What’s it like to use day-to-day?
As one of the lightest strollers on the market with a super compact fold, the Cybex Libelle would suit anyone who likes to travel, has a small car or frequently uses public transport.
During testing, our tester Matt was very impressed with the size of the stroller. “It’s very small and easy to manoeuvre. The entire buggy is narrow and compact but there is a good amount of space for my toddler to relax in.”
He adds, “The school run was brilliant. The buggy is so light to get in and out of the car and is great for queuing with parents and other buggies outside the school gates. It’s also very easy to carry up and down stairs.”
While the seat is spacious and comfortable, it’s probably better suited for shorter journeys as the material is quite thin and not as cushioned as other lightweight strollers we tested. That being said, with a three-point harness that can be easily clipped in and out when you’re in a rush, this is a stroller that requires minimal faff.
It’s not designed to tackle all terrain, but the small plastic wheels have suspension on the front wheels so it performs well on bumpy ground and can handle everyday tasks like going shopping, to the park and on the school run well enough. Matt says, “The stroller is easy to move up and down kerbs with good steering and the small wheels work well on grass, however the angle of the handles made more complex manoeuvres slightly more challenging.”
He found the Libelle comfortable to push, but the handlebars aren’t extendable which may be a dealbreaker for tall parents. He says, “They are an odd shape due to the construction of the buggy, which takes a while to get used to as you have to hold your arms in an unusual position for pushing. Shorter parents would be happy with this product, but I think that tall parents would find it quite low.”
As we found with most of the compact buggies we tested, the Libelle’s sunshade doesn’t offer full coverage and there is no information about the UPF rating, so you may need to add an extra sunshade to ensure good coverage during the warmer months or if you use the Libelle on holiday. Matt explains, “The shade is quite small so it covers my child’s head well, but not his full body which could be a concern when travelling to warmer climates.”
For rainy days, the raincover gives good coverage and fits nicely underneath in the basket when not in use, however Matt found it hard to fold the stroller with the raincover inside.
How comfortable is the Cybex Libelle?
The Cybex Libelle doesn’t have the same padding and luxury feel as the likes of the Ergobaby Metro+ but it’s designed for travel and busy family life so will keep your child comfortable enough on shopping trips, the school run and on family holidays.
Suitable from birth up to four years, it manages to still be spacious enough for a growing toddler and the seat is sturdy, with enough room for a child to sit comfortably. The seat doesn’t lie completely flat though, so we wouldn’t recommend you use it until your baby is six months old unless you turn the Libelle into a travel system by attaching a baby car seat.
The padded shoulder straps on the harness add an extra bit of comfort whether your child is sitting up or napping. Matt says, “It is a very basic pram but comfortable for short periods of time.”
The material is lightweight so our tester Matt felt you would need to purchase the footmuff for the winter. He says, “Great for popping in and out of the car and shops, however in the winter we think it would require the footmuff as the pram material is so light, so there’s no warmth.”
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