Phil & Teds Sport pushchair review

My daughter was about 18 months when we moved to Germany with a reasonably good pushchair, the Graco Mosaic. It never was what I wanted, but it ticked all the boxes I needed ticked when we first got it – a good all-rounder. Well, within 3 months of use on the cobbled streets in our new hometown, our pushchair’s wheels were worn down completely. No spares available…

So, we started the search for the next good all-rounder. We wanted something with inflatable wheels, better suspension, enough storage space and something that would be easy to use. We didn’t want to spend a lot of money, but we wanted something that would last. We were not exactly planning to have another baby at the time, but after seeing the Phil & Teds Sport in the UK, I wanted to at least look at it as an option. It won, although it doesn’t come first in all the categories…

This is the things I really like of the Phil & Teds Sport:

• The pushchair could be converted to carry two children, without making it any bigger. A double’s kit attaches to the front when the seat needs to be in the lowest position for an infant, and then to the back once the infant can sit. This additional seat could also be used to create a “bouncy chair” for kids with the addition of a separate base.

• It comes in various colours: Apple green, Black/Charcoal, Red/Charcoal, Navy/Charcoal, Beige, Pink and Blue. The Apple, Red and Blue now also come with “Graffiti” mixed colour panels and accessories.
• There is a clear plastic back for viewing the infant when in the seat is in the lower possitions and a “peek-a-boo” flap in the hood with a small storage pouch.
• It has three inflatable wheels. The tyres and tubes are readily available.
• The front wheel swivels, but can easily be locked in place when needed.
• The pushchair folds pretty flat with the push of a button
• All wheels remove from the chassis with the push of a button, allowing the buggy to fold even smaller: 77cm X 51cm X 23cm
• The buggies’ handlebar height can be adjusted – my husband is pretty tall, so this is handy
• The seat in its highest upright position sits nice and comfy, but it can recline completely flat.
• There are great accessories available – The double’s kit, Sleeping bag/ cosy toes, a custom fit rain cover and UV Shade (also for double), Several different liners, Attachments to convert the pushchair into a travel system, storage bags and a baby carrier/cocoon.
• As my daughter is pretty tall for her age, we needed something that would clear her head with enough room when we put the “hood” up. Maybe not so much when she sits in the second seat on top…
• It can be used for kids up to the age of 5 – heaviest child always in top seat…
• There is a 5 point harness on both buggy and double’s kit for safety and a bumper bar, making the buggy quite safe.
• The pushchair manoeuvres really easily, even with one hand.
• The pushchair is very manual. The seat positions is adjusted with zippers and safety clips. There are few that could go wrong.
• Spare parts are readily available
• The buggy comes at a very good price in comparison with other higher end brands. Roughly 680 euro; without accessories; although I have seen them selling for less.

Now, there are a newer version of the Phil & Teds on the market; with lots of great advantages; called the Vibe. I really like this one! It has a more modern build and other great accessories, but I just could not bring myself to splash out on this one. The fact that it only comes in Red, Black and Charcoal, didn’t entice me any further… My old pushchair was Red and Black – I was tired of this combination!
Unfortunately, there are some things I just have to live with:

• This pushchair has a steel  frame, making it pretty heavy: it weighs 10.5kg, without accessories
• The foot break is pretty stiff – I have managed to kick myself quite hard, taking it off! Wearing sandals, I take it off with my hand.
• The footrest is covered in the same fabric as the seat, so it gets dirty very easily.
• The buggie’s front wheel is a bit “clanky”, when running on our cobbled streets.
• The base is a little low and the storage bag scuffs as I steer it up our two front steps. I have seen ones with scuffed through fabric… This doesn’t cause any trouble, but I would have liked an outer shell in possibly something a little harder wearing. I have seen replacements for these too.
• The double’s kit needs to be removed when collapsing the buggy or for access to an infant. I heard the Vibe can be collapsed without taking this off…

Over all, I think the buggy has a good, modern shape and my daughter sits and rides comfortable in it. Without adding any of the additional storage bags, there is plenty of storage. I use the pannier bags when I go shopping and the sleeping bag in the winter. It is fleece lined, but the zips sit on the sides, so not always easy to do up. The rain cover fits tight and clips securely over the pushchair, it folds up quite small. I like this buggy. Yes, I like some of the other ones on the market too, but now our second is on the way, I can get the doubles kit so my daughter could have a ride if she wants to. I have seen people using buggy boards although it isn’t recommended.

If I have to pick again, I think I will still go for this buggy.
The website: http://www.phil-and-teds.de/xt/  Take a look. There is plenty of info on the other versions too.

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Tagged as: Phil & Teds, stroller accessories, Strollers