size of knots that would look perfect in fancy finishes.

The wrap feels a tiny bit airy, and have both a tiny bit horisontal and vertical stretch. It has a bit more diagonally stretch, and that makes it moldable and gives it some bounce too.
The plaids on your shoulders are made by themselves, and the wrap gives a great bit of cush too. I have been carrying my toddler for long walks in this one, and I dont feel any digging at all.  Its very supportive for bigger babies!

I have tried this wrap in Front Wrap Cross Carry, Front Cross Carry, Double Hammock and Ruck. There was no problem doing either of this carries, and they all felt comfortable with my toddler.

My conclusion for this wrap is:

- Stunning colors
- Some Stretch
- Some bounce and are very moldable
- Nice cush on your shoulders
- A great amount of grip- makes it stay in place
- Easy to wrap with
- Suitable for all ages
- Nice size knot

I would not recommend this wrap for babywearers who like tense and rigid wraps, with a hard feeling, for people who want thicker wraps or for people who like wraps with a lot of glide.

Thank you team Soul for letting us test this wrap 💙