Buggy for use on country walks, muddy fields, rough terrain / baby rucksack

[zebedeethezebra]

Can anyone recommend a lightweight buggy that can be used for country walks. Preferably one that folds up.

I've had a look at the reviews for 3 wheelers but didn't find it particularly helpful as most of the reviews didn't specify whether or not their buggy had been used on country walks.

I've also contemplated a rucksack which DS can sit in but DP's mates have said that DS will get too heavy once he's able to walk and may not want to sit in it. So I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on those too.

Thanks in advance

[dinkystinky]

both DS1 (now 4 - but used it for long walks till he was almost 3) and DS2 (now 18 months) love going in the backpack carrier on countryside walks, despite being able to walk themselves at the time. You need a good structured one - we have the lightweight Life Ventures one and it works well for us. Also have the heavier one with a stand and compartment underneath which is better for if just one person is walking (so you can chuck your kiddie paraphernalia underneath and get child in and onto your back more easily - the light weight version is definitely a 2 person job to put them in).

I'd say a backpack carrier is tonnes better than a buggy if you're doing proper countryside walks as lifting a buggy over a stile will rather rapidly lose its attraction. If its walking along towpaths etc then a buggy would be fine - go for something like the Mountain buggy though as the big wheels will make your life a lot easier (though it will not be a small lightweight buggy that folds up I'm afraid).

[kingfix]

I have never found a buggy that can cope with rough terrain - a rucksack is what you need for off-road. Your son can walk for a bit and ride for a bit when he's walking and you won't have the irritating buggy to carry as well.
They do get heavy but I think you get used to it, esp if you carry them form an early age. And you can swap if you are walking with other people.

As for them liking it, I think if you use them from early on they are used to it. mine like the rucksack more than the buggy becasue they are up at your level and can see and join in the conversation.
It can be difficult if it pours though - I have yet to solve this problem. Some rucksacks have rain hood but my children hate them. You can dress teh child in an all in one suit but they still get a wet face...

[kingfix]

MAcpac is quite lightweight, vaude has a sturdy stand.
Once the child is doing as much/more walking than riding a soft backpack like manduca is good because it's lighter. But they don't have a compartment for all your stuff, which the framed rucksacks do.

[Honeydragon]

Kingfix - we fixed the rain problem - toy pram rain cover two clothes pegs and a hole cut in the rain cover . we clipped it to the sun shade on the vaude ds never got wet but still had the fresh air on his face

[Batteryhuman]

I carried DSs in a backpack on substantial walks (fell walking in Lake District and daily hikes with young dogs). No buggy can really compare IMO. If they are strong enough they are too heavy to heave over rocks fallen trees and stiles. For park walks in flatish terrain a cheap umbrella fold buggy that you can lift with the DC in situ is just as useful as a montrously expensive fashion statement.

[Batteryhuman]

Oh and a back pack has the added advantage of getting you really fit and flattening your stomach!

[carrielou2007]

Mountain Buggy can be taken literally up a mountain!!! Long grass, gravel, mud, fields, pretty much anywhere really!! They are so so so light to push you can push it with one finger, folds flat and can even pop the wheels off if you have a small car boot, yes not the lightest to carry over a stile but very very easy if there are two of you.

We walk miles and miles here and we live near the beach, I have had many three wheelers, from cheap as chips to proper mountain buggy, nothing wrong with a backpack but if you also want a buggy to take then get a MB

[Multimummy]

There is an alternative to the Mountain buggy (in my opinion, having tried this one and the mountain buggy)... it is the Easylife Sport
Sometimes you can buy them from eBay too: Easylife sport on eBay
It can take on any terrain, is strong and lightweight too.

I have tried a MacPac Vamoose back pack - it was heavy on it's own before you added the baby - I persevered with it - and got a bad back that took a year to recover.

Now I use a patapum toddler carrier - and I could also recommend a Didymos wrap sling - a Kozy Carrier, a Babyhawk Mei Tai, or a Babyhawk Snap carrier.

There is NO advantage to using a framed carrier - it does not offer your child any additional protection should you slip and fall - infact - they make you more likely to slip because the child is not being carried at your center of gravity.

The carriers above which I DO recommend are ergonomic - for both yourself and the child being carried. They are comfortable to use.

[kingfix]

honeydragon very nifty! I didn't even know you could get toy pram raincovers!
Multimummy more bad weather questions - if you are going out in the cold or rain do you wear a rain jacket under the babycarrier and how do you keep the child dry?

