Another Quiet Week - Buggy/Stroller Review

N.B.  This week's blog contains a few affiliated links.  None of these are ads or sponsored.  They are just items I have bought since having Chloe.  They will be identified with an asterisk( *)

It's been another quiet week here this week.

We went to my Mum's on Monday.  It's the first time I've been across town since the bus services have changed.  Basically, up until a few weeks ago Stagecoach Midlands used to run a bus service that ran from my area of Northampton right through to the other side of town to where my Mum lived.  To be honest, I rarely caught it all the way through because either I needed to get something for Mum in town on the way or the bus from the other company at my end came first and that's a bit quicker.

Anyway it was fairly uneventful but it did make me realise that sometimes (like on Monday) when I travel across town I use three different bus companies there and back.  I do have an attitude that unless I need to get somewhere specific I just catch the first bus that turns up (or more often in my case if the first bus that turns up doesn't have any other buggies on I will get on it).

Anyway the only other time I've been out on a bus this week was on Tuesday when we went to meet Mark from work.  Mark had the old buggy in the car so I put Chloe in the carrier.  It's been a while since she's been in it and she wasn't too impressed at first, although that was probably more to do with the fact that she had just woken up.   For those of you interested I have the Ergobaby Original *carrier.  Originally we had a cheapy one when Chloe was a baby but both me and Mark complained that it had no support, so we bought this one and love it.  It's so comfy to wear and even though Chloe is now older it still fits comfortably.  I definitely recommend shopping around though.  I wasn't really into the baby wearing/sling using when I had Chloe but we have found having a carrier useful for when you're going around certain places (We used it at Battersea Zoo so that Chloe could see the animals better).

Stroller Review - Joie Brisk Stroller Cherry*

In other news, we bought a new stroller.  We've been using the Mamas and Papas Sola2 since Chloe was born and I love it (and am still reluctant to depart with it) but it was getting a bit heavy. Also with the buses seemingly busier I decided it would be easier to get an umbrella fold stroller in case I have to put it down when I'm on my own.

We decided on the Joie Brisk Stroller.  It was a toss up between this and the nitro but the Brisk seemed a bit sturdier than the Nitro.

release clip to close 

Things I Love About It

It's so easy to put up and down.  To put it up you literally unclip the clip on the side and push the bar down at the back.  To put it down it has a one hand one fold mechanism.  (Basically you push a button on the grey clip on the handle, pull the grey clip up and it folds down.  This works really well.  I have small hands so sometimes these mechanisms I still have to use two hands but this one I can do really easily, even with a wriggly toddler in my other arms.


It's lightweight: After using the Sola2 for the past 18 months this seemed like it was going to slip away from me. It's so light.  It's definitely going to be easier to get on and off public transport.  However, because it's lighter I did find when walking to Sing and Sign the other day that it doesn't like potholes (and we have a lot). 

large basket

large basket with large changing bag in 

It has a big basket and things don't fall out of it: No don't get me wrong, the basket on the Sola2 is quite big but because it's not particularly high sided  things easily fall out of it.  However, this one is quite deep and goes right under the seat (though don't tell my mum this because she'll just think she can put more shopping in it).  I have a fairly large changing bag and it fits lovely in the bottom and still has plenty of room in the basket.

Extended hood

Big Hood: I love the extended hood.  It's completely covers the seat.  Not sure how waterproof it is but the buggy comes with a rain cover so that shouldn't be too much of an issue.  It has a zip for the final bit so it makes it better for storage.  Obviously because it's umbrella fold the hood is not as study as the Sola2 but it should still brave the elements hopefully. 

Things I didn't love 

The Brake.  I'm still to test it on public transport but it doesn't feel that secure.  It could just be because it's lighter so I don't feel as confident with it but the jury is still out on that one.

The Wheels: This might just be because it's new and the first time I used it outside it was frosty, but the wheels seem a bit too smooth.  Plus the front wheels can't be locked in position so the feel like they're going to spin.  This is the other reason why I'm a bit wary about the brake too. 

Umbrella fold: This is going to seem a bit daft because I wanted an umbrella fold buggy in case I have to put it down on bus, however, it makes me feel like I'm going to break it if I'm too rough with it.  I'm sure they're tested rigorously but compared to what I've been used to it seems a bit delicate.


(I've just realised whilst writing this review that I haven't taken a photo of Chloe in the buggy).

Overall, it is a nice little buggy and for the price range it is quite a good buy.  We do seem to be becoming Joie advocates (our high chair is also Joie and we have bought a Joie car seat this weekend).

Hope you've enjoyed my review.  If you would like me to review the Sola2 let me know. 

Product Specifications

Weight: 8.5 kg

Height: 103cm

Width: 50cm 

So that's me done for this week.  Not sure where we will be going in the next week but I will make sure you know.

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See you soon


Kat & Chloe x