iCandy Peach Jogger

I currently own the iCandy Peach Jogger and am now able to give an honest long term tested review. My first impression as always is based on appearance - its shiny chrome finish and the single chunky wheel at the front make it appear both stylish, durable and worth every penny spent on it! My LO likes the 3-wheeler as it calls it his wheelbarrow... make of that what you will :p
I've used the jogger day-in-day-out. I'm not a keen runner so I can't honestly compare how it matches up to other joggers - but the fact I can jog with it, albeit short distance to the bus stop, or walking the dog proves its worth as a three wheeler. I have used it very regularly both parent-facing and forward facing. LO now prefers to look out and see the world so we tend to leave it that way, but it's fantastic to have the option of both directions.The basket is a great size, plenty of space to contain all baby necessities as well as extra room for shopping bags - God loves a bit of retail therapy too I'm sure! The ample basket is easily accessible at all times. It is amongst the best baskets I have used recently. Similarly, with the adjustable handlebar, being albe to alter the height makes it so straightforward to carry and move on escalators, on trains/buses, up and downstairs. Perfectly easy. I have a word of warning being that with all 3-wheelers you need to be careful going uphill in case the wheel veers off one way but... not an iCandy issue but a general point to look out for.
It's wheels are fantastically chunky, so no matter what terrain I've used it on - the beach, county fields, city pavements - it's faired equally well. The Hubby approves - the Peach Jogger's design is definitely a real draw for him, as is the adjustable handle and the whole 'chunky and robust' feel this pushchair has.
This is what I love the most - as well as being completely practical and manoeuvrable (it can turn on a sixpence) it's stylish chrome chassis is a real head turner and the number of compliments I have received makes me so smug and proud to be pushing such a fantastic system.
As you may expect, I am aware of lots of reports about the iCandy seat size. All I can say on this is that Harry fitted comfortably. When you buy the Peach Jogger, there is a seat insert zipped into the seat. This is designed for a younger child to make the seat more snug and comfortable. You can then remove it as your child grows. The seat is what I would describe as a 'hugging seat' and I like these. On wide seat units children can slide from left to right especially if you turn quickly.
To end my report, I need to emphasize just how easy the Peach Jogger is to fold and unfold. You may have read our initial review which commented on its merits but of course using it regularly really puts this aspect to the test. I have to put the pushchair in the car in order to leave the house - it is nigh impossible just to 'go for a quick walk' from home. The handle moved easily up and down with one hand, you press the handle button in and lower the handle to the ground, then simply pick up the carry strap. You can then carry the chassis easily over your shoulder - I like this as it leaves me with free hands - one for the seat unit and one for my toddler's hand. The wheels are simple to remove. As a rule I tend not to remove wheels as there is ample space in the boot of my car. However, after a rather muddy trip to the Lake District I decided to take them off to save some cleaning later!

I was so excited to get my peach jogger, especially as I never win competitions and because it isn't for sale till July. So as soon as I got home it was out to go for a stroll round the block. The colour I have is Cranberry and it is beautiful, I get so many comments from people in the street. The fabric has the feel of peach skin (hence the name I guess). I will be updating this on a monthly basis.

What you get
The jogger is sold with iCandy frame and main seat unit suitable from 6 months old
Rain cover for main seat unit
Large shopping basket
Hood
Tyre pump
The RRP of this is £595

Accessories
Carrycot suitable from birth to (with a rain cover) £195
Luxury fleece Footmuff £85
Core seat snuggle £40
Sun Parasol £25
Cup holder £15
Standard Maxi Cosi Group 0 Car Seat Adaptors (suitable for CabrioFix and Pebble car seats) £30
Changing Bag £65
Parasol/cup holder clamp £5
Solid EVA wheels (not yet available)

Available Colours
Cranberry, Glacier & Black

Chassis
First look - Matt silver with iCandy logo on left and right side of the frame. Soft touch black foam on handle. Large black shopping basket with black detachable carrying strap. Black clasp on left side for securing stroller when folded. 3 air filled tyres, 1 at the front, and 2 at the back.

