In Step Nipper ATP

The Nipper is a lightweight all-terrain pushchair weighing only 7kg.  It has rear suspension and a seat that drops back enough for newborns.  The main brakes are ratchet style and there is a handbrake for the front wheel.  The hood is long with full length pockets along each side and a window in the top to see your baby (can be covered).  Space for gear under the pushchair in a drawstring bag.  Full raincover.

We came to this after a heavy Mothercare 3-wheeler and halving the weight of the pushchair made walking uphill so much easier!!!  It has a long wheel base and fixed front wheel which makes navigating obstacles easy.  My baby, who hated his first pushchair, loved this from the start and now complains when his little sister uses it!

The hood pockets are useful for snacks and drinks, woolly hats and gloves but the hood doesn’t fold fully when the pockets are full!!  Suspension makes for a comfy ride and the long hood provides good shading and it can be tilted forwards to cut out sun in front.

Overall: Brilliant for the price and a great off-roader - look for an old model though, as the new version released this year unfortunately has a swivel wheel which isn't as good for off-roading as a fixed wheel.

High points:  Comfy for baby, light and manoeuvrable for parents.  Very easy to fold and fits in small cars.

Low points :  The drawstring gear pocket underneath isn’t as good as an open basket as you can’t fit as much in! You can buy an add-on basket but this only leaves a couple of inches ground clearance. 

www.outnabout-atp.co.uk/

Landrover All Terrain Pushchair

The Landrover ATP (also manufactured under the Pegasus name) was one of the best (if not the best) all terrain pushchairs on the market. However, production stopped in 2002 and the only way to get hold of one now is second hand (they are easily available on ebay).

This is a serious lightweight off road pushchair. It has no frills, no fancy cup holders or rattles but is just the raw machine and does everything you need when you are off road. It comes with a small under seat basket, sun canopy (which can be tilted to any angle) and rain cover. There is an optional cot attachment which I would recommend if you are planning on using it from birth. It has a long wheel base which spreads the load well and a fixed front wheel making off road manoeuvring easy. Rear wheels are quick release and the front has easy to undo wing nuts.

We were recommended this by a friend and, as my husband is landrover mad it took very little persuading to get him to buy it! I have to say it is the best bit of baby kit that we have and we use it on a daily basis. We got it second hand and have used it for both of our boys who love it.

Overall: Fantastic if you can get hold of one. Still command a high price as they are so sought after.

High points:  Cot attachment can be used from birth and comfy hammock seat for 6 months and over. Light and easy to use and really will go anywhere (believe me we have tried!). Easy to take apart and so will fit into most cars.

Low points :  Why did they stop making them!!!!! The basket isn't huge but hey this isn't designed for shopping! The brake is rubbish – don't trust it! Expensive.

www.ebay.co.uk

Baby Jogger All Terrain City Series

This pushchair is fab for off roading and doesn't come with a silly brake system, like the others. The wheels are 12" pneumatic tyres. The front wheel has a 360 degree swivel, which is great for round town and which locks for off-roading. The swivel wheel is very sturdy and I can even use it in swivel mode on hard core paths and very long grass, although I do lock it when doing much more rough terrain and streams. The footmuff has proven to be invaluable as it is made for keeping baby warm in isolated windy conditions. This pram is excellent from birth and is very lightweight so can easly be lifted over stiles!!! (Needs two people, obviously, to lift) The tyres are thorn resistant - this feature has unfortunately been tried and tested (I was rather worried, but we did survive). I really thought this pram wouldn't do the job but it does! This pram is from newborn to five year and is far more superior than the Out n About model. It took me months to find a suitable pram to replace the Landrover pushchair which I miss but the new one is great. I now have freedom at last!

Overall: Fab for off-roading despite the "City" name. A great all-rounder

High points:  Can be used from birth to 5. Light and easy to use. Easy to fold and comes with thorn-proof tyres.

Low points :  Wheel locks in rear facing position reducing wheel base length. At 10kg heavier than other ATPs.

www.babyjogger.co.uk

Reviewed by Katrina Latham

Mothercare Urban Detour Pinnacle

This 3-wheeler from Mothercare was our starter “off-roader” and was seriously tried and tested while writing “All-Terrain Pushchair Walks, Snowdonia” (Sigma Press £7.95). This pushchair stood up to a very severe hammering on some seriously rough terrain, up hills, over rocks, through bogs, sand, mud and gravel, over stiles and through kissing gates.

