What's good nowadays?

[StetsonsAreCool]

Expecting DC2 in December. I'd resigned myself to reusing our old B Smart that I loved for DD, but some unexpected news today might mean I can afford to buy a new one for the new baby.

So. Where do I start??

Things I liked about the B Smart:
Massive basket, parent facing, big hood (2010 model), big wheels to cope with anywhere we took it

Things I disliked:
Having to switch it back to forward facing to fold it, the brakes seized up, the seat release to get it on and off the base got stiff towards the end, it was bulky.

Doesn't have to include car seats, as we're sorted for those already. Would be nice to have a proper pram/carry cot attachment, but it's not a dealbreaker.

Based on those criteria, what else might I like?

You might like the Babyjogger Versa - it folds all in one piece, facing either way, and the wheels come off to make it less bulky to store. Massive basket and big hood too. It isn't suitable from birth so needs the carrycot to begin with - we used ours til about 5.5 mths. The GT version has bigger, all-terrain wheels and feels very sturdy, but just nicely bouncy enough, IYSWIM.

The versa as mentioned, the easywalker mosey and mini, oyster 2, joie chrome.. All are good (the mosey is still a probably because they haven't arrived yet), all fold with the seat on either way.

I see lots and lots of britax affinities locally too, I think they're pretty good. Don't fold parent facing though. If I was starting again the mosey would be my top pick.

Ahh parties - it was you and tiggy who pretty much talked me into my Versa, 18 mths ago! Surprised to just see on another thread that they're apparently discontinuing it...

I love our Stokke Xplory. I think the Stokke Crusi has a basket though.

I like the look of the mosey! But I expect, being easywalker it's going to be expensive.

The versa is going on the list too, but what's that about being discontinued? It's quite new isn't it?

I haven't heard anything re it being discontinued, it would seem a little strange but stranger things have happened I guess.

I've forgotten how much the mosey is, I want to say 400 and something. Yeah circa £440 so more expensive side of pretty average really.

Maybe something like a casualplay kudu could work for you? There is an increasing number of parent facing fold pushchairs but it's still not a huge market, especially at the more affordable end. The chrome is my favourite of the cheap ones, the baby elegance sketch also fits the brief but if it's like the identical looking pushchair I had under a different brand a couple of years ago then it can be very flexy in the chassis.

I quite like the look of that too, some good suggestions here thank you!

I'm going to have to figure out a way of glossing over the costs when I tell DH though

I have it on good authority today that the mosey is straight up awesome.

It popped up on a Best Buggy update on Facebook tonight but I didn't get chance to look in detail. From the pics though, it looks extremely good. Will have a proper sit down and look through tomorrow.

When is it meant to be available? Wondering if I'll have time to go and see it in person somewhere before I make a decision

Love love love my Uppababy Vista. It's so easy to out up and down, have fitted it into every car I've been in, including a fiet500. Big wheels pop on and off with ease too.

Large basket even with the large carrycot on top which faces you.

Carrycot can be used as a Moses basket as has a proper mattress with a ventilation patch under basket.

Has built in SPF50 sun shade on carrycot and chair so no annoying parasole, and hood unzips for ventilation. Also includes mozzie nets and super simple rain covers which also fit over any baby car seat.

Chair can face both ways and you can buy covers for any part of the travel system in additional colours fr only 30 quid each (saved me as I wanted jade colour way but only came on silver frame, DH only wanted black frame, so I just bought green good for carrycot, might get a red good for chair as DS 6 months over Christmas ).

Also includes free maxicosi car seat adaptor and load more. Love my vista. In my NCT group of 7, 5 of us have one (didn't realise until after we'd all bought them apart from 1).

The Mosey is absolutely awesome!!! BRILLIANT!!
Seriously, seriously good. Easywalker seem to have thought of everything. Every detail has been addressed and nailed perfectly. Its got lovely off road solid rubber wheels (no punctures); new brake (compared to the MINI stroller); amazing one handed fold with the seat in either direction; huge seat with lift up calf rest; the lie flat seat is suitable from birth; upright seat for a toddler; good sized basket; swing away / removable bumper bar; massive hood; easy seat recline; easy seat turn around great quality fabrics - its refreshing not to see a lycra style hood!!; autlock; high / low adjustable handlebar to suit everyone; even bag clips!
It is available next month in the UK.

Just to add the Versa GT is NOT being discontinued! I chased it up for someone the other week. Baby Jogger UK are getting 2014 stock in soon - with the new branding logos etc.

Thanks everyone. Showed DH the Versa yesterday and his first comment was how heavy it was to lift, although really nice to push. So that's probably at the top of the list right now, but I'll definitely try and find a Mosey to try out before December.

The B Smart had solid rubber wheels too, which I under-appreciated until I got home one day with half a dozen 3-inch thorns embedded in them!

The only thing about the Vista is that it looks so huge, but I've got friends who are very happy with theirs. Not sure if I'll fit in in the boot of my punto!

Thanks for the suggestions.

If it wasn't for the fact that the brake and seat release catch are too stiff for me to be bothered with, I'd be making do with the B Smart as we both really loved it. But as I can probably afford a replacement, my inner pramaholic is taking over

Fits in my sisters polo with ease (Vista)

I have the britax affinity and absolutely love it! Baby no 3 so had a few and it's by far my favourite.

If you drive quite a bit I would definitely aim for something that folds in one facing either direction and fits in your boot without taking bits off.

My local independent retailer is a big fan of the affinity and has sold loads. I like it but haven't used one. Again only folds forward facing though.

We saw the affinity yesterday and tbh, I didn't like it much.

I definitely think I want one that folds easily in either direction. With older DD, plus small baby to get in the car, at a time of year which will involve cold, wet or ice in varying quantities, I want the pushchair-in-boot thing to be as quick as possible. I have a low cold/wet threshold, and will have two kids to strap in as well as putting the pushchair away

Right, so parent facing fold is a priority.

If Tiggy thinks the mosey is the holy grail then it doesn't take much more than that to convince me.

That's what I thought too. I'm waiting for that now. Their Facebook page says October availability, in mamas and papas. Not long to wait!

I think the versa is a very close runner up and I'll probably choose that if, for some reason, the Mosey doesn't cut it.

Thank you everyone!

You won't go wrong with either a Versa or a Mosey - honestly! Choose the one you like :) Both have solid wheels as well ;)