The folding mechanism is a one handed fold, very simple and easy to do once you know how. All it takes is a couple of practices to get the hang of it, and then it becomes second nature. By squeezing the button located in the middle of the handle (also for adjusting the handle height), you move it towards you, then with a short sharp jab downwards into the frame the handle moves down towards the back wheels. Then it's just a case of lifting shoulder strap from the basket and the rest of the frame moves into the folded position, then to secure use the clasp on the side, making sure you apply the brake first. To begin with the frame doesn't move into place straight away once lifting the strap this is just because it's new and once it starts getting used it moves more freely into place, also by lightly lubricating the connector parts with a silicone based furniture polish on a cloth and wiping also helps. Once folded the stroller has the ability to be freestanding which I think is a great feature as it makes storage easier and is stable, and is easily transportable with the carrying strap. The chassis weighs 10.3kgs (22.7lbs) it does seem heavier than expected but is still lightweight. When folded the chassis is the width of the back wheels plus the tyre width of the front wheel (measurements). The wheels can be removed with a push of a button if needed to, to make chassis even smaller as then it is just the bottom part of the chassis and the handle together in width. When folded with the wheels on this fits into the boot of a Seat Arosa (VW Lupo equivalent) and these cars literally have no boot space. Opening the stroller is as easy as folding it. Just unclip the clasp lift up the handle and the bottom part of the chassis moves open and clicks into place. As with the folding it is stiff to begin with as above but all that needs doing until it freely moves is to hold both sides of the front part of the frame and pull up slightly then push lightly on the black part of the frame where the carrycot, seat unit and car seat adaptors fit in and then pull up handle.

The handle is height adjustable and has 4 positions; lowest position is 95cms (37.4 inches) to 106cms (41.7 inches) at its highest position. This is great as it is very versatile for different people using the stroller. It has soft touch rubber with a soft touch plastic middle which houses the button for adjusting the height of the handle and also for collapsing the stroller.

As it is a jogger the wheels are big, with a maximum inflation pressure 15psi or 1 bar for each tyre. The front wheel is swivel for easy manoeuvrability but can be locked in one easy twist of the textured half circle above the front wheel; this is great for gravel and sand and for 'off roading'. The swivel wheel features an auto-alignment feature, you can lock the wheel in any position and when the wheel rotates in to the correct position the lock will engage. This makes it easier as this way you don't have to mess about getting the wheel straight before locking the wheel. There is a square button at the front of the wheel for easy removal of the front tyre just depress and slide the wheel downwards. The back tyres have a button in the middle of the axle of the wheel, just depress and slide the wheel out and they are off.

The brake is a pedal; press down on pedal to engage brakes, lift the pedal upwards to disengage the brakes. When the carrycot unit is on it is sometimes difficult to locate the brake straightaway and find that to see where you need to put your foot you have to step back.

Seat
Haven't used this yet as my baby isn't old enough. It is suitable from 6 months. So in 2 months will update this section.

Carrycot
This just clips onto the brackets on the frame. It is very solid and sturdy and comes with a mattress that is suitable for babies to sleep in overnight. This is great as it means no lugging round a travel cot. There are 2 big grey buttons on each side you just press and the carrycot just pops out the frame and can be lifted off which is great if your baby is still sleeping. The carrycot has an apron that zips on over the top and a hood. There is also a bar across the top which is for lifting the carrycot unit off the frame. This is easily removed also by two buttons on either side of the bar attached to the carrycot. The only thing I tend to find is when lifting off the frame with baby in side it is top heavy as you don't have your baby with their feet at the foot of the carrycot as you can't see them. So when lifting off hold the underside of the carrycot at the top end.



Car seat adaptors
These are great to have. The adaptors fit into the frame just like the carrycot and main seat unit do. The adaptors have the letters L and R on them which I like as it would take me 5 minutes to work out which way round they go otherwise. The car seat then fits on top and clicks in to place. The adaptors are long so when the car seat is on you are still at eye level with your baby. There is movement from the car seat and adaptors when pushing along the stroller which is a rocking movement. This reminds me of older style prams that have that rocking motion to them to aid in rocking the baby and also it absorbs any bumps on pavements and roads. The adaptors are quick and easy to remove using the big buttons on the outside of each adaptor.

