Watch a video of the BOB Revolution Pro in action
What’s in the box?
- Weather shield £16; Sun Shield £15
- Snack Tray £20
- Travel Bag £40
- Warm And Fuzzy Cosytoes £63
- BOB Carrycot £110; Infant Carrier Adapter £20
How was it out of the box?
The box contains the pushchair, two large side wheels and a smaller front wheel which, when attached, either swivels or locks, depending on whether you use ‘sport’ or ‘city’ mode. Attaching the side wheels was a doddle (click, click) but the front wheel left me scratching my head. Stumped by instructions such as “insert the wheel between the fork dropouts so that the axle firmly contacts the top of the slots of the fork dropouts” (huh?), I enlisted the help of my husband, who put it together in less than five minutes. Once assembled, it was time for a road test. Or, more accurately, a forest test.
How was it to push?
Hailed as an “all-terrain power pushchair”, the large wheels and superior suspension mean a smooth ride when tackling tree roots, rocks and other uneven terrain. On the way to the woods, it also laughed in the face of kerbs and was comfortable to jog with. It’s easy to push, and the aforementioned adjustable handlebar (with nine positions no less!) accommodates people of different heights perfectly – very handy for my husband at 6ft 7in and me at 5ft 4in.
The wheels handle the wet ground well after a rain shower, and the pushchair is also easy to manoeuvre on grass, uneven pavements and in shops (wide aisles are, however, a prerequisite).
I found the front-wheel fixed ‘sport’ mode to be more hassle than it’s worth. While it offers greater stability (fab when you’re running in a straight line), it also offers the promise that you’ll certainly run into someone or something if you don’t keep your wits about you and continually pick up the front wheel to avoid any collisions. Personally, the swivel ‘city’ mode was preferable for all instances.
How is interacting with your child?
The see-through window on top of the canopy is great so you can check your buba is doing okay without having to peer around the front. There’s also a flap you can un-Velcro so your wee one can turn around and give you a grin if he feels so inclined. The canopy can be pulled down low, so effectively keeps the sun off the baby.
What’s the seating position like?
The seat can be positioned so your baby is almost laying flat, is sitting upright, and anywhere in-between. Smaller babies, like my son at eight months, are a little swamped by the BOB, but it’s great that there’s room to grow into it. I get the impression that the older he gets, the more comfortable he’ll be. That’s not to say he’s uncomfortable now, but he would probably rather be a little more ‘cocooned’.
I don’t think I’d take this pushchair on holiday – unless it was a hiking trip or similar – as it’d take up too much space. A more compact buggy would be more travel-friendly.
Any interesting features?
Other nice touches are the mesh pockets next to the seat for sippy cups/snacks that your baby can help himself to, and the clip on the strap that you can attach toys to. No more scanning the ground for strewn stuffed monkeys and discarded Peter Rabbits.
What about brakes?
There are two brake mechanisms. One a handbrake lever that’s useful when walking down hills (initially it pulled a little to the left but a quick twiddle following the instructions sorted that out) and one a parking brake, operated by your foot when on flat ground. Both are very effective. However, if you’re nervous about a runaway buggy, there’s a wrist strap you can also wear.
How compact is it?
Its bulk is both a blessing and a curse. The ample frame means it’s sturdy and robust, but it also means it won’t fit in a car with a small boot. To combat this, you can remove the rear wheels, but this is a bit of a faff. If the seats in your car fold down, this is an easier option.
How was it to fold?
Despite its size, the buggy is easy to fold in two simple steps (you’ll need both hands though) and is relatively flat to store in a cupboard, considering its heft.
What was the storage like?
For such a large buggy, I was expecting a little more storage – the basket underneath only just holds my nappy bag (and there’s some smooshing required). Having said this, you can hang your nappy bag over the handle without risk of kicking it as you walk along, then use the basket for smaller items. There’s also a pocket on the back of the seat, which carries my purse and phone, but is a little inconvenient when the seat is reclined.
Who is the BOB Revolution Pro best for?
Active parents who love the outdoors and want a pushchair that can handle all kinds of terrain.
In a nutshell
This buggy means business! Amazing for walking/jogging/hiking on all terrain, and the swiveling front wheel means it’s easy to manoeuvre both in the great outdoors and around town. If you’re not going to venture further than the shops though, a smaller, cheaper pushchair would be better suited for you. If, however, you’re an outdoorsy type who wants to take baby along for the ride, I’d highly recommend the BOB Revolution Pro.
