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Having spent ages on youtube looking at reviews I still can't decide on what to get ! it's becoming like buying a new bike!!
Anyone have one they can recommend, the two that stand out so-far are the Babystyle Oyster 3 and Uppababy Cruz - anyone got these? Not overly bothered about off-roading, just something not too heavy.
Cheers
Andy
We had an I candy https://www.mothercare.com/prams-and-pushchairs/icandy-peach-pram-and-pushchair---chrome-damson/248399.html?gclid=Cj0KCQjwgNXtBRC6ARIsAIPP7Ru9ToUBM7UDJMWbYEBBkGRSG6QAJFq2VH7uDvOwnPHCyxR2Z4rt-7MaAkWIEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds for our first and a phil and teds for our second https://www.pramworld.co.uk/phil-teds-sport-plus-double-kit-cyc-v6?gclid=Cj0KCQjwgNXtBRC6ARIsAIPP7Rso-9YmgRHxd9P0Lv8V82Wco3JnJ7db41zMCDOVEV21h4fw5r-yZKEaApXtEALw_wcB#fo_c=743&fo_k=a94bb47ee38606e4315bdb4f16fbe44e&fo_s=gplauk
I much prefered to Phil and Teds. It had inflatable tyres and we had some panniers on it too. It was a bike pram !!
Good luck.
Our UppaBaby Vista was the shizzle. Travel carry cot good for sleeping from birth (useful if off visiting with the new one), huge basket underneat for shopping/stuff, and very good rain/Sun protection. Also, can take a car seat with adaptors. Nice big, solid wheels, so no punctures. Still comfy and rolled well, though.
Wasn't cheap, but did two children very well and sold on for a fair few quid afterwards.
BabyJogger was the best one of the several we had. One handed folding in pushchair mode FTW
Quinny buzz has carried both our boys .
We had the Oyster. It's OK, it will do all the things you're expecting, push about, fold up, take a car seat or a cot ... Just like any other pram (only a bit cheaper than a lot of them.)
But... It's the little one that will tell you if it's the right pram, our's hardly ever settled in it, she liked the car seat but didn't take to any of the other options.
We eventually changed it for a babyjogger summit, an off-road style pram and she loved that (as did we.) The first trip out in that pram and she fell asleep in a shop, something she had NEVER done before.
Go to a few shops, we decided we wanted one thing, then decided on another once we played around in the shop. Don't just buy from reviews without playing with a few.
We went for the mamas and papas occaro, not light at all. But does what we want well, I do have a few gripes with it as even in the shop you can't foresee everything.
We have a Bugaboo Buffalo (I believe it’s been merged with the more city-based Chameleon as the “Fox”), and it’s been superb. Also got a Bugaboo Bee for keeping in the car, it’s far less stable, or sturdy, but much lighter than the Buffalo, and one piece. Both very good, would have both again.
Mrs njee20 has commented she’d definitely consider the Uppa Baby Vista next time, having read hundreds of reviews at the time!
Look for new ones on eBay. I got a maxi cosi systemthat was 2 years old from an eBay outlet and paid around £200 for buggy, bassinet, seat thing and car seat. Think it retailed for £950
Second ebay, they’re a absolute disgraceful ripoff otherwise. Something that’s deemed vaguely fashionable can double the price. Looking at you bugaboo
Like all new parents we had a fur-lined ocean-going type, and like most we jettisoned it as quickly as possible in favour of a Mclaren fold-up umbrella style one that you can fold up with one hand and take on a bus.
We used an UB vista, great bit of kit, and can be added to so you have the flexibility to add a second basket or seat if you are potentially going to have more kids, ours were 2 years apart and it was great very good for hauling one (or two) kids around. Has a massive luggage allowance which is super important given the amount of crap you have to carry around with you. It was not cheap, I think the wrong size of £1k for everything.
In fact it’s sat unused in the dining room for most of this year as our boys are too old now (4.5 and 2.5) so I should really flog it. It’s silver. If you are anywhere near southampton and interested drop me a pm
Baby jogger city mini, easiest to fold and folds flatest of all the others. And a very sturdy design & easy to steer.
Folds flat for newborn (you can get a bassinet attachment which makes a handy carrycot but not essential)
S/H makes sense, we got ours new and has done 2 kids before being passed on to relatives
Firstly, which fits into your car best/easiest/leaves the most space
Secondly, what does the missus want? All the ones i thought were good weren't good - but i was happy to let it go... as long as it fitted in the car, see point 1 🙂
Have a joolz geo.
Mainly as it was one of the few in the shop I didn't have to stoop to push. Handle came up high enough.
As a plus it handles woodland paths and rough roads around the house with ease.
It's a two handed fold but it rarely gets folded. Just open the boot and put it in fully built.
