Although the Kanga SSC has remained largely unchanged since 2008, there have been four "Generations" of Bloo Kangaroo buckle carriers. In order to help identify older carriers, I thought I'd put together a page on the differences.
Generation 1 is where it all started in September 2007. The first generation Bloo Kangaroo carriers were only Kanga-X's. The current waist is the same style as the original Gen 1 carriers, but my supplier no longer carries the "bumpy" padding. The padding after 2011 is of the same material, but does not have the egg-crate shape on one side.
Gen 1 (September 2007-Jan 2008) 1. Kanga-X only 2. 18" tall from top of waist to top of carrier 3. Shoulder straps were straight, tapered, and ended at webbing 4. Hoods had squared corners
(Gen 1 Kanga-X)
Gen 2 (Jan 2008- April 2008) 1. Kanga-J and Kanga-XT's added 2. Padding was extended past the webbing 3. Straps were straight 4. Kanga-X changed to 17" tall 5. Horizontal stitching on XT headrest
Gen 3 (April 2008-July 2008) 1. Contoured straps, stiff padding in the ends of the straps 2. Top stitching goes all the way down to point where webbing connects 3. Kanga-X hoods have angled corners like the Kanga-J's **Retrofitting of the stiff end padding to "squishy" padding is available for a small fee. Email for information.
Gen 4 (July 2008 - current ) 1. Contoured straps, slimmed down considerably in underarm section 2. Original squishy padding all the way down to the end of strap 3. Shoulder straps 1" shorter on both Kanga-J and Kanga-XT
Other (same Gen 4 body/straps) 2009 - Kanga-X discontinued 2011 - Kanga-XTP and X2 added 2013 - XTP and XT extensions were lowered and moved out 1/2". ( XTP extensions now sit just above the waistband and XT extensions are about 3/4" up from waistband. 2015 - Dual adjust option for shoulder straps added for custom/pre-orders 2016 - Dual adjust buckles for shoulder straps standard for ALL Kangas. 2018 - Kanga BK (big kid, ages 4-7) added. Previously only a custom option.
