Thule Cougar feedback thread – chance to win a Sapling Elite Child Carrier for non-testers NOW CLOSED

[AnnMumsnet]

This thread is for the 5 lucky MNers selected to try the Thule Cougar combined Child Jogger, Stroller and Bike Trailer with their little one(s). Read on to find out how they are finding it!

You can see the Cougar in action in the video below

Here's what Thule has to say, "Our motto at Thule is 'Bring Your Life' and this is epitomised by the Chariot range, years ago new parents were expected to curtail or even abandon their active lifestyles outdoor lifestyles, the Chariot enables you to carry on but to bring your whole family with you, whether you’re into cycling, running, camping, or festivals, a Chariot can handle it, over all terrain, in all weathers. Packed with clever design touches, exceeding all U.K. safety standards and engineered to the level you'd expect from Thule, it’s you and your child’s ticket to the great outdoors".

The SRP for the Cougar including bike kit is £699.99 for the double and £599.99 for the single. The Jogging kit is £84.99 and the Strolling kit is £74.99.

Non testers – Thule would love to hear your top tips for getting active with your young children - share them on this thread and you will be entered into a prize draw where one winner will win a Thule Sapling Elite Child Carrier in dark shadow/slate worth RRP £220.00 – they say “Thule’s Sapling Elite child carrier safely and comfortably carries your precious cargo while on the trail and effortlessly transitions between parents with simple torso and hipbelt adjustments. And with premium features like a child viewing mirror, removable backpack and roomy hipbelt pockets, you and your child will never want to leave the trail.”

Testers – we are asking for feedback at least three times please on the thread – please share your first impressions of the Chariot and then some feedback on your challenges and then some overall thoughts towards the end of May.

First impressions
Please say why you applied for this product test, who you are trying the Chariot with.
What were your first impressions when it arrived? What did you use it for first?

Challenges
Please share the challenges you’re undertaking, who they are with and how the Chariot coped with each one: we’d love to see photos too!

Final thoughts
Overall, please give your summary of the Thule Cougar combined Child Jogger, Stroller and Bike Trailer – did it live up to your expectations? How did your LO feel about it? Did you get any comments from other parents about it? What was the best thing about it? Anything you’d like to improve? Would you recommend it to others?

Thanks
MNHQ

Standard Insight T&Cs apply. Please note Thule may well use your photos on their website, on social media as well as possibly elsewhere.

[Heidipiedy]

Non Tester - my tip is just get out and enjoy outside. Kids love being outdoors and its a great way to get them to use their imaginations. Even if its just in the gardens - leave the technology inside!!!

[happysouls]

I think from the moment you have children you just need to keep up with all your outdoor and active lifestyle as much as possible and involve the children in it. Going out walking you can find things to make it more entertaining for children, climbing things, collecting things, mud! Just to get out and spend time with them in the park is an encouragement for the children to enjoy being outdoors too.

[PoppyMumsnet]

Thank you everyone for your comments so far! Bubbinsmakethree, thank you for raising the point about a drinks holder. There are in fact options for drinks holders which you can see here:

Console: www.thule.com/en/gb/products/active-with-kids/bike-trailers-and-seats/bike-trailer-and-seat-accessories/thule-console-1--20100794
Coffee Holder: www.thule.com/en/gb/products/active-with-kids/bike-trailers-and-seats/bike-trailer-and-seat-accessories/thule-cup-holder--20100782
Bottle Cage: www.thule.com/en/gb/products/active-with-kids/bike-trailers-and-seats/bike-trailer-and-seat-accessories/thule-hydration-cage--20100781

There is also a hand brake option on the CX model www.thule.com/en/gb/products/active-with-kids/bike-trailers-and-seats/multisport-trailers/thule-chariot-cx-1--10101222

[CopperPan]

Non tester. We get out and about in all weathers. I have a rucksack with lots of sections so we're always ready for anything - things like pac a macs, sunglasses (because you can need both on the same day out!), handy long life snacks and drinks, things for outdoor fun like kites and magnifying glass to study insects!

[DontBuyANewMumCashmere]

Tester

Went for my first jog for two years today! Used to do regular 5ks but since getting pregnant I didn't feel comfortable running and simply couldn't be bothered since having DD!

