Uppababy vista versus cruz - just can't decide! Any help appreciated!

[SarahMack1]

Hey,

This is my first ever mumsnet post and I'm hoping it goes down ok and I get some responses...!

After many visits to John Lewis and a lot of deliberating my dh and I have narrowed down our decision on which pram to get to the vista and cruz but I am still swinging back and forth between the 2. I have had a lot of problems with my back over the years and I want a pushchair that's a good height (I'm 5"8) so don't have to bend too much to pick baby up and adjustable handlebars are useful too, hence narrowing choice to these uppababys as both have these benefits. I also want a sizeable basket underneath so can store stuff and eliminate need to carry bags on my person.

We live in busy area of bristol and I'll mostly be using the pram to go out shopping, go to cafés etc and in this respect the cruz seems better as it's quite a bit narrower and also lighter for pushing about. A friend who also has back issues has a quinny and says its much too wide and difficult to move about...

We really want a carrycot so the baby can be sheltered whilst out and about (this ruled out the bugaboo bee) and also for the baby to sleep in at home. Because of my back I don't want to be lugging Moses basket up and down the stairs. The vista wins on this as the carrycot seems far superior and more breathable for longer sleeps. However, the vista is just so much bulkier and I wonder if after 6 months I would wish I'd got the cruz as it seems a lot easier to manoeuvre and is lighter for an older baby/toddler.

It's hard to get so much info/opinions on the cruz as it hasn't been out that long so I was just wondering if anyone has used either/both of these models and which you'd recommend? Thank you in advance!

I can't comment on the cruz, but I had a vista. Is a great pushchair, you're right that the height will be good for someone with a bad back. But the thing is seriously MASSIVE. I hadn't realised just how huge it was til I actually tried to use it day to day. The wheel base is wide, in a cafe you'll be a nuisance and in shop aisles you might get stuck. I was also not impressed with the completely non existsant suspension. We changed to a Cameleon and it was a great choice. You can still use it as a Moses basket, but the whole thing is much more compact and lighter to push. They are expensive but check out ebay for secondhand, they're built to last.

I have the Vista and love it. My DS will be 2 at the end of July and it is still a dream to push. The only reason we are getting rid of it now is because my sister wants it for her baby due in the summer, and with DS using it less and less it makes more sense for her to buy us a stroller rather than shelling out for the Vista.
I have never has a problem taking it in shops, cafés or on buses in spite of the width.
I can't comment on how it compares to other buggies though as I have never had another. But I have never regretted buying and it is still as sturdy as ever.

Do look at the bugaboo bee again. It's super comfy and sheltered and I think better for winter than many others as so snug in cocoon. It's so easy to push and very light if you every new to bounce down stairs or similar. Lower down seat actually advantage as when they are older ad heavier they can climb in and out themsleves instead if you lifting. Handle goes very high

You aren't meant to carry baby in Moses basket anyway as could tip out. In your situation I would buy a cot bed for your bedroom ( lasts newborn- 5 years), Moses basket downstairs. And just carry baby in between. It's very rare you actually want baby to stay fully asleep anyway at say 10-11pm when you move baby up with you as you probably want to feed last thing before you go to sleep so thy don't wake 30 mins later!

Thanks all. Have looked at the bugaboo chameleon and it does tick most boxes, apart from the price! Even second hand they are often more expensive than the uppababys are brand new... Although I guess we'll save money if we get a pushchair we stick with rather than swapping to another in the near future if we make the wrong choice! I'm due in mid June so really need to make a decision soon!

Any thoughts on the cruz??!

I have the Vista and didn't get along with it. Struggled in cafés and small shops and it is so bulky I always felt it was in the way. I thought the overnight sleeping of the Vista would be good but in reality we never used it. I wish I had considered the Cruz more closely.

There are plenty of pushchairs the same width as the Vista, but it feels so much bigger than it is in my opinion, maybe because the frame is so bulky? I am going to try to upload some photos I took of my Vista next to my City Mini just as a comparison. It's hard to explain but I always feel more in the way with the Vista, like I'm taking up too much space.

Sorry I can't help with the Cruz, other posters will hopefully help. There may be other brands that fit your criteria, I think some icandy models have carrycots suitable for overnight sleeping but I know it is a contentious issue.

Oh and this is at the top of my mum's drive which is quite steep, I have got seriously stuck several times trying to get the Vista up the thing! (Weak emoticon).

I also live in Bristol and have the Cruz with its carrycot. I chose it over the vista because of it's smaller size.

The carrycots are almost identical and are suitable for overnight sleeping. The wheel base is light, easy to put up/down and goes in the boot of the car or the foot wells really easily.

Cruz all the way!

All your responses have really helped me make my mind up...so much so that we have now purchased the Cruz! So thank you all. Buggy size was a massive consideration for me and I think the Cruz is just a much better size and weight for what I need. It's getting delivered next week... Good times !