Pram/pushchair: Baby Jogger City Mini GT or Mountain Buggy Swift?

[LeeMiller]

Not sure this is the right place for it but I didn't have any luck in the pushchair section.

Has anyone got any experience with either of these buggies? We'd be planning to use it with a carrycot from newborn. I'm especially interested to hear from any petite mums.

Our lifestyle is mix of country walks/dodgy pavements and using public transport/city life. We're planning to get a sling, and later on a cheaper lightweight (cabin luggage-style) stroller from 6 months, but for now would like to invest in an all-terrain option that's still as light as possible and easy to fold one-handed.

We can't see the Mountain Buggy in person as there are no local stockists and have only been able to view the regular City Mini, not the GT. We'll need to order online, so any feedback on either of these would be much appreciated!

I've found the city mini difficult to steer and wouldn't like to take it off road (we have a bugaboo for that). It's great in that it's fairly light and folds quickly and small but I don't actually like pushing it.

I chose the city mini over the swift due to the excellent fold and the size of the seat- it is much much larger than the swifts seat and my 3 month old and 3 year old swap out of it easily. Take it off road etc no problem.

City mini GT has worked well for us. I bought a second hand bassinet but you can use the stroller from birth. It works well off-road and steers nicely on the road too. The one hand fold sold it to us.

Mini GT was great for baby-toddler in mixed city and country walks. Can't recommend it highly enough, 5ft and the adjustable handle bar is great!

I really like our gt, especially the adjustable handlebar. It isn't amazing off road but copes on proper tracks. We have a bugaboo buffalo that we use for proper dog walks as it gives a lot comfier ride.

I love our City Mini GT - it’s goes off road really well- only terrain I’ve needed to drag it across is deep sandy beach.

I think the poster above saying it’s not suitable for off-road is talking about the non-GT version. The GT is a dream off road. We’ve used it in lots of countries/ terrains including Greek ruins with extremely rocky ground, no paths, and uphill in 35 degrees- buggy handled it with ease.

My MIL uses it once a week and is 5 foot 0. I’m 5 10. It fits us both and we find it comfortable to push because the handle height adjusts.

The basket is deceptively spacious- you can squeeze loads of shopping in.

I recommend the deluxe carrycot as it has a great hood, pull up wind/sun screw plus a zip up bit at the back with insect net so you can get some breeze coming in on a hot day. It’s perfect for all weathers and napping.

I’m having my second baby next spring and need to evict the current occupant- who is 3 and has no intention of vacating “my buggy” which she absolutely loves and still naps in when we’re on a busy day out (she’s mainly given up on naps).

Best thing we purchased when pregnant- lots of people we know have gone through 2/3 buggies- but the BJCM GT really does last from birth to 3/4.

The cons are: strap can be a bit faffy but you get used to it, not parent facing post carrycot (didn’t bother me or my DD), it’s not as “pretty” and fashionable as other travel systems (couldn’t care less).

*sun screen not screw!

Also personally I find it a dream to steer. I often steer with one hand no problem (obviously not where there are potential hazards). It’s so much easier to push than friends’ buggies. One of the best steers on the market. SandStorm I wonder if you have a problem with the chassis or wheels? Everyone always comments what a dream it is to push.

Thanks for the feedback, a lot of love for the GT! I'm happy to hear it's suitable for short people, @BlueKittens and @Wendygoesfar.
Have you had any issues with tipping (seems to be the main criticism on review sites)?

If we go for the BJCM GT I think we'd pick the deluxe carrycot, BlueKittens, the compact one looked a bit small in comparison. Planning to use the carrycot instead of a moses basket, is there any reason that wouldn't work?

I think mine has tipped over twice in three years. The reason is hanging lots of heavy shopping bags off handlebars (which you’re told not to do but everyone does for convenience) and toddler getting out of buggy. A change bag looped over the handlebar with a baby in the buggy/pram will not tip.

You can’t use any pram carrycot for overnight sleeping (that’s the official advice) so get a separate Moses basket. It’s fine for daytime naps. I used the bednest for the first six months, was absolutely brilliant. If used properly it is safe.

I don’t think you’ll need a second buggy at six months. We’ve taken ours on lots of flights. You fold it up at plane steps they pack it in last. When you get off plane it’s on the tarmac (sometimes they put it on the carousel). You must get a tag from check in desk before security to do this though. The umbrella folds are long and slim when folded so slightly easier to handle but this minor benefit is outweighed imo by the lack of good sunshade and uncomfortable sleeping position, plus terrible wheels and steer of many umbrella folds (eg maclaren). I think people end up with these when they have a bulky travel system (bugaboo, vista, icandy) that folds in two pieces which becomes a pain when you want to be more mobile. The BJCM cuts out the need for an extra buggy. You really can go from birth to 3/4 with it.

The only time I’ve found size an issue is on a cruise. We had to fold up the buggy to get through our narrow cabin door. But never encountered any other issues with the size.