I don't know the area very well so went to a large woodland I know for dog walking, thinking that if I couldn't jog and push around it [hopeful] then at least I could walk round and wouldn't get lost.

The Chariot folded down easily, I removed the front wheel and arms but it went into my estate boot just, with rear wheels and handlebar attached.

It handled extremely well, I was really impressed. I was going through some very rutted tracks and very wet puddly areas, interspersed with some much easier gravelly paths. At one point there was a fallen tree blocking the path and it went easily 'off road'.
Most of the time I could easily push and steer one handed, it was only to avoid large craters or massive ruts that I had to use two hands.

DD had a few toys to keep her occupied (with the benefit of a closed lid so she couldn't chuck anything out, had the mood struck her, but with a mesh opening for ventilation) but seemed very happy just watching the world slowly going by and getting very excited by all the dogs.
When I got back to the car beetroot red and almost hyperventilating! she kept signing 'More!'
She was totally dry despite a lot of splashing and a bit of spitting (rain, not me).

I would have liked a bottle carrier as mine was in the rear cargo pocket and I didn't want to keep stopping to get it out. I'll look at those links as I think it'd help.

I'm really looking forward to going out again, and finding better routes nearby.
It's very addictive as there are so many situations where I can just 'pop out' with it.

[Sooner]

Non tester:
A bit boring, but definitely get things ready the night before as much as possible. Only takes a moment whine the kids are in bed to sort nappy bag/eating out bits etc but becomes much more difficult rushing around doing it the next day with them 'helping'!

[TheMasterBaker]

Non-tester!

Be prepared, carry a couple of plasters, a snack or 2, some wipes and maybe even a change of clothing if you're off to the beach or muddy woods. My kids love getting wet and filthy but once the main part of the venture is done, can get upset when they start getting cold, hungry etc. This way it keeps them active and comfy too :)

[annarack99]

Walk to playdates and appointments as often as possible, make travelling on foot a normal thing for your family to do rather than always jumping in the car.

[katiewalters]

I have a 2 and a 6 year old and we have different ways of getting active together. I will find fun activities they both enjoy that we can do all together. WE go swimming together most weeks, we walk to school and my 2 year old comes with us every morning and walks as well. They both have bikes and scooters, so they will go out on theirs to the park, then we will play at the park then ride or scoot back home. We have a trampoline in the garden which they would stay out on all day if they could, and we go on regular walks down to the horses and we will feed them then walk home.

[claza93]

No matter what the weather is like get them out on bikes or scooters! We wrap up warm and in water proofs and get out and enjoy the fresh air! They eat and sleept better when they have been out. Best of all it costs nothing to go for a walk / ride!

[lottietiger]

Non Tester

Our tips for being active are to get outside as much as possible whatever the weather. Planting vegetables is perfect for young children, my 3 year old loves digging, weeding, planting seeds and watching them grow.. oh and his favorite watering! He loves to be outside to check on them and that involves lots of activity. We also love building dens and going on wildlife walks, sometimes we only find worms sometimes its much more exciting like deer or large birds.

[NerrSnerr]

None tester- my daughter loves the park so we always stop off when we go out somewhere. We also have a sealed off bit of garden where she can't escape so we can just open the door and let her run around knowing that she's safe.

[Yorkstone]

We have had a bike trailer, we now use a trailer bike for our youngest and our older two children cycle themselves. They have scooter too. We invest in outdoor play equipment and transportation rather than gaming consoles etc. We walk as much as we can. And I think mostly importantly my children see mummy running most days and also going tot the gym and their daddy commuting to work on his bike each day. Can't beat positive role modelling for life long healthy habit building.

[hanliying]

Non testers. I encourage them to play outside whenever's possible. We have a big park nearby and we try to go play at least one day a week. Sometimes just reading together outdoor is fun!

