Note: This topic is for discussing pushchairs. Read our round up of the top pushchairs to find out which ones were awarded Mumsnet Best.
Note: This topic is for discussing pushchairs. Read our round up of the top pushchairs to find out which ones were awarded Mumsnet Best.
Pushchairs
Worth paying more for a Maclaren?
PumpkinM · 21/10/2010 09:35
I am looking for a buggy to take on holiday with my DD who is 14 weeks now and will be 5 months when we go away. We are flying and hiring a car. I have a travel system but don't want to take it with me so it is not damaged, and also is is a bit big and bulky.
So, should I get a cheapy - Boots have a Britax B-lite for £49.99, or is it really worth spending more for a Maclaren Techno XT, which is 3 times more expensive?
We do travel quite a bit as MIL lives in Ireland. So the buggy we buy would be used 3-4 times a year for trips there as well.
Thanks in advance!
TheGrumpalo · 21/10/2010 09:38
If you're really only going to use it for holidays then no I wouldn't say it was worth it. However once you start using a lighter pushchair you may want to use it more often and in my opinion Maclarens are worth every penny as you get so much wear out of them.
My techno xt was used for both of my dds and was well worth it.
TheLifeOfRiley · 21/10/2010 09:40
Maclarens are well worth the money, great for folding down small, light to carry, etc. As you will be using it more than once I would say buy one.
Also I agree with TheGrumpalo - once you have used a lighter buggy you may use your travel system less often.
mirikiri · 21/10/2010 12:06
I've got the mclaren techno xlr and regretted not to have bought the xt instead - the xlr is far too big for the car and doesn't fold down that easily. Make sure you try it out (fold it, lift it, etc...) before you buy!
Actually i'm so disappointed that i'm wondering if maclarens aren't actually overrated although i used to have a very old quest and that was great!
if it's just for holidays go for cheap option but you might find you'll prefer the xt to your travel system when dd is older in which case I'd go for it. sorry just repeating what grupalo said!
PumpkinM · 22/10/2010 10:36
Thanks for all the advice. I think I will bite the bullet and spend the money on a decent buggy, and hope it doesn't get wrecked or lost in transit!!
Fresh01 · 28/10/2010 14:31
We have a 4.5 year old Maclaren Quest and yes it has definitely been worth it. When deciding what buggy to get the shop assistant asked us how many kids we were planning to have. The cheaper strollers last a couple of years but the Maclarens will last many years therefore through several kids.
The other thing to consider is airlines will let you take a umbrella buggy to the gate when flying but not generally a travel system. My youngest is 9 months and I wouldn't have liked to have to carry him through the airport on a recent holiday as he is just too heavy.
As my older 2 kids have got nearer a year old and you no longer want to attach the car seat, my car buggy gets used most of the time for quick trips to the shops, swimming etc etc. I tend to only take the "big pram" when I will be out for most of the day.
MonkeysPunk · 31/10/2010 10:17
I personally HATE maclaren buggies. I don't like the two handed seat recline or small hard seat. Don't like the pull out calf rest that always bends and becomes hard to use. Don't like the plastic arch in the rear of the hood. Don't like two handles. Don't like handles made of something that turns sticky! Don't like tiny net basket beneath which is hard to reach. What i DO like is the baby jogger city mini. Folds small. Fab for buses, trains and planes. Large comfy seat for baby. Very stable easy to push. Huge basket that is strong. Lovely comfy rubber single bar handlebar. So you can push one handed if you need to hold an umbrella. Huge hood that can darken seat for sleeping if you want. Fantastic quality. Way better value for money than a Maclaren. I'm guessing most Maclaren users that love them have not tried a baby jogger city mini, and possibly they are drivers too who don't spend so many hours actually pushing pushchairs maybe?
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