Pushchair experts can I have your opinions on my short list please

[FatimaLovesBread]

DH and I called and had a look at some pushchairs yesterday. We've got a while to go but we ended up having a play with some.

I think it's down to a short list of about 5 that we looked at....

Babystyle Oyster
iCandy Strawberry
Maxi cosi Elea
Bugaboo Bee

We also like the Bugaboo Cameleon but think its out of our price range although they did have an offer to get a free Cabriofix car seat.

The Bee we felt wasn't sturdy enough but I like the look of it and it's from birth, but not sure the suspension would be any good for lapping round a sports field.

The Elea was a good package on offer, folded up compact and seats suitable from birth but just looks a bit odd.

The Oyster and Strawberry we both like but the strawberry feels a bit higher quality. Also, there was an offer with a free cabriofix so would work out similar priced as the cheaper oyster.

Could you give me your informed opinions please? Which would you pick?
Are there any pushchairs that are better than these that I haven't looked at?

Thanks

[Tiggywunkle]

Ok, you certainly not want the Bee to go around a sports field and indeed I am not sure I would be taking any of the others really? Is this an average sort of football pitch in autumn winter, or hard grass / pathways in summer before I get the wrong end of the stick?
The Strawberry is the one I would pick as having the best wheels (and best quality)...in fact I would pick it anyway head and shoulders above the others.
But if you do need a pushchair to go over a soft field, I think you may want to consider something more off road. I am not even sure if I would take the Cameleon in reverse off road mode across a soft field but you can get snow wheels and it's probably the best for off road of your list.

[ItsMyLastOne]

I was imagining a normal sports field which is more like a flat park, possibly with a paved area too. If that's the case then I'd get the strawberry.

I have an Oyster and it's really good for the price etc, but if you can get a strawberry package for the same price get that. I agree the quality is a lot higher, icandy's warrantee is longer iirc, it has a neat fold forward or parent facing. The only negative thing is the basket IMO, it's just a bit small and funny shaped. But if you won't need to put tonnes of shopping, children's bags, coats etc in it then I'm sure it'll be fine.

The strawberry gets my vote, followed by the oyster.

Definitely not the elea or bee. I just don't think they'll cut it for what you need.

[FatimaLovesBread]

Thanks for your views. It's a cricket field so it should be mainly smooth and firm rather than a bumpy soft field.
I felt the strawberry would cope with it easily, the bee felt too rickety and more like a stroller than a pram.

The shop we went to had an offer for the oyster: black chassis, carrycot and the two colour packs for £435, then we'd be buying the maxi cosi cabriofix at around £100-130. The strawberry was £450 with free cabriofix then £95 for the carrycot so would work out about the same.

Do you have to buy the flavour pack with the strawberry like you do with the oyster or does it come with a hood and colours can be added on?

[Tiggywunkle]

A cricket pitch is better than a football or rugby pitch!!

I dont think the Bee is up for the job.

The Oyster with air tyres wouldn't be too bad off road but then they are extra as well. The Strawberry definitely needs the flavour packs or like the Oyster you have no hood. You need one for the carrycot and one for the stroller.

[FatimaLovesBread]

Ahh so if you definitely need the flavour pack that's another £75 each.
Oh that's just complicated things

Are there any others I should be looking at?

[Safmellow]

If you get the Elea make sure it is the newer version with the bigger hood (I think it has a zip in it) x

[snala]

Was the £450 quoted for the strawberry including flavour packs and the carry cot? That's a cracking deal.

[snala]

Sorry, I'm on my phone and not all the previous posts came up. As you were

[HypatiaTheProcrastinator]

That Oyster package could be cheaper. Eg. You could buy it here for £384 using the £15 off code without the carseat, £494 with a Cabriofix. I'd get the Britax personally though as it's got a longer back, is cheaper and safer. I would buy the air tyres, but they're only about £25 so not expensive at all.

I'm actually not so impressed with the chassis of the Strawberry and would choose the Oyster over it with a difference in price of £200.

[FatimaLovesBread]

The britax car seat? Is that one better then?
Thanks for the link, we'll have a look at that.

What about the Uppababy Vista or the Baby Jogger Versa? I like the BJCM but want a rear facer.

[Tiggywunkle]

I would disagree with Hypatia and much prefer the Strawberry over the Oyster. The Vista is top spec, great value for money with a beautiful carrycot. Plus it has options later for two or three children. The car seat adaptors are included too. The Versa would be a fab 'do everything' pushchair. Small fold, big seat, carrycot, car seat adaptors. It seems excellent. Have you looked at the Easywalker June too?

[FatimaLovesBread]

No, I'll have a look at that. Do we know how much the Versa will cost roughly or is it a case of wait and see?