Maclaren techno XLR or pupa baby vista?

[MissTweed]

Hi, I'm a newby to this whole baby malarkey and need some advice from those in the know

I'm someone that likes to review things before I buy and usually this decides for me (I go for the highest rating therefore no need to fret over decision making) but......

Uppababy vista (best travel system) or maclaren techno ( best stroller)

I really really don't want to buy more than one pushchair so rules out bulky travel system if I then want to buy a buggy!

Maclaren techno xt is highest rating but has bad reviews on storage basket, but techno XLR 2013 has new style basket so solves that one. It also comes with head hugger, extra comfy padding, footmuff etc etc so suitable from birth (I'm also due November so don't imagine being out in it much in the 1st 6 months)

But my parents have just said that they are giving me £500 towards pushchair so I had a look at travel systems.....

Uppababy vista looks like the best option (but haven't seen one in the flesh)

I like the fact that you can add to it to make it a tandem.

But is it too bulky and would I end up wanting a stroller in the end??

I also live in a small cottage with narrow doors and steps going down to the front door

We have an estate but are getting a bigger one as two dogs plus baby stuff fills a boot quickly so size is a factor?

Any opinions from owners of either greatly appreciated

I think I'm just sucked in by this extra money that has been given to me

TIA

[MissTweed]

Damn corrective spelling, title should say uppababy vista!

[Nanny01]

Uppa baby is good but I would consider a baby jogger city mini.

[Ihateparties]

What features do you as an individual want? Do you want a parent facing seat, how much space do you have in the boot realistically, what sort of terrain will you need to cover, do you walk a lot or drive to get most places etc?

I can understand that what you're looking for is a quality item that will last and the reviews and which best buys are pointing you in the right sort of direction. Pushchairs can be pretty specific to the user though and if you truly do want to only ever buy one then it needs to work for you.

The two you mentioned are tried and tested basically good quality pushchairs but very very different. It's difficult in reality to have only one pushchair over the 2 to 3 or so years you are likely to need one but not impossible if you are clear about your needs.

[MissTweed]

I plan to walk to supermarket (1mile each way) we walk with dogs (plan to use back carrier) the car we are getting is an audi A4 (huge boot)

I'm quite tall (so is DH) which the maclaren is good for

Not too bothered about the forward facing thing (again prob won't use much during first 6 months)

Do not use bus or train

The only thing I can think of is space in terms of getting it in and out of our small cottage

As I'm writing this I think I'm moving towards the maclaren.

[Ihateparties]

The vista is a wide pushchair, even in context of other comparable products, 63cm I think. Depending which techno it could be 15cm slimmer (I'm obsessed with the width of pushchairs generally btw, that's always the factor that ends up bothering me the most).

Given you don't seem too bothered about the features like parent facing etc. Then getting something smaller to start with sounds sensible. Maybe more storage space for shopping would be ideal but often you can augment storage with hamster bags or other pannier type things.

If you have enough space to allow for wider pushchairs then a baby jogger city mini or city mini gt might also be worth a look. They're 62cm wide iirc and generally very robust and easy to use.

[MissTweed]

......off to find tape measure to measure doorframe

[onedogandababy]

Hi, I have both, well not the xt but a maclaren. That was bought purely for town/shopping purposes. It's good for that as it's better in shops etc but I have no love for it compared to the uppababy. My dd is almost 15 months and we do around 7 miles a day (minimum - dog walking with a Springer) and the difference is huge. The uppababy is much smoother, stronger, I've got it over fields in mud & snow, through a lot of water plus it has a huge basket for when I walk to the supermarket. The seat is much higher than the maclaren so I can actually have a conversation with my daughter and she can see loads, plus she's not splashed/sprayed with water. That said, if you're not going to use it for 'heavy duty' walking & you're short on space then it is big & heavy. But I love mine! Sorry for the essay, hope it helps

[awkwardsis]

Why do you think you'll not be out in the first six months? Genuinely curious! I think the xt is a great pushchair, ours is on its second child and still going strong. My friend is very happy with her vista but its a proper beast of a thing, very big. I'd consider a mountain buggy if parent racing isn't a priority. Very sturdy and great for countryside and dog walks. Still quite wide though

[MissTweed]

I'm just assuming that I won't be out much with a newborn over the winter months (we live on Dartmoor, very hard winters) but again I'm assuming!

[Ponyphysio]

I was also only going to have one pushchair, so bought the XLR. Love it to bits for travel, airports and shopping. It's also v light an easy to lend to people because its obvious how it folds and will fit in most cars. But I ended up buying a secondhand Jane slalom for proper walking, going to horse events etc. it's too bulky for house and shops but it lives in the garage and the XLR lives in the boot of the car! I just found the maclaren too "rattly" for long bumpy walks, tho in fairness it never bothered DS

[MortifiedAdams]

I have the XLR. It is also compatable with the Recaro Car Seat which clips on easily and is parent facing. I also have the soft carry cot that attaches onto it. DD was winterborn so snuggled in the carrycot for the first three months.

I love love it. Dd naps in it too (she is now 16mo), and we are ttc #2 and wont be buying a double buggy, will just add a buggy board onto this one.

If I had to buy a buggy again, itd be this.one.

[MissTweed]

We are also getting a tough secondhand offroader to keep at my parents as we go to vintage rallies with them which are normally in very muddy rough fields

[Ponyphysio]

Then get the maclaren. Sorted! And you'll be surprised how much walking you do when they're tiny, if only to interact with other adults. And show off of course!

[jumperooo]

We have the Vista, used day in day out for the last 6.5 months. It's great, but wide. We don't have a car so its used to walk everywhere. It does take up lot of car boot space, when its been in other peoples cars. We are going on holiday a couple of times this year so for that reason we've just bought a petite star zia, to use occasionally when space is at a premium. I've never really liked the look of maclarens but we toyed with the baby jogger, if you need space and want something small then the vista isn't for you but otherwise its a fantastic system.