Do I need an expensive footmuff

[Marshmallowtoastie]

Clueless ftm. I didn’t even know these existed until 2 days ago and I’ve now been researching and found a million options and I don’t know which to get.
I’ve got a joie Versatrax pram, so think I need a well fitting universal one. Are the ones with synthetic fabrics going to just make her all sweaty and damp?
baby is 3 months, I’m on mat allowance so not much spare cash but if it’s best to get something more expensive I could potentially use savings. Pfb so I want her to be happy!

You don’t need an expensive one.
I spent about £10 and it lasted 3 winters before we stopped using the pushchair.

Mine honestly hated it being on them- kicked their feet non stop trying to get it off even from tiny. I found it was better to put them in a proper thermal snowsuit in the cold weather to keep them warm.

Ha, my pfb I had a fancy one she kicked off. Dc2 got a pram suit on or a blanket tucked in round his legs. I sold the fancy one!

Loads of this stuff you can get for peanuts secondhand, btw...

We have a sheepskin one. Used it sept-May for three years, and the top unzipped so the bottom part we used as liner in summer also.
Its was really worth it as I didn’t have to use thick coat inside so easier living from car and into shops as could just unzip footmuff on baby and not wake when we went in hot shop or home if napping.

I would look for a second hand sheepskin one if possible. I washed mine every year in wool wash and used sheepskin brush on it, and it’s in the loft now as new so I’m sure you can get nice ones

We have a mega expensive Bugaboo one on our main pram and a £15 fleece John Lewis one on our travel pram. The Bugaboo stays up a bit better as it has loops at the top and is longer so fits a bigger toddler but no difference in warmth or comfort. We only use them on cold days (you can usually zip the top off) and unzip them in shops etc so they don't get sweaty. You might be able to get the official one second hand that's how we got the Bugaboo one.

Bugaboo ones cost £175 and are absolutely amazing. We got a second hand one which wast in new condition but significantly cheaper.

Definitely worth it.

Depends on what your main form of transport is.
I didn't have a car so I walked everywhere and did 2+h walking naps every day. We got a lot of use out of ours she was in it from 4 months using it inside the basinet (Dec) until 2.5 when she stopped napping. We went out in all weathers and in snow and sub0 days she has a snow suit on too. Ours came with our pram which we got second hand for £100 RRP £800 without accessories
If you won't be doing lots of long walks in cold weather you might not need it and layering up is fine

I had the bugaboo ones they were a gift. Ended up selling them as my kids seemed to get too hot in them.

I replaced them with fleece ones, I think they weee called buggy snuggles that were much better.

I bought the universal John Lewis one for my Uppababy travel pram that was really cheap. Works really well. I also have the Uppababy branded one which came with my big pram. It does stay on slightly better and doesn’t slip down quite as easily but I wouldn’t say it’s worth the extra money.

I've got the Versatrax and just bought the John Lewis own brand footmuff. No problems and washes fine.

I found this at John Lewis & Partners. What do you think?  https://www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-anyday-baby-footmuff-black-charcoal/p2245280?tmad=c&tmcampid=7&sshare=jlappioss_Y29tLmFwcGxlLlVJS2l0LmFjdGl2aXR5LkNvcHlUb1Bhc3RlYm9hcmQ=

Sorry for the JL bumf but that one is very similar. Might find it on Vinted.

I had a beautiful sheepskin Fellhof.
It was a total luxury but I loved it & my boys were warm as toast when I took them out. They were very happy in it.

As PP said, sheepskin lasts all year round, you can usually zip off the top. It was permanently installed for 2 kids - 4 years.

Sold it on Vinted for £60 but there were lots on there cheaper at the time.

We have the expensive bugaboo one and I’ve loved it. It has a non fluffy bit inside which is where your child’s feet rest with wellies/shoes on when they’re older. Really great attention to detail.

I’ve also got a cheap synthetic hand muff for the pram, which I also love.

I think design and usability is more important than purely material.

I also had the versatrax and I had a generic one. I had a black one which was fine, I used it for my eldest. For my youngest I had this which I also used as a sling cover.

I bought one to match the brand at a fraction of the price on eBay then sold it afterwards

I’ve got sheepskin ones. Like PP we unzip the top part and use it as a pram liner year round. Much nicer than synthetic and fleece which, if branded, can cost a similar amount.

https://www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-anyday-baby-footmuff-black-charcoal/p2245280?s_ppc=2dx92700080716960891_mixed_fashion_BAU&tmad=c&tmcampid=2&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAD2el1yTvD2EeAe3JJX6CiMbtEGys&gclid=CjwKCAjwooq3BhB3EiwAYqYoEuZqXd4lSwUl6PzltHWwvFLdK1D0B4YlNhmLDVii70w5GrbqvvQE1xoChWEQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

I have a few of these (two kids and too many buggy’s!) it’s really nice and cosy and would fit any pram/buggy I think.

I didn't know about these so just used a blanket tucked around feet and legs. Thick socks as well if really cold.

I'm the type who probably would have bought the most expensive one possible but looking back now, def didn't need one!

(I did have the gloves to put my hands into on the pram handle though and I loved those!)

Some of them seem to have a cosy bit that goes around the head - is that a good idea with baby being so young?

Good point. She hates the pram and I mostly use the carrier anyway so at the moment though we only use it for about 20 minutes at a time before she screams to come out.
it’s rare we have to go far with it in the rain and cold, unless we’re caught out, but I would like to walk with her more if she’d tolerate it

Nope. I had a second hand one from buggy snuggle. Cost me around £15. Was perfect

No you don't.

But I did get the expensive bugaboo one second hand, as it was so warm and waterproof. We walk a lot and it has been used 4/5 months of the year by 3 children, over the last 7 years. It's hammered and has been worth every penny!

If you do get one make sure you get one where the top layer comes fully off. I had one where it was permenantly zipped on and it drove me mad as sometimes it's randomly too hot for the full foot muff.

I did get a second hand yo-yo one and think it probably stays up better on that buggy than a 'universal' one would. We have a universal sheepskin liner for summer and that is always slipping down.

I like the very warm one I have from Uppababy. It is perfect for winter naps that start outdoors and end indoors. I could pop baby in it with just indoor clothes even on the coldest day, walk to a cafe, go inside and unzip the footmuff while baby stayed sleeping and I drank my coffee in peace. The problem with pramsuits is they can be too warm indoors so if the baby is sleeping in the pram you can’t go indoors without waking them to take it off.

If money is tight I’d rather buy a warmer 2nd hand one than a cheaper new one.