UPPAbaby Ridge review: a sturdy, all-terrain pram ideal for any adventure

How we tested the UPPAbaby Ridge

• Two months of using the UPPAbaby Ridge multiple times a week

• Used while on the school run, country walks and while visiting the local town and parks

• Taken on public transport

• Tested with a 20-month-old toddler

Bethan used the Ridge for two months, taking it on multiple school runs and testing it on various terrains including gravel, fields, pavements, and muddy paths. Despite the large wheels collecting mud and dirt, they were easy to clean. On busy buses, the Ridge was a bit wide for the storage area but could be folded if necessary.

During testing, Bethan scored this pram on a number of different factors including: safety, stability, ease of use, comfort, ease of cleaning and value for money.

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UPPAbaby Ridge: what’s in the box?

• Pushchair (with detached wheels)

• Water bottle holder

• Storage basket cover

• Instruction manual

How easy is the UPPAbaby Ridge to assemble?

Overall, the UPPAbaby Ridge takes around 10 minutes to put together with easy-to-follow instructions and only five pieces to assemble (including the wheels). Bethan was impressed with the well-designed box that the pram came in as well as the echo-friendly packaging. Another bonus is that all the tools needed to assemble the Ridge are included and one person can easily put the pram together.

You can make the Ridge suitable for your newborn by attaching the carrycot with the adapters (sold separately), or convert it to a pushchair with a compatible car seat such as the Mesa i-Size Baby Car seat (also compatible with Maxi-Cosi, Nuna, and Cybex infant car seats) or the PiggyBack Board for an older sibling.

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UPPAbaby Ridge: How does it look?

The UPPAbaby Ridge is a stylish, functional all-terrain pram that’s well-built for longevity. While it’s quite a bulky pram, weighing in at 13.2kg (versus the average 10-12kg of other all-terrain prams), it glides over most terrain with ease. Although it doesn’t have all the pretty bells and whistles of some other prams like the Mamas & Papas Ocarro, the Ridge’s charcoal-coloured aluminium frame is robust, and the pram is constructed with high-quality, weatherproof materials expected of an all-terrain model.

Bethan particularly liked the Green Mélange colour of her Ridge, and you can also choose from slate blue, dark taupe or black.

During testing, she did note some issues with the chassis scratching, but says that this was due to a fall out of the boot of the car and not because of general wear and tear.

In a nutshell, the Ridge is spacious yet easy to push and steer, thanks to its adjustable handlebar and one-hand brake system. The large storage basket includes a convenient zippered cover to protect your groceries or changing bag from rain, or to keep your items secure while jogging.

For the little ones, it features a large, extendable, weather-proof sun canopy that Bethan didn’t need to use too much for the sun, however the canopy worked well as a rain cover, especially given that the actual rain cover didn’t keep her daughter dry enough. 

The Ridge also has one of the most comfortable, soft-padded reclining seats that Bethan’s ever used, and she liked that the seat can recline to a near-flat position for naps on the go.

Is the UPPAbaby Ridge safe and sturdy?

Yes, the Ridge offers a very comfortable ride thanks to the enhanced suspension system and larger wheels. The solid chassis is made well with no gaps that could trap little fingers. Bethan’s 20-month-old had lots of room in the seat, and she could see her daughter fitting comfortably in it for some time to come.

Like many all-terrain prams, the Ridge features a secure five-point harness with padded shoulder straps and a central buckle, plus an extra wrap-around strap for added stability. The adjustable straps fit comfortably and effectively prevent little escape artists from unbuckling themselves. Bethan says, “My daughter is very good at escaping straps, and she hasn’t succeeded in doing so from this stroller.” Made from durable, easy-to-clean materials, the straps can be spot cleaned or hand washed with mild detergent.

The Ridge is stable when empty or carrying a light load, like grocery bags or a changing bag on the handlebars without toppling. However, too many bags can make it unstable. With her daughter in the seat, Bethan found it very stable.

A standout feature of the Ridge is its reliable braking system, which is necessary for a running buggy. It includes a hand lever connected to a disc brake on the pram’s wheels. When you squeeze the lever, it presses brake pads against a disc on the wheel, giving strong and reliable braking – whether you need to stop suddenly or gradually on a steeper descent.

It also has two handy colour-coded foot levers, a red pedal for braking and a green pedal for engaging. This system is great for controlling speed and keeping your pram safe on slopes or rough terrain.

Bethan adds, “The break is very secure, but you do need to pull it back a bit after stepping on the red pedal to lock both wheels. I like that you have both a hand brake for immediate braking like a car pedal, and then a foot brake to secure the pram, just like a handbrake on a car.”

