Recaro BabyZen pushchair
Chunky Recaro pushchair suits kids up to the age of three
Prices: £575 (Stroller); £690 (Duo); £899 (Trio)
Contact: www.recaro-cs.com
We’re big fans of Recaro’s sports seats for high-performance cars, but now babies can benefit, too, as the company has launched its first pushchair.
The BabyZen stroller is suitable for children aged up to three years old. From birth to six months, your child can face you, and from six months up, you can turn them round so they can see ahead.
Recaro says the unique folding system means the BabyZen will fit in the boot of just about any car, including the MINI hatch and Fiat 500. The only cars it won’t fit in are the Lamborghini Aventador, Porsche 911 and MINI Convertible. You can check at babyzen.com.
To fold the chair, flip down the handle, then turn the stroller on to its back wheels – these rotate 180 degrees to go flat. It’s a one-handed process, and works like a folding bike, so you can push the stroller along when it’s folded. The adjustable handle lets you alter how high the bar is – ideal if you need to share pushing duties with a taller parent.
Three chunky three-spoke wheels mean your child won’t have any complaints about ride quality, and a clever mechanism stops the front wheel from twisting over uneven surfaces. A foot-operated parking brake adds to the practical appeal.
There’s also a solar-powered safety light above the front wheel. This cluster of LEDs can be turned on from the handle, and helps to illuminate dark pavements and ensures you’re visible. Plus, the standard seat cover is reversible, removable and machine washable at up to 30 degrees Celsius. This folds automatically with the frame of the stroller.
You can buy the stroller on its own, for £575, as part of the £690 Duo package with a child seat for babies up to six months or in the £899 Trio package, which includes a child seat and carrycot.