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Pushchairs

Join our Pram forum for pram advice. Plus read our round up of the best pushchairs currently available.

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Original poster

Maclaren or similar- what am I looking for ?

19 replies

Liveinthepresent · 18/02/2013 15:37

We are planning to get a lightweight umbrella fold buggy for an upcoming holiday.
To date DD has used bugaboo cameleon - and I am expecting DC 2 in June when she will be 2.3.
We don't really want to spend loads on one now when I suspect we will end up buying a double of some sort. But I know it will be useful on lots of occasions not just the holiday - so do we just buy a basic one or in your opinion/ experience is it worth spending more as it may end up being used for several years?
Any voices of experience to help me?
TIA

OP posts:

hotdog74 · 18/02/2013 16:19

Well just my two cents worth - I bought the cheap and cheerful one for a holiday, and hated it so much that I bought a Maclaren in the end which is fab. DD is now 2.3 and I still use both the Mac and her big pushchair depending on the situation, but think I may sell the big one this summer and just use the Mac as her will to walk improves.

HTH

Radiator1234 · 18/02/2013 17:01

Smilar to
hotdog. My two pennies worth just relates to a single buggy as opposed to double, but for my DD I had an icandy peach (loved) but wanted a lightweight buggy to go on holiday. I did zero research and went to Mothercare to buy a buggy at about 4pm on a Sunday when we were going on holiday the following Monday. I asked the helpful shop assistant which was the best/most popular and she told me that the O'Baby one was. I pushed it around... It felt ok, so I bought it without really trying out others. My fault yes!

I then got on holiday, couldn't work out how to fold the buggy down etc. still to this day 2 years on, while I now know the "technique" I assume I am going to chop my fingers off each time.

On same holiday a friend showed me her fancy Maclaren.

I really regret not having done my research as I would have certainly gone for the Maclaren. Twice the price, but easier to push/fold/more storage etc. in the end I bought another Maclaren on eBay.

You really get what you at for IMO.

I am expecting my second baby my Dd is now 2.9 so not sure if I will other with a twin buggy or not. Probably not, but if I do it will be a Mclaren (eBay probably as wont have that much use out of it) no question!

Original poster

Liveinthepresent · 18/02/2013 20:00

Thanks both - I am normally easily persuaded into the 'you get what you pay for camp' so if it's to be a Maclaren - any views on what model - do I need to get a top of the range type - or does a basic model still have the quality / easy fold / easy push benefits?
I imagine that once I get past short term double buggy situation and DD is old enough to walk a lot more I would still use a Maclaren for DC2 for quite some time to come so would rather invest once than buy cheap and cheerful and end up buying another one later on...

OP posts:

Radiator1234 · 18/02/2013 20:54

Hi there it was the single Techno one that I always coveted....and that's the one I eventually got from eBay (for 15 quid... Albeit a pretty used/trashed one!). Wish I'd just got a brand new one all along and paid the full wack, as nowadays I never use my Icandy, only use the umbrella buggies, and I haven't used it for a year or so. About to dust it off for new baby though and I have bought a buggy board.

Re. Doubles though, I don't really have a view as to which is the best model sorry. Am sure you will be able to find plenty of reviews online or otherwise other people on this forum might have an opinion. Maybe just go to Mothercare/John Lewis push a few around see what you think.

I know with my umbrella pushchair (O'Baby) the one thing that I do like is that it is suitable "from birth" which means that the seat goes back very flat. This was very useful when DD was a baby as we could do the whole bed/bath routine at home, then put her in her pushchair where she would sleep, if we wanted to go out for a meal (either at home, as we used to live within walking distance to lots of restaurants) or on hols. Different considerations when you have a baby AND a toddler though :-)

Radiator1234 · 18/02/2013 20:56

Sorry to clarify I think my trashed techno one is suitable from birth too....she is only interested in sitting up nowadays so never needed to try putting it back.

wearymum200 · 18/02/2013 20:57

We have the cheapest maclaren that reclines. Not suitable from birth but easy fold and push. Have had loads of use from it (2dc), but it is now a wreck.... not as robust as bugaboo but did the job

dizzy77 · 18/02/2013 21:02

I have a techno xt got it used off eBay for about £100 think they were about £220 new. It was barely used when I got it when DS was about 11mo as I needed to fold one up for nursery etc but still did a decent amount of walking around on non-working days chi like that it lies flat, the cosy toes (I bought separately off ebay for about another £20) is warm, comes on and off easily for washing, the rain cover is the simplest ever with 4 buttons and the thing folds up and down simply. I can't get much in the basket nor hang much on the handle but I started carrying kit in my back which helped.

