Kiddy

Kiddy: City'n'Move Stroller (Review)

May 14, 2013 by TheBoyAndMe 3 Comments

About a month ago I was sent a Kiddy pushchair to review. Known for their carseats, it was a pleasant surprise to discover that they also made pushchairs, and as I've been using a Maclaren Techno XLR since The Boy outgrew his beloved iCandy Cherry, I was extremely interested to see how the City'n'Move would compare.

This review is heavy in photographs, but I want to show off as many different aspects as possible which is something I look for when researching a product. I must also apologise for some of the poses from The Boy; he was in a silly mood!

Assembly of the Kiddy City'n'Move is simple: the pushchair comes put together apart from the front wheels which slot into brackets and click into place; the hood slots into brackets on the side of the frame, there are metal studs on the fabric and frame that clip together and velcro strips for added adjustment; and the drinks' holder slots into an unobtrusive clip on either side of the frame. As The Boy insisted on helping me assemble the pushchair, it took slightly longer than necessary but was put together and he was wheeling it around within five minutes.

Kiddy City'n'Move

Once assembled, The Boy couldn't help but wheel the stroller around the house and then climb in. I'd explained that we were testing it and he was desperate to show off the features. So in he climbed to show the way that the seat has four different positions:

Kiddy City'n'Move

And that the protective-lined hood is so much better than the standard pushchair, mainly because it has an extendable hood with an integrated window to check on sleeping little ones:

Kiddy City'n'Move

Other aspects of the Kiddy City'n'Move to note are:

extendable leg rest: as The Boy is at the end of the age range to use this pushchair, we have the rest extended to make it more comfortable for the length of his legs. Obviously for older babies and toddlers, it could be extended to support their legs whilst sleeping;
ease of opening/closing: there is a wide plastic bracket on top of the hinges to push down to open the pushchair, attached to this is a handle at the top to pull up on and close the pushchair working in conjunction with the push lever on the side;
safety straps: the Kiddy City'n'Move features a five-point harness with wide protection pads over the shoulders. The straps are easily adjustable in length and each shoulder strap clicks into place separately (much easier than the Maclaren). There are also slots on the back of the seat to adjust the position of the straps for different height children, and these are far more accommodating of taller children than in a Maclaren pushchair (The Boy is 3 years 11 months and 106cm tall).
safety bar: there is a padded, metal safety bar which should be used at all times. I'm afraid that I don't have it on the pushchair in these photographs, however the image on the website shows how it looks. It fixes in on one side semi-permanently and there is a slot for it to attach into on the other side. A push button underneath allows it to open like a door for the older child to climb in and out. It also does not need removing when the pushchair is folded down as there is a hinge in the middle.

Kiddy City'n'Move

One aspect of this pushchair that I am incredibly impressed with is the raincover. I know it's not a very exciting concept but having coped with the (admittedly easy to fit) raincover on the Maclaren which then leaves a sodden pushchair, I was very happy to see that Kiddy have designed the raincover to fit over the entire pushchair, hood and all. There are two slots to put the handles through and they are the only things that get wet, as even half of the back is covered. I had a good chance to test this today as we walked for twenty five minutes in the torrential rain across town to pick up my car from the garage. I was saturated; my jeans were sticking to me and I had water running off my face. However, The Boy sat comfortable and dry inside the City'n'Move which also remained dry as a bone.

Kiddy City'n'Move

The only thing that I found slightly irksome about the Kiddy City'n'Move is the shopping basket. While it is large enough to accommodate the groceries from a trip to the town centre and a change bag, unfortunately the umbrella-folding mechanism is not below the basket but above it. This effectively means that the basket is divided into four sections when putting items in it. This may be something that just bothers me, but it was part of the criteria for a pushchair when we first had The Boy.

However, all the positives of this pushchair far outweigh the logistics of loading up a shopping basket; it's roomy, airy, comfortable, with a sensible closing mechanism and raincover. And I can't rave about the extendable hood enough! What's more is that The Boy prefers it! I asked him to try out both this and the Maclaren and he prefers the Kiddy every time. And in all honesty, so do I! It's a good looking pushchair, and very comfortable to push.

Furthermore, it passed the Nana test (she took charge in Cardiff city centre and she's used a fair few pushchairs in her time with four children and seven grandchildren) with flying colours, having been bumped up and down several stairs, pavements and steered around groups of dawdlers.

The best indication that this is a good pushchair is this though…

Kiddy pushchair

…he hasn't fallen asleep in a pushchair for nearly 18 months.

Suffice it to say, we haven't actually used the Maclaren since we received the Kiddy pushchair and when we go on holiday in a few weeks, the City'n'Move will be the one we take with us.

I was sent this item for the purpose of this review, my opinion is honest and unbiased.

Kiddy: GuardianFix Pro2 (Review)

January 18, 2013 by TheBoyAndMe 3 Comments

We've recently been sent the Kiddy Guardianfix Pro2 carseat to review with The Boy.

Since we were sent the Cruiserfix Pro earlier last year, The Boy has been incredibly comfortable in it and really enjoyed sitting in his 'big boy' seat. The Kiddy Cruiserfix Pro is a Group 2/3 seat for the weight range 15-36kg and age range of 4-12 years, which I've previously highlighted is a big age range. However, it adapts well to accommodate the different needs of different ages with an adjustable back and a leg rest which extends for comfort. I'm pleasantly surprised at how The Boy manages to fall asleep in it easily, far more easily than I'd anticipated.

However, the Guardianfix Pro2 is capable of covering an even greater age range.

