Travel systems

[SquidgyPeach]

As much as I'd love a silvercross as is often suggested. It's not in my price range, I've also found it difficult to find second-hand ones in my area and I'd like new as will probably come with a warranty.

My mum has offered to buy me a travel system/pram as a gift, so I really want to get a nice, affordable one. I don't really want her spending more than 350-375. I've been looking on Smyths and I have seen various ones I like the look of but not sure if they'll be cheaply made and not compatible with the area I live in. I've not been able to go and look at them because of the area I live in (poorly stocked display and no more mothercare) and now Covid.

I live VERY rurally, I don't drive so it will mostly be used out and about on mixed terrain. I want something which looks nice and smart and has a good set of tyres aswell. I'm 5"7 so don't want something which is too low down either. Does such a travel system/pram exist?

I've been looking at the babylo collection in Smyths as well as CBX Leotie Lux and various different ones on Online4Baby etc. Anyone have any experience with these or suggestions?

I'm finding it hard to see any solid reviews on the not so common websites. Please help I'm 36 weeks! Just Can't make up my mind, been trying to pick for months now.

Hello, congrats on your pregnancy!
I’ve got a 6 month old and bought a Bugaboo Cameleon...expensive yes but we walk lots, almost everyday so it’s been worth it IMO.
Have you looked at Joie travel systems? I’ve seen these get v good reviews online. Also v reasonably priced. We’ve got two of their car seats and pleased. Best of luck!

Joie Chrome travel system is great and very good value

Lots of helpful reviews on the madeformums website and once you've narrowed down your shortlist you could watch some YouTube reviews, often there are helpful demos.

We got ours from Mamas & Papas a few years ago and we were very happy with it (haven't used it for a while but saving it for DC2). I think they have lots of fancy newer models now that would be worth checking out.

It might be worth waiting until the bank holiday weekend at the end of May in case there are any offers.

(We bought our "big ticket" items in the Black Friday sales and saved some money that way.)

www.madeformums.com/awards/mfm-awards-2020-winners-prams-pushchairs-lightweights-and-double-buggies/

^ CBX Leotie Lux is mentioned, silver award winner

If you don't drive and will be using it on public transport, get something that you can fold one handed in case someone in a wheelchair gets on.

We are hoping for make do with a baby carrier/sling plus car seat instead. We live very urban, share a car, have next to no storage space for a travel system or buggy, and we love to walk! I have been reassured by lots of online reviews and forums that this is perfectly doable. We will only buy a pushchair once baby is here if we find we need to.

(for cost and storage reasons)

The cybex leotie looks good with the suspension and the carrycot can be used for naps off the chassis which is a nice feature for daytime downstairs or visiting family and friends. For the price it seems very good but I've not used it with a child personally

Joie is good too but I don't know if it lends itself to off-roading quite so much...

We got 2nd hand and ended up later buying a new silvercross pioneer which dd had from around 2 I think. Its done very well and will be using it again this time however will likely get a stroller when we move and use more trains etc. I would get another 2nd hand as I think the quality is decent and they are pretty cheap on ebay if you check often.

Consider the weight of it and not just how light or easy it is for a newborn baby and think about storage inside the house too.. We moved house and there is absolutely no space for the pram so it's constantly in the boot which would be a pain for csections or a quick pop to the shops

Thanks so much for all of your responses and suggestions. It was hard enough picking before but now there's hardly anywhere with displays aswell as covid it's near impossible.

We don't use public transport all that often so mainly I just want a nice comfy travel system for baby which is fine to get a good bit of use out of. Right now I think the Leotie Lux is probably top of the list. I did look at the ickle bubba V3 previously but reviews have been mixed, hood looks a bit flimsy and I'm not a fan of the name :D

We used a sling a lot with my DC1, which was great but with a C section scar it can be a bit uncomfortable and I always imagine myself falling over... I can be quite clumsy. We never had a proper buggy last time which I always regretted as it just wasn't very comfy for him at all so I avoided using it till he was able to sit upright.

There are various ones which really look lovely but it's difficult to know whether they'll be any good when it comes to frequent use and many lack reviews.

@namechange30 thank you for that link it has been very helpful!

I would look at out and about nippers or mountain buggy, I think you can buy carrycots for both. Maybe be a tiny bit over your budget but not much and are real workhorses.

They are very well made for off roaring, don't let the low price put you off.

Off roaring even!

Would second checking out mountain buggy and similar.. They are really good for rural living

I found a more supportive carrier after a few months in the sling, or alternating was good for both csection pains and feeling a bit more sturdy on my legs! We just had a mamas and papas one but I used that and the sling much more when walking in fields and woods