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Pushchairs

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Original poster

A pram that ticks all the boxes (Versa/Versa GT)??

20 replies

ngxox · 13/08/2013 20:10

Hi,

I must have spent at least 40 hours on-line reading forums like this, looking at youtube videos and reading reviews of different prams trying to find one that ticks all the boxes, and after having just been to 4 different pram shops to see them in the flesh for the 1st time I am even more confused than when I started. So turning to here for some help!!

My gut instinct so far is the Baby Jogger Versa/Versa GT, from what I have read it has most of what you are looking for in a pram/stroller. High on my list are:

Parent and rear facing
Easily folded with seat still on
Compact folding to fit in smallish boot
Good on uneven terrain
Easy to maneuver around shops and on public transport if need be
Large basket
Don't really like the thought of air filled tires as these can puncture

These are the things that I think are important but am I missing any other pushchair necessity that is a must have when weighing up the options?

Like I said from what I have read about the Versa/Versa GT it seems to be the ideal pushchair and I was impressed when I saw it in the flesh (albeit it was a bit heavy to carry but didn't feel heavy to push), however there is one major problem, my partner says it's hideous looking (and he feels REALLY strongly about it) and I have to slightly agree, of all the prams in the shop it was definitely not one of the prettiest. However I am totally willing to overlook this if it really is as good as it sounds in all other respects.

I know this is a relatively new pram and so might not be as many reviews of it online as some of the others and therefore looking for some open and honest advice from people who have had experience of this pram and it's pro's and con's.

Also if there are any other suggestions as to prams that you think fit my bill then I am really open to all comments.

Apologies for the long winded post but I am honestly one step away from converting a shopping trolly into a pram if I don't decide on one soon, it is doing my head in!!!

Thanks in advance for your help!!!

OP posts:
Laquila · 14/08/2013 18:22

I feel your frustration ;)

I drive myself similarly mad and in the end went for the Versa GT, after a lot of helpful people on here gave me good advice, although it's worth reminding yourself that there's pretty no much thing as the one perfect holy grail pram (otherwise we'd all have it) so don't beat yourself up too much about trying to find it!

We've taken delivery of our Versa GT now but baby not due for another two weeks, so I'm afraid I can't really help in terms of real-life experience.
My list was very similar to yours, though, and after a lot of research it seemed as though the Versa GT ticked more of those boxes than anything else (although the Chameleon 3 and Vista came pretty close seconds).

It cracks me up that your husband thinks it's ugly - mine would literally not have noticed if the Versa had been made of straw/covered in pictures of dancing fairies/poo-coloured, God love him.

AnythingNotEverything · 14/08/2013 18:25

Have you looked at the Uppababy Vista? I haven't seen it folded, but I have similar criteria to you and it ticks all my boxes.

There's a thread in prams about it with info about what boots it fits in - sorry I can't link from my phone.

AnythingNotEverything · 14/08/2013 18:25

Sorry - the thread is in pregnancy, not prams.

Original poster
ngxox · 14/08/2013 18:39

Thanks guys, i noticed that the vista and the cam keep getting talked about alongside the versa so might take another trip to the pram shop and look at them side by side and get a feel for them together (have looked at them separately but not in comparison to each other).

As for the OH he went to work today and was obviously discussing it with one of his colleagues who informed him that thats the pram he has and said it was great so all of a sudden the way it looks doesnt seem that much of an issue, apparently my 40 hours of online research wasnt quite enough to convince him that was the way to go but a 5 min chat with another bloke was all it took, men eh? Ha ha!! good luck with the new arrival laquilla and hope the versa does the trick!! Xx

OP posts:
Ihateparties · 14/08/2013 18:45

The vista only folds with the seat of forward facing, it's not really that compact either open or folded, would be a struggle in most small cars.

Atm i have a poor man's versa - a joie chrome. It does all the same things in a basic sense, crucially the folding in one piece with the seat parent facing. It's more compact then the versa when open but not folded, less terrain suitable and the seat is a totally different kettle of fish. Lie flat not bucket seat, not as roomy as the versa.

So there is the odd other thing around with the same features but having had a versa I do think that is generally the best option and shopping around will bring the price down to really a very reasonable level considering what you get.

Original poster
ngxox · 14/08/2013 19:32

Thanks ihateparties, i think deep down iv got my mind made up on a versa (probaby gt) just waiting to see if anyone is really strongly against it and so far iv not heard anyone say "dont get it" it might not be everyone's cup of tea due to personal preferences/circumstances but there seems to be a general consensus that it's a quality pushchair that achieves what it set out to and reasonably priced compared to the bugaboo for example which hasn't escaped the odd negative review from people who feel quite strongly against it!! Xx

OP posts:
Tiggywunkle · 14/08/2013 22:44

I can't say, dont get it because its one of my collection. Its a fantastic all round pushchair. You can literally take it anywhere (except serious off road) whereas I tend to pick and choose which pushchair for which occasion. The Versa is one of two which will suit any occasion.

