Maclaren XLR - will this be the only buggy I'll need?

[northerngoldilocks]

My baby is 12 weeks old and I have a bugaboo Cameleon which I love, but if we go away it takes up the whole boot with the carrycot and wheels. We did try just taking the carseat but I'm not happy about using that for long periods of time . I was wondering whether to buy the maclaren XLR on the basis that it can be used from newborn and folds up much smaller than the cameleon for travel.

I wondered whether anyone had any advice on whether the XLR would be a long term good buy as a lightweight stroller type buggy, or whether you thought that it would still be too bulky and would mean that I'm still likely to want to buy something lighter like a Maclaren Triumph or similar? There's also the additional thought that my son is really tall for his age and the carrycot bit of the cameleon is unlikely to fit him for the whole 6 months it should so I wondered if the XLR might also be a solution for when he's too big for the carrycot but still should be lying flat?

Any advice appreciated as the XLR is quite an expensive buggy to buy as well as the cameleon so want to make sure it would be a good buy for me. Thanks

[BikeRunSki]

I keep thinking that if I 'd got one it would have been the only psuchair I'd ever need. My son is also tall (he is 2.5 now) and far too tall for the M&P Pulse I bought.

[BooBooGlass]

I think the XLR is quite a big buggy. You might be better with the XT. The wheels are just as big and it's a great buggy all round. We had a Cameleon when ds was a baby and tbh when we visited family upcountry we just took the chassis and carseat. I didn't have a problem with it as he was mostly carried in a wrap sling anyway so didn't spend lots of time in the carseat.

[northerngoldilocks]

Just wanted to add that i plan to still use the cameleon as my main pushchair as i mainly walk with him rather than using public transport or driving - but would use the xlr just when we go away and if we needed to go anywhere on the tube where I didn't want to use my sling (unlikely to be honest)

[MonkeysPunk]

From experience the xlr is much better value for money than the xt. You will get years more use from the xlr as the seat is wider, back rest a bit taller. But really the fabrics are nicer on the xlr, the hood is lined. There's a boot cover, head hugger and strap pads included. The straps on the xlr are wider too.
The zip on the hood is better too. The pockets on the xlr hood are better made less flimsy fabric. The padded liner included with the xlr velcros in place is reversible and very thick, adding lots more comfort. The new xlr has a one handed recline lever. If you have the xt you are fiddling behind the buggy with two hands either side of the seat trying to recline it.
Get the xlr. It is better and only marginally heavier than the xt. But you're getting better quality seat and hood fabrics, a fully lined hood which feels sturdier, a bigger seat which is comfier for baby as the liner is so good, and nicer pockets on the hood. Also you're getting the boot cover too.

[sunshineatlast]

Love my xlr, it was the only buggy I had with ds1. Got a P&T double when ds2 arrived but am now back to the maclaren. Can get loads of shopping in the hood, hood also zips down as a sunshade, its really sturdy but folds up small. Highly recommend this buggy.

[northerngoldilocks]

Thanks - its sounding like it would be a good buy for me. Does anyone know whether there are any limitations on the 'lie flat' mode - ie even if my baby is tall will he still be able to lie flat in it up to 6 months?

[codandchipstwice]

From my experience even my huge 2 year old who is too tall for pretty much everything else can lie flat in this if need be - so at 6 months you should have no worries (this is the baby that outgrew the micralite carrycot and moses basket at 6 weeks!)

HTH

b*

[pramsgalore4]

hi, have just sold my xlr as it was too big, huge when folded took up alot of room, really long when folded, will take up alot of space in your carboot and was not free standing, it most def is not a compact buggy, i wish i had got a smaller maclaren buggy

[SwellyBelly]

We have both an xlr and a quest. The xlr certainly has better finishes - more luxurious fabrics etc., but it is heavier and bulkier. Although we like the quest and use it more now as our son is almost 2 and its lighter to push, when we do travel we always take the xlr because we know that our son will be comfy in it for long periods of time.

[northerngoldilocks]

Thanks everyone. Am having one last debate with myself about whether we 'need' a buggy at this stage or whether we can cope with just using the sling when we visit family. Reckon I'll probably buy the xlr though as will fit pretty easily in the car boot and looks nice and comfy for DS plus think the sun shade looks good

[nicolamumof3]

xlr's are lovely, but for me was a walking buggy, couldn't stand to fold/unfold and put up down or use on public transport alot as has been already mentioned it is a heavy, bulky stroller it is not light at all. And long when folded.

However it is very comfortable to little ones, and also larger, bigger toddlers have plenty of room the size of the seat cannot be beaten on a stroller imo and the luxury touches are lovely. So its a trade off really. You couldn't get all these features in a super lightweight buggy.

Suspension also very good for a stroller.

[Pippaandpolly]

Sorry to hijack this thread, but what IS the bootcover that comes with the xlr? (I presume that's the giant padded box like thing?) It's not a footmuff...? I feel that this is a stupid question...!

[GwendolineMaryLacey]

Haven't had an XLR but I got an XT when dd was three months old and she still has bags of room on the rare occasion she uses it at 3.5yo. If it's as good as the XT then you won't need anything else. The lightweight ones are not great for bigger children so won't last as long.

[nicolamumof3]

the bootcover is just that pippa! its not a full footmuff.

[MonkeysPunk]

The boot cover fits over leg area, fastening beneath seat by the crotch strap. It's shower resistant too and really smart. You could put a footmuff on too beneath this for extra warmth, or alternatively it would help hold blankets in place.

[Pippaandpolly]

Good to know - thank you! It just looks so massive - like you could fit 2 or 3 newborns in there...!

[MonkeysPunk]

They grow so fast though... sigh.. .

[tigermummy35]

We've only ever had our XLR and love it. DS is a huge big seven month old now and looks very comfy in it.

[northerngoldilocks]

Was all set to buy this from pramworld (cheapest I could find) but it's out of stock and there's a 6 week wait for them to get stock from Maclaren. Means I will have to take the cameleon away with me now but also that may consider holding out longer and getting something lighter like the quest. Will try to go somewhere where I can try them out to see what I think is best.

[Pippaandpolly]

If you're a member of the Boots parenting club you might be able to get a deal - I got 20% off plus extra points that added up to about £150 reduction.

[blondieminx]

Highly recommend getting a Mclaren umbrella fold buggy alongside your main travel system - invaluable for holidays/other occaisions when you might want to fit something as well as a buggy in the boot.

The xlr wasn't out when DD was born but we love our xt for the days when the icandy is just too big to take along!