Best pram for "off roading" (on short grass)

[mishmash13]

Hello,

I've just spent an hour in mothercare looking at travel systems and feel completely clueless. Was hoping somebody might have some recommendations for a good pram/travel-system that is manouverable on grass and gravel? I like to walk my dog a lot and we have a field at the back of the house so would really like to find a pram that let's us all go out together without it being too much of a bumpy ride. Should I be looking at three wheelers only? Really grateful for any suggestions of what has worked well for other mumsnetters....

Many Thanks in advance.

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Hello,

We've noticed this thread is quite old and some of the product recommendations are a little out of date. We've spent weeks speaking to parents and testing prams and pushchairs, from lightweight easy folding prams to all terrain buggies, we've seen them all.

Here's our round up of pushchair reviews for the best prams on the market right now.

Hope that helps!

MNHQ

Sorry I can't help but I'd be interested in this too for exactly the same reason.

Your best option is probably to use a sling for the fist few months whilst small then something like a nipper v3. They do come with carrycot but probably a bit bouncey for newborn over the terrain ( for example I think jogging with baby is recommended over 6 months due to bumping around). They are a good price, good suspension and lightweight

Ooh, me too.

Have a look at a mountain buggy - they're really good for off roading.
Personally, I think 3 wheeler prams with proper tyres are fantastic for off roading. (I'm a nanny and I've pushed a lot of prams!! Now I'm pregnant and I'm going to have to choose one )

Nipper is what you need, they are amazing.

I had this dilemma too, there's a really useful pushchair section I spent hours on because about a month ago loads of people were posting looking for the same thing - www.mumsnet.com/Talk/pushchair_chat

From what I could see the general consensus was that for serious off road, a three wheeler, fixed forward direction buggy like mountain buggy or Jane was the way to go. For grass, gravel and woodland paths people recommended the CityJogger City Mini GT, or for a reversible seat option the CityJogger Versa (both standard and GT versions).

I was going to go for the standard versa, but ended up going for the Britax Affinity after we saw it instore. It was so much cheaper, has air wheels and suspension and the carrycot is free until the 9th October so we got the whole package for £408 from mothercare www.mothercare.com/Britax-Affinity-Pram-and-Pushchair/psX4672,default,pd.html

I guess a lot depends on how bumpy the field is - I'm still waiting on both the pram and the baby to arrive so I can't tell you how it's worked out yet!

Phil and teds
Baby jogger GT
Mountain buggy

We were lookimg at bugaboo because it has great suspension and my very country friend swears by hers which is now five years old and still serving her well. We ended up going for the uppa baby vista, second hand which was comparable and had a few features extra that I liked more. Each wheel has suspension and the bassinet has airflow too.

it is a little bulkier than other makes, but still fits in our golf boot.

I have a vista and it's lovely. But I also have a baby jogger summit for running with and it's a million times better on grass. Not many places stock them but you can order online.

Glad it isn't just me having problems choosing. Thanks for the thread... I need something that goes off road too (I have 3 dogs to walk!) and preferably doesn't cost the earth! This is my first baby and I really couldn't believe the outlay on a buggy! For that reason alone I don't want to pick the 'wrong' one! Off to investigate the suggestions above - thanks guys!

Yes - thanks everyone, really great to hear suggestions. Felt completely overwhelmed in mothercare by the range and the difference in prices! These sound ideal to investigate. Cheers

Anything with big, proper tyres (not small plastic wheels). I have a Nipper Out'n'about 360 and it's great; very easy to steer even one handed, and copes with any terrain.
I second what was said about using a sling initially; will make your life so much easier!
FWIW I had a Quinny Buzz 3 with my first and it was crap. I was blinded by the sporty design and big rear tyres, but it was heavy and cumbersome and the tiny front wheels constantly got stuck. And that's classed as 'all terrain'! laughs hysterically I'd also avoid the Bugaboos; never mind the suspension, they've got crappy tiny wheels so they won't be much good.

Stay away from bugaboos.......they are only good for Tarmac

You need a decent buggy with air filled tyres. I personally would go. For a 3 wheeled type ............ Something like Phil and teds or a mountain buggy.

The old style pre2010 mountain buggy terrain is far better for off road than the newer Version of the buggy, they dont look much different but mine is more robust. Ours is now 5 years old and its been pushed over sand/ fields/ gravel/ cattle grids, we have dogs that need a lot of exercise, I also run with it, oh and it has been up a mountain:) (needed to prove a point!). The nipper and baby jogger also look very nice and look like they would cope easily with off road but I have never tested one.

I've gone for this after a recommendation from a frend: www.bumbleride.com/uk/strollers/indie-home.php

We got a summer sale deal which included the carry cot attachment and they do fittings to attach the maxicosy car seats too (though the main buggy part cannot be removed, so both the car seat and/or carry cot sort of sit on top).

Overall though, it seems to be a good balance of all thing things I was looking for.

We have v similar requirements and have gone for the baby jogger city mini GT - not used it yet but it seems to get great feedback