What is the UPPAbaby Ridge like to use day-to-day?

Despite being too wide for easy manoeuvring in Bethan’s downstairs landing, she did find the Ridge easy to steer, claiming that it’s not too heavy to push and is a pleasure to use on the school run, daily walks to the park and trips to the high street.

Bethan used the Ridge on a bus and found it to be a little too wide for the storage area, but it could be folded down quickly if needed.

Like the Visa V2, the Ridge has an impressive storage capacity with a spacious storage basket below that Bethan’s daughter could comfortably climb into for a quick game of hide and seek.

It also comes with handy mesh pockets on either side of the seat to store snacks and your child’s sippy cup. Plus, there’s a hidden pocket with a zip on the canopy for valuables like phones and purses.

Bethan liked that the Ridge has a foldable mesh window in the canopy for better airflow and a small peekaboo window towards the front of the canopy, making it easier to keep an eye on your child without having to stop and walk around the front of the pram.

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How comfortable is the UPPAbaby Ridge?

In Bethan’s opinion, the Ridge is comfortable for parents and children alike, adding, “My daughter loves going in this pram. She climbs in easily herself, and the soft padded seat offers extra cushioning over bumpy terrain. She feels safe and secure in the pram with plenty of room to move, lie back or turn around and talk to me, whilst still being strapped in securely.”

One downside is that there’s no adjustable footrest for taller children and if you’re looking for additional sturdiness around your little one, you’ll need to purchase the bumper bar separately.

The Ridge’s foam-padded handlebar has a standard height of around 100cm which is ideal for shorter mums like Bethan who is 4’ 11”, but it can be adjusted to four different locations, reaching around 118cm for taller parents.

The Ridge easily reclines to an almost lie-flat position with a simple pull on the strap behind the seat. It can also be adjusted back to a fully upright position, which Bethan appreciated, noting that some stroller seats remain angled even when fully upright.

Although Bethan didn't test this feature with a toddler, the carrycot is easy to attach: just clip the adaptors onto the chassis and secure the carrycot in place, without needing to remove the seat or unbutton any fabrics.

The Ridge is also suitable as a travel system as the same adaptors can be used to attach a car seat onto the chassis such as the Mesa i-Size Infant Car Seat, although UPPAbaby doesn’t advise running with the carrycot or car seat as babies need to be at least six to eight months old to have adequate neck strength to avoid injury during off-road motion on undulating terrain.

UPPAbaby Ridge: how easy is it to fold?

While the Ridge has large wheels and is a bit chunkier than some other all-terrain models, it quickly collapses thanks to the simple one-hand, one-step fold that’s located under the leg rest. However, Bethan did find that it did stick occasionally, but thinks that was more due to user error. Even though the Ridge doesn’t fold flat, it still fitted easily into her car boot, only taking up around a quarter of the space, when placed on its side. However, Bethan did find it a bit heavy to pick up on her own.

For smaller car boots, the wheels can be removed and stored separately for more space.  

Unfolding is relatively simple too, although Bethan warns that it’s not as easy as the fold, adding "My mum finds the unfolding tricky and has managed to scuff the front of the pram by taking it out of the house folded, to then try and open it”. 

To unfold the pram, you need to release any locking mechanisms or straps and firmly hold the handlebar while using your other hand to grab the frame or release lever. Lift and extend the frame until it fully unfolds and locks into place, ensuring all parts are securely positioned before placing your child in the pram.

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Is the UPPAbaby Ridge easy to clean?

Yes, Bethan found the Ridge to be super easy to clean. Simply wipe down muddy wheels or use a damp cloth with mild soap to spot clean the frame and fabric, making sure it’s dry before using it again.

For a deeper clean, the fabric on the pram is machine washable and can be removed from the pram. To remove the fabric, you’ll first need to take the canopy off and then unclip the eyelets in the fabric from the pegs on either side of the pram. Next, unclip the buttons on the straps that attach the fabric to the back of the pram. Finally, release the strap underneath the seat and remove the entire seat from the chassis.

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About the author

Tammy Jacks is a distinguished researcher and writer in the field of child safety, with a notable focus on the critical domain of travel systems including car seats and strollers. Her extensive expertise and commitment to child safety have made her a trusted authority in providing comprehensive insights and guidance to parents and caregivers looking for the right stroller, travel system or car seat for their children.

As a seasoned school runner and mum to a nine-year-old, Tammy has personally tried and tested numerous buggies, strollers and car seats over the years, across all age categories.

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