Best pushchair / stroller for a big toddler?

[MayfairMummy]

DS is just starting nursery this week, and we need a collapsible stroller to leave there as I don't want to be pushing my cameleon back and forth unneccesarily (and it just doesn't collapse well enough to spend the morning on a stairwell). DS is 2.5 and very tall. As I walk everywhere (with the pushchair), he's developed the habit of not wanting to walk himself. I tried him with the scooter yesterday, but halfway there he just gave up and wanted to be carried... and he's just too heavy now, and tantrums aren't a happy start to either of our days. I don't want to buy an expensive stroller as it's only a few blocks away and unless it replaces my cameleon completely, it'll almost only be used for the nursery run... but i want one that will handle a bigger child, not collapse in 3 months. Any recommendations anyone? It really must have a basket, please....

------------------------

Hello,

We've noticed this thread is quite old and some of the product recommendations are a little out of date. We've spent weeks speaking to parents and testing out strollers and buggies. Here's our round up of the best lightweight buggies available to buy now

Hope that helps!

We had the exact same problem as DS ws very tall for his age and we were recommended an XT but after 3 months he started dragging his feet on the wheels which was a PITA as the pram would shunt to a stop and I also felt like he was constantly falling out of the seat.

In the end we got a Baby Jogger City Mini which although was expensive was the best pushchair I ever had (out of 6!) and got used until DS finally managed to walk all the way to nursery and back at 3.5YO .

Would fully recommend as he had plenty of headspace and could'nt put his feet on the ground or wheels :o

Ahhh.. DingleDangleDiva... I know exactly what you mean. We had a "travel" pram for a while; DS was forever dragging his feet on the wheels when he got bored - terribly annoying to keep walking into the back of a pram that's suddenly stopped. I think I'll have a look at the Mini - my all time favourite pram is actually the Nipabout OutnAbout which is no longer made - it's brilliant but doesn't cope with DS's weight and our front stairs anymore (unfortunate frame issue), which is why i moved to the Bugaboo (which doesn't even come close to my Nipabout).... and if that doesn't work, I guess i'll go with a Maclaren, though the dinosaur jive does match DS's current favourite animal... Thanks DDD, Thanks Lady1

Is this the Nipabout you mean?

My friend has just bought one for her LO due in a few weeks, glad to hear it's good :o

The Nipper might be another option if you don't mind it not being tiny like a Maclaren ut still folds up decent and is great for walking.

I bought a Silver Cross Halo for around £50 including postage from EBay (someone is selling lots of returns off) and it seems very sturdy with my heading rapidly for three year old in it. It folds nice and flat.

Just to throw a spanner in the works... i would sell the cameleon and buy an uppababy Vista. If you put the seat ff you can quickly and easily fold it in one piece. It free stands when folded, and is rather compact.
It has the biggest most useful basket beneath.
It runs along really easily. Makes really light work of a 3y old plus shopping! It's lighter to push than any other stroller I've tried ever (thats well over a hundred other brands of stroller).
You still get to push a luxury stroller, with all the comforts that brings you and your toddler. It's way more convenient to use than the cameleon. (i used to have a cameleon)

Oh, and in the Vista your toddler cannot reach the wheels or the brake! :-D

Hi DingleDangle... sorry; got caught up in morning sickness and DH being away and DS teething... Yes, that is the nipabout. I love it. It does have some issues with the frame though, which is why they've stopped making it, but the customer service is brilliant, and as long as you don't bump a 15kg boy, plus the week's shopping up and down a dozen steps, 6 times a day (as I do!), then it's brilliant.

MonkeysPunk... the uppababy looks really good, i wish i'd seen that before. I only got the cameleon because it's one of the few that go over 15kg (plus tall/off road enough for 6'3" DH to push him in the park) ... but it's about to be ebayed, now I've seen that one!

Someone linked to an Aprica pushchair in the buggy addict thread earlier that takes up to 70 pounds of child!!! www.amazon.com/Aprica-Presto-Stroller-Leaf-Green/dp/B004AND668/ref=sr_1_1?s=baby-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1311014135&sr=1-1

There's a review for the aprica saying it wasn't big enough for a three year old though.. just looking at the design, I'm not convinced it'd be great with a large kid, even if it won't collapse with them in it!

I had that problem with my 2yo. He got too tall for his pushchairs so I had to sell and get one big enough. I got a baby jogger city mini and he only grew out of it height wise earlier this year (at just over 3) and then I had the micro too which has a slightly taller back to it.

Maclaren xlr has a wider seat than other maclaren models, also there's something like 26 inches between seat and hood so loads of growing room for older child.
The weight limit is 65lbs too.

Try and get hold of an old urban detour - they are fab! Big robust and easy to handle and fold up or down. My giant boy was very comfy in his bought for £30 from ebay.