I received this product at no cost to facilitate my review. All opinions remain my own.
Can we discuss, just for a moment, how beautiful this carrier is? Looks aren’t everything, but man does this carrier look good. It also happens to match pretty much everything that I own. The good news is that it is as functional as it is beautiful.
Before I tell you about our adventures with our Trek and why we love it, let’s get you two acquainted.
Carrier Features:
And on the flip side:
What I noticed most of all out of the box was the thickness of the waist band. Under the rectangular pouch you see at the top of the carrier is the nap hood and the infant insert:
The hood and infant insert are made of the same soft, stretchy material.
Use with a Newborn:
I’ve been carrying Little Miss Cub in our TREK since she was about 8 lbs. The built-in infant insert is super easy to use and I love that it is stretchy. I am able to get her into and out of the carrier with ease. I also like how easy it is to snap the insert to the sides of the carrier:
The insert is kind of like a hammock for tiny babies:
At her very tiniest, I put her into the “hammock” with her knees up against my stomach. By about 10 lbs, she was able to comfortably straddle the insert so she could have her legs in the “M” position.
Positioned as shown above, she seems equally content for her legs to be outside of the carrier (to show off her booties):
Or tucked inside like so:
To make the carrier small enough to accommodate my little nursling, I cinch the shoulder straps to their tightest and keep her kissable!
The nap hood is most definitely my favourite of all the brands I’ve tried (Boba, Ergo, Tula, Liliputti…).
Overall Comfort:
On a recent trip to Banff, I wore Little Miss Cub comfortably for good chunks of time, and she snoozed peacefully under our Belly Bedaine sweater.
The waist band is very thick and supportive, keeping my back and shoulders from carrying too much of the weight.
Use with a Big Kid:
The Chimparoo’s weight max is listed at 45 lbs. Cub is 35 lbs, and 40 inches tall. At the end of our trip to Banff, he refused to walk. It was easier for me to just carry Little Miss in my arms and Papa tried a back carry with the big boy. 
The back of the carrier is certainly not as high on Cub’s back as the Toddler Tula, but his bum is very well supported.
Both Papa Wolf and Cub reported that they were very comfortable!
Bottom Line:
The TREK is seriously an awesome carrier: I love it. I love that the infant insert isn’t a separate accessory, I love how soft and stretchy it and the nap hood both are. I love the wide, supportive waist, and how well it accommodated even our three-year-old jumbo Cub. It’s also made in Canada! I don’t find the shoulder straps as easy to adjust as with the Tula, as you actually pull the straps upwards rather than downwards to tighten, but this isn’t a deal breaker, especially since the TREK doesn’t require the purchase of a separate infant insert, and it’s Canadian made. I look forward to continuing to use the TREK with Little Miss Cub as she outgrows the infant insert, and I still need to try a front carry with the straps crossed, something that is possible with the TREK but I haven’t tried yet!
Give me about a year, and I’ll be able to do a truly detailed comparison of all the SSCs we will have tried, but for now, I don’t hesitate in recommending the TREK as a soft-structured carrier that can be used pretty much right from birth.
Shop & Connect
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Christine c says
I would LOVE to know where to get this Trek for a decent price online (no access to stores up here in the North of Ontario) I have heard SO many good things and have spoken to alot of petite Mamas (I’m 5′) and love your review.. LO due anyday and I really want something with an insert for NB, good for back and beautiful !!
Lindsay says
I can’t speak to fit on a petite Mama (I’m 5’9), but I can tell you that Renee at Lil’ Monkey Cheeks can hook you up! (And tell her I sent ya!) http://www.lilmonkeycheeks.ca/products/chimparoo-trek-woven
Christine c says
I contacted her 🙂 and I told her who sent me hehe Hoping to find the right carrier to keep baby close. Thanks alot for all that you do!
Tracy says
I got my trek at shopjoy.ca with free shipping 🙂
Kayla says
I got my trek from lil monkey cheeks and I am in love with it! It was free shipping and received it in record time! I am petite and it fits well with the shoulder straps crissed crossed.
Lindsay says
AWESOME! I still haven’t even TRIED it cross-strapped yet!
Jennifer says
I also got my Trek from Lil Monkey Cheeks! My only complaint is that I find the waist band is extremely stiff – like a piece of cardboard. I am wondering if it will this soften up once it is broken in…
Lindsay says
Hey Jennifer! I totally know what you mean, and I noticed it too. However, I’ve noticed basically no consequence in terms of comfort or function so far. I’m going to keep the review updated as we continue using the Trek, and so far the waistband’s stiffness hasn’t bothered me. Besides the way it feels in my hands, I don’t notice any difference when I’m wearing. What about you?
Chimparoo Facebook Chatter says
Love this review! Would you be willing to join our page? There are so many Chimparoo curious babywearers in the US.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1657450277838854/
Lindsay says
Done and done!
Tiffeny says
I have a chimparoo trek and am struggling with the waistband. It is super stiff, does not conform to my body, and the lower half of the waistband is not even in contact with my body. As a result i Find the waistband to not be supporting the baby’s weight the way it suppose to and ultimately feel pressure and the weight anywhere between my shoulders and upper back. Any suggestions? Did your waistband soften with time?
Lindsay says
Hi Tiffeny! It’s not a problem I’ve had, actually, the Trek is my husband’s current favourite carrier, so I haven’t been using it as much recently. It has been my favourite so far for back carries, too. Let me wear it around again and see if I can figure out any adjustments. Also, don’t hesitate to contact Chimparoo’s customer service, and I’d suggest sending a picture of you wearing baby so you can get expert troubleshooting!
Lindsay says
I LOVE the look of this carrier, but I live nowhere near a retailer. I tried to contact Chimparoo with a question via email and via facebook message, and received no reply. I speak no French and was unable to understand the outgoing message when I rang them. Therefore, I’m reaching out to people who have a Chimparoo Trek! Can you please tell me how long the waist belt is? I don’t want to purchase this lovely carrier, only to be disappointed in the fit.
Lindsay says
Two options! Ask a Chimparoo retailer– Renee at LMC can help you, just message her: https://www.facebook.com/Lilmonkeycheeks Or, join this chat group! https://www.facebook.com/groups/1657450277838854/ My Trek is not identical to the one that is currently on the market, so I’d rather you get the measurements of the current model.
Lindsay says
Thank you!
Amanda says
Is this the iris color? Is it more green or teal in color?
Mary Lynne jones says
Thank you for his review!! We are foster parents so sometimes I have a 5 lb newborn & other times I have a 24 lb 8 month old. I have an ergo (that I never wear), a bitybean (which I absolutely Love, but it starts at 3 months, solly wrap (which I use for newborn, but would love a scc that works for a newborn). Do you think the chimparoo trek would be a good option for the itty burry babies I get sometimes? Does it fold up small enough to go in a diaper bag?
Lindsay says
The minimum recommended weight with the Trek is 7 lbs. You can roll it up for the diaper bag, honestly it’s about the size of an ergo! I wouldn’t recommend the Trek below the recommended weight range, but otherwise it is a great SSC for newborns thanks to the built-in insert!
Molly says
I’ve been curious about this carrier. Thanks for the great review, I may have to look into it! Also, the pic of Lil Miss at 10lb makes my ovaries hurt. She is so cute!!
janie vezina says
i’ve always loved this colorway. you took very pretty pictures for the review.