The baby's legs dangle less in a Stokke than in anything else! The footrest is completely adjustable, so as soon as the feet are big enough to fall over the edge of the seat - and my 8 monther's haven't yet - they provide the child with firm support, encouraging good posture. (My son likes to rest his feet on the central pole, at the moment, so he can wiggle his toes, braced on it!) It's designed by a company who make items for people with back problems (their change table is high enough to change the baby with a straight back, and faces you - brilliant - I had bad SPD so that was one reason we chose the Stokke range). That's why there's no kick-bar between the back wheels to limit your stride, and why the central pole thingie is so adjustable.
I have an Xplory. Like you I live in a compact city and walk everywhere, no car. The benefits:
- Incredibly narrow - doesn't look it, as it's so high, but it measures a good few centimetres narrower than a Quinny
- The height really is fantastic. The baby isn't at car-exhaust height; you don't have to bend much to chat to them or tend to them which is great for them and you; and they can see everything that's happening. My Mum got him a walking all terrain buggy and had him in town in it once - front facing, low down, he freaked and had to be carried instead!
- You can lay them flat, sit them in a gentle recline, or bolt upright. I do all three regularly. They can also face you or the road, depending.
- It's great to park in a room while you wash up or do whatever - he's high enough he can see me and he's very happy there. It also does work really well as a high chair when out and about - he's not always wriggling on our laps while we're trying to eat!
- It's incredibly comfy to push, whatever your height. My mother is 5 ft and DH 6 ft 3! We all manage to adjust it to the right height, which no other buggy did. It's also really manoeuvrable.
- the bag is a Tardis, and the change bag is worth every penny as it straps to the stem, too.
- My son absolutely loves it. As I say, Mum got him another fancy one as she likes to walk off-road, and he has an umbrella stroller for planes/holidays, and he grumbles with the other two.
- Kids really do use them till 3 - I've seen a few! Whereas a friend's 1 year old is almost out of his Quinny already, though it is also a great pram.
- Resale value is fantastic.
- Customer service from Stokke is brilliant, too.
Disadvantages:
- Cost. At that price, it should fly, as a poster once put it. We decided it was worth it as we have no car, and we walk everywhere so needed something really good.
- It's not going to be possible, IMO, to pull it safely up 3 flights of stairs with your child in it. You'll either need to park it in the hallway or get the baby up first, and come and collect - and I'd dismantle before hauling upstairs, too, rather than bouncing up each step. That applies to the Quinny and Cameleon as well - if you want something light enough to take in one go, go for a Bugaboo Bee - they're fine for newborns as well, and I think also face both ways?
- Until you're used to it, it's a nightmare to operate. Taking it apart, altering the recline, and oh my God, first assembly. My husband was threatening to firebomb Stokke that day. Of course, once you ARE used to it, it's a doddle.
I love my Xplory to bits. Best bit of baby kit I've bought, by a mile. I wouldn't get one second hand, though. I did the change table, and I wasn't about to spend even the second hand price on a cot, but with a posh buggy IMO you want the guarantee. That's a lot of money, should anything go wrong. And I'm sure you know this already - but don't buy from Bambino Direct! A Mumsnet search will explain why.
Sorry to be so longwinded. But yes, it's fabulous! A couple of friends really like their Quinnys too, though.