Baby Jogger City Elite or Baby Jogger City Mini GT
After spending a lot of time researching this when we had our first child we went for a second hand Quinny buzz for about 50£ with pram and car sEat. It allowed you to clip on the car seat to the frame which is much more practical than getting baby in and out of a pram.
We found that in reality, we hardly used it at all. Most trips out involved baby being carried in a sling or in the car seat for short periods. Really glad we didn't spend a fortune on a new pram system as it wouldn't have been used enough.
By 10mths old they were in a maclaren stroller, much more practical.
Second child used the same thing. I can't understand why anyone would pay a grand for a pram, seems crazy.
Like CF we had an Uppababy Vista. The carrycot did both kids fine until they were big enough for a proper cot - mate bought the proper stand and we borrowed it for both kids’ early months. Walked hundreds of miles with it, liked how you can have them facing you or forwards, car seat compatible for when doing errands and you’re back and forth, good basket underneath for shopping and change stuff, easy fold, fits fine in most cars, not too big for trains etc.
No right answer to the “best” as all down to what you need. We did buy the uppababy new (it was pretty new to the UK at the time) but I’ve bought and sold half a dozen other pushchairs since (Phil&Teds for 2 kids, lightweight ones, travel ones, etc) - it’s a much better way of trying them out.
We spent insane amounts on a massive Quinny system which allowed the seat to be moved from a rolling chassis to a car base and thence to a carry handle, and realised far too late that the whole thing's a massive racket. Every separate component weighed a metric shit ton.
Honestly? Buy a cheapy folding buggy for out and about and spend the money on a static car seat.
Great advice, cheers. Now looking at the UP Vista (although I think it may be a bit big due to it allowing for two seats). The baby jogger wasn't on the radar as I hadn't thought of a running type one. Going to John Lewis tomorrow so will check both these out.
@DT78: Thanks, would of been interested but we're in west yorkshire.
Buy a cheapy folding buggy for out and about
And for the first 3-6 months ?
We've just got a Mountain Buggy, will be great when we can take the little one running in it, rolls well and will fold with 1 hand Can be had for buttons 2nd hand.
We have an UB vista, it's been great, but the downside is that it's heavy - especially once you start filing the basket up, or using it for two kids.
We also have an Thule urban glide which we have been really pleased with - the bigger wheels make for a much smoother ride, and it's much easier to push. Whats immediately noticeable though is the significantly lighter weight.
If I was buying again, Thule have a more "everyday" version of the urban glide...... I'd be getting that. And that's from somebody who been very happy with the uppababy vista
We’ve got a Joolz Hub, which is suitably sized for relatively straightforward bus/tube travel in this here London. We didn’t bother with the humvee style cot section, just went for the ‘cocoon’ which was cheaper and lasted until she was older.
in terms of things to look out for, make sure you can stand up straight when pushing it (like the other Joolz guy here I’m quite tall), that it fits where you want to put it (car boot/public transport), and that it doesn’t weigh a ton.
Best one one we had was a Phil and Ted's explorer, used off fleabay for £150 when we had two under 3 briefly having a jump seat and an insulated baby cacoon thing worked a treat, but TBH a mclaren folder that you can chuck in a boot once they're over a year is more use... Always had separate baby seats for use in the car.
Shiny new £500+ "travel systems" are a rip off TBH your not going to be using it that long, it's pretty much worthless 2nd hand, they go. A bit baggy after a few months use and odds on your missus won't be able to operate the bastard thing anyway.
Egg pram
we have a mountain buggy urban thingybob which we bought second hand in Oz. It is awesome for outdoors, running, walking, off roading etc but pretty big and a bit impractical for going in some smaller shops.... Build quality is awesome, they are cheap as anything second hand and you can buy loads of spares for them....
We use the mountain buggy nano for around and about town, it is tiny, packs down to nothing (hand luggage size for planes) and has a pretty decent recline on the seat. It is way cheaper than the babyzen
First you need to decide what wheel size you want (I suggest 29 inch because that's what I have), then what material alloy, steel or carbon.
What sort of terrain will you be pushing? This will help determine if you need FS.
It may be just a passing trend but "gravel" or "adventure" prams may meet all your requirements, they are equally bad on all terrain.
Are the wheels tubeless compatible?
Maybe you need two or three different ones?
🙂
Joking aside, see what is available on local FB groups (probably called Yummie Mummies or similar), they are a rip off new and some secondhand ones have hardly been used.
You may also find that having 2 is a good idea, a massive buggy thing and then a pushchair (when old enough) which can be thrown in the back of the car or taken on holiday.
Mick
We had an out'n about 360 which was great. From birth to 4 years old, fairly light, folded up to go in the back of the car. Had a seperate car seat as it was easy to lift a sleeping child from the buggy to the car seat (the travel system ones do seem to be a waste of money). Although it was a single seater, for short journeys the oldest one could sit on the front, with the youngest inside.
