I liked the fact that it was a single handle meaning it could be pushed one handed – something I have noticed that some other hauck models don’t have, and the fact that everything seemed to be included for the price. It also looked really well designed, and a lot more expensive than it actually was. Thankfully the covers are all removable and washable which should be useful for mucky fingers! I was attracted by the wide choice of colours available, though the colour I was really after (silver and caviar) was out of stock everywhere with no more stock coming in until after my due date. I chose Tango and Caviar as it was gender neutral and I preferred it to the rest, not liking browns and beiges.
Once I had collected my pram I couldn’t wait to get it open, and as soon as I opened the box my first comment was that it matched my car perfectly in colour (a small bonus for someone who loves things that match!) the box was quick to unpack, and I very quickly had the frame set up and was reading the instructions on how to affix the various attachments.
I have since spent a couple of days falling in love with it and getting used to how it works so I won’t have any issues when it comes to using it for real – taking the carrycot on and off and swapping it with the car seat, and familiarising myself with the instructions to make sure I have got all the clips done up that should be.
Having spent some time with the Graco Candy (before I changed my mind and returned it) which had a similar RRP I expected this to be similar in quality, but I was pleasantly surprised. I am 1000x happier with this one than I was with the Graco Candy. Everything seems far more sturdily built and less plasticky with little (insignificant) differences for example, the velcro is sewn onto the raincover and the raincover seems really well fitted to the pram. The changing bag opens out flat into a travel changing mat for when there isn’t anywhere to put baby down, and the car seat clips onto the frame very securely and rests on the bar along the back. There is even a storage bag to keep the pushchair seat and hood in when not in use – handy as it won’t be used for 6 months or so. That is not to mention the suspension, which seems to work fairly well around the house! (I shall test this more thoroughly when he’s here and it’s in daily use OUTSIDE!) All these seemingly little design features make it a far more useful and user friendly travel system.
Unfortunately the car seat doesn’t come with an in car base, or even an option to buy one separate, which was a concern about how quick and easy it would be to attach the seat into the car every time. I did watch a video online before I decided to buy the pram to make sure it was easy to fit and sure enough it seemed to be fairly simple. Having now tried it I can confirm that it is incredibly easy to fit. Unfortunately my seat belts are a little shorter than I would like them to be, it doesn’t affect the car seat once strapped in, however, it does make the act of strapping it in a little more difficult (my car clearly isn’t designed for fat people!) it means that getting the seatbelt round the back of the car seat involves a little more tugging than I would like, but once strapped in and pulled tight the seat is very securely in place. It comes with a removable bum and head support for smaller babies.
The carrycot comes with a cover with windbreak and a waterproof mattress with a removable cover which will be really handy as I plan to use the carrycot as a bed for daytime naps instead of purchasing a separate moses basket. By laying a 3-6month sleepsuit in the cot it looks like that will be about the maximum time that it can be used, though it can’t be used when they can move around by themselves anyway as obviously they then need to be strapped in to the pushchair.
Obviously this isn’t a Bugaboo or an iCandy pram, but you aren’t paying for one either. For £197.99 I find this a real bargain. I shall keep you updated about how it holds up with regards to ease of use and stability when the little man arrives.
Trying To Be A Good Mummy 