Stokke Xplory - What's Bad About It?

[BongoWinslow]

Having first baby and really keen on Stokke Xplory. It seems to get lots of good reviews, so I know what's good. What I'd like to hear is what's bad (apart from the price - I know that's not good!)

Particularly:

• how is it on rougher ground eg grass, fields etc

• how big was your child when they got too big for it? I hear mixed things from no good after 18 months, to still going strong at 2 years.

• is the buggy board good?

• is the lack of suspension a real problem?

But any criticism is welcome.

thanks!
BW

I got a stokke for DS, who is now 2 weeks old. Currently using it with the carry cot bit. Also have the buggy board for long walks when DD is likely to get tired (she is 16kg so not likely to use it for long as the limit is 20kg).

So far I really like it. DS seems a little bumped around on uneven ground (like broken paving slabs!) and because he is still little I have put a rolled up blanket along side him in the carry cot so keep him more secure. I haven't taken it across fields yet!

Obviously baby not old enough yet to know how long it will last.

DD has been on the buggy board a couple of times and it is very easy to push on the flat, though a bit more difficult going up and down curbs etc, she likes it, I am just nervous of tipping etc. Though I have no experience of any buggy board.

Again, haven't had a pushchair with fancy suspension so not sure how it would compare, but the stokke is fine for us so far.

The other problem is the size and fitting it into the car. No problem to get it into DH's car (lexus IS200), though the chassis does not fit into the boot of my car (VW polo) unless you take off the wheels. It does fit in the footwell behind the drivers seat though. I did know all this before I bought it though and decided I wanted it anyway.

The only other hassle is the carry cot. To attach it to the chassis it needs an extra piece, which needs to be removed completely in order to separate and fold the stokke and this just adds extra time to the putting up and down! So far I have just left it up and that is working well. You don't need this piece for the seat section so it will not be as annoying when DS has outgrown the carry cot.

On the plus side, I LOVE how high up DS is, having it parked alongside tables in restaurants I think it is fab having DS high enough to see without bending down, and he can see us while we eat if he wanted. Very easy to put him in and out as well, and so light to push one handed.

The raincover is really easy to fit and has a velcro flap for quick access to the baby if needed.

Yes it is quite expensive but shopping around helps (we got ours at the baby show for a package deal including car seat etc).

HTH

Hi, napa.

(Hope you don't mind me gate-crashing your thread, BW, but I am also due with my first and thinking about the Stokke Xplory.)

napa, are you able to tell me how much you got it for at the Baby Show please - we are thinking of going to the Birmingham one this weekend. Have you got the 2010 model, and what came with your package deal? Thanks.

No problem - good question, AbFabT!

There's a brilliant deal on Bambino Direct, but I'm not really sure about buying from them. If anyone has had a good experience with them I'd be keen to hear about it.

Thanks, BongoWinslow. There's another thread on here (www.mumsnet.com/Talk/pushchair_chat/958058-Stokke-Xplory-where-to-buy-Kiddicare-or-Back-In-Action) about where to buy from - favourites seem to be Kiddicare and BackInAction. You can pricematch with both, and someone got it down to £644.95 by doing that, for the basic package (i.e. full package but not with the carrycot). What have you found on Bambino Direct? All I can get to is the yellow package.

Hi,

I have got an Xplory and used it for my daughter up to age 3. It was fine.

Currently using it for a 6 mth old and have used it since he was 2 months old. The only rough ground we do is through the woods to school. It it is a bit bumpy but not too bad. We used it on the beach recently but it was a pull rather than push!

I would highly recommend it, others might not! Have used an Xplory on and off for approx. 3 yrs now, had our first Xplory when our daughter was 4 mths old.

Oh and price matching on BIA and Kiddicare is good at the moment. Lullabys do good package deals and the basic pushchair is £649 with them at the moment. Just get Kiddicare or BIA to price match for a few more pennies off!

Bambino Direct has a couple of packages but they're obscure to find. Search for "Xplory Evo Package" and there should be 6 different deals.

Ok but having just read all the AVOID BAMBINO DIRECT threads I think those 'too good to be true' packages might be just that. I'll be going somewhere more reputable for my Xplory - thanks to everyone who posted their horror stories - you've saved me from the same fate!

Tks for the tips re where to get it.

Now - start talking me out of it!!!

Not gonna talk you out of it! I want one too!!! :-) What colour are you getting? I'm thinking green for us (but I haven't seen it in the flesh).

As for Bambino Direct, maybe see what package you can get, then get Kiddicare or Back In Action to match it! If you do that, please let me know - the Bambino Site was doing my head in!

Just negotiated my way around the Bambino site. Looks like some good offers with the packages, though all include the car-seat adaptors - fine if you are going for that brand of car-seat. Have you decided which car-seat you are getting? Only I found it slightly restrictive, the car-seats you could get that would fit the Xplory. One is one of the highest-ranking/most popular, so fine, though DH and I are pretty much set on another brand for our car-seat. Just mentioning it to you in case it was a negative for you (as requested in OP!).