My main comment – it's too heavy!!!! It weighs in at 14kg, which may not seem a lot, but having switched to a 7kg pushchair, the difference in difficulty is unbelievable. As your baby gets heavier the excess weight of the pushchair really makes a difference. Using the attachable car seat would make it even heavier.

In terms of general design, the seat drops back for newborns and it has a good sized basket for a day out. Good sized pneumatic wheels with pump supplied and it comes with raincover and cosy-toes. The lock on the front swivel wheel is reliable as it does need to be locked off-road and it never jolted unlocked. The ratchet brake system is good and reliable, but the bar used to apply the brake can get snagged on rocks/roots leading to the brakes being applied by accident which can be awkward. The hood isn't big enough to block the sun which led to a lot of wailing in summer. The pushchair is very bulky and I found it awkward in shops due to its bulk despite the swivel wheel, though there's plenty of space for shopping.

Overall: Does the job but walks are a lot easier with a lighter pushchair

High points:  Robust, good basket, coped admirably with extreme terrains.

Low points :  Too bulky and heavy and my little boy found it uncomfortable. You can get a proper ATP cheaper.

www.mothercare.com

Maclaren Triumph Stroller

This is a basic lightweight stroller (our town buggy!) with 4 double sets of hard wheels, the front two having a lockable swivel. It has an umbrella fold and a shoulder strap which is handy for public transport. It has an integral hood and comes with a rain cover. The brake is a pressure system, but is awkward to apply and comes undone too easily.

This little stroller is brilliant for round town as it is small, narrow and has a low centre of gravity so it is stable over kerbs. Swivel wheels make it easy to steer and its small size is great for those shops which put the racks too close together! It has a shopping basket, but this is really too small to put carrier bags in.

Off road, my toddler loves it as he gets a bumpy ride! However, it can't handle loose gravel, sand, long grass or mud as the tiny wheels just get stuck. The lock on the swivel wheels comes undone on rougher ground. The separate handles mean you can't attach a leash, so steep hills/walks with drops are unadvisable and the low handles make pushing awkward even down fairly gentle slopes awkward (and I'm only 5'3”!) and also make use with a buggy board awkward. On easy access routes, packed gravel or hard paths, it's fine as long as your little one likes being jiggled about. The basket is too small for a day out, so you need to take a bag along as well.

Overall: a great town buggy, but stick to very easy countryside routes.

High points:  Small for town, handy for travel, comes in a range of colours, widely available, cheap!

Low points :  Basket too small, swivel lock poor, brake poor, nightmare to steer with one hand.

www.mothercare.com

Landrover Pegasus Double Pushchair

A brilliant double off roader that steers like a dream and fits through surprisingly narrow gates!

A well constructed pushchair of the same overall design as the Landrover single ATP, this pushchair is ideal for twins or those of us with small age gaps/lazy toddlers. The seats are hammock style canvas and very comfortable for the pushees. For babies, carrycot attachments are available. There is a basket underneath though this is the same size as the single which is a shame - if you have two kids you need nearly twice the kit, so it's not really big enough. Pushes well over a variety of surfaces and was surprisingly stable over awkward rocky sections. Even with the weight of the extra child it is easy to control. Comes with detachable sun hood and raincover.

Overall: A delight to walk with, and that's from someone determined not to go the double buggy route!

High points:  Can be used from birth with the carrycot, light, easy to steer, narrow.

Low points :  I can't get the raincover down without it catching on the wheel, however hard I try. Dodgy brake, as with the single.

www.ebay.co.uk

Mountain Buggy Urban Double Pushchair

Double- best one there is. Suits teeny ones, but my almost 4 year old still fits in reasonably well. The four wheels give a lot of stability, it pushes with a fingertip (apart from uphills) and the shopping basket is huge with lots of lovely compartments for phones etc. The strap gives reassurance, and a carrycot is available. If you use it for toddler groups this is fantastic, you can just take the carrycot into halls with you and it helps keep a little baby safer from herds of toddlers! Easy to steer and fits in surprisingly narrow spaces. Designed to last forever and extremely good value considering.

Overall: Loved it so much I bought the single! The single is as above apart from the 4 wheels- it has 3.

High points:  Can be used from birth with the carrycot, the best double there is!

Low points :  Pricey.

www.pushchairs.co.uk

Reviewed by Dawn Dadswell

Kari me Papoose

This is probably the lowest tech papoose on the market being a long piece of stretchy cloth!  Despite, or maybe because of that, it is the comfiest baby carrier we tried and we tried a few!!

