How do you rate Maclaren Pushchairs against other brands?

[TribbleWithoutACause]

Honest opinions please;

I like the look of a Maclaren, I've heard a lot of good things about them and the majority of people I speak to either have/or have used a Maclaren. My friend stated that they last a lot longer than other brands she's had (she's had a fair few children and has been a childminder, so she's had ample oppurtunity to test the things out).

My DH thinks I've become a bit too Maclaren focused (he's probably right) in our buggy hunt.

So in the spirit of things, I'm asking honestly if people think they're worth it or if other brands of pushchair are better.

Thanks in advance.

[aswellasyou]

I have a twin Maclaren something-or-other for my daughter and niece. We got it when they were about 2 months I think and they're now 7 months. I'm amazed that people think Maclarens are so fantastic, I don't agree. The seats are difficult to recline, it's not especially comfortable, the hoods don't shade the sun very well, the straps start well above their heads, the seat bends in the middle of their backs, one of the handles has bent with the weight of shopping, the side bars up the back have bent a bit and it's really hard to get into some car boots. It is a bit longer than a single so I'll forgive it the last point. I don't complain though because it cost £21 and we need a twin one sometimes.
I've recently bought a Chicco Lite Way and it is infinitely better as a stroller. If Chicco did a double version it would be amazing!

[sweetkitty]

Maclaren twins are rubbish I agree

[mouseanon]

I've been through loads of buggies of different makes and the maclaren quest is my favourite by far. Small and light with good recline and leg rest for baby. That said it is my in car shopping/holiday buggy. I have a mountain buggy for walking out from home (school runs, dog walks, walks to local shops). The quest has been bumped over some rough terrain and come to no harm but it's not what it is designed for really.

Have also had an XT, great buggy but too big (handles too high and too long in car boot). Also still got an old volo, 8 yrs old, used and abused, really light and small, but lack of recline lets it down.

Had a couple of different Jane buggies and hated them both, flimsy, hard to push, raincovers a nightmare. A cheap bruin one that was lovely for baby but I kept kicking the back while walking. A micralight which was disappointingly flimsy, collapsed while being carried up stairs.

[Udderly]

Oh its hard to go from a travel system to a maclaren. I got a Quest as a holiday buggy and while DD puts up with it, she really doesn't like it and isn't comfortable. She was 5mos when we needed to use it and was still really too small for it at that stage, it is in no way suitable from 4 months. The basket is tiny and inaccessible if the seat is reclined. It actually takes up quite a bit of room in the carboot. The rain cover is great though. I am now in a position where the buggy part of my travel system isn't great either. I'm beginning to covet a phil&teds. Anyway, I think any old pushchair is probably as good.

[duckypoo]

They are ok, had a "triumph" I think as a stroller with dd, lasted ok, about a year and then a wheel fell off. We had a techno xt for ds which i liked, but was nicked , they are better I think as have bigger wheels, but heavier. They do tend towards tipping though if you put anything at all on the handles.

Am on ds2 now (17 months) and have had so many prams and most fail with wheels either falling off or wearing away. I used to think strollers were better for older babies but am now tending towards the 3 wheeled, strollers are quite hard to push for long distances. I have a shabby old 3 wheeler I got from argos and a second hand urban detour from ebay, both are far easier to push with a lumpen toddler than a lighter flimsier stroller.

I really like the urban detour, very easy to push and comfy for ds, noticed since getting it how many other people have them. It doesn't fold up very small and isn't particularily light to carry, but I use it on buses ect.

If money was no object I'd fancy a jane slalom.

[duckypoo]

I do miss that lovely hood on the techno xt though, you could unzip it and it came really far forward, shaded from the sun really well, why can't all buggies have that.

[GwendolineMaryLacey]

I was going to ask where you nicked the xt from duckypoo till I re-read it and realised someone nicked it from you :o

[notcitrus]

I got a XT for newborn and now aged 2.6 it's still going strong despite loads of walking, being folded, and bumped up and down flights of stairs. Never had any problem reclining it and the hood goes over far enough you rarely need the raincover. Useful pockets on the back, OK not that much storage underneath and a bit difficult to get at when baby still lying flat. And it took about 6 months of daily folding before it was possible to do it one-handed.

So I'd highly recommend it for anyone who uses public transport/walks a lot. Though I'm thinking about getting something really light for carrying around for when ds gets tired.

I also have the XT twin and it's great for occasional use and folds up small in the hall, but it's a bugger to get up and down kerbs - often have to kick it and pull backwards to get up, and once went down a kerb and it went over forwards - luckily had raincover on so ds and dn were unscathed.