The other day we went on a short ramble along a track. It wasn't particularly rough but we got stuck in all the fallen leaves. At the moment we are using my SIL's Bugaboo, for which I'm v grateful. It's been great for B when she's small and while I'm getting my fitness back. However, after a few dodgy jaunts on rough tracks it's clear we're going to need something tougher. I looked at a lot of buggies online when I was pregnant but back then I was a bit overwhelmed at the selection. What do we need in a buggy? What are the pros and cons of each feature? I gave up, knowing we had the bugaboo to use when she was born.
So...what are we looking for in a buggy?
It needs to be able to handle 'normal' rough tracks. Like forestry tracks. Somethings will always limit access - stiles, fences, narrow trails. But if there is a decent-ish track there we want to be able to take it. We know a buggy won't get everywhere but if we can find one which gives us the best chance possible we'll be happy bunnies.
The Out n About Nipper was recommended to us http://www.outnabout.com/products/nipper-360-single.asp. Its a 10 inch 3 wheeler and looks pretty good. Good price too at around £250. And 9.8 kg is an ok weight.
Then there is Mountain Buggy http://mountainbuggy.com/uk/. The name is definitely appealing! The Swift and the Terrain seem like the two most suitable models. The Swift http://mountainbuggy.com/uk/Products/buggies/swift#.UoT9RKJFD4g is v like the Out n About Nipper - a bit lighter at 9.5 kg and narrower, but again has 10 inch wheels. At £400 its a bit more expensive.
The Terrain http://mountainbuggy.com/uk/Products/buggies/terrain#.UoT9V6JFD4g is marketed as Mountain Buggy's premier jogging buggy with 'precision engineering'. It has 16 inch wheels but is a hefty 13.5 kg.
The Mountain Buggy website features video clips of the buggies in action -the Terrain is taken through a forest and ends up in the sea with a lovely mountain backdrop! V clever advertising!
I'm pretty taken with the Terrain but it is pricey - £569. Is it worth £200-300 more than the Swift or Nipper? The massive wheels look great for off roading but will it look silly on the streets around the village? Although I've just noticed you can get 12 inch wheels to swop for those more mundane trips...
Ideally we'd love to take B wild camping in Scotland next summer and have an idea for a trip on a good forestry track into a lovely Glen. If the buggy can carry B plus some gear, that would be fab. Or perhaps we should just carry our stuff? So many decisions!!
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