Once you’ve got the knot sussed, which only takes a couple of goes, it’s easy to put the baby in and out.  The double crossing at the back means you can spread the weight across your back rather than it being concentrated on shoulders and neck which was the problem we found with high-tech carriers.  It also holds the baby very close to your body which they love.

You can put the baby in 5 positions – cradle, facing in, facing out, on the hip and on your back, though you need help to put the baby on your back.

Machine washable and comes in a range of colours.  Packs into a small bag.  Can be used from birth up to 35lb and we carried our first on the front until he was nearly 2!!

Overall- this is my essential item of baby gear!!!
(Bearded bloke is an optional extra...)

High points: comfort for parent and baby, versatile, can be put in a rucksack or under a pushchair

Low points :  None!

www.kari-me.com/

ERGObaby Carrier

This is the best baby carrier we have tried and is definitely an essential buy for all outdoor families. The simple, light weight design is easy to use and very comfortable for both baby and adult. The carrier can be used in three positions, front, hip and back and can also be used from birth with the addition of the lovely soft baby insert. The carrier can be used with kids up to the age of five; the design distributes the weight of older children brilliantly and we were amazed at just how comfortable it was and how long we could carry them for! The carrier is compact and so easy to pack in the bottom of the pushchair for occasional use. Once familiar with its use it is easy for one adult to use the carrier alone, even putting the baby on your back, and the kids seem to love it. Comes in several great colour combinations and has a handy hood to hold the child's head up if they fall asleep. Various accessories from pouches and back packs to suckling pads can be purchased to go with the carrier.

Overall- fantastic and an essential piece of baby kit
(again, bearded bloke is an optional extra...)

High points:  lightweight and extremely comfortable, you can put the baby on your back without help

Low points :  the baby can't face out on your front

www.kari-me.com/

Tomy Baby Carrier

This was our first baby sling and I have to say it is the most uncomfortable carrier I have ever encountered! It's nicely padded and fleece lined for the baby, and very easy to get the baby in and out even while asleep, which was why we bought it. However, for the parent it was like a torture instrument! The cross-over straps were very awkward to get on and off and adjust, the lumbar support didn't, and you end up supporting the baby with your neck, however the carrier is adjusted. My back started going when the baby was only 8lb! In addition, I never quite trusted the press-studs which are the only thing holding your precious baby in.

Overall - Don't bother unless you want a bad back

High points: Comfortable for baby, small

Low points :  Very uncomfortable and strains the back

Macpac Possum Baby Carrier

This is a well made and well thought out backpack and everything that you would expect from Macpac. It is designed to look like a rucksack with an internal frame and big pockets. The shoulder straps and waist belt are well padded and the adjustable back length also means that it should fit any user. The baby seat is also well padded and fully adjustable and both my kids have loved it. There is a rain cover, sun shade and neck rest for when baby decides to take a kip!

Overall- A great backpack if you can afford it.

High points:  Comfortable for both child and parent. Lots of space in the big compartments for baby kit and food. So many accessories!

Low points :  Very expensive but they are built to last so check out the second hand market. I find it quite heavy but that could just be the size of our baby! This is easily solved by giving it to dad to carry!

www.macpac.co.nz

Vango Nitestar Baby and Convertible Sleeping Bags

This is a cute baby version of the adult Vango sleeping bags and is a 2 season sleeping bag (7-20 deg C) with a hollow fibre filling.  Cotton lined for comfort and no stitching on the outer helps keep heat in and baby snug and warm.  Hood (without drawstring) provides a comfortable surface for baby’s head.  We used this with both ours in varying camping conditions from 4 months until they were too long at about 1 year.  They also do a similar rated convertible version for toddlers and young children with a double zip

Overall- Excellent if you’re into camping and a bargain compared to adult sleeping bags.

High points: Snug and warm!  Cheap!!

Low points : some form of top fastening to stop baby escaping out the top would be useful (this is present on the Convertible).

www.vango.co.uk

Kampa Airlock Bed – Junior

An excellent airbed that has been designed especially for toddlers.

This fantastic airbed is a must for every camping trip and is also superb as an occasional bed when visiting family or when friends come to stay. The bed is cunningly designed with retaining cushions around the outside that prevent the child from falling out of bed in the middle of the night. The robust materials used make it a sturdy product that should withstand toddler bouncing parties but it does come with a puncture repair kit just in case. Unlike the other ‘all in one' children's airbeds this design gives you the flexibility of using a sleeping bag or a sheet or duvet.

