Full Test Results
Travel Systems
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Meet our Panel
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- Sue & Mitchell, 6 months
- Leanne & Ruby, 8 months
- Jane & Freya, 4 month
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- Claire & Joe, 7 months
- Karen & Holly, 3 months
- Becky & Joshua, 4 month
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This month's panel are from Hampshire and have spent the past two months
putting six of the latest travel systems through their paces. Here they
give their honest opinions on the features and benefits of each model on
test.
Ready to roll! |
Mitchell cosies up in the Bugaboo |
  Britax
Vigour - 8.5/10
Innovative three wheeler travel system
Price: £295
Supplier: All good nursery retailers
Telephone: 01264 386034
'Stylish and great for off-road walks'
 This is a versatile,
easily constructible pushchair that becomes a travel system with the Britax
Cosy Tot Premium car seat. 'It's best used from 6 months but can easily
accommodate a smaller baby as the harness is very secure and suspension
fantastic'.
It's also packed with additional features - including lockable swivel
wheels, pneumatic tyres, removable bumper bar, adjustable handle height
and a multi-position seat. 'The car seat is comfortable for baby and clips
onto the frame with ease, it also comes with an integral newborn support
which helps smaller babies lie in a more natural flat position'.
 'It's quite bulky
for small cars and the wheels are a little too big'. 'Accessories are
also a bit thin on the ground - a cosy toes and additional bag would've
been a great addition to the package'.
 Bugaboo
Gecko - 8/10
Practical, stylish pushchair to suit all terrains
Price: £469
Supplier: Babyworld
Shop
'Looks great and doesn't disappoint'
'The
Gecko was the most stylish of all the models on test and offers maximum
versatility for different terrain - from busy city streets and beaches
to off-road country walking and shopping centres'. It works as a travel
system with the Maxi
Cosi Cabrio car seat and comes with its own comfy carrycot which should
last your baby until 6 months old. Other benefits include three seat positions,
swivel wheels, reversible handlebar and sun canopy.
'It's
a tad pricey and you have to pay extra for the car seat adaptors, not
to mention the car seat! You also have to take the seat unit off to fit
it in the car which can be a bit of a pain if you're in a rush'.
 Graco
Quattro Tour - 6.5/10
Travel system with autobase car seat
Price: £199.99
Supplier: www.babiesrus.co.uk
'A great budget buy that doesn't compensate on
quality'
'Simple
and easy to use, this travel system is great for use from birth and is
packed with additional features'. The autobase allows you to fix the car
seat into the back of car without seatbelt routing and offers a secure
and comfortable ride for babies from 0-12 months.
The pushchair is highly portable and navigates kerbs and
busy streets with ease, it also has A LOT of accessories including a sun
canopy, footmuff, bag, raincover and spacious shopping basket. 'Good for
regular nappers - it has a four position recline and deeply padded seating
for maximum comfort'.
'It's
quite bulky and folds quite flat which will annoy anyone with stairs and
small entrances. It's also a creamy colour which looks lovely at first
but gets dirty quickly...thank goodness the materials are machine washable'.
 Inglesina
Otutto Combo - 7.5/10
Travel system with optional carrycot
Price: £499
Supplier: www.kooltrader.co.uk
Telephone: 0161 335 2508
'A good long term option'
'You can fold, push
and steer with one hand and the seat can be fitted to face forwards or
backwards. The lockable swivel wheels and suspension ensure a comfy and
safe ride and the auto base car seat clicks into place effortlessly. 'It
also has a light, compact frame so it's ideal for those with limited space
who don't want to compromise on features'.
'It can be awkward
to collapse with the cosy toes on and the handle felt a bit wobbly after
a while, it's also a lot more expensive than some other similar models'
 Recaro
Young - 6.5/10
Lightweight travel system
Price: £224.99
Supplier: Babyworld
Shop
'Refreshingly easy to fold and store'
It has
a practical narrow fold that's 'brilliant for small car boots and flat
living', manoeuvrability is good and it feels quite sturdy and safe for
your child. 'It has a spacious shopping basket, adjustable foot rest and
lockable swivel wheels and it becomes a travel system with the Recaro
Young Profi + Infant Carrier, a high quality car seat that fits into
the car safely and securely. 'At just 7.4kg, it is a good lightweight
option.'
'The
colours are a bit drab and the materials feel a bit thin and cheap. The
instructions could also be clearer and it was a bit tricky to get the
wheels secured properly in place'.
  Silver
Cross 3D - 10/10
Compact, versatile travel system
Price: £360
Supplier: All good nursery retailers
Telehone: 01756 702412
'The best by far'
This high
class, quality pushchair combines with the Silver Cross Ventura car seat
to make a nifty travel system on the go. 'It's easy to assemble and comes
with a generous amount of accessories including a hood and cosy toes,
whilst the compact swivel wheels provide excellent portability on all
types of terrain'.
The car seat is seat belt routed using the harness and it
clicks onto the chassis with the use of adaptor bars that are refreshingly
easy to use.
'The
shopping basket isn't easily accessible and it takes a while to construct'.
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Where to next:
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