Thoughts on McClarens needed

[Joneseygirl77]

I need to buy a buggy for holidays/ summer use. I have a Bugaboo Cam which I have used from my birth for my DD and I Kiev it but it's too big for hols etc. My DD is 11.5mo and is a big baby- 98th centile for height/weight.

I've been looking at 2 McClarens- the quest and the techno xt. Like the techno but it is quite heavy but seems more durable.

Also seen another thread about quest on here and it wasn't very complimentary!

Can anyone advise me on what to go for please? Need to get this ordered but can't make my mind up!

I have the techno XT and can't praise it enough. It's been absolutely brilliant and I will be using it again for the next one. The long sunshade hood on it is such a brilliant design.

Just noticed I kiev it- meant to say I love it!

Thanks Gooo.

Just wondering how do you find the weight on it? It's not that light for a lightweight buggy? I know you won't carry it much but want to check as that's what is putting me off that one.

I've got the Maclaren Quest and I really like it! It's lightweight, I can carry it over my shoulder and carry a baby in my arms on and off buses if need be. We've had it for a couple of years and plenty of holidays and everyday use and it's still going strong. Maclaren's have a lifetime guarantee you can register your buggy online after you've bought it.

Depends what you want, the xt and xlr aren't small as umbrella strollers go, round here they seems to get used as day to day pushchairs when moving on from a bigger pram. For travel I would go for something smaller if you will be keeping your cam for day to day use.. so more like the globe trotter, mk2 etc. (Personally I would also go for something non umbrella fold like a yoyo, mb nano, recaro easylife etc. but that isn't what you asked).

I've got a techno xt as my main buggy for my 18mo. I love it. But it's not the smallest folded so if I was only sNting a second buggy for travel I might not have picked it.
It's really good though as a main buggy at this age.

I also have the techno XT as our only buggy. I've never noticed it being that heavy, I can get it into an overhead rack for example (well, if the rack is big enough).

I have a twin techno and a Donkey. Like you, we bought the Maclaren for holidays and for that purpose it is perfect. It is heavier and harder work to push than the bugaboo but it does fold up small (in one piece) to go on the plane and fits in the boot of small hire cars. I would definitely recommend for short term use. We got ours second hand and it was very good value.

I had a quest for DS and loved it.

I have the Maclaren XLR as my everyday buggy (its the only one ive had for the two kids) and whilst it isnt light I dont find it heavy or cumbersome.

I lile that it is sturdy abd reliable.

If I wanted a buggy just for a holiday id go for a Petit Star Zia.

We have a quest as pushchair that lives at my mums/ for holidays. It's a great wee pushchair. Feels bit heavier to push than our frog because of small wheels but not too bad. Very light for carrying at airports/ train stations etc... It has shoulder strap so you can carry it and child without too much fuss. We bought a cheap bag to put it in for flights and its survived well.

Ours lies flat and can be used from birth so great for naps. We bought the denim quest and it has an extra zipped section in hood that gives even more shade so perfect for holidays.

XT can extend handles which are smooth rubber.
Quest is shorter so less good if you are tall, and has spongy handles which I hate, especially in the rain.
I used XT from birth for 6 years of hard use, hoped to shift to Quest as that bit lighter, but ditched it.

Thanks all really helpful.

Should have said its not solely for hols but my parents are going to use it lots. My dad is 6ft 3 so wondering if xt will be better. I am so rubbish at making decisions!

I've got a Quest (bought for holidays and when we're at home it's stays in the car and gets used for shopping etc). I hate it . I find it awkward, rickety and generally just a bit flimsy. DD hates sitting in it too! I wish we'd bought the Techno.

DH is tall and he hates pushing it.

I have an xt and love it. I fly on my own with DS a lot and it's really straightforward in an airport. We get asked if we want assistance a lot, and the security guys are always really impressed at how easily I can fold it one handed and throw it on the belt whilst wrangling DS with the other hand!

He's 2.5 now and it's really roomy, plus with the extended hood and we have the sun shade he can still nap in it comfortably.

Baby jogger city mini. I can't stand umbrella folding strollers after using this for the last 3 years

The weight of the baby jogger puts me off as it isn't much heavier than my bugaboo. Plus the 3 wheeler ones look really bulky. It has got amazing reviews though.

Seems like techno has got your votes above. I did like the sun shade on it as we will be using it when abroad and that appeals for naps and evening time. Plus the recline function should help with sleeps. Does anyone know if the quest reclines fully too?

The new quest reclines fully but doesn't have the sun shade unless you buy the denim version which is the only one to have it for some reason!

I had a Quest. My dd's always seemed comfortable in it and it was light BUT the brakes were useless and it tipped over if you hung anything from the handles.
Also due to the small wheels definitely a city street type buggy.

I also had a cheaper one. I think it may have been a Chicco. It was great, bigger wheels so better on rougher ground and didn't tip so was great for holidays as I could carry bags on the handles.

Globetrotter model is really light and has survived many flights

For your requirements I'd get the XT. I have one and it is sturdy with hard wearing wheels. The sunshade is superb.

If I was going to just use it occasionally I'd get the denim Quest.

Also, have a look at the Graco Evo Mini. It's very light and folds up small. Big basket and decent hood too