Did you know Stokke are bringing out their own car-seat though? July, I think.

When are you due?

Due in October.

Want a purple one!

I was planning to get a Pebble seat so works for me, but DH and I have now read so many bad reviews of Bambino we're not keen to buy from them. The offers are just so good that they seem suspicious.

Will keep everyone posted on any other deals I find.

Me too!!! (4th) You not on the due in October thread? (www.mumsnet.com/Talk/antenatal_clubs/962284-10-10-Babies-Rock-and-Rollin-Pumpkins-showing-us-their) Come join us!

The purple is lovely - that's the colour they had in when I went to look at them at the Back in Action shop.
Cool - maybe you can just use the Bambino site though to negotiate a good deal with Kiddicare or Back in Action!

Have used mine on bumpy fields / pebbly beaches / cobblestones etc and its coped with all very well. The worst thing about it is getting it up and down stairs to be honest - converting it to two wheels makes it slightly easier but its still heavy. My local station has about 100 steps up and over the tracks to get out and its a nightmare if no-one bothers to help.

This is a small negative though, far outweighed by its many good points.

napa what year is your VW polo? I have a 2007 and so trying to work out if wouldn't fit in my boot . . .

Sorry not to reply yesterday.

We got a 2009 xplory at the London baby show in Feb (before 2010 was released). We got the xplory with seat and carry cot, maxi cosi cabrio fix, family fix base, footmuff and buggy board for £900. I had done an internet search before we went so I knew the best prices at the time.

I also have a 2007 polo, when I had DD the pushchair I loved didn't fit in my then car so I bought a different one that did fit and didn't like it. This time I decided to get the pushchair I liked - if I need to take it somewhere in the boot, I'll just drive DH's car!!

I bought my orange xplory from Lullabys in September as part of a package with carrycot, car seat, muffs, parasol and easyfix base. Pros: it's distinctive, easy to push with the adjustable handle and folding is dimple once you have the knack. It fits in the boot of our Honda Jazz. It is ok on grass, maybe a bit bumpy but you can buy a separate harness for the carrycot (but see below) Cons: expensive, heavy and complicated. I bought a M+P Pulse for public transport and travelling.

I would not buy the carrycot. DD grew out of it by 4 months and I later realised that the seat comes with a little integral stand, so you can pop it off the chassis and use that for naps etc. The parasol is huge and you can't push the pram with it attached as you can't see where you are going. The sleeping bag is excellent and will fit on the car seat and, indeed, an M+P Pulse

My only other regret is that I don't have the purple one.

Oh, and be prepared for people to stop you in the street and talk about the pram, ignoring your adorable infant therein.

Oooh listening in here, I just bought one last night. Mine is the 2009 (V2?) If anyone knows if the carry cot can be used as overnight sleeper (on an odd occaision, I have a cot) please would you also advise?

Bongowindslow: Hope you don't mind this extra question, PS there are really good sales on the 2009 version if you are interested

Nope, sedgiebaby don't mind at all - add questions at will!

Tks everyone, this is really helpful. We wanted the Bugaboo initially, but looks like Xplory is for us. We're both over 6ft tall, so the height is the big draw card. And we have an old MaxiCosi Speedi (like the Quinny Buzz, I think) for serious off-roading if we need it, so less worried about the rough terrain aspect.

Found a deal on PramWorld last night that looks excellent: www.pramworld.co.uk/product/7351/Stokke_Xplory_Evo_3_in_1_CabriofixAdaptors_Purple

They're also very good on 2009 models (tks for the tip sedgiebaby): www.pramworld.co.uk/product/5778/Stokke_Xplory_3_in_1_Cream

Hubby is love with the purple one, though...

Thanks for the price info, napa, and thanks for the extra info, trellism.

bongowinslow, were you wanting to use the pebble car seat on the Xplory as the pebble car seat doesn't fit on the Xplory. According to Lullabys this is there statement, (just so you know);

Important - these adaptors are suitable for use with only the Maxi-Cosi Cabrio or Cabriofix. They have not been authorised for use with the new Maxi-Cosi Pebble car seat. Lullabys is a responsible retailer and this is the reason why we do not offer any package deals that include the Pebble car seat.

Hope that helps.

XboxWidow30 - that's very helpful, as yes I was and there are lots of packages that include the Pebble with mention of that!

thanks for the heads up.

First day on Mumsnet and i've learned so much!

all this info is great - really making me think an Xplory is my preferred option

trellism when you say you wouldn't buy the carrycot would you think it is reasonable to use the seat from birth?

Yes, I would have had no issues with using the seat from birth. It lies flat and has a newborn headhugger. I would deffo get the sleeping bag too.

at the purple one.

sedgiebaby, I think there is a sticker on the carrycot or something in the instructions stating that it's not suitable for overnight.

Wish I hadn't looked at the 2010 version...