[Multimummy]

Suse's Kinder Rain Poncho Is the best way to keep dry - you can wear your baby on your front or back - as there are "hidden" baby hoods under the flaps at the front and the back of this garment - you could even wear twins (one on front and back!).

I know some of you will gape at the price. But it is useful for years (from birth until whatever age your child stops needing a carry/piggyback (even 5y olds can get tired on very long hikes!).

I definately found the soft carriers I mentioned a LOT more useful than the framed carrier, aswell as being comfortable.
I even use the soft carriers in the home while I'm cooking or cleaning if my youngest is tired (he's 2y) and needs me - but I need to get things done!
I also use the soft carriers on the school run - or when I'm just nipping to the shop for bread and milk.

You can carry supplies in a waist pack - or get your partner/walking friend to carry a rucksack with bits in.

I can only wince at the though of the pain from carrying a large framed pack laden with toddler and other stuff in the onboard storage space compartments!

I think the problem with all framed carriers is they carry the baby very high on your back - (so they can look over your shoulder) - which means above your center of gravity (naturally just above the hips - where you'd carry a child piggyback close to your body) they often seat the child with some "air space" between parent and child too - putting even more strain on your spine.
For the child - often the seat in a framed carrier is too narrow - Ideally the baby/child will be seated with bum lower than knees and with full support from knee to knee under the bum. This is not easily acheived in a framed carrier. The wrap sling is unrivalled in providing proper ergonomic and comfortable support. Storchenwiege is another brilliant make of wrap sling - they're especially woven and give fantastic support.
You may need a bit of practice with the wrap sling - there are plenty of videos on the web to watch and learn from.
Storchenwiege Different Holds using the same wrap sling

The importance of leg position for baby when choosing a baby/child carrier

Back carry with one month old video

Babywearing Videos on Youtube

This is something worthwhile learning not only for hikes and holidays - but they are so useful for many situations - and make for an easier life for you!

Think of the cost of an all terrain pram or framed carrier and weather accessories - then compare to the cost of a good wrap sling and rain poncho - not too different BUT the wrap sling can be used from birth to 5y comfortably - they are compact to store and easy to carry just incase. A wrap sling also makes a great hammock, or blanet, or picnic rug or toddler swing....it is so versatile.

[Multimummy]

Oh - and the Land Rover All Terrain Pushchair Is the only 3 wheeler pram that can seriously cope with almost anything and that you will be able to lift over a stile with your baby still in it as it is so light.
However, personally I didn't like that the seat cannot lay back - and my child sat a bit "slumped" in the seat - even after I added a kiddopotums head/body support. Better for age 3y + than below this age in my experience. It is as I said - very lightweight.
I prefer the easylife sport despite it being a bit heavier because the seat gave a more comfortable fit to my child and it could be fully reclined for a tiny baby too.
The landrover has a cot seat attachment - but the pram then cannot fold with this in place so is inconvenient - and it is not designed to be poppered and unpoppered all the time - the poppers become weak or even break from the frame (as my sister found).

Another possibility that I have been impressed with is the micralite fast fold with all terrain wheels - but the all terrain wheels are no longer sold - so hard to find. This buggy does have a hammock seat - so is suitable for off roading - and is again very very light. I would also recommend the adjustable handles to add on for this model - they increase your stride distance from the back of the buggy and make the steering even easier when off road and using the all terrain kit wheels.
The micralite fastfold will not fold with the all terrain kit wheels in place - but they do only take a minute to fit and remove.

(Really wish I had not sold mine now )

It was the only all terrain buggy I could fit in the boot of my old zafira with all 7 seats in use (tiny tiny boot space!)...

[Multimummy]

The micralite fastfold (or new micralite superlite) are suitable for some moderate off road - lumpy ground/gravel/woodland paths tracks in park areas without the offroad wheels - just lock the swivel front wheels to make it easier to push. this might make a good compromise for you - and is cheap at Kiddicare at the moment - with free next day delivery and snugglebag included.
In my opinion much better value and nicer to use than a "cheap" umbrella fold. The big air tyres at the back make light work of heavy kids - and give extra comfort to the child.
It is "rear wheel drive" the majority of the load being passed to the rear wheels - which are positioned quite close together - giving excellent manouverability.

This buggy is equally good for everyday use or weekend walks or even shopping - basket is accessible from the front and can carry quite a bit.

The recline on the superlite is better than the minimal recline on the fastfold model.
The superlite is even lighter in weight.
Folds easies without snugglebag or liner in place.
Superlite has fab breezy mesh seat - and can be hosed off in case of dirt (icecream/mud/general stickiness etc!)

[Honeydragon]

agree with multi on the back pack score.