Thanks @BlueKittens! Baby Jogger should pay you commission, you're doing a great job of selling it.

BJ state the deluxe carrycot with ventilated base is suitable for overnight if not on a stand/the pushchair, but I've emailed them to ask what that's based on. The plan would be to use it for daytime naps in the same room as us and the cot at night though. We are overseas and I haven't seen a single Moses basket here, perhaps I could get one shipped...

I was thinking of a light and compact buggy that I could sling over my shoulder from 6 months more for public transport/city trip days - travel style, but not for long-distance travel. The GT fold is great but it seemed a bit heavy for that (tried the babyzen yoyo which was great to carry but would not cope with our streets on a daily basis) but it seems to tick all our other boxes.

Final (superficial) question - looking at the black and charcoal denim fabrics and wondering if one is easier to clean, or would be better suited to hot summers without getting sweaty...?

I wonder if @Sandstormbrewing you have the lock on the front wheel? I put it on for off-road the other day and it makes it so much harder to steer. So I undid the lock and it was fine

No leasedaudi, I've tried it with and without and just can't get on with it. So much more cumbersome than our other pram!

We've ordered a BJCM GT after looking at all the reviews (especially Which?). We found a stockist and went to see it and it seemed great for all the reasons other posters have given.

I've also stopped people I've seen pushing them and asked how they like it - feedback all v positive. One mum said it was fine off road as long as you are on some sort of track (not pushing through long grass). She had also had a Bugaboo Chamelon and a Bee, and a Quinny, and liked the BJCM GT the best.

I'm 5ft4 and found the Swift felt low to me for pushing around. I know several people who love the CM.

That's very useful to know @INeedNewShoes, I'm 5ft2 but DH is approaching 6ft, sounds like the Swift would be no good for him.

Thanks @1Wanda1, I have also turned into a buggy spotter and stopped a woman this morning, they had a regular City Mini not the GT but seemed very happy with it. As long as it can cope with rough paths we should be fine with the GT.

Haha yes Baby Jogger definitely need to pay me as I’ve recommended it to lots of parents. I actually bought mine after spotting parents using buggies I was interested in and asking for feedback. I think BJ has become popular through word of mouth - I see lots nowadays even though it’s not on display at our local pram shops.

You can remove the fabric and wash it. We have a light stone colour- have never washed it and it still looks good. It could do with a wash now you mention it though . The fabric is quite repellent- sort of like thick tent material. I wouldn’t be put off a lighter shade.

For hot weather we really rate a sheepskin liner. It sounds counter-intuitive but it has kept our DD cool in 35 degree heat. The BJ raincover we have isn’t a great fit, it works but a bit annoying to use (we rarely use it as the hood is good enough for light showers). But our rain cover is 3 years old- maybe they’ve improved the design now?

www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-partners-car-seat-and-pushchair-lambskin-liner/p231011599

Sandstorm if I were you I’d look into selling it if you don’t like it, apparently they sell quite well on the second hand market. Replace with another second hand model you like instead- life is too short to push around a piece of kit you don’t get on with!

We have the baby jogger GT - just got back from a holiday where we used our umbrella stroller and remembered why we’ve stuck with the GT while all our friends with bugaboos etc have swapped to strollers as the kids have got older.. easy to handle one handed, easy to
Manoeuvre, fine off road, I have a horse and easy to wash.. folds well into the car.. we had the deluxe pram top too and that was great and then swapped to the buggy at about 5 months (but she was sitting up well by then).

I loved my city mini, I've had lots of pushchairs and this is the only one I would buy again, the fold is amazing and its so easy to push.

Great tip about the liner @BlueKittens thank you. I'll look into the raincovers,shame it's not included!

Thanks @snop and @vroc81 , you guys are very persuasive! I loved the fold too. I'm still not convinced we won't eventually need something more compact on days when we're hopping on and off public transport, but I guess we can start with the baby jogger and a sling and see how we get on.

Incase it matters to you there is currently no matching footmuff for the charcoal denim..
I agree re the sheepskin liner. I brought a universal one from Gabe and Grace but put in the comments that it was for a BJCM and they created a custom opening in it with velcro to secure it for the pull to close tab.

BlueKittens I am actually! Already bought it's replacement (a bugaboo bee as we mainly use the BJ for being small and light in the car).

they created a custom opening in it with velcro to secure it for the pull to close tab wow that's super handy! Not bothered about the footmuff my brother is passing one on that's not a BJ one but which I'm hopng will fit. I just want the most practical fabric.

(possibly) last question - if you used the carrycot what did you use in it - moses basket sheets?

Yep I used sheets from the Moses basket. From memory it comes with a removable thick sheet - it’s been a while since Ive seen it though as it’s in the loft so I I might be making that up! I used the sheet in case she was sick- could whip it into the washing machine and no damage done to mattress

The made to measure sheepskin option sounds good- we had to reach behind it to pull the fold handle and it flapped about a bit when folded.