I'd get one again. Now in the market for a double with DC2 due when DS us 2 and I'm dreading getting something unwieldy. Don't fancy the side by side as people say they keep kicking the middle wheel!

Original poster

Liveinthepresent · 18/02/2013 21:37

Thanks that helpful info.
To clarify I am not asking about doubles or for newborn I want to buy it for our pre DC2 arrival holiday. DD will be 2.
DD never ever sleeps on the go so don't think recline will matter.
But would justify upgrading if I know it will get used once Dc2 is older.

I am planning to use existing bugaboo carry cot if possible for new born days. But know I may also end up needing some sort of double as well - am planning to only make that decision when DC2 arrives.

OP posts:

NoodieRoodie · 18/02/2013 21:49

I have 2 Maclaren Quests, bought both online second hand, one was £10 and the other £30, good condition. When I got the first it looked a bit grubby but you can remove the fabric and chuck it in the washing machine and it comes up lovely.

It doesn't totally recline flat but DS has nodded off in it and seems comfy enough plus it's really lightweight. At the moment ours lives in the car and is used on days out and the other lives at my mothers for when we visit, as I still use my huge pram day to day.

TuesdayNightDateNight · 18/02/2013 21:50

If you really don't need the recline, you absolutely can't go wrong with the volo. It is light as a feather, easy to fold, has a lovely large hood and can literally carry anything!

Otherwise I would go for a new quest. They now recline fully and are suitable from birth.

I would avoid the triumph, the recline is awkward. Personally I think the techno is really a bit big for a holiday stroller. It's a great buggy for a full time buggy, but quite heavy and hefty.

Original poster

Liveinthepresent · 18/02/2013 22:23

Thanks again.
Tuesday you sound like an expert!

OP posts:

Colliecollie · 18/02/2013 22:29

Yes don't get a triumph, the quest is miles better.

manitz · 18/02/2013 22:30

hi you may have already made your mind up as advice good above. i have had several buggies inc a maclaren quest (I think) and a maclaren double. Didn't like the double and the quest was great - it's the cheapest reclining one that maclaren do. Eventually after two kids it died on me - I always have a larger pram type thing for newborn and have a p&t too so I needed a maclaren for lugging up stairs on tubes/buses and holidays so I got the volo which doesn't recline but is really small to push around/store/transport and really light. I figured I'd had enough of attempting to get one buggy to do all things so for my light buggy I want the lightest thing around. Dc 3 and dc 4 have both been fine without the recline from about 8 months. I use a sheepskin liner to make it really comfy and in winter it's great - I keep it in the car now dc4 is out of first baby seat (used to stick seat on a frame before). hth

threepiecesuite · 18/02/2013 22:35

I have a Quest and it has sincerely been the best bit of babykit we ever bought. My SIL had one too, it lasted her 2 DC, then passed to a friend for 2 more DC andstill going strong, robust as ever.
I still use it now and then for my DD who is 3 tomorrow and it's still a joy to push.

livealoha · 18/02/2013 22:39

Quest

Original poster

Liveinthepresent · 19/02/2013 20:14

Thanks so much I havent made a decision yet but must admit the Quest was tempting as I may regret not having the recline with DC2.

OP posts:

cloutiedumpling · 20/02/2013 19:18

I've had both a quest (old style) and a triumph. I preferred the triumph and used it so much that the wheels were worn down. It does have a little recline but not much and the recline is a little fiddly. It is very light though. I liked that I could fold it up and put it over my shoulder if we were going on a bus or I had to carry one of the DSs up a flight of stairs. You can do this with the quest but it is a bit heavier and longer to carry. IMO both are good buggies, you just have to decide which qualities you value more.

manitz · 20/02/2013 20:11

sorry i got it wrong, I had a triumph which I loved and now have a volo which I also love. the triumph had some recline which was useful but I feel I have gained because the volo is so light and really nifty. I have never had a quest!!

noisytoys · 20/02/2013 20:24

I have the Triumph it's great, lightweight, comfy for the toddler and has the carry strap so I can put it on my back and carry it up to my flat. I walk 4-6 miles a day it can take a beating

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