Which pram to get?!? Another confused pram shopper...

[Catz]

I have spent hours in Mothercare and reading about every pram going on the internet but am still worried that I'll buy something totally impractical and buy a £40 umbrella buggy in a few months! Any advice much appreciated. Apologies for startig a new thread on this but I think the person on the other recent thread has quite a different situation.

I'm hoping for a pram that can be converted to a pushchair so can be used from birth for 2-3 yrs. We live right next to the countryside on an unmade road and go walking lots so something that's fine over roughish terrain is important. We've got a pretty small car so nothing too bulky. I don't think we'll be using public transport very much as there's not much near our house. Something compatible with a carseat would be nice but not essential. My parents are paying and are willing to buy a bugaboo if that's what we want (first grandchild!) but I don't want to spend their money for the sake of it.

At the moment I'm looking at the Bugaboo Cameleon or the Britax voager 3 (with carrycot). Any views on those two or others that are similar.

Many thanks

I have the bugaboo cameleon and it is lovely...

Thanks Incy, is the 'rough terrain' mode any good? I've heard people describe it as a 'city pram'. We're not planning anything too ambitious but would definitely want to be able to use it on country roads and over the odd field.

Thanks

Seems ok so far but can't comment on long term use/wear as not had it too long. Hopefully somebody will be able to help ...

Bugaboo is fantastic off road. You flip it over so the big wheel are at the front and you can take it anywhere. We've been on beaches and moors with it.

Are you planning on haveing more children quickly - if I had thought about this onw more, I would have bought a Phil and Teds e3 straight away and then just used the extra seat when next baby arrived - would save money in the long run.

Thanks for the replies. Not yet sure about when we'd have a 2nd (see how the first is first!) but I guess the plan would be to aim to have another when the 1st is around 2 1/2 to 3. TBH I'm not sure how long children are in buggies for!

Some children are out of them by 2ish (my dd2), some would stay in them until approx 15yrs old (ds and dd1!!) It's worth a thought especially if you like the pram in any case.

bugaboo cameleon - i live in the country and drive a mini...

imo, bugaboo cameleon is a great pram

travel daily on london buses with it, can bump it up/down tube stairs too admittedly slowly

easy to maneouvre

lightweight

rear and front face to see bambino

hold resale value well on ebay or 2nd hand

most importantly good pram

nice accessories too

You don't have to spend loads of money for good quality. We are getting the britax trekker which sounds perfect for you. Look at it's price on Kiddiecare!

If you have seen my pram posting you probably know I'm not the best person to go for advice on this but....after trying out loads of different models yesterday:

If money isn't too much of an issue....I would go for a Phil and Teds if you are planning on having more (sturdy, great for countryside and loads of storage before bambino no2 comes along) or a bugaboo if you want really want a pram/carrycot.I was really impressed by the Bugaboo after thinking they were a waste of money. They are expensive but blimey they are light and easy.

But if I didn't live in this tiny stair ridden flat in the city I think I would be sorely tempted by the P and Ted. Didn't try the Brittax as obviously too big for my hallway and stairs.Means not having a pram though....

Hi Catz,

I am having the same dilemma as you. I also live in the country but want a pram/pushchair that will be easy to manourve in town too.

I am very impressed with the Jane Carrera Pro (traditional) or then Salom Pro (three wheeler).

I have to say compared to the Bugaboo it is positively lightweight. The Bugaboo weighs a TON! Not so good in the country....

I keep hearing people say the bugaboo weighs alot but I was amazed how light the gecko is.I was skipping round JL with it. Then again I had just sent my silvercross 3D back. That DOES weigh a tonne...

Chicco Trio...buggy that has a carrycot that clicks on...tis fab for newborn, car seat also clicks on too.. plus tis much cheaper than bugaboo.

Buggy is umbrella fold a la maclaren but much sturdier and comfier for my ds...still using at 17 months..only reason i will change is cos i am pregnant again and so may need to visit the double buggy hell! I walk everywhere so it gets a good pounding.

Im the only one of 6 antenatal friends who hasnt had to buy a cheap second buggy cos their prams were too big. Even the ones with bugaboos have succumbed as thay are such a pain to fold up and down into the car.

Not sure you would get it in mothercare though?? MIght need a pram shop specialist.

Cannot reccomend it enough...also tis nice to have something that is a bit different.

Only disadvantage is that buggy bit is forward facing only, but pram faces you

My friend really rates the chicco trio as well...and it fares well in online baby review (see practical parenting website).

Thanks for all the replies!

Yes, I'd been put off the Jane prams by the Which results too (though I suppose you don't have to use the travel system mode but it would be convenient).

I'll definitely look at the Phil and Teds and the chicco (though the wheels don't look too 'off-road' on the internet).

The other one we'd looked at was the Britax vigour \link{http://shop.babyworld.co.uk/DisplayDetail.aspx?which=1441} which lets you put a carrycot on it. It quite liked it in the shop and it has got some good write-ups but I've not heard of anyone who's actually used it...

Thanks for all the advice - looks like another trip to Mothercare etc is on the cards!

As far as I can tell, everyone ends up with a Maclaren sooner or later. So it's only the first few months you need to worry about. I used a sling and borrowed a flat lying pram from a friend. I think unless you really are going to go jogging with a baby or marching over rough terrain or are image conscious, a pram doesn't need to be that much of a mega purchase.

Not sure how off road you need...but ours (chicco) gets trudged round the allotment lots and is ok...though i suspect pneumatic tyres may be better if you are serious off roading.

Happy hunting anyway!!

Have you considered a Mutsy ?
About the same price as bugaboo but (imo) better.

(urban rider is the one I have )

Blimey, dont pushchairs look space-age these days!!!

mutsy is nice lookin pram but really heavy
\link{weight in pounds, dimensions in inch

{http://www.mutsy.nl/products/urban_rider/technical\mutsy weight}

weight without wheels: 15.4
weight: 25.4
folded frame without wheels: 38.6 x 20.5 x 8.5
folded frame: 41 x 24.8 x 11.8
unfolded frame: 31.1 x 24.4 x 43.5
mutsy specification} -
bugaboo only @9kg