We were given a Maclaren folder but never used it as it wasn't so good off-road.
Honestly? Buy a cheapy folding buggy for out and about and spend the money on a static car seat.
This. You can get a folding buggy for next to nothing and you'll not curse it like you will a pram that cost you 20x as much.
And for the first 3-6 months ?
Travel anywhere you like with zero-inconvenience while Jr snuggles up and gives the ZZZs.
We've got a Bugaboo Buffalo, now on child 2. Bought second hand as new prices are bonkers. The Missus puts in some hefty mileage with it, and it's far better for long on/off/rough walks than the Cosato we keep in reserve.
You will need a decent sized boot to take it about if you plan on buying extra things at the same time (VW Transporter then Mondeo estate has worked out nicely for us)
You may need loads - we have four of different styles for different purposes.
Started off with a second hand iCandy, which was great as the car seat could clip in - sleeping babies can be moved without waking them. Also good when number two came along, as you can double up. Folds up small and fits into my wife's Golf. Buy second hand as a bundle and save hundreds of pounds. Sold this recently for what we paid for it three years ago.
We also have both a single and double Out and About Nipper - big tyres are SO MUCH BETTER for pushing around, and vital for anything other than smooth pavements. We use this for walks from the house, and they fold small enough to go in the boot of my Estate. I take this whenever I take the children out (now 1 and 3) as I hate the small wheeled buggies. Both bought second hand, but not ideal for tiny babies.
My parents have a Phil and Teds off road buggy, and it's really poor compared to the Out and About.
Lastly we have a double umbrella fold for impromptu trips out, which is convenient but pretty naff to push, or fold for that matter.
Baby jogger city mini.
- three wheeler much easier to direct
- large enough wheels work off road but not too big for city/shop
- lighter than the Phil and ted
- mother in law didn’t like it as it doesn’t have the silver cross perambulator curb appeal
Only downside is baby doesn’t face you.
IMO You don’t need a bassanet thing or any of the other rubbish that comes with a “travel system” or if you do you only need it for 5 mins.
Thing that sold it to us was how easy it Is to fold and chuck in the car as well as ease of use to push.
Carrier for when they are really small then Maclaren Techno XT.
We also have one of these, which is built like a tank but is impractical to take into shops and needs and large car to transport it. It's been great for the kids sleep outside Scandi style when they were babies but wouldn't recommend for out and about.
Cheapest used version you can find. In six months you'll be pushing a McLaren Buggy wondering why you didn't buy a new bike with the money you spent on that boat anchor of a Swiss Army Pram that is currently sat in the garage at home. Trust me, we've all made the same mistake.
As pretty much everyone has said don't blow your budget on the initial 'system'. You'll want to be swapping it for a lighter one surprising quickly, and if you're posting here, quite likely an off-road one or trailer soon enough as well. Keep the money for those (and buy used obviously).
Bugaboos are for those who it's unfortunate that they've managed to distribute their genetic material.
Cheapest used version you can find. In six months you’ll be pushing a McLaren Buggy wondering why you didn’t buy a new bike with the money you spent on that boat anchor of a Swiss Army Pram that is currently sat in the garage at home. Trust me, we’ve all made the same mistake.
This, sooooo many times. But nobody will listen to you 🙂
To be fair, the Phil and Ted off road three wheelers where pretty good for my sisters - both had 4 kids - at 2 year frequencies. We stuck with the McLaren and a rucksack to carry them off road.
Forget sweating the pram decision - the time will pass fast enough.
DrJ
Member
This, sooooo many times. But nobody will listen to you 🙂
Of course some people will actually make good use of the Swiss Army Pram
+1 on buying a second hand one.
I think our Babystyle Oyster with all the accoutrements was getting on for £800.
I think we got £110 for it when we got rid after a couple of yrs.
There are so many really good condition ones on eBay going cheap...
My Wife insisted she wanted a new one, but we could have spent that money on loads of other things...
Cheers, i've got agreement on a 2nd hand one as long as it's in good condition, i've now switched the search to Ebay / Gumtree 🙂
Anyone got the Uppababy Cruz, what are the wheels like for general around town use / occasion grass in park type off-road?
In defence of the Bugaboo, we have a chameleon that was donated to us by my sister having survived her two kids, and it is still going strong on the second of my kids. Easy to push around on all terrain which the umbrella style ones are not, if you end up on sand or something can flip the handle so that the big wheels are at the front. Can also push it one handed on the pavement. Does forward and rear facing. Bassinet is pretty useful for long naps when out and about when they are little. Rain cover is simple&quick to get on and off. Can add a buggy board for peanuts when the second kid comes along. We have a folding umbrella type one too and still use the bugaboo for the majority of the time.
