Baby Stroller Review - Maclaren Techno XT
The Maclaren Techno XT is one of best selling and most popular all-in-one strollers. It is the number one stroller in the UK (Maclaren are an English company) and Australia, and Maclaren are a fast growing and increasingly popular brand in the US.
Some key features are:
- Fully reclining seat, allowing the stroller to be used from birth
- Sturdy front swivel wheels with rear foot brake
- Lightweight frame, easily folded umbrella design
- Front and rear suspension
When looking for an all-in-one stroller, it can be hard to find the perfect fit. The Maclaren comes close, and for many families it can the only stroller they own. If you do not require a more rugged jogging stroller with pneumatic tires and full-travel suspension, then the Maclaren Techno XT should definately be on your shopping list. It may seem an expensive stroller, but its rugged construction and range of features actually make it good value for money, as it may be the only stroller you buy. Many families end up buying two strollers, and the Maclaren is definately worth a look if you are looking at purchasing only a single stroller. Many strollers that offer similar capabilities do not have the ruggedness or practicality offered by the Maclaren. Highly recommended.
The stroller follows a traditional unbrella design, where the stroller can be folded flat with ease (interestingly, Maclaren invented the umbrella design). However, if you do add more padding to the seat, it can become harder to fold. When folded, there is a carry handle on one side, that is well placed for easy lifting and carrying. Maclaren indicate that it is a single-handed fold, but it is a lot easier to use both hands.
A small shopping basic is included underneath the seat. However, when the seat is fully reclined it is impossible to get access to the basic, rendering it unusable. Even with the seat more upright, it can only store small items. There are also 2 pockets on the rear, where small items such a water bottle or mobile phone can be stored. It would have been nice to include a bottle holder on the handle though. Maclaren do make a universal organiser, so check out our review.
Weighing only 14.2 lbs, the lightweight Maclaren is very easy to carry and push around. The swivel front wheels (that can also be locked) are great in shopping malls, when quick manuverability is required. With the front wheels are locked, walking along uneven sidewalks is a doddle, with the stroller keeping a very straight path. The quick height adjust handles are particulary useful for taller parents. The Maclarens narrow width is particulary handy convenient when shopping, being able to fit through small checkouts when a larger stroller will need to use the wider checkouts.
If you do hang a bag on the handles, be careful with the stroller tiping back. This is especially true when your child climbs out of the stroller, as a hanging bag moves all of the weight to back. Also, with a newborn, a heavy bag can make the stroller tip easily, so be careful if you remove both hands form the handles.
A rain cover is included, that clips around the frame to create a very watertight cover. Even in very heavy rain the inside remains dry. A range of colours is available, from a conversative carbon (gray) to a more flashy citrus (bright green).
When looking for an all-in-one stroller, it can be hard to find the perfect fit. If a stroller is good for shipping malls (small, light and manuverable), then it not sturdy or rugged enough for extended sidewalk trips. Conversly, a stroller that offers the ruggedness for sidewalks can be too big and heavy for shopping malls. The Maclaren seems to strike a good balance between the two.
Strengths
- Lightwight umbrella design, only 14.2 lbs
- Easily folds to a small size
- Rugged frame
- Easy to manuveur
Weaknesses
- Small shopping basket, cannot be accessed when seat is fully reclined
- Can tip back when bags are placed on handles
Highly Recommended
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