As any prospective parent knows, choosing the chariot (read: buggy) is a major undertaking when it comes to preparing for the arrival of a child.
Will the wheels cope on country walks? Will it be lightweight enough to zip on the tube? Will there be somewhere to store my triple-shot flat white? These are among some of my most-pressing questions ahead of the big purchase.
I turned to Bugaboo - the revered buggy brand that all my friends rave about. It also has an impressive roster of celebrity (and royal!) fans, including Gigi Hadid, Meghan Markle, Pippa Middleton, Victoria Beckham and Holly Willoughby. So what's all the hype about?
The Dutch brand created the world’s first modular stroller 20 years ago and have since released a variety of iterations of the stroller, from the Dragonfly (designed for city dwellers) to the Fox (a does-it-all pram). This season, the brand is championing the v. chic Desert Taupe for strollers and bags as well as Dune Taupe for winter accessories. Desert taupe is available for the Bugaboo Fox 5, Bugaboo Donkey 5 and essential bags including the Bugaboo organiser, Bugaboo changing backpack, and Bugaboo changing bag – the tone creates a cohesive look (and perfect match) to pair with the stroller, and is gender inclusive.
New parents opt for Bugaboo strollers because, whilst not the cheapest, they are built to last. It's the brand's high-quality materials and components that can be individually replaced if needed that make its strollers so in demand. It's also incredibly simple to match your buggy to your personality and lifestyle. Parents on the go looking for something quick and easy to store? The Bugaboo Butterfly is ready to pack up and go whenever you are because it folds into one light piece you can travel with.
If, like me, you're looking for an all-rounder, the Bugaboo Fox 5, is your best option. The buggy has been designed to handle all terrains, so will be ideal for casual strolls along the common in London but will equally handle its own on a weekend walk in the Peak District. Touted as the brand's most comfortable and manoeuvrable all-terrain pushchair, the Fox 5 also has a very handy one-hand fold (because wrestling the buggy down at nursery drop off is no mean feat, trust me). Got another one on the way and need to brave the double buggy? The Bugaboo Donkey 5 is the one for you - it comes with loads of storage so you can bring all the snacks, toys and wine (just me?) you’ll need for family adventures. It also lets your siblings discover the world side by side, and it’s smaller than you think.
So the real questions: how easy was it to set up and does it fare well on the road?
My husband took on the challenge of setting up the pram whilst I sat back and watched, bemused. I was honestly hoping for some drama and expletives (the man is not blessed with DIY skills) but it was so easy to set up, that he became rather smug with his efforts. The instructions were incredibly easy to follow (we preferred the YouTube videos) and everything literally clicked into place. We were relieved that the wheels were ready to go because I don't think our relationship would've survived that construction project.
The buggy was a lot more lightweight than it looked and was super easy to control when we took it for a test ride. It also fit down the corridor of our very narrow London townhouse and doesn't take up as much storage space as you might think.
We have both the Fox and the Donkey and both have super large wheels and advanced-joint suspension which have been designed to create a smooth, steady ride for your child and I can confirm it held its own across Clapham Common. It seems extra comfy too (that'll be the premium fabrics and padding provide) in the hope that your child will snooze for longer (please god!).
I would absolutely recommend buying a coffee holder and buggy clips as add-on accessories so you can hang your nappy bag / Louis Vuitton tote on the buggy whilst knocking back your fourth flat white of the day, although the under carriage storage is huuuuuge and if you're not using the ‘toddler seat’, you can remove it so it works as a single buggy with a basket next to the seat for all your shopping. The frame slides into itself to make the buggy narrower so there’s no bulk - genius.
You got this!
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