Bugaboo Cameleon, iCandy Cherry or Oyster?

[Fab123]

I'm a first time mum and a little overwhelmed with the choices here! I don't drive, but am trying to cram in lessons where I can and will probably end up with a small car (hoping for Polo) to start. So buggy needs to be able to fit in boot but also, in case I fail, be sturdy and manouverable enough to get up the big hill to my house, in case I am a numpty don't pass. Town shops are very small and crowded and therefore size and manouverability are important. Also need large shopping basket in case a car isn't on the agenda. Plus ease of setting up - my partner is away a lot and I need to be able to set this up and carry it around easily on my own, possibly using public transport. Little worried about B.Boo's kung-foo kick to open and large storage space needed for it. i Candy looks perfect apart from break by foot (not keen on the idea of mangled shoes and flipflop disasters) and not adjustable handle. Oyster has been recommended as a cheap alternative to both but I haven't had a chance to try one out.
Can anyone help?

[hippytrippynamedropper]

I have an Oyster and I am very pleased with it. It is really easy to steer and fold. Baby five months and have just moved into the pushchair from carrycot but no complaints so far. I looked at the others but didn't want to pay the prices. What do you mean by break by foot? (sorry if this is obvious)

[Fab123]

Thanks hippy I know what you mean about the prices. Having not tried out the Oyster I was afraid that the suspension wouldn't be great for curbs or it might feel flimsy. What is the storage/shopping space like? Can you wash the covers? Breaking by foot - as in having to use your foot to brake using a bar by the back wheels. I have visions of entanglement

[hippytrippynamedropper]

Aha. Well the Oyster has a foot brake at the front but it is easy to use. It doesn't feel flimsy to me, had no problems at all, however I only use it on pavements etc. I did read somewhere that it's not so great for 'off road' trips. I have only washed the covers by sponging but they come up fine. Shopping space is reasonable. There has always been enough room for my day to day shopping.

[SandyChick]

Bugaboo chameleon everytime for me.

My ds is 3.5 and I still use it. It is so easy to steer. I bought a Chico travel system when I was pregnant but once ds was here I found it such a struggle. A friend let me have a go with her bugaboo chameleon and It was fab. Wish I'd bought it from the start.

[Fab123]

Hippy does it have a break on the handle as well? Does it fold easily too?
Sandy i'm worried about how bulky it is - where do you store it when not in use? Can you wash the covers to it or is it a sponge jobby? Suspension does look great. You find opening and setting it up easy I guess?

Can anyone compare it to the iCandy cherry?

[hippytrippynamedropper]

No, no brake on the handle but yes very easy to fold - had a few comments about this from passers by! However, I have no experience of the other pushchairs apart from playing with them in the shop, so don't know if the extra price is worth it

[Fab123]

Thanks - you've convinced me to book in my partner for a fun Saturday of buggy boredom. Luckily I just checked and the local (40 mins walk away!) place has all three so we'll be using the carpark facility to do some doghnuts and see what we think. They seemed hot on selling me the Cherry last time and I don't remember them mentioning the Oyster at all...but then I was pre-conception and as soon as they found out I was barren I was treated like the crazy lady with a doll fetish wanting a pram to show them off. Looking forward to shoving my bump in that man's condecending face

[hippytrippynamedropper]

Shove away fab. Maybe get a spreadsheet going to compare features ay? Have fun

[SandyChick]

Covers wash really well. Everything comes off and on really easy. I've lost count of how many times its been washed over the years and it still looks brand new. I have the fleece covers.

When folded it's in 2 pieces- wheels/base and seat. The wheels pop off and on too to make it even smaller. We traveled quite a bit to visiy family when ds was small and had to transport travel cots etc so we used to clip wheels off and base would fit behind drivers seat then seat part was flat in bottom of boot. Also, because its in 2 bits its much easier to lift in and out of car boot as both bits are as light as a feather. I found my travel system so heavy. The basket is huge and fits loads it. Putting it up is easy too although when i looked at them in the shop I was hopeless and thought it would be a nightmare but your going to be a pro after a few weeks no matter which one you go for.

I would say the only downside would be if you wanted

to take it on a bus. It's fine if you would keep baby in it and sat in one of those pushchair spaces but you wouldn't want to be collapsing it up on the bus.

I knew I never waned to change to a umbrella folding buggy once ds was bigger. I have 2 friends that had mamas&papas travel systems then ended up buying a buggy once baby was bigger. If you use alot of public transport you should maybe bare that in mind. Buggerboo is great for lots of walking.

[Fab123]

Thanks everyone! Thought I'd let you know that the decision was made easy for me by a friend offering me her 2yr old Bugaboo with footmuff/changing bag/rain cover for only £350! Cheaper than anything else I could find and one of the best! Pleased I can wear my flip-flops without fear of stubbed toes :)
Thanks for everyone's help.