I love that your man suddenly did a turn around when his colleague had one. Thats great!

Dh2812 · 14/08/2013 22:50

I had the same list as you and I got the versa. I really like it. Smooth ride, easy to maneuver, compact and so easy to fold, brilliant sized basket. My only reservation now that I've used it for a few weeks is the standard versa's use 'off road'. We took it out on to our local common and it jiggled baby about abit too much for my liking but coped really well considering its not all terrain. I think the gt version would solve this if you are concerned about that.

Ihateparties · 14/08/2013 23:01

I'm not totally convinced that it would.. the gt version has no rear suspension.. this is why i have no versa in essense, it's eva wheels and suspension or gt wheels and no suspension. I want both! I had a standard versa and later a city mini gt and although the gt was lovely to push the standard versa was imo better due to having suspension.

Original poster
ngxox · 15/08/2013 07:33

I see a very obvious gap in the market for someone to invent one that does everything, it surely cant be that hard, maybe ill make that my mission when im off on mat leave and then i wont need to go back to work!!!

I think im being a bit optimistic with my intention to go all these country walks anyway, i dont do it now so not sure having a baby is a good time to start!! Its like saying i was gonna have my 5 a day every day when i got pregnant and that never quite panned out as planned ha ha x

OP posts:
Sparkeleigh · 15/08/2013 11:41

Thanks for starting this thread ngxox! I've been having the same dilemma regarding the versa / versa gt and wondering if the suspension would compensate for not having the forever air wheels.

Just in case you're interested, I was looking at the versa on Amazon this morning and the red one is down to £336.20 instead of £339. I want the red so that's tempting me! Amazon customer service have always been pretty good when I've contacted them too...

Tiggywunkle - sorry if I'm being thick but do you have the versa or the versa gt? Whichever one it is, it sounds good if it can cope with everything but serious off road.

Tiggywunkle · 15/08/2013 21:06

I have a Versa GT, but I have also had a standard Versa. The Versa GT was good in the ice last winter. But I did lock the front wheels on the standard Versa and pushed across several knee deep in grass farmers fields!!
The compromise with the GT is there isnt the rear suspension, but the chunky wheels are pretty good at absorbing bumps.

Sparkeleigh · 15/08/2013 22:36

Thanks for your reply Tiggywunkle! The versa it is then Grin it feels so good to have made the decision at last!

Ngxox, sorry for hijacking your thread!

SilverSixpence · 15/08/2013 23:47

Have a look at the Mutsy Igo. It's a little more expensive but is much nicer looking than the Versa imo, folds nice and small and has a decent basket. Apparently they are bringing out a buggy board and duoseat which will make it more versatile

Ihateparties · 16/08/2013 00:04

a duoseat for the i-go you say???

SilverSixpence · 16/08/2013 22:26

Yes but not til 2015 according to their Facebook page!

islasmummy2013 · 18/08/2013 12:20

I have recently sold my bugaboo cameleon for a versa gt, I agree that it's not the prettiest of things however I'm liking it so far, I find it really heavy though, paticularly lifting up kerbs x

Sparkeleigh · 19/08/2013 10:41

ngxox After being convinced for months I was going to go for either the versa or the versa gt because only they had all I was looking for, I went to mothercare on Saturday to look at cots and they had the Britax Affinity in. I hadn't seen it before and I loved it.

It's got 4 wheel suspension, air tyres at the back and a reversible seat. It's about the same weight as the versa gt with the seat on, but about 11kg without and folds reasonably small without the seat attached. It was pretty easy to bump up and down the kerb in the showroom so I put a deposit on it since it worked out cheaper than the versa gt too and the carrycot was free. Your criteria was the same as mine so it might be worth a look...

Original poster
ngxox · 20/08/2013 18:22

Wee update, i ordered the versa gt, was really starting to get sleepless nights thinking about all the options so i took the plunge and went with it, not due til december so a bit of a wait before i find out what its really like but ill be sure to come back on here and let all the other baffled mums to be know what i think!! Thanks for all your input!! Now on to the next research project will it be the cot, car seat, steralisers, baby monitors, the list is endless probably just as well im not due for another 4 months ha ha xx

OP posts:
Sparkeleigh · 21/08/2013 10:04

Ohh, you're so much more organised than me, I'm due in October! Grin Do come back and tell us what you think, I'd still love to hear reviews of it!

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