I have an old vaude - don't get me wrong, I like it - but that does pull on the shoulders, unlike the trusty mei tai.

I now also have a connecta and have been very impressed.

Multimummy is the microlite easy to carry folded up? - I may look to invest over the winter. I like the idea of having something to push on the tracks / roads when we go hill walking and then switch to carrier over rougher terrain.

[Multimummy]

You can fold the Micralite, leave brake off, and tow along! You can also carry it's light enough. I think you'd manage using mei tai and trailing Micralite folded or carrying on the roughest terrain.

[Honeydragon]

Awesome!!
This is why it's better to ask someone. They don't let you try things like that in the shop

I'll stalk the shops/ebay over the winter - dd 6 month at present so it will come into its own next year.

(Sorry for the highjack Zeb)

[zebedeethezebra]

Thanks for the advice so far. I'm still a bit confused. Mountain Buggy is really expensive and they are not lightweight. Can anyone recommend anything else?

I'm not planning on buying a sling - we already have one but DS won't sleep in it, so we really need something else to put him in besides the sling.

[Multimummy]

Landrover is lightweight. Only available 2nd hand now (as silvercross who manufactured them went bust in 2002 - and then the silvercross name was bought buy another company to use).

Land Rover Pram eBay

Information on Land Rover Prams / Product Guides

You don't mention how old your baby is - it is possible you have a sling he/she is not comfortable with - or that you are not comfortable with - it is worth looking at some specialist sling websites to view what is available. It is possible you may have success with a different baby sling.
www.bigmamaslings.co.uk

[mel2005]

i would say mountain buggy, mine goes everywhere. i have had singles and doubles over the years and i have been in deep mud, farmtracks, deep sandy beaches, pebbly beaches, woods, across really off-road fields (muddy, bumpy, hilly, rocky). its even been in really shallow streams. mountain buggys can go anywhere!!! if its really deep mud i do take the basket off sometimes so i dont have to clean it off later. its not that heavy for an off-roader and there are smaller versions the swift and the breeze. the terrain is lighter than the urban as well.

[mel2005]

also mountain buggy are bringing out the new terrain this month, i am going to be a tester for it. it looks great and has the option of a swivel wheel as the old version was fixed. it also has bigger back wheels 16" so it will have a smoother ride.

[Multimummy]

I heard the quality of build had gone downhill with mountain buggy now they've been taken over by phil and ted's. I'd be very interested to hear your opinion on the latest model you'll be testing if you could post here.

[mel2005]

yes alot of shops have stopped selling the MB because its now made in china and not such great quality. the old ones were fantastic quality. i am assuming it will be like the phil and teds build or they might have made the new one better because of the bad reviews about quality (thats what i am hoping) they have 'real mum' testers from all over the world this time so they must be confident. it does look good on the videos. i will let you know, it will get a really good off-road test. i think the testers will have given the reviews before its out here so you will know before you buy what we all thought. i will be totally honest as its £619 for the bundle inc raincover and suncover which is alot for anyone to fork out so you dont want to be worrying about quality.

[Tweetinat]

I have a micralite for sale if you decide to go that way??

[kalo12]

another vote for mountain buggy, it is fab for everywhere, country walks no problem, central london no problem,

back packs get heavy very quick, mountain buggys carry all your junk too.

i have never looked back with my mb. i actually feel sorry for other pram owners!

[Multimummy]

I like the Easylife sport so well - I actually feel sorry for Mountain Buggy Owners (yes I have had and tried Mountain buggy)...

Not because I didn't like the Mountain Buggy product (a terrain pre 2010) - but because I found the Easylife Sport was equally good - infact I liked the Easylife Sport a bit better because of the bigger seat and higher handle - and the height of the childs seat from the ground and the weight limit being 45kg (so I can put any of the tired kids in it if necessary) ....and to boot - the Easylife Sport only Costs £299 NEW (much less expensive than a full price Mountain Buggy is New) and if you do require parts (if you've bought a really old one on eBay for example) The Easylife Sport company sell the parts really cheap - unlike Mountain buggy who make a huge profit on all they sell.

So - for these reasons I feel a bit sorry for Mountain buggy owners who haven't discovered the Easylife Sport!

[CuppaTeaJanice]

I have a Jane Slalom Pro which is great for uneven ground, going up and down steps, hills etc. Where it's not so good though is for paths that slope sideways, as the 3 wheels make it less stable against falling over sideways (if that makes sense). I guess this would be a problem with all 3 wheelers though. Also it's quite heavy and big.

So a good choice for a house-based buggy if you do a lot of walking in a hilly area. Not so good for a portable option.