Treat your kids to a comfy ride courtesy of parent-power! Claire Maxted tests the best for muddy trails
MOUNTAIN BUGGY TERRAIN £660
13.5kg Min age 6 months, Max weight 25kg
I used this one the most as it’s so versatile and durable. You can use it for running over all terrain but the stickiest of mud (deep slop does block up the wheel arch), meeting a friend in a cramped coffee shop, then filling its spacious underbelly with groceries. This is all thanks to the three-way wheel which you can lock in a forwards or backwards position for running or unlock and leave it on swivel, which is handy for manoeuvring around small shops. The many pockets and two bottle holders are so useful; the £32 raincover is excellent if a little on the bulky side; the backrest is wonderfully easy to adjust.
There’s only one downside – the handlebar brake is not as comfy as it could be for the left hand, but you get used to it.
VERDICT The absolute best option for runners who want one buggy to do it all. uk.mountainbuggy.com
THULE CHARIOT CROSS 1, £950
13.8kg Min age 6 months, Max weight 34kg
Your £950 gets you the bike and stroller set up –a bar to hook to your bike or two small, stowable wheels to clip into the front when strolling. The Jogging Kit is £130 for the larger, fixed front wheel, and for hilly runs you’ll benefit from the £90 Brake Kit. So that’s £1170. If you want to ski it’s a further £350, so a total of £1520. So it’s an investment, but what a sound investment this is if you are a family that does all these sports! The Chariot Cross 1 (2 is a double) is so well made, so durable yet light enough for running, so slimline and compact you’ve even got half a chance of getting it round the shops in stroller mode. It’s easy to switch between sport modes, the rain cover fits perfectly and folds up small, and the suspension guarantees a comfy ride.
VERDICT Pricey but it's the best of the multiactivity trailers. thule.com/en-gb
THULE GLIDE 2, £650
10.8kg Min age 6 months, Max weight 34kg
Wow, this is the Ferrari of running buggies.
If you have the cash to splash then the Thule Glide 2 is worthy of your investment as it’s easily the best here for running (not going round shops – too long!). It’s so well made, durable, easy to assemble and rolls over the grumpiest of ground with its grippy 20-inch back wheels and 18-inch fixed front wheel. The handlebar brake is unique – rather than like a bike brake, Thule have it within the handlebar itself so you twist the centre operate it. This makes it very easy to use and doesn’t obstruct your hand like the Mountain Buggy Terrain does. The five-point harness is simple, the sunshade is generous and there’s plenty of room for
