Similar to Uppababy Vista but not shiny

[RunnerHasbeen]

I know it is such a ridiculous thing to be hung up about and it should be low down my criteria list but... I just can't shake off how much I dislike the fabrics used on the Uppababy Vista, they just seem so "boy racer" to me. It is annoying as it is perfect in every other way and I know I am being daft, but if anyone can recommend something with the same strengths but nicer in appearance I would really appreciate it. Even better, does anyone knows if there are fabric packs for it from past, non shiny years, that would fit the new model (overly optimistic)!

What we need it for is the pram stage and as an off road buggy later. I know that in town we will probably use a cheap MacClaren buggy post 6 months or so but it would be great not to need a separate off road buggy as well (parks every day, countryside once a week or so and whenever we visit either set of our parents but lots of leaves on ground in park). I need it not to be too fiddly and fairly lightweight (have arthritis) and suspension is preferable. I have found most three wheelers heavy and less likely to fit in our boot.

See how stupid I am being - worrying over colour and considering something worse for my sore hands just because it is prettier!

[suzie38]

Brio Sing is the almost identical pushchair...No idea about the fabrics though...My Brio Go has very cotton like material though.

[saoirse86]

The Britax B-Dual is very similar looking to the Vista, is really lovely to push and has proper suspension. The fabrics are nice and soft in purple and blue, but I think the back and red are a bit shiny. You'd have to buy a seperate carrycot for it. It's a little bit heavier than the Vista, which isn't that light itself, but you can't feel the weight at all when pushing it.

What else have you looked at? I'd also recommend the Bugaboo Gecko for everything you need except being too fiddly-it's a really confusing fold at first but you get used to it.

[Tiggywunkle]

Have you looked at the Bugaboo Chameleon? Also, I guess if you think to the future, Uppababy could well produce non shiny fabrics for 2012. Why don't you ask them either via e mail or their website for ideas. They may be able to help.

[Tiggywunkle]

I meant to say via their Facebook page as well.

[RunnerHasbeen]

Thank you, the other short-listed so far were M+P sola, until we read off road reviews, the Joolz and the Oyster. I like the chameleon but DH doesn't, he thinks the front wheels will get clogged with leaves (can you guess what the sola reviews said)!

I like the look of the Brio Sing, but there are no stockists anywhere near me which makes it a more risky decision. I thought the Gecko must have been discontinued and replaced by chameleon as it isn't on the bugaboo website, so will re-look at bugaboo as well as going to see the Britax. I like the idea of asking Uppababy about the fabrics as well - I feel I have made more progress by starting this thread than almost a whole day of shop visits and googling yesterday, thank you!

[pramsgalore]

to be honest i would get a mountain buggy with carrycot, i would try and get a pre 2010 model as i think they are better made, they are built for off road and most prams are heavy to lift anyway, they are super easy to fold and light to push.

[aswellasyou]

The Gecko has been discontinued, so if you're wanting a new pushchair you won't get one (although I did see an unused one one eBay last week). Its wheels are very similar to the Cameleon's and I've never had even one leaf get stuck in them.

The Oyster is a very good pushchair if you buy the air filled wheels for it, but the front wheels sometimes buckle going down kerbs so you need to go down at an angle.

The Joolz Day and Brio Sing both look really good to me but I've never tried or had one.

[fairimum]

We used the bugaboo snow tyres on the front for off-roading!! worked really well! Still much much prefer the uppababy though! :)