Only gripes with it are that the space underneath for shopping etc isn't that great, and the thing is pretty bulky to store. We keep it in the boot of the estate car routinely which is fine, but if you go on holiday for the weekend and need travel cot and a heap of other then it is a bit of a pain in the backside to get everything into the boot.
Our experience with a chameleon was exactly the same - did for two children, who both slept in it when out and about, and we sold on fb marketplace for about £200 when done. s/h is the way forward, according to my other half there are quite a few parents who buy and sell on quickly (not sure of the rationale for it myself but each to their own) and a few scuffs etc don't make much difference.
also forgot to mention - if you ever go on a plane with a pushchair, get the cheapest 2ndhand maclaren style folder you can because baggage airport handling kills them like nothing else ! and if they are lost then you don't have the hassle of having nothing to transport small person when you get home
We've got an Egg something or other this time round I think. It just about fits in a Fiesta boot with the carrycot. Bought secondhand in good condition for not an outrageous amount. Doesn't see much use as the boy doesn't really settle while on his back/not being held! Hopefully he'll like the rearward facing pushchair bit.
As above buy used, the value drops like a rock on these things.
We stuck with the McLaren and a rucksack to carry them off road.
This also, we had a Bush baby job off some yummie mummie type in one of the villages near us for £15 (RRP was something like £160 IIRC) it was immaculate and I lugged our kids across bits of Wales and Cumbria in it without any significant fuss.
Honestly ebay/gumtree/FB will save you a small fortune.
Given we have just been told off for the wife's over use of the front mounted carrier by the physio I'd check first before using that as your wife's main method of baby transportation.
Causes its own issues even after a conventional birth
How ever ymmv as your kid might not be as heavy as ours
these things aren't mutually exclusive we had a UB vista, silver cross folding thing, hiking backpack, trailer, weehoo and weeride. all are good for ferrying your kids about in the right environment.
if you never go shopping / have two kids who need ferrying about then the bigger system probably are overkill. big buggies are also better in crowds than little ones in my experience e
bit like bikes really....if you only have one till be a compromise
Baby jogger city mini
+1.
also forgot to mention – if you ever go on a plane with a pushchair, get the cheapest 2ndhand maclaren style folder you can
+1.
There is a huge pressure sometimes, from grandparents or the mum or yourself, to buy baby the best and buy new but if you can get past that and get something good for 1/3 the cost then you can get more things baby might need. I failed to win that arguement initially but I did by the time number 2 arrived.
My pram experience... My wife walks everywhere so with 2yo and 4yo or prams have been used every day for 4+ years and done several miles each day. Eek, I've never added it up before...I bet they could have done 4500 miles! We got an icandy peach for main use. Heavy but sturdy and rolls well. It also converted with a pair of adapter and a second seat into the peach blossom, the tandem version. So when number 2 arrived we didn't need a new pram. 4 yo walks good distances now and has for a year but gets tired eventually so current use is back as a single but with a lascal buggy board attached for tired big girls to ride on. Pushing that, or the tandem set up, up a big hill is a work out!
We also have a couple of maclarens, both (and more could have) were picked up free and have done a fair bit of use with us. I'm stunned they stand so much. So much lighter. Well worth it.
Also still use an ergo baby carrier occasionally. The 4 yo is very skinny and still fits it, more comfy for her and me than in my shoulders.
All our kit looks like it will go on and on... Except the maclarens which look tired... But they looked tired when I scrounged them up.
We went through a few. We bought some system thing first of all and the having the ability to transfer the carry cot thing and first car seat directly to a car was a useful feature and we managed to pick up a spare car attachment so we could have one iso-fixed in each car.
After they get big and strong enough I'd say Nipper 360 all the way. It's light very cheap (relatively) and has big inflatable wheels which are good for light off road and forgiving on bumpy pavements. They also last years as they're quite genearous and can take you up to lazy toddler age.
The Phil and Teds tandem thing we had for a while was a complete battleship in comparrison and I wouldn't recomend it unless you need to carry 2 little ones around in it.
Oh and 2nd hand every time as has been said above - there's pressure to buy the best for my baby but it's 2nd hand from the moment you take it out the door and by the time they've been sick in it and you've driven it through some dog S*** it'll looks just the same as everyone elses. Plenty of lightly used ones out there. Buy on condition and you're be fine.
Our Bugaboo Chameleon is great. It was pricey but we got it in a package that included an infant carrier car seat from Mothercare, so the cost was mitigated some what. At the time, my research consisted solely of asking the assistant which buggy was their best seller......
I did do a bit more research for our collapsible one. Ended up with a Silvercross Pop, mainly because I'd decided on the Zest but then found the Pop at the same price.
Second hand is probably a good idea, especially for something like a Bugaboo, as you can still get parts and accessories (for those look for online sales).
You might also be looking for a car seat... don't buy those second hand unless you're 100% confident of the seat's history, i.e. not been in a crash or similar