[chewbecca47]

I bought my little girl a pair of light-up trainers, which she adores wearing and never fails to get her active in the garden! We have also planted her own herb garden, with each herb having a nickname, and she loves to bound outside to explore her own little garden world! She also has her special gardening jacket, bright pink, which she loves to put on and go bounding outside loud and proud! We also have a new puppy who we take outside to play ball with every day, and they play frisbee together, which is very sweet! :)

[BellaWella86]

I reluctantly gave up my car when I didn't return to work after maternity leave. We now walk everywhere and its definitely aided my weight loss. My children are also good walkers, mainly because we have no other choice to walk to school/nursery/park/shops, etc. Walking is great and kids have options of bike or scooter.

[StillNoFuckingEyeDeer]

Tester.

Apologies - no photos yet.

I took the buggy out for a run. It was my first time using a proper running buggy. (I've run with the stroller when in a hurry, but that's about it). I didn't find it as easy as running without a buggy, but it was much easier than I expected. It took me a few minutes to get my head around the fixed front wheel, but after that I had no problems. I did a bit on country lanes and a little bit on a forest trail. The handling was much very good on both.
DD2 had a great time - she kept calling out for me to go faster. She looked really comfortable and I was happy that she was safe inside and not getting bumped about.

I've also been using it with the 2 front wheels as a 'normal' buggy. Despite looking a bit bulky, it's very manoeuvrable, lightweight and easy to push and steer one-handed. I got a lot of shopping in the basket, which is very handy. I've had a lot of admiring comments about it from friends I've met whilst out and about.

Verdict so far - I love it.

[candish63]

Non Tester.
Getting out with the kids is great. Going for a walk in the rain is even fun. Jumping in puddles is always fun.

[222333]

Non tester
I walk pretty much everywhere,, on the weekends when i go for a jog in the mornings my older kids tag along with their bikes while my youngest is pushed in her buggy.

[mountaingirl01]

So 2 weeks of running with the chariot and I love it. I have realised that manovoering on and off pavements is much easier when you just trust the suspension and go for it! Baby certainly has no complaints, she giggled for the first 2 miles today and then fell asleep.
I have been practising running with only one hand on the handle bar as I think this is how it is supposed to be used? But I find that quite hard, and I actually like the up right position of both hands on the bar.

Question; before I link the chariot up to my bike, should baby be wearing a helmet? She is using the infant insert and I'm not sure a helmet will fit?

[mountaingirl01]

Hmm I appear to have been cut out of the picture once it's uploaded?! Hopefully that's just because I'm on my phone.

[Bubbinsmakesthree]

tester

mountaingirl - we didn't use a bicycle helmet, to be honest it didn't even occur to me. And I can see you on the picture, great action shot!

We had a busy weekend with the chariot - too much for one post, so here is part I.

DH took it on our local parkrun, the first time he has run with the Thule rather than our BOB running buggy. He's a much faster runner than me so this was a real test. His verdict was he slightly prefers running with the BOB. He found the Thule a bit heavier (although admittedly we here had the stroller wheels on board which aren't light), he missed the hand brake on the steeper downhill sections, and it is somewhat longer meaning he had to be extra careful to keep the front wheel away from other runners' ankles.

So if we were recommending a buggy to someone who only wanted to run, then the BOB would still be our top pick (and a fraction of the price). But given the Thule is so much more than just a running buggy, it still performs extremely well well and DH didn't feel it was a big compromise. Sorry BOB, we had some fun but I think your days with us are numbered!

[DontBuyANewMumCashmere]

mountaingirl We have a helmet for 16mo anyway as she comes with me in a bike seat, so when we took her out in the Chariot we just put the helmet on as standard.

I did Google a little and didn't find anything definitive but the warning label in the back of the trailer says we should use them, and a few websites I read said they should be used too.

[RedRoseMummy]

Non-tester
My tip is to lead by example. Let your children see you being active so it's normal for them. Be outdoors as much as you can, including investing in good wet weather gear so you can enjoy the outdoors in all weathers. If you have a baby and older children invest in a good carrier or rugged stroller so you aren't hindered by places needing to be pushchair friendly.

[allybird1]

If we can walk anywhere, we do. We also make the most of our national trust passes, and go out whatever the weather. There's usually some sort of activity, trail or quiz that keeps us on the move without you even realising you're being active. It keeps their mind and bodies active, as well as being lots of fun. Luckily my kids like being active, in fact I have to bribe them to keep still, but doing things they enjoy is the key.