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

[BongoWinslow]

It arrives this week! Can't wait. Baby is not here yet, but that won't stop me taking it for a spin around the house!

Have bought carry cot and footmuff (sorry, would have bought yours mum2GKH but already on its way). Thanks for the tip about the visor.

I know it's ridiculous to be so excited about a pram, but I am!

[Zaaria]

The stokke with wheels fits perfect in the boot of my 2000 VW Polo. We only have removed the rear shelf

[mum2GKH]

oooh bongowinslow you won't regret it. Had my purple xplory for 2 weeks now and I love it. My DD is 6 months old and she looks so comfy and I love having her up high. The new sun visor on the 2010 model is great and no need to buy a parasol if you want. I have just had the summer kit in pink delivered and it's lovely. Also got the knitted blanket which attaches to the pram so won't fall off. I really splashed out and just had the thud of the CC bill. The only downside with the whole thing is the rider board. It's quite hard to push with a toddler on it as you have to lower the handle and lean over them to push. Wouldn't want to do a long journey like that. It's a good design with magnets so you just push it up when not using it.
If anyone wants a purple footmuff I seem to have ended up with two!! Brand new in the packet. Was going to ebay in the winter.

[BongoWinslow]

Ok, so we took a 'test child' borrowed from a friend to the pram shop, took her out of her little stroller and put her in the Xplory. She went nuts - she loved it! My husband stood there making her laugh and she was so a part of things. She wasn't happy about going back down into her normal pushchair! I you could really notice the difference in not being able to engage with her as much.

I also wore my highest heels and was still able to wheel it around comfortably with 3" stilettos (which makes me 6'3"). Not that I'm expecting to be wearing those much while wheeling a pram around!

So I'm sold. We're going to order the purple one with carry cot (baby bag). Very excited!

Purple one is gorgeous!

[modelidiot]

Thank you all very much for your help. Just wondering if the size in the 2010 model is not smaller! And I'm very interested in knowing if is good on rough terrain
Also can I use the carry cot for the first weeks for him to sleep?
I really want this stroller!
PS: Trellism, I really wanted de carrycot because I think the new born baby need to sleep flat. What do you think?
Thanks again!!!

[bearcrumble]

The 2010 version is a lot bigger so no good for going on the bus. I was happy to get a good reduction on the 2009 version when I went to have a look at them.

The thing I don't like is that it isn't great going up and down curbs (have only used it with the carrycot so far) and it catches on uneven paving stones sometimes.

Also the thingy that holds the carrycot in place will jiggle loose and you have to flip it open and tighten it again quite frequently.

I still love it though, it is exceedingly light and smooth to steer and I am looking forward to when baby's big enough to use the proper seat with, I think it will really come into its own then.

[trellism]

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...

[trellism]

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.

[shoppingstar]

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?

[BongoWinslow]

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!

[XboxWidow30]

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.

[AbFabT]

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

[BongoWinslow]

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...

[sedgiebaby]

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

[trellism]

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

[trellism]

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.

[napa]

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!!

[shoppingstar]

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

[zgaze]

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.

[AbFabT]

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!

[BongoWinslow]

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.

[AbFabT]

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?

[AbFabT]

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!

[BongoWinslow]

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!!!

[BongoWinslow]

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.