Buggy for 2.5 year old - recommendations please

[AllBuggiedOut]

Taking the DSs to Florida in the summer (mainly based in Naples, a few days in Orlando). DS3 will be 2.5, and will need a buggy. At home we use a Mountain Buggy Urban, but I don't know whether to take this with us, or get something more compact. Pros of the mountain Buggy are (1) dream to push (2) plenty of storage (3) lies flat (4) has hood and sun shade (5) free as we already have it! Cons are (1) bulky which may be a problem in the hire car when it's full of luggage (2) pneumatic tyres so the risk of punctures.

Is it time to invest in a compact buggy? And if so, what should I get?

TIA!

[izzybiz]

Does he need to be able to sleep in it? If not I would suggest a Quinny Zapp, folds so small it can fit in the footwell of a car apparantly!
Has a large sunshade but no lie flat or storage.

[AllBuggiedOut]

He does need to be able to sleep as I expect he'll still be napping during the day at that age, and we're likely to be out and about, especially at Disney.

[kit84]

baby jogger city mini

[nicolamumof3]

BJCM or maclaren xlr both good hoods i don't think zapp will be any good tbh. hood pants, no storage or lay back and rattly to push you would hate it after a MB!

[AllBuggiedOut]

Thanks for the suggestions - I wonder, though, if those are a bit excessive (and pricey...) for my needs; is there a lower spec Maclaren that's OK, for example?

I see nobody is suggesting I take the MB with me - would it be a really bad idea?

[Rockbird]

We're going to New York in August, DD will be 2.6 and I'm taking my Techno XT. It's comfy, reclines and has a great hood. But is an umbrella fold so doesn't take up too much room.

[AllBuggiedOut]

Thanks - I can't help thinking that there should be something out there that's a bit less "full on" than an XT but would still do what I want it to. I don't want anything really small and lightweight which will be a nightmare to push with a hefty 2.5 year old in it, so what's available inbetween?

[nicolamumof3]

quest is the in between mac. i use it as every day buggy with my 2.5yr old. however wouldn't be happy somewhere v.hot with it as hood not as good. the xlr and xt ones unzip and tilt right down.Resale is good on macs too if you fnd you don't use it when you get back.

[Blomkvist]

I wouldn't recommend the Quinny Zapp. Its compact size is its only redeeming feature. Really difficult to fold/unfold, no storage at all, rattly to push and the hood is neither use nor ornament.

[AllBuggiedOut]

OK, that's helpful. Think the baby jogger might be too big when folded - I think an umbrella fold might be better for stowing in a car. Any other suggestions please? I really did think my buggy buying days were over, and I'm finding it really hard to get enthusastic about researching it!

[Marne]

I think i would either buy a cheep stroller from Tesco here or buy a 2nd hand Maclaren. We took the loola on holiday last year when dd2 was 3, it folds up small and you can pick them up 2nd hand for around 30.00.

[Marne]

We also use a quest for dd2.

[Troubadour]

Why don't you buy a buggy when you get there? Much cheaper to buy in usa. You can bring it back and sell it on ebay when the hol is over. Lots of graco stuff and Maclaren etc over there.

[AllBuggiedOut]

I think something like the Tesco one would do my head in (does it even have any sun shade?). Maybe e-bay is the way forward. Others have said the hood on a quest isn't great, Marne, do you think it would give enough shade for DS to be ok sleeping in Florida sun?

I think it will be helpful to have the buggy at the airport too, Troubador, but thanks for the suggestion. I'm also somebody who likes things to be sorted in advance

[SarfEasticated]

I would probably take yours with you, familiar and comforting, and no extra cost. American cars are pretty big too so you should be ok for boot space, and take a spare inner-tube just in case.
We have bought a mac to take when we go to NZ but we are visiting family so won't be touring much. I also intend to use it as dd's (2.5) big girl pushchair and sell the bugaboo.

[thisisyesterday]

any buggy will be fine. mamas and papas do a range which are less pricey than the maclarens.
the trip, trek, vogage etc etc

the hood really doesn't matter tbh, because if it's very hot you'll probably want a sunshade of some description anyway

[nicolamumof3]

that is true thisis but not sure how many 2.5yr olds would tolerate a full shade?

m&p are not as good quality as macs and don't sell on as well. ebay is the way forward tho theres always lots on there, or put wanted up on for sale board

[gemjam]

I'd take the MB, and put some of that green slime stuff in the tyres so there's no chance of you getting a puncture. But you will have to take a pump as you have to let the tyres down before putting it on the plane so that they don't explode!

Or, get a 2nd hand Maclaren Techno XT on ebay. No pneumatic tyre issues. It goes flat for napping. There's a big hood which extends for nap time. The wheels are bigger than on a Quest so they're a pretty much 'go anywhere' buggy. The only box it won't tick is loads of storage space as the basket is quite small but it is sturdy enough to hang some things from the handles.

[thisisyesterday]

mine have always been fine with a shade, i had a rayshade, that just goes over the hood and extends it.

never had a prob with an m&p pushchair either tbh, and the brakes are better than on the maclarens!

[nappyaddict]

I would take the MB but make sure your travel insurance covers it (they damaged my pushchair and it was only a few weeks old!!) or get a second hand XLR. You will easily sell it on for as much as you paid for it. I took my Mutsy to Spain and never had to deflate the tyres though. Slime is very good if you haven't already done that. You can buy it from Halfords.

[pregnochicklol]

I had the baby jogger city mini and it was a dream, wheels easily came off to go in boot and was so easy to fold, but still big and strong and lays flat.
It only broke (after a mile) because I let my two sister AND my child ride in it (showing off how strong it was), lol
I think I will buy same pram again for this babe however.

[pregnochicklol]

Great idea about buying a buggy while youre there, you could save a thrid of the price and come back and sell it.

[mintyfresh]

We took an Obaby Atlas to Florida for my 2.5 yr old dd but was a nightmare as dd was far too heavy for it! Have since got a Maclaren Techno XT which is great - got it new on Mothercare deal as second hand are still really expensive on ebay. Would have been perfect for Florida!

I did notice price of prams in America and wasn't as cheap as you might think! Exchange rate not so good any more

[nappyaddict]

Is the Obaby Atlas heavy to push? Was it the plain version or the circles version?

[mintyfresh]

Hi nappyaddict - it was the circles version. Nice pushchair and good value but dd was much too heavy for it at 2.5 years old and she is quite light for her age!