Overall – An essential piece of camping kit that is affordable too.

High points: Retaining cushions to contain the child. Great value and all my mates want one.

Low points : Can't think of any!

www.kampa.co.uk

Wild Country Homestead 4

A family tent that is relatively compact and well thought out. It is easy and reasonably quick to pitch with the outer going up first. It sleeps 4 in two bedroom compartments that sit side by side in one half of the tent. The rest of the tent is made up of a large communal area and the front opening can be lifted up to provide an awning and more space. The bedrooms can be removed to provide one large area for partying too! The tent is made from tough material and the poles are very strong. We have tested it in stormy conditions and it came through with flying colours when other family tents on the site were demolished!

Overall - Reasonable value for a large but very well constructed tent.

High points:  A very strong family tent with plenty of space in both the sleeping and communal areas.

Low points :  Very heavy and contained within three bags which takes up quite a bit of space in the car.

www.terra-nova.co.uk

Vaude Badawi Family Tent

This is an award winning but strange looking tent with a massive communal area that even tall people can stand up in!  Two bedrooms are slotted into the “wings” and there are 3 mesh windows for extra ventilation which can be closed.  The ventilation tower on top is great when cooking in the tent and the tall structure means that even 6-footers can stand up.  The door can be propped up as a canopy if you need even more space!  Flysheet and inner come attached and the whole lot goes up and down as one so you don’t need to worry about the bedrooms getting wet in the rain. Comes with a "footprint" groundsheet.  Pole arrangement makes for a very stable construction in windy weather.

Overall - Big, stable and toddlers can't reach the top of the zips to undo them!

High points: Massive communal area for playing, eating, chilling.  Easy to put up and down.  Lightweight. Easy to find on the campsite!!

Low points : One person in each bedroom doesn’t have much headroom due to the sloping roof.  Sloping door hard to undo as you have to reach down very low and slope means part of inner gets wet in rain.  Expensive.

www.vaude.co.uk

Wild Country Halo 73

Another great tent in the Wild Country range; a stable design constructed using quality materials. This one is definitely designed for the families who like their home comforts. We tested the 7 man version (4, 5 & 10 man versions also available) and it had oodles of space and storage pockets galore. The communal area takes up over half the tent and there is plenty of room for the kids to play and good headroom for adults. The front can be lifted to form an awning giving even more space which is fantastic for cooking and eating. The tent was relatively easy to erect but did take around 30 mins. The inner goes up first which is not ideal in wet weather. Other niggles were the annoying buttons used to hold up the internal curtains/vents (surely this is where Velcro comes into its own!) and the high groundsheet in the entrance door which constantly tripped up our toddler.

Overall: a large and well thought out family tent that has plenty of storage space for those who like to camp in comfort!

High points: well constructed and stable

Low points : inner tent erected first and annoying buttons on internal vents.

www.terra-nova.co.uk

Cobb BBQ/Charcoal Oven

Gone are the days of dried camping meals and one pot wonders. Now it couldn't be easier to cook a full family roast from your tent with this great camping oven. We were the envy of the campsite when we tested this product and it's great for barbecues at home or away too!

The Cobb oven is so versatile that you can bake bread or cakes, roast, fry, barbeque and smoke whatever takes your fancy. The oven is simple to use and with just 8 charcoal briquettes it is ready to go in 20 minutes and will be hot for 3 hours. Alternatively you can use one of Cobb's fantastic specially designed and ecofriendly cobblestone bricks which allow you to start cooking just 3 minutes after lighting and last 2.5 hours. The oven is hot to touch when cooking but doesn't burn making it a safer option than the average camping stove when you have little ones running around.

High Points – Safe and easy to use allowing you to cook gourmet meals in minutes!

Low Points – Not the cheapest option but well worth the money when you consider its versalitity.

Overall – A fully portable oven and barbeque that is perfect for family camping trips and garden cooking.

cobb-bbq.co.uk/

Tummy Tub

Not really outdoor gear but this bath is great for camping! Baby sits up in it (you only need to support their chin from birth) and you don't need much water so it's even eco-friendly. Simulates foetal position in the womb so nice for Baby, and you have a hand free for washing, arranging towels and all those things you usually need a third arm for!

www.tummytub.co.uk