I'm a sceptic when it comes to seats that can accommodate a 9 month old right up to a 12 year old. I don't see how it's possible as they have different needs based on their physiology. However, Kiddy have recognised this and have measures in place to accommodate the younger user when using the Guardianfix Pro2.

Younger users (9 months to 4 years approximately/9-18kg) must use the Kiddy Impact Shield:

"The original kiddy impact shield is made of highly shock-absorbing materials and offers the best impact protection in the event of a head-on collision. The risk of dangerous neck injuries is reduced by the fact that the impact forces are directed into the impact shield, and this prevents the baby's head from being abruptly thrown forward or backward, as in a child seat with a conventional shoulder harness."

kiddy carseats

It slots in easily to the front of the seat, there are gaps under the arm rests where it fits, and fits securely over the child's abdomen distributing the impact. The adult seatbelt feeds through the red clips either side. As you can see, The Boy is off the age where he needs to not use this anymore (it's not age based though, it is weight determined and he is over the required 18kg) and so we have removed that and just use the Guardianfix Pro2 as the Cruiserfix Pro is used.

kiddy carseats

The adult seatbelt feeds safely through the guides and through a red seatbelt guide towards the top which is adjustable along with the back to accommodate height differences.

Like the Cruiserfix Pro, the Guardianfix Pro2 has a pull out leg rest (very useful when he falls asleep) and an adjustable back. It also has the Kiddy K-fix Connectors which connect the child safety seat to the standardized fastening system ISOFIX. (This seat can be used without the ISOFIX connectors, as it is when used in my mum's car which doesn't have that system).

kiddy carseats

I'd like to reiterate the point that I made in my first Kiddy review:

"I review a lot of things, and I have been told that they have often sealed the deal for parents looking for information on a specific product. When it's a jigsaw puzzle, a play house or a toddler meal then that's fantastic and makes reviewing worthwhile. When it's a matter of safety, and for the protection of your child, don't take my word on whether it's safe or not. Please look at a proper breakdown on the safety of the Kiddy Guardianfix Pro2, like this one on Which?."

I was sent this product for the purpose of this review, my opinion is honest and unbiased.

Kiddy: Cruiserfix Pro Group 2/3

October 1, 2012 by TheBoyAndMe 3 Comments

Having just read this review about the Kiddy Phoenixfix Pro, it makes a really important point which I want to reiterate. I review a lot of things, and I have been told that they have often sealed the deal for parents looking for information on a specific product. When it's a jigsaw puzzle, a play house or a toddler meal then that's fantastic and makes reviewing worthwhile. When it's a matter of safety, and for the protection of your child, don't take my word on whether it's safe or not. Please look at a proper breakdown on the safety of the Kiddy Cruiserfix Pro, like this one on Which?.

So what will I discuss?

Ease of fitting, and
Comfort.

The Boy has moved from his five-point Maxi-Cosi Axiss because he's too tall for it, I shouldn't be surprised because he grew out of his first car seat at seven months old. Therefore I needed to get him a decent seat which is robust enough to offer sufficient, and possibly more, protection for my little boy who had just turned three at the time. There aren't many five point harness group 2/3 child seats out there, and I would imagine this is purely due to the age range they span. While a five point harness is perceived to be safer, there is no evidence to support this misconception. In addition, the average seven year old male is not going to find the strap coming between his legs comfortable, and that was why I was happy to take The Boy up to a seat which uses the adult seatbelt.

The Kiddy Cruiserfix Pro is a Group 2/3 seat for the weight range 15-36kg and age range of 4-12 years. It's a big age range, however it adjusts for height and leg length to make it comfortable for the older child to use safely. The page on the Kiddy website gives a very comprehensive breakdown of materials chosen and the shock absorber system.

The seat arrived in the box ready to install. The Cruiserfix Pro has retractable clamps for use with Isofix, which our car (Renault Scenic) has. There are two small yellow brackets which are inserted into the fabric opening of the car seat, and they hold the fabric out of the way to allow the Kiddy seat bracket to attach to the Isofix units. It was relatively easy to attach, although Renault had kindly sewn up the fabric too tightly on one side which meant hacking some excess (and hidden) fabric off. Once attached to the Isofix unit, the seat is pushed back into place against the back of the adult seat. I removed the headrest from the Scenic's seat to ensure a flush fit. I had it fitted within ten minutes, it would have been five if Renault hadn't been so 'meticulous' with their stitching.

The Boy is incredibly comfortable in this seat. His head is inches below the top of the side protectors, and that's even at the lowest setting, and he has space either side of his shoulders and head, but not an excessive amount.

As he's still only just three years old, he does have a tendency to fall asleep in the car on long journeys. That was easier in his old seat as I could tilt it up for him to lie back. Obviously that's not possible in a seat which uses an adult seatbelt. However, because the Cruiserfix Pro has a three-stage leg extension which means that he can push the legrest out himself and put his feet up making himself very comfortable. This is what makes the difference for The Boy as a young user of the seat. He's fallen asleep in it comfortably (for well over an hour) at least a dozen times now.

If I was to ask The Boy why he loves his new seat (because he does) he'd tell you it's because it's a 'big boy seat'. Previously I had to lift him in and out of the Axiss; he's a big boy and I have a rubbish back. These things combined meant that it was becoming a nightmare putting him in. However, now he loves that he can climb in and out himself and only needs mummy to do/undo his seatbelt.

For installation and comfort, the Kiddy Cruiserfix Pro gets a big thumbs up from us!

The Kiddy Cruiserfix Pro retails for £150 and is available from a variety of stockists.

I was sent this product for the purpose of this review. My opinion is honest and unbiased. And please check out an independent safety specialist's opinion of any car seat before you buy it.