Overall
I think this stroller has some really good features; you notice them especially more if you have/had a lightweight buggy/pram or stroller with smaller wheels. The basket is big and is great for storing your shopping. Everything is easy to use especially when taking off carrycot or car seat as it's just a button you need to press. The big wheels are great for kerbs, especially the smaller ones as it goes straight up without lifting the front end. This is great as especially after having a baby it is a lot of effort to lift even a small lightweight stroller. The Peach isn't a heavy stroller anyway which is surprising as it looks like it would be. It is very easy to manoeuvre and get up and down pavements. The folding mechanism ®is really easy and the fact that all the wheels can be removed so easily so the stroller fits in even the smallest car like mine. I haven't done much running or jogging as yet with it as I am slowly working my stamina back up but so far it's been great. When running with it, it's smooth and even though there is some rocking movement this is normal movement like you would get when walking. So I have been using my icandy with the seat unit for a while now and as much as I love this stroller the seat just does not do it for me! My partner doesn't have a problem at all he pushes it more than I do these days and out of all our strollers (4) he will pick this one everytime. To me it the seat just doesn't sit up enough, it is as high as it would go but I wish it was higher.
Anyway the important part. The seat unit feels so comfortable, the colour and fabric continue on from the carrcot and even the footmuff is the same i just would prefer the inside of the footmuff to be the same colour instead of grey. I do understand why it is this way as the detailing on the hood and round the footmuff is grey. There is a 5 point fully adjustable harness with shoulder pads. Changing the height on the straps is a bit fiddly and of a tight squeeze as you have to get under the back of the seat unit and the zip to do this is at the bottom part of the seat so you got to get your hand right up there.
We have been everywhere with this stroller from the beach to the shops, to town and through the woods. It has been great through all these different terrains and is still a delight to push even when it is caked in mud! but even then my little one is never uncomfortable and doesn't seem to feel the bumps as a pushchair with smaller wheels would do.
There is still a great height on the seat unit like on the car seat adaptors to keep that high level for the parents and the child which is so very important these days. Unfortunately this stroller hasn't seen much pushing lately due to work and the fact I have a trapped nerve in my shoulder/neck but my little one will happily sit in this stroller and go straight to sleep very handy at the moment for sure!!

Chassis with Carrycot:
In this set up it's easy to push, comfortable, the air tyres take bumps well and it seems to be a nice smooth ride. The carrycot is quite narrow. The mattress is ideal as you can change it easily and it doesn't get stained. Taking the hood up and down it 'clicks' which can be annoying if it wakes up the baby!

With the carrycot on it's extremely difficult to get things underneath. We often walk to tescos and it's a mission to get the shopping under even when not in bags and just putting singular items in. The narrowness is also added to by having studs which keep the base off the ground when using the carrycot freestanding so things get caught on them!

Another feature worth mentioning is that the carrycot is completely collapsible which is great if your short on space.

Chassis with car seat:

With the car seat on there is plenty of basket space underneath. The car seat is also higher and nearer to mum than the carrycot is. It's fiddly to get off too as you have to press small buttons either side and lift at the same time. It takes a bit of a knack or two pairs of hands. One lifting and one pressing. I do like that it's compatible for the car seat as it makes life so much easier if moo is asleep!

Chassis with seat unit:

The basket is large when the seat unit is in on, unlike when the carrycot is on, I've certainly had smaller! And with the seat on it means you can use that as a way of wedging more in so it can be quite ample. However I did notice after one particularly wet school run it took a while for the basket fabric to dry. With the seat unit on and laid flat it makes it quite awkward to get large shopping bags in, its better in the slightly reclined or upright mode.

Being a three wheeler the buggy can turn in a small gap which I love! Its really handy when in lifts, or tight shops! There haven't been many occasions when I have needed to lock the front wheel, even in the snow it coped fine having the wheel on swivel mode, if however you do need to lock it its easy to do with just a simple twist.

I do find the whole taking the seat unit off to fold a bit of a faff but I know in this day and age this is the case for most buggies. However it is one of the quickest folds, once the seat is off, that I've come across. It always amazes friends how quickly I can get it in the boot with it down and folded. I also really like the carry strap, makes it so much easier if I need to bring it into the flat for any reason. If you need to remove the tyres you can do so and this makes it even smaller in terms of boot space. The only time I have removed the tyres is if they are really muddy as otherwise the foam handlebar rubs them as it folds down.

Snow? The beach? No problem for this pushchair! This is where those chunky tyres come into their own. We didn't get much snow but we had enough that I decided to give it a test in the garden! It handled really well and you barely noticed you were pushing on snow! We also went to Brighton beach recently, a stony beach! I wasn't able to push the pram forwards but it dragged backwards across stones a hell of a lot easier than most do and meant we could take the pushchair right down near the sea!

