Kokoskaa Royal Quill- Grey Tester

Oooh, am I ever glad to be back to write this little review. It was a pleasure to be on the list for this traveling tester from Kokoskaa. This soft, and lovely grey beauty is one of the future colours of the Royal Quill design in the new blend of cotton, soybean viscose, and cashmere.

First off, I have never heard of or wrapped with soybean viscose, so I had no idea what it would be like, or how it might change the feel and quality of the wrap. I have to admit, I would never guess in a million years what the blend on this wrap is, just that it is not 100% cotton, and likely doesn't have wool. Clearly, I am not a textile expert- but I know what I like and I know what I don't like.

And this, well- I like.

I'll compare it first to the Kokoskaa Midnight Royal Quill, which is a blend of cashmere, silk and merino wool. I really loved that wrap and at first touch, glance and wrap, I felt that this one wasn't as amazing. I have changed my tune upon further wrapping and inspection. Greyquills is thinner, lighter, and less spongey. It glides in a sleeker way than Midnight does when wrapping. Both have great stretch and bounce. I actually think these Kokoskaa's have hit the mark dead on for my preferences in that category. The stretch is not sag, and the bounce is not over the top. Where Midnight is super cushy and thicker, Greyquills plays it a little cooler, with less density and a cooler feel in hand.

This tester was a long 6 (maybe a 7?) so it was great for all my favorite carries- which are usually double hammocks with chest belt variations, or semi made up on the spot reinforced rucks tied Tibetan. In general I put ease of wrapping very high on my list when rating a wrap. I don't pride myself on being able to tame the beast of all beasts and I don't have time or patience (neither does my bucking bronco, who is usually crying while being wrapped) to spend tightening every single thread to make sure I have a perfect wrap job. So, I like wraps that can roll with a sloppy wrap job, yet still keep me and the little man comfortable. I need to be able to glide a rebozo pass up and over quickly without feeling like my arms are going to dislocate. Greyquills rocked in this respect.

There have been a lot of comparisons to Pavo's Gotham wraps, and as huge Gotham fan I feel I can make a good judgment call about how they compare. Greyquills is a bit sleeker where Gotham has a bit more texture. The merc Gothams are a touch thinner than this Kokoskaa, but the non-merc are almost exactly the same feel in hand. I find there to be a bit more grit to Gotham, and the quill is a bit more refined (maybe it's the soybean viscose?!?). Both wrap amazingly, both have that tight hug feeling, and both have great stretch and bounce, Gotham eeks ahead in the grip category, it's just so solid. Greyquills is no slouch though, I have been known to tie off in a half knot, and you would never have known. Solid as a rock.

I loved this wrap with a candy cane chest belt. Smooth, not diggy, and the chest passes were just so tight and comfortable. No excess wrap left hanging around that I had to tuck into the passes.

I will admit, the colour is not my favorite. If this blend came in the Midnight colour, well I would be ALL over it. In fact, I keep asking myself why I don't own my own RQ? Something I'll need to fix very soon, I think.

Recommended for: wrappers of any level. It won't intimidate a new wrapper, and it has qualities that a discerning wrapper can appreciate. Soft for a squish, but supportive enough for my 25+ toddler.
For someone who prefers thin, with little texture- try it, but no guarantees.

Kokoskaa Royal Quill Grey tester
56% cotton, 40% soybean viscose, 4% cashmere
Size 6

Kokoskaa Royal Quill Midnight

There's something about Kokoskaa and the Royal Quill design that is so pleasing to my eyes. When I saw these start popping up in reviews and then for sale, I really wanted to get my hands on one. This proved next to impossible, and then when I finally saw Midnight posted on the Kokoskaa page I knew, "This will be mine!!" Ha. I totally sucked at scoring this, and figured- there goes my chance. I never see Kokoskaas up for sale. That's how I judge how amazing a wrap REALLY is. Sure, people can go on and on about how great a wrap is, how wonderful the qualities are, but if everyone is selling them or using them to trade up for a better wrap I am a little skeptical. It seems like these are being held pretty tightly. But- as is usually the case, a babywearing friend came through and sent this one to me so I could finally try it!

My first impressions: The colour is such a deep navy it almost looks black. Overall, this is such a beautiful wrap. Something you could dress up for a formal event, or just wear with a plain t-shirt, jeans, and a pearl necklace ;)
RQ midnight is a special blend, unlike the other current colours which are 100% cotton. Midnight is a blend of cotton, cashmere, merino and silk. It feels thick, spongey, and fairly dense in hand. I'd compare it to a Pavo Gotham but less airy, or a thicker version of Taj even, but with a sleeker texture and a softer feel.
The stretch in hand translates really well into a nice bounce when wrapped (I might say, it was almost a little too bouncy for me). I found it quite easy to wrap with, and by that I mean, I didn't struggle to get that pass over my son's back like I do with some of the dry, grippy wraps out there nor did I end up with a bunch of sag after thinking I had it all perfectly tightened. I was able to make a nice clean, tight chest pass and my shoulders felt supported and comfortable. Kokoskaa says this wrap is 315 g/sm, which feels fairly accurate. It's medium-thick, with a heavy but not blankety feel. I did find this wrap quite hot in our current summer heat, so I likely wouldn't recommend this to someone who lives in a warm climate year round. It was very cuddly and cozy, I think it would make a perfect fall or spring wrap.

This particular wrap is a size 5, which is one of my new favorite sizes. I like DH with a chest belt or tied at shoulder, I can also eek out a DH tied in front sometimes as well. I think this wrap is great in this size, but I honestly could see it working well with any size. It isn't too thick that a shorty would be too cumbersome, and the knot is of average size with a nice hold, so for tying under bum or at shoulder it works well. I might pass on a long size like a 7 because it would way too much wrap in this particular weight and density for me.
I'd recommend this wrap to the lover of thicker wraps, but not a self-described lover of beasts. Someone who likes thinner, supportive wraps might feel like they are wrapping with a duvet. Personally, if this wrap were a tiny bit thinner it would be perfect for me. It held my little 25lb man perfectly well, and I could see it being great and a luxurious choice for a new little baby also.


I am curious to see how the all cotton RQ compare to this one. I imagine them being slightly thinner, with more of a grippy cotton texture to them. I'm sure it won't be long before one comes to hang out here with me...I do know for sure I am holding onto this Midnight for as long as I can!!


Kokoskaa Royal Quill Midnight
56% cotton, 18 % cashmere, 18% merino, 8% silk
Ecru/Navy
Size 5