Kathryn Moore and her daughter, Ruby, put the Baby Jogger City Tour to the test
My daughter and I have certainly put the Baby Jogger City Tour through its paces over the last year, not just here in the UK, but it’s clocked up some air miles too. I fell head over heels for my Joolz Geo, but once Ruby turned nine months old, it just became a little impractical for everyday use. Now it’s more of a treat when we do use it, and the Baby Jogger City Tour has become our ‘everyday’ choice.
The lowdown
Strolling in at 6.4kg, the latest addition to the Baby Jogger clan is lightweight and super-compact. It can be used from six months of age until around the three-year mark, and makes the perfect everyday companion. I was particularly sold on the fact it could go in the overhead storage when flying.
Good looking?
We picked this striking violet hue, but there is a black option, too, as well as charcoal grey and ‘juniper’. The design is very neat, so it is easy on the eye without looking too plasticky, as many lightweight strollers do.
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Practicality and drivability
Strollers aren’t known for their fancy suspension but this certainly rides well. Of course, it travels best on a flat surface, as opposed to cobbled streets and rough terrain, but because it’s so light, it’s easy to navigate around tight bends and lift over kerbs. You can either lock the wheels or leave them to swivel. The way it folds down into such a compact unit really is impressive, and the carry bag – which is included in the price – makes for an easy-to-store backpack. The fact that the City Tour is cabin sized was a godsend when taking Ruby on her first flight. I wheeled her straight to the plane, and popped it in the overhead locker until we had safely arrived. After the flight she was tired, which meant she could go straight in for a snooze once we were off. One improvement I would like to see is an extendable handlebar – I’m 5ft 8in and it’s just a fraction too low for my liking, but this seems to be the case with a majority of strollers. I do love that it’s just a one-bar handle though, rather than your typical umbrella-fold stroller, it means you can push with ease using just one hand.
Comfort
You might not get all the plush padding you get with a pushchair, but Ruby seems genuinely comfy while on the go. The large extendable SPF50+ sun canopy stops the light glare (more useful abroad than at home!) while the peephole lets me check on her every now and again. The seat seems pretty spacious, and the multi-position unit means Ruby can nap when reclined. The five-point padded harness straps are soft on Ruby’s chest and are easy to clip together, too.
The verdict
I really love the City Tour as a little run-around. It’s perfect for holidays, public transport, a quick nip to the shops and long walks. Having owned it for over a year now, it’s certainly clocked up some mileage, and for a nimble piece of kit it’s very robust; I can see us using it for another year at least!
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