Well we all need good looking pushchairs! the iCandy is no exception to that! Although I tend to use it in parent facing mode I have to admit I think it looks its best in forward facing mode although we never use that. Even in parent facing mode it looks great and I've received a lot of comments about it and been asked what its like as a pushchair. I love the black colouring although our foot muff is a grey colour.

Seat positioning for me is one of the only downsides. There are three positions which you adjust by pressing in the two circular buttons on the side of the seat unit. 'Flat' which looks like its further than flat although I'm pretty sure its not. An in-between one and 'Upright'. At the moment we still tend to use the in-between position. In the upright position and parent facing if the hood is down its quite hard to see bubs whereas its not if its in the middle position.

Overall

I am really impressed with the iCandy, it wasn't a brand I had ever heard of before I'd fallen pregnant with this baby and the quality of the pushchairs is fantastic. Overall this has been one of my favourite pushchairs and I have owned a few in my time, pramaholic comes to mind ;-)

A few of my favourite things are:
- How the iCandy handles all terrain so easily.
- Simple folding system.
- Height adjustable handlebar
- Its good looking!

A few months ago I was lucky enough to win an iCandy Peach Jogger. When I first the peach jogger in the flesh at the iCandy university, I was struck at how luxurious it looked but also that it looked very suitable for proper off-road walks - its like the Range Rover of the pushchair world. I got the glacier coloured one, there was only one of this colour there and it is a beautiful dove grey. The cranberry and black colours are also lovely, I hope iCandy do more colours as its nice to have plenty to choose from.

It is a joy to push - light to push for a travel system and very easy to steer. You wouldn't expect a 3 wheeler to go up and down curbs very easily but this one is no different to pushing a 4 wheeler up and down curbs. It's great for dodging around people on busy high streets especially if you are in a hurry! I've tried it out on sand, grass, rough footpaths and smooth pavements which it glides over. Locking the front wheel for sand is a doddle, you just turn a big knob above the wheel and I found I didn't need to lock it for footpaths or grass. The air tyres are fantastic, I'm not worried about them getting a puncture as they are soo solid.

I love the soft materials on the carrycot and seat unit, I don't know of any other pushchairs that have these, there is a trade off though as they aren't machine washable but you can sponge them clean and steam clean them.

My 11 week old baby falls asleep easily in the big carrycot, which is going to be great for sleeping in on holidays. I won't need to take a travel cot with me and the carrycot collapses down to make it more compact for travel. The mechanism is a little stiff though so I wouldn't recommend doing this for day to day use.

The car seat adapters (for maxicosi pebble and cabriofix) are very handy for nipping in and out of the supermarket. Using these means the baby is up high and you can get into the basket very easily. I would never leave a baby in a car seat for very long though as it is bad for their backs and impedes their breathing.

The telescopic, adjustable handlebar is great for tall and short parents. I'm 5ft 9 1/2 and have problems with many pushchairs as some don't even have a height adjustable handlebar.

Collapsing the pushchair is very easy once you learn the knack (this is perhaps why you have to buy them instore), you push down on the handle like a trumpet while pressing a button and you can do it with one hand. It's very easy to take the carrycot and seat unit on and off. The wheels can be removed very easily if need be and the foot plate on the chassis can even be pushed inwards with the aid of two buttons in order to make it even more compact.

I've tried my two and a half year old in the seat unit for size and he fits in there with room to spare. There was no need to unzip the hood and move it up as recommended for older children. It is still light to push with him in it!

The shopping basket is quite roomy, I just had to be careful when putting light objects in there on a windy day as they are liable to blow out of it.
Lets face it, there is never going to be a perfect pushchair, one that ticks every single box for every one (I guess that is why I have 6 between 2 children!). A travel system is never going to fold as compact as an umbrella fold, an umbrella fold is never going to have as nice a ride as a bigger pram or go over rough terrain like a 3 wheeler. The iCandy Peach Jogger however is perfect for lots of different scenarios unlike many prams/pushchairs and lovely to look at with it. It can go off-road, is one of the very few rear facing 3 wheelers (I only know of two other obscure ones), it is pretty nippy in towns, it has a proper carrycot for babies. I think it is just about the most perfect single pram for the UK, especially if you go on uk holidays.