Types of Slings

Asian-style carrier
Essentially a panel of fabric with straps at each corner. Two straps tie around your waist, the other two straps go over your shoulders and tie in a variety of ways. The MeiTai is an example.

Framed backpack
Similar to a hiking rucksack but with a metal frame (usually) to carry a child. Mostly used for toddlers.

Onbuhimo
Similar to a Mei Tai (see Asian-style carrier). It has a fabric panel with two long straps coming from the top corners and rings (cloth, nylon, or metal) at the bottom corners, which you loop the straps through in order to tie.

Padded Ring Sling
A length of fabric that has rings at one end (the shoulder end), through which you thread the the opposite end (tail) to create a 'pouch' into which you place the child. To be considered a padded sling, the shoulder or the edges of the fabric (rails) are padded. Padding varies and padded slings usually come in different sizes. Also see Ring Sling.

Podegi (podeagi)
The traditional Korean back carrier, which is a type of torso carrier. It is like a blanket with long straps that tie around your chest and waist/hips which you can use to carry the child on your back.

Pouch
Essentially a fabric sash, which you fold in half lengthwise creating a pouch into which the baby is placed. Pouches are worn over one shoulder, across your body - as with a ring sling. Pouches can be used for the same carries as ring slings. Pouches come in a variety of fabrics, some with ways of adjusting the size (usually using zips or poppers).

Rebozo
A traditional, hand-woven Mexican carrier. Used as scarves, pregnancy and birthing aids, and for many other purposes as well as carrying babies. Similar to Wraps.

Ring Sling
A piece of fabric that goes over one shoulder across the body (like a sash). You can adjust this sling using the rings. See also Padded Sling and Unpadded Sling.

Soft Structured Carrier (SSC)
Based on the Asian-style carriers, these types of carriers have more structure to them. This usually consists of a padded waist which is more rigid than an Asian-style carrier. The SSC straps are tied using buckles rather than tying straps in knots.

Unpadded Ring Sling
A length of fabric that has rings at one end (the shoulder end), through which you thread the the opposite end (tail) to create a 'pouch' into which you place the child.

Wraps
A long piece of fabric which you "wrap" around your body to creating a pocket for a baby to sit